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Flights to Detroit (DTW) overview
Going searches for the best fares and sends members deals bookable 1-12 months in advance. Going members save approximately 37% compared to normal flight prices to Detroit (DTW).
Cheapest Going deal
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Best month to fly
Going found the most deals with travel dates in September.
Worst month to fly
Going found the least deals with travel dates in March.
Top tips for finding a cheap flight to Detroit (DTW)
Book in the Goldilocks Window
Finding the perfect window in which to book flights is all about balance. Don’t book too early, but definitely don’t book too late either. In other words, be like Goldilocks and book in the just-right time to find the best deals. We’ve found that it's 1–3 months before domestic flights and 2–8 months before international flights. If you’re planning to travel during a busy period, book on the earlier side. We recommend starting to look for July flights to Detroit around January.
We get asked all the time about last-minute deals. The truth? They’re few and far between, especially during peak seasons. In fact, we’ve seen fares reliably rise at the 21-, 14-, and 7-day points before departure dates, so book before those points if at all possible.
Use the Greek Islands Trick
The Greek Islands Trick is one of our favorite tips for, you guessed it, finding cheap flights to the Greek islands. It involves getting as close as you can to your final destination then finding a cheap regional flight or other mode of transportation for the last leg. In fact, it can work all over the world, not just for the Greek islands.
So, if you’re hoping to visit Detroit in August but flights are $500 or more, look for flights to Toledo instead, then rent a car or take the bus to Detroit. If you’re up for a bit longer of a drive, look for flights into Cleveland or Toronto. It takes more time and effort but could save you a few hundred bucks.
Search alternative departure airports
Similarly, departing from a different airport than your home airport could also save you money. If you live in New York City, for example, you probably don’t search for flights outside of the three main airports serving the city. Why would you when you have so many options right there?
But we see cheap fares from all sorts of airports. Try searching for flights from Boston or Philadelphia—or even DC. If you see a great deal, it could be worth a train ride. Even travelers in big cities can save by playing around with departure cities.
Fly when it’s cheaper
One of the most reliable ways to find cheap flights is to travel when it’s cheaper. In Detroit, that’s winter, from December–March when days are short, cold, and gray, and there are few tourists. That means you can score amazing flight and hotel deals, not to mention beat the crowds to otherwise-hard-to-get restaurant reservations. There’s plenty to do indoors in Detroit, and this is a great time to save money.
We also like traveling during shoulder seasons, the periods on the cusp of a destination’s busy season. In Detroit, that’s late March to May and October to November. The weather shouldn’t be too brutal, and you could even have some warm days, spring blooms, or fall leaves. Plus, prices are still reasonable, as summer crowds either haven’t arrived yet or have just left.
If you do plan to travel during peak season, try to book on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, which are generally the cheapest days to fly. Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive.
Set alerts for specific trips
Another very simple way to find cheap fares is to set up flight alerts. Simply set up a fare alert for your travel dates, then wait for an email telling you prices have dropped into your price range or by a significant amount. If your dates or departure airports are flexible, set multiple alerts. We recommend doing this ahead of the Goldilocks Window we talked about before so you can see prices fall during that time.
Detroit is the busiest airport in Michigan, serving 17 airlines with direct flights to the city every day from across the US, Europe, and South America. Most visitors from around the world can reach Detroit with one stop or fewer, though those traveling from Asia might have to make two stops.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Detroit (DTW)
What is the airport code for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
The airport code for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is DTW.
When is high season in Detroit?
High season in Detroit runs from June–October, when the weather is generally warm and sunny. There are events and festivals in the summer, from the Detroit Festival of the Arts and Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in June, to 4th of July celebrations and the Michigan State Fair in August; there are also numerous neighborhood festivals. In September, Detroit Jazz Fest brings regional tourism.
When is the best time to visit Detroit?
High season is also the best time to visit Detroit. From June–August, you’ll have warm weather and long days that last through mid-September. Then, you get beautiful fall leaves through October. Summer is also great for festivals, outdoor dining, and the general feeling of euphoria that cities that endure long winters experience during the few months of nice weather.
Detroit is cold and gray from December to February, sometimes even through March. But if you don’t mind cold weather, winter is a great time to visit for deals. There are numerous museums, restaurants, theaters, and other indoor activities to keep you out of the cold. Shoulder seasons, from March–April and October–November, are also great times to visit for moderate weather and less expensive flights than peak season.
Does DTW have its own on-site hotel?
The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport is located in the airport’s McNamara terminal. It has a shuttle between terminals and a private airport security line. There’s a 24-hour fitness center, an indoor pool, a restaurant, and conference rooms. Rooms start around $180 per night.
What lounges are available at DTW?
- Evans Terminal: Freedom Center; Lufthansa Lounge (near gate D7)
- McNamara Terminal Concourse A: Delta Sky Club (four locations, at Gate A18, Gate A38, Gate A43, and Gate A68), Freedom Center, Minute Suites
- McNamara Terminal Concourse C: Delta Sky Club
The Freedom Centers at DTW are available for members of the US military. They have snacks, free wifi, TVs, internet terminals, and newspapers and magazines.
In Evans Terminal, the Lufthansa Lounge has lounge chairs and couches, a room with dining and high-top tables, and bathrooms. There are self-serve food and drinks, including snacks, salads, cheese and crackers, wraps, and soup, plus self-serve soft drinks, wine, beer, and spirits. Lufthansa and Star Alliance business class passengers, as well as Star Alliance Gold members can use the lounge. The lounge is also available on Priority Pass.
Delta has five Sky Clubs at DTW. All have snacks, drinks, free wifi, and lounge seating. The lounges near Gates A38 and A43 are larger and feature local artwork, local beer, and showers. The lounge near Gate A43 has a full-service bar rather than self-serve drinks. Delta Sky Club members with a same-day boarding pass; Delta One passengers, first or business class passengers; Delta Diamond, Platinum and Gold members; SkyTeam Elite Plus customers and Diamond Medallion members can use the lounges.
What are the rules for traveling with pets to DTW?
The Detroit Metropolitan Airport recommends checking with your airline on whether your pet is eligible to fly. In the airport, pets that are not service animals must be in a carrier. Those traveling from outside of the US with a pet will need to follow USDA regulations, which include specific vaccinations and obtaining a health certificate before departure. There are two service animal relief areas in Evans Terminal and three in McNamara terminal.
How far is DTW from Detroit?
Detroit Metropolitan Airport is about 15 miles from Downtown Detroit. With light traffic, the drive will take 20–30 minutes. Many visitors to Ann Arbor also fly into Detroit. The airport is about 20 miles from Ann Arbor or a 45-minute drive with light traffic.
What are the transportation options for getting from DTW to Detroit?
There are a number of options to get from Detroit to DTW.
- By rideshare or taxi: Most visitors to Detroit take a taxi or rideshare from the airport. The 15-mile trip takes 20–30 minutes and will cost about $50.
- By public transportation: SMART provides a high-frequency service called FAST from both terminals. It costs $2 and stops at Cass & Michigan in Downtown Detroit.
- By car rental: Some visitors also rent cars, as Detroit is a large city with little public transit. Most major car rental agencies operate out of DTW.
How long is the flight to Detroit?
The flight to Detroit depends on where you’re flying from. From the Northeast, it’s about 2 hours. From Miami and much of Texas, it’s about 3 hours, and from Atlanta, it’s also about 2 hours. From Denver, flights are around 3 hours, while from the rest of the Midwest flight times range from half an hour to 2 hours. From the West Coast, flights are about 4.5 hours.
There are several direct flights to Detroit from around the Caribbean, ranging from 4–5 hours. From Europe, flights range from 7–10 hours. From elsewhere in the world, you’ll likely make a connection on the way to Detroit, usually on a US coast.
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* Prices are per person and include all taxes & fees in USD. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, however, prices are not guaranteed, as airline pricing can change by the minute. Average Going fares are based on average prices of deals found by Going.