1Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)
World-class art museum (Diego Rivera Industry murals + Van Gogh). USD 14. 2-3 hours.
Photo: Sailko, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) · USA
24-Hour Layover in Detroit: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 24-hour layover in Detroit?
Entry
Same USA rules — ESTA or visa required. Delta hub — international passengers at McNamara Terminal must clear US immigration.
Into town
SMART FAST bus (to downtown): 50 min, USD 2.
Time outside
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Times from DTW arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Detroit: Where to Go
The sights in Detroit worth leaving the airport for.
1
2Henry Ford Museum + Greenfield Village
Iconic Americana museum (closer to DTW than downtown). USD 30. The most-American attraction in America. 3-4 hours.
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
3Eastern Market
Saturday morning farmers market since 1891. 250+ vendors. Best Detroit weekend experience. Free entry.
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
landmark
Motown Museum (Hitsville USA)
Original Motown Records studio. USD 22. 90 min tour. The Berry Gordy + Marvin Gaye + Stevie Wonder history.
Itinerary ideas for Detroit
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
24 hours
You are here24 hours in Detroit
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Insider tip
DTW is 30km from downtown Detroit — SMART FAST bus (USD 2, 50 min) is the cheapest. Uber/Lyft USD 50-80. Henry Ford Museum is closer to DTW than to downtown — good for 4+ hour layovers.
Into Detroit
Getting to Detroit City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| SMART FAST bus (to downtown) | USD 2 | 50 min |
| Taxi / Uber / Lyft | USD 50–80 | 30–50 min |
Eat like a local
Eat Like a Local in Detroit
Coney dog at Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit-style pizza at Buddy's. BBQ at Slows Bar BQ. Frites at HopCat. Beverages: Stroh's + Vernors ginger ale + Faygo.
24 hours in Detroit
24-Hour Itinerary
1
Day 1 — Arrival
Into Detroit and check in to your hotel
Take SMART FAST bus (to downtown) (50 min, USD 2). Most hotels hold bags before check-in.
2
Day 1 — Afternoon
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)
World-class art museum (Diego Rivera Industry murals + Van Gogh). USD 14. 2-3 hours.
3
Day 1 — Evening
Dinner like a local
Coney dog at Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit-style pizza at Buddy's. BBQ at Slows Bar BQ. Frites at HopCat. Beverages: Stroh's + Vernors ginger ale + Faygo.
4
Day 2 — Morning
Henry Ford Museum + Greenfield Village
Iconic Americana museum (closer to DTW than downtown). USD 30. The most-American attraction in America. 3-4 hours.
5
Day 2 — Late morning
Eastern Market
Saturday morning farmers market since 1891. 250+ vendors. Best Detroit weekend experience. Free entry.
6
Day 2 — Departure
Back to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Head back to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport by SMART FAST bus (to downtown) (50 min, USD 2). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 24-hour layover in Detroit?
Same USA rules — ESTA or visa required. Delta hub — international passengers at McNamara Terminal must clear US immigration. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 24 hours enough to leave Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip. Getting into Detroit by SMART FAST bus (to downtown) takes 50 min each way.
How do I get from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Detroit centre?
SMART FAST bus (to downtown): 50 min, USD 2. Taxi / Uber / Lyft: 30–50 min, USD 50–80.
Getting out of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Detroit
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Detroit and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse DetroitJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Detroit? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Detroit.Trains & buses from Detroit
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Detroit Airport
With 24 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Detroit
Hotels, hostels & more · Expedia
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Also useful for your Detroit trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Detroit
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from DTW.
Delta Air Lines route mapAir France route mapAlaska Airlines route mapAmerican Airlines route mapAvelo Airlines route mapFrontier Airlines route mapGoJet Airlines route mapIcelandair route mapJetBlue Airways route mapLufthansa route mapRoyal Jordanian route mapSouthwest Airlines route mapSun Country Airlines route mapTurkish Airlines route mapUnited Airlines route mapVolaris route mapWestJet route map
Airport lounges at Coleman A. Young Municipal Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Detroit travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Detroit works
01
Check you can leave
Same USA rules — ESTA or visa required. Delta hub — international passengers at McNamara Terminal must clear US immigration.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport by SMART FAST bus (to downtown) (50 min, USD 2). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Ready for Detroit?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight on the ground
Daylight in Detroit runs from about 8.9 hours in Dec to 15.1 in Jun. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.