What to do for 6 hour Detroit layover???
Jun 23rd, 2009, 11:25 AM
#2
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I have never been to Detroit airport so I can't help with any suggestions.
But as I traveled a great deal through many US airports I would like to give you my opinion on what you need to think about.
1. 6 hour layover is really only about 4 hours when you factor the time you will need to get somewhere and even more time to assure timely return and go through security, get to the gate, etc.
2. Will you have carry on luggage? If so, what are you going to do with it? Unlike many foreign airports, US airports don't have luggage storage of any kind. You will have to either take it with you or possibly drop it off at a nearby hotel and tip the bellman to store it for you, which means more time wasted.
3. I used to call the 2-6 hour layovers "wasted time". I tried as much as I could to avoid it but sometimes it was not possible. It's too short of a time to actually do anything meaningful and too long of a time to hang out at the airport. It's a no win situation. In some cities I knew exactly where to go, knew exactly where I could store my carry on without going out of the way, in which case, I would get out of the airport and enjoy some local delicacy or a quick shopping trip, but in many other cities it was just not worth the trouble. I had the advantage of being able to get into first and business class clubs at most major airports so that always helped. A nice shower, refreshing drink, maybe a bite and a quiet corner couch or lounge chair helped to ease the wait time. It is possible to buy day passes to most of the business class clubs so that may be an option.
Hope that helps you in some ways.
Have a great trip!
But as I traveled a great deal through many US airports I would like to give you my opinion on what you need to think about.
1. 6 hour layover is really only about 4 hours when you factor the time you will need to get somewhere and even more time to assure timely return and go through security, get to the gate, etc.
2. Will you have carry on luggage? If so, what are you going to do with it? Unlike many foreign airports, US airports don't have luggage storage of any kind. You will have to either take it with you or possibly drop it off at a nearby hotel and tip the bellman to store it for you, which means more time wasted.
3. I used to call the 2-6 hour layovers "wasted time". I tried as much as I could to avoid it but sometimes it was not possible. It's too short of a time to actually do anything meaningful and too long of a time to hang out at the airport. It's a no win situation. In some cities I knew exactly where to go, knew exactly where I could store my carry on without going out of the way, in which case, I would get out of the airport and enjoy some local delicacy or a quick shopping trip, but in many other cities it was just not worth the trouble. I had the advantage of being able to get into first and business class clubs at most major airports so that always helped. A nice shower, refreshing drink, maybe a bite and a quiet corner couch or lounge chair helped to ease the wait time. It is possible to buy day passes to most of the business class clubs so that may be an option.
Hope that helps you in some ways.
Have a great trip!
Jun 23rd, 2009, 11:42 AM
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Something very different...on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays there is now live horseracing at Pinnacle Racetrack with post times at 2:30. Parking is free until November and it's about 10-15 minutes from Detroit Metro. You could probably take a cab. Metro is not in 'Detroit' and there is no mass transit to speak of, so anything else you wanted to do would require a rental car. There are lots of things, but as AAflyer pointed out, but with 4 hours of actual time at the most, options are limited. Normally I would suggest The Henry Ford or Ann Arbor but you time is too limited.
Jun 23rd, 2009, 04:01 PM
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Thanks for your comments. I wish we could have avoided this long layover, but we couldn't. One thought I had was to at least go into town and get lunch/early dinner at a nice restaurant. We'll have just minimal carry on stuff, so we could take that with us.
Jun 23rd, 2009, 08:57 PM
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We fly into Detroit often on NWA and I just can't imagine anything close by that would be worth leaving the airport. There are places farther away, but I would worry about getting back and through security on time. Perhaps someone who actually has had layovers in Detroit can help you as they may have done what you hope to do and found a great place. I too would normally advise going to the Henry Ford or Ann Arbor or up to the Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham Areas but there is a lot of traffic and it takes time.
Jun 23rd, 2009, 09:08 PM
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SanDiegoSue, are you going overseas from Detroit. If so, I think I would avoid leaving the airport completely. Also are you Flying NWA onto another NWA flt? They have their own terminal in Detroit Metro Airport. I will ask my husband more questions when he comes home and maybe he can come up with some ideas. He is from the Detroit Area so is might have some better ideas than me.
Jun 23rd, 2009, 11:09 PM
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My daughter and son-in-law, flying NWA from SFO to Rome, have had about the same amount of time you will have SanDiegoSue. With taking into consideration getting off the plane and having to catch the next NWA plane to Rome they have just stayed at the NWA terminal at Detroit. They have always enjoyed their time there, strolling through the shops, having some wine and a meal etc. I haven't been to Detroit so I don't know from personal experience but from their experience I would be inclined to not leave the airport. But obviously Cali's husband would be the best one to listen to in that he is a native of the area.
Jun 24th, 2009, 07:47 PM
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Thanks everyone.
We're flying NWA to Detroit, having a relatively short layover (about 1 1/2 hours), then on to Heathrow, London on Delta. Coming back, it's Delta from London to Detroit, with the 6 hour layover. Then home to San Diego on NWA.
I looked into the Delta Sky Club, and a 30-day membership is $90. That person can bring a guest. Individual one-day passes are $50 each. I'm trying to convince my husband to do this.
Has anyone been to the Delta Sky Club at Detroit?
Sue
We're flying NWA to Detroit, having a relatively short layover (about 1 1/2 hours), then on to Heathrow, London on Delta. Coming back, it's Delta from London to Detroit, with the 6 hour layover. Then home to San Diego on NWA.
I looked into the Delta Sky Club, and a 30-day membership is $90. That person can bring a guest. Individual one-day passes are $50 each. I'm trying to convince my husband to do this.
Has anyone been to the Delta Sky Club at Detroit?
Sue
Jun 24th, 2009, 09:36 PM
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I don't know how merged NWA and Delta have gotten since I was in Detroit Metro Airport late last fall, but at that time Delta was in a different terminal than the newer one that NWA uses. I assume they might have consolidated at this point (although they haven't yet at LAX) but I have been in the NWA World Club in Detroit many times and it has been fine. The NWA section of the Detroit Airport is relatively new and we really have not minded getting there early and browsing in the stores and getting a bite to eat and then spending time in the World Club.
Jun 24th, 2009, 09:45 PM
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I should have done more checking before I wrote my last post. I looked up the Detroit Metro Airport and both Delta and NWA are in the Macnamara Terminal and you can look up what restaurants and shops are in that terminal also.
Jun 25th, 2009, 02:24 AM
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Detroit airport is new construction and one of the nicest airports in the country (from the worst). Great shopping, restaurants and comfortable public areas. Killing four hours in the airport is still difficult.
If you are daring, and depending on what time of day, the Ford Museum is about a 30 minute taxi ride from the airport (without traffic). The Ford Museum is a wonderful visit.
If you are daring, and depending on what time of day, the Ford Museum is about a 30 minute taxi ride from the airport (without traffic). The Ford Museum is a wonderful visit.
Jun 25th, 2009, 05:05 AM
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Actually Detroit is farther away than Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor is ten times (well actually a zillion times) nicer. You would have to take a cab and drag your luggage around, but you could be at Zingerman's Deli in less than half an hour. Stroll around Kerrytown for a bit and then head back.
http://www.zingermansdeli.com/content/pages/home.php
Zingerman's Deli is worth flying from San Diego for, so that would be handy that you would already be here!
http://www.zingermansdeli.com/content/pages/home.php
Zingerman's Deli is worth flying from San Diego for, so that would be handy that you would already be here!
Jun 25th, 2009, 05:27 AM
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I just got an email saying if you apply for the Delta skymiles American Express card, you get 30k miles and 2 free club passes.
https://www.deltaamexcard.com/nwajunsolo.aspx
https://www.deltaamexcard.com/nwajunsolo.aspx
Jun 25th, 2009, 10:47 AM
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I second the lunch at Zingerman's!! Definitely one of the best meals to be had in SE Michigan if you enjoy a good authentic deli or simply wonderful hard-to-find foods from the U.S. and around the world. Just thinking about it makes me want to pull out the catalog... yummers!
Jun 25th, 2009, 12:59 PM
#16
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OK, now it's getting difficult to make choices. I was going to do the Delta Sky Club, but yummy Zingerman's sounds good.
I checked into the American Express card, and it's the one with a $450 annual dues. So, not worth it.
Thanks again for all your comments everyone.
Sue
I checked into the American Express card, and it's the one with a $450 annual dues. So, not worth it.
Thanks again for all your comments everyone.
Sue
Jun 25th, 2009, 01:18 PM
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If your 6 hours is on the return, won't some of that time be spent standing in line to clear immigration and customs? That would leave less time than you would have with 6 hours between flights on the outbound trip.
Jun 25th, 2009, 04:29 PM
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If the Delta club is the same as the Northwest Club (and I assume so since the merger) I wouldn't want to spend 6 hours there. It was nice, but still like a waiting room. Comfy chairs and snacks and nicer bathrooms. I don't know if they have showers or computer access.
Maybe you should play it by ear. If you breeze through customs and the weather is nice, then catch a cab. If you are delayed in customs or it is a torrential downpour, then head to the club. I would bet they would let you check the club out before committing to stay.
Maybe you should play it by ear. If you breeze through customs and the weather is nice, then catch a cab. If you are delayed in customs or it is a torrential downpour, then head to the club. I would bet they would let you check the club out before committing to stay.
Jun 25th, 2009, 06:14 PM
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Hello SanDiegoSue. Your comment about the American Express/Delta card having a $450.00 annual fee is not correct. I just acquired an American Express/Delta card. I cancelled my other American Express card that was not connected to Delta. My card has an annual fee of $95.00 however for the first year the $95.00 fee is waived. After that if I do not want to pay the $95.00 fee I can have the Amex/Delta card changed to their card that has no annual fee. That card gives one point for each $2.00 charged versus one point for each $1.00 charged.
