Skip the $50 rideshare and pay $2 on SMART 261
SMART Bus Route 261 FAST Michigan runs between DTW and downtown Detroit for a base fare of about $2, which undercuts rideshare and taxi costs by tens of dollars. The route stops at both the McNamara and Evans terminal Ground Transportation Centers, so you don’t need to transfer between terminals first. Buses use Michigan Avenue (US‑12), then head into the city toward the core.
Service typically runs 7 days a week, with frequencies in the range of about 20–30 minutes in daytime and less frequently at night. Expect a ride time of roughly 45–60 minutes from DTW to central Detroit depending on time of day and traffic on I‑94 and Michigan Avenue. The same Route 261 also connects to suburbs along Michigan Avenue, so you can stay on past downtown if your stop is farther west.
You’ll board SMART Route 261 at the signed SMART stops in the airport’s Ground Transportation Center, not at the hotel shuttle or rental car areas. Look specifically for a bus marked “261 FAST Michigan” on the front display and confirm with the driver that the bus is headed toward Detroit, not the outbound direction from downtown to DTW. The stop is at ground level below the ticketing level, near other local bus bays.
Paying the fare is straightforward: SMART accepts cash on board (exact change only, usually $2) and also supports regional transit passes and mobile ticketing apps tied to the Detroit area. There’s no luggage surcharge, but you’ll carry your own bags on and off the bus and may need to keep them on your lap or at your feet if the coach is full. Riding from the airport into town in rush hour can easily push the total trip close to the 60-minute mark, so build extra time into your plans.
- Tip: Check the SMART real-time tracker before you leave the terminal; if the next Route 261 is more than 25 minutes out, a rideshare from DTW might be worth the premium if you’re racing a check‑in cutoff.