Green Lot 1

$10/day on-airport is why locals keep using Green Lot 1

Green Lot 1 runs $10.00 per day or $70.00 per week, about 1 mile from the DTW terminals, and it’s the budget option regular Detroit flyers use when they don’t want off-site shuttles or higher deck prices. It’s an official airport remote lot, so payment and signage match the rest of DTW, and you’re still on airport property the whole time.

Shuttles run between Green Lot 1 and both McNamara and Evans, with riders reporting typical waits around 5–15 minutes, even for 5 a.m. flights. The ride itself is about 10 minutes in light traffic, but DTW’s own estimate is up to 20 minutes at busy times, so don’t cut it close on morning departures or Sunday nights.

If you tried to walk the 1 mile from Green Lot 1 to either terminal, you’re looking at roughly 15 minutes on foot with rolling bags, but nearly everyone just waits for the shuttle. In winter, several r/Detroit users say the lot feels exposed and windy, and the short walk from your car to the bus shelter can be rough with snow and two checked bags.

In snowstorms, riders report that Green Lot buses can fill, and you may need to wait for a second bus if you have multiple suitcases or ski gear. Frequent users on FlyerTalk and Reddit say shuttles usually show within 10 minutes in normal weather, and many mention they “never had an issue” over dozens of trips per year.

Regulars who park in Green Lot 1 say they add about 20 extra minutes to their normal DTW arrival time to cover parking, walking to the stop, and a 10–20 minute shuttle run. Build that same 20-minute buffer into your plan, and you can safely target deck-level timing while paying remote-lot prices.