Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Guide

The water fountain in the McNamara Terminal was designed to represent global travel routes. Forty-five water jets are choreographed in changing patterns to symbolize airline flight paths, while longitude and latitude lines are marked in black granite.(Photo: Detroit Metro Airport via AP)

7:40AM EST November 14. 2012 -

Contact Information and flight status

• metroairport.com; 734-AIRPORT (734-247-7678); staffed Monday -Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
• Twitter / Facebook
• Terminal maps
• Current departures
• Current arrivals

Checkpoint savvy

DTW has 30 security checkpoints and low average wait times.

Workarounds: Anyone may use the security checkpoint at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport in the McNamara Terminal. Hours: 7:45 a.m. 7 p.m.

Parking

Parking information: 800-642-1978

Most Convenient: Valet (McNamara Garage), $33/day. McNamara Garage, $20/day.

Least expensive: Big Blue Deck: $10/day. Green long-term lot: $8. See more options.

Cellphone lot: DTW has two cellphone lots, north and south. Open 24 hours. No amenities.

Transportation to/from city

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Guide

Most convenient: Taxi fare to downtown is about $43 to $45. Travel time: 20 minutes.

Least expensive: SMART bus route No. 125 (Fort Street-Eureka Road), $2, plus transfer. Travel time: 1 to 2 hours.

Wi-Fi and charging stations

Complimentary 30-minute Wi-Fi sessions are available, as are paid; premium Wi-Fi by Boingo begins mid-September 2012. Service also available from other providers and at the Online Caf in McNamara terminal.

Power stations with USB-charging plugs, in all gate areas.

Go local

Good choice for local gifts: North Terminal: Gayle's Chocolates. McNamara: Motown Music-Review and Michigania. See more options.

Good choice for local food: North Terminal: Hockeytown Caf. McNamara: Slap Shotz Bar Grill. Both: Gayle's Chocolates, National Coney Island. Just fun: PBJ (gourmet peanut butter jelly). See more options.

Tips and tidbits

There's a large water feature in center of the McNamara Terminal and an underground light tunnel between Concourse A and B/C. The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport (McNamara Terminal) offers a $15/day pass to non-guests for use of pool and workout room.

Nearby layover option

The Henry Ford Museum is 12 miles from the airport.

Your tips and picks?

Please share your time- and money-saving tips, favorite restaurants, bars and stores in comments below.

These guides are written by Harriet Baskas, who is the author of six books, including the airport guidebook Stuck at the Airport and a blog of the same name.

Source: http://www.news.theusalinks.com/2012/11/15/detroit-metropolitan-wayne-county-airport-guide/