What is the cheapest way from Detroit Airport to downtown Detroit?

The SMART FAST Michigan bus (Route 261), a flat $2.00 one-way, reaching downtown near the Rosa Parks Transit Center in about 60–75 minutes. It is by far the cheapest option versus a $45–60 taxi or Uber.

Where do I catch the SMART bus at DTW?

At the Ground Transportation Center at the North (Evans) Terminal, and on the Ground Transportation / departures level near the Air France door at the McNamara Terminal. Follow the 'Ground Transportation' signs from baggage claim.

How often does the FAST Michigan bus run?

Seven days a week but not frequently — about 35 trips a day, roughly every 30–60 minutes off-peak and more often at rush hour. Check the SMART schedule and time your arrival.

How do I pay for the SMART bus?

Pay the $2.00 on board with exact change (the farebox takes coins and $1, $5 and $10 bills but gives no change) or buy a mobile fare in the Transit app. A 24-hour DART pass is $5.00.

Is there a faster option than the SMART bus?

Yes — the Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) coach runs nonstop to downtown near Washington Boulevard in about 45 minutes for $6 booked online ($8 onboard), still far cheaper than a $45–60 taxi.

What is the best way from DTW to downtown Detroit?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the SMART FAST Michigan bus (Route 261), a flat $2.00 to the Rosa Parks Transit Center in central Detroit, about 60–75 minutes.

How much is a taxi from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to the city?

A taxi or Uber/Lyft to downtown runs about $45–60 — more than twenty times the $2.00 SMART FAST Michigan bus for the same trip into the city center.

How to get from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) to downtown Detroit — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) to downtown Detroit is the SMART FAST Michigan bus (Route 261), which costs a flat $2.00 and reaches the downtown core near the Rosa Parks Transit Center in about 60–75 minutes. Have exact change ready as the farebox gives none, and note buses run only about every 30–60 minutes, so check the schedule; if you want a faster nonstop ride, the Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) coach is $6 booked online. Skip the taxi or Uber, which costs around $45–60 for the same trip.

How to find it

AIRPORTDetroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
01At the McNamara Terminal the FAST Michigan stop is on the Ground Transportation / departures level near the Air France check-in door; at the North (Evans) Terminal it is at the Ground Transportation Center. Follow the 'Ground Transportation' signs out of baggage claim.
02Have the exact $2.00 fare ready in coins or bills, or buy a mobile fare in the Transit app before boarding — the farebox gives no change.
03Board the FAST Michigan Route 261 bus toward Detroit. It runs seven days a week but not frequently — about 35 trips a day, roughly every 30–60 minutes off-peak (more often at rush hour), so check the schedule and time your arrival.
04Ride about 60–75 minutes along Michigan Avenue into downtown Detroit. Get off near the Rosa Parks Transit Center (Cass & Michigan) for the downtown core, where you can connect to the QLine streetcar, the People Mover and DDOT/SMART city buses.
CITY CENTREDetroit

Ticket

SMART FAST Michigan (Route 261) one-way fare

Where to buy: Pay on board in the farebox, or buy a mobile fare in advance in the Transit app.

How to pay: The farebox takes coins and $1, $5 and $10 bills but gives no change, so have the exact $2.00 ready; the Transit app takes cards. A 24-hour DART pass covering unlimited rides and transfers is $5.00.

Local's trick: FAST Michigan is SMART's limited-stop express, so it is quicker than the all-stops local Route 125 and drops you right in the downtown core near the Rosa Parks Transit Center. Carry the exact $2.00 in change or load the Transit app before you land, because the farebox gives no change.

Trap to avoid: Skip the taxi or Uber/Lyft rank outside arrivals — a ride to downtown runs about $45–60, more than twenty times the $2.00 bus.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	$2.00	1 h 15 min	SMART FAST Michigan (Route 261) one-way fare
Bus	$6.00	45 min	Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) one-way ticket

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Detroit Airport to downtown Detroit?: The SMART FAST Michigan bus (Route 261), a flat $2.00 one-way, reaching downtown near the Rosa Parks Transit Center in about 60–75 minutes. It is by far the cheapest option versus a $45–60 taxi or Uber.
Where do I catch the SMART bus at DTW?: At the Ground Transportation Center at the North (Evans) Terminal, and on the Ground Transportation / departures level near the Air France door at the McNamara Terminal. Follow the 'Ground Transportation' signs from baggage claim.
How often does the FAST Michigan bus run?: Seven days a week but not frequently — about 35 trips a day, roughly every 30–60 minutes off-peak and more often at rush hour. Check the SMART schedule and time your arrival.
How do I pay for the SMART bus?: Pay the $2.00 on board with exact change (the farebox takes coins and $1, $5 and $10 bills but gives no change) or buy a mobile fare in the Transit app. A 24-hour DART pass is $5.00.
Is there a faster option than the SMART bus?: Yes — the Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) coach runs nonstop to downtown near Washington Boulevard in about 45 minutes for $6 booked online ($8 onboard), still far cheaper than a $45–60 taxi.
What is the best way from DTW to downtown Detroit?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the SMART FAST Michigan bus (Route 261), a flat $2.00 to the Rosa Parks Transit Center in central Detroit, about 60–75 minutes.
How much is a taxi from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to the city?: A taxi or Uber/Lyft to downtown runs about $45–60 — more than twenty times the $2.00 SMART FAST Michigan bus for the same trip into the city center.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.