You've reached your destination into Detroit Metro Airport - just 18 miles west of downtown Detroit. This is the nation's 11th busiest airport and as a hub, the majority of travelers pass through Northwest Airlines McNamara/Northwest WorldGateway Terminal. Now all you need to do is collect your bags and reach your final destination.
You have several choices when it comes to traveling from Metro Airport to the city of Detroit. If you're familiar with Detroit, you may choose to rent a car from the airport and drive yourself or take the public transit system. You may also choose the less-stressful option of hiring a limo service to take you into the city.
The Detroit Metro Airport offers numerous car rental services including Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Hertz. It's true that automobiles are a way of life in the Motor City. Major freeways connecting Detroit with its suburbs and beyond include I-75, I-94 and I-96. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is a toll tunnel connecting Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, just to the north. Maximum driving speeds are 70 mph. The airport is located 20 miles west of the city center.
It's important to remember, however, that traffic is heaviest in Detroit around rush hour, as workers fill the downtown area in the morning and vacate it by evening. The city is laid out in a conventional grid system; however, this is sometimes compromised by the meandering shoreline of the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. Another hindrance to driving yourself is road construction projects which can create lane closures and traffic backups.
Renting an airport limo is not as extravagant as it sounds. In fact, it's affordable for most travelers. It is also an appealing option to avoiding the hassles of Detroit traffic. Detroit airport limo service is only slightly more than what you would pay for a taxi cab. The difference may only be around $10, and you'll be receiving much better service. A non-stop journey into the city center should take about 20 minutes when traffic is clear and up to 1 hour during rush traffic.
For those who are traveling with a group, especially for business travelers, renting an airport limo makes a lot of sense, as the group can split the cost of the limo and save some money. Limo services also provide amenities such as bottled water and Detroit-area publications for their passengers.
In Michigan, Checker Cab is the largest company, and serves all of Detroit's 147 square miles. The cab service is the most recognized is Detroit. Fares in the city of Detroit are set by ordinance. The current fare is $2.50 per trip plus $1.60 per mile. Taxicab meters are set and inspected annually to ensure proper calculation. It's important to note that vehicles for hire picking up within the city limits of Detroit are required to have a Detroit Bond Plate attached to the vehicle. In addition, drivers are required to secure a Public Vehicle license. Riders should never hail a vehicle that does not have these two important items. While it is not customary to tip a Detroit cabbie, you may tip them several dollars for help with your bags.
Other major transportation providers to and around metro Detroit include Amtrak, the Detroit Department of Transportation Bus Service, and SMART Regional Transportation Bus Service.
