Car

As you might expect, this city was designed for the car; its freeways are world-class. You can rent cars at Detroit's airports or at many other locations throughout the city. As the city's attractions are widely scattered, driving is advisable. You may wish to consult your hotel concierge about the safest routes to your chosen destinations. Be watchful for exit ramps on the left side of the expressways rather than on the right; those unfamiliar with this sort of design may easily miss exits.

City streets can be just as intimidating to visitors as the freeways, though for different reasons. If relying on city streets, note that they're laid out on a grid, with Woodward Avenue the dividing line between east and west addresses. Going north, note the ascending "Mile" roads (e.g., Seven Mile Road) running east-west.

Public Transport

Rapid Rail ServiceThe Detroit People Mover, an elevated train that completes its entire three-mile circuit in just 15 minutes, makes 13 stops throughout the downtown area connecting hotels, shopping, and convention areas. Trains arrive at station platforms every three minutes, and the cost is $0.50 per ride. Hours of operation are 7 AM to 11 PM Monday through Thursday, 7 AM to midnight Friday, 9 AM to midnight Saturday, and noon to 8 PM Sunday. For more information, call 313-224-2160.

Bus:You'll find two local bus services, D-DOT and SMART. D-DOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) buses provide service throughout the city; you'll recognize the buses and their stops by their green and white colors. Fares are $1.50 for adults; transfers are $0.25. For information, call 888-DDOT-BUS.

SMART buses, which stop at the red bus-stop signs, mostly run between Detroit and the three-county metropolitan area with only predetermined stops inside the city. SMART does offer some local routes within the city and drivers do make local stops on request after 6 PM. For complete route and schedule information call the customer information number at 866-962-5515 from 6:30 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday or pick up guides on display in the Renaissance Center. The cost for suburban travel from Detroit is $2. Use SMART to visit major shopping malls, such as Somerset Collection in Troy, or popular outlying tourist destinations such as Greenfield Village, the Detroit Zoo, and more.

Taxis:Cabs can be hailed on the street around the Renaissance Center and downtown hotels, but otherwise you'll need to call and arrange a pick-up. Metered cabs charge the same rates. Although posting of the rates inside the cabs is not required by law, the cost is $2.50 when you're picked up and $1.60 for each additional mile, with no surcharge for additional passengers. Call Checker at 313-963-7000.

Hired Car:One company, Metro Cars (734-946-5700; 800-456-1701), considers itself a hired car service and charges flat, not metered, rates. Metro's flat fee between the airport and downtown is $51; call to determine fees between other points.

Airport

Wayne County's Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

Southwest of the city in suburban Romulus, a half-hour from downtown, Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW) is a large international airport with major American and foreign airlines arriving and departing daily. The smaller Coleman A. Young International Airport (DET) is located on the city's east side on I-94 east of I-75.

Transportation from Detroit Metro to downtown:

Public Transit:For bus service to downtown, go to the SMART bus stop (866-962-5515 for schedule) at the lower-level outer roadway near the Ground Transportation offices at Smith Terminal.

Taxi:Metro Cab (800-745-5191), the airport's authorized taxi company, has metered cabs lining up outside the terminal; and a trip downtown costs around $39. Detroit's metered cab companies such as Checker cannot pick you up at the airport, but can take you back for around $50.

Limousine:For a flat $51 Metro Cars (not the same as Metro Cab), a hired car and limo service (734-946-5700; 800-456-1701), can take you downtown.

Transportation from Coleman A.Young to downtown Detroit:

You have a choice of metered cabs (about $23-$25), shuttle service, and both D-DOT and SMART bus service.

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