Downtown Residents describe the best ways to "get around" Downtown Detroit. Although a major metropolis, Detroit’s restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and cultural highlights are closely co-located in the downtown, or near-downtown area; maybe 2-3 square miles.
Getting around downtown Detroit is quite easy. You won't spend hours traveling from place to place; you will spend minutes. Walking the city is the best way to see the sights. To help you out, we have included map locations in a-locals-guide-detroit for the best Downtown Detroit coffee shops, breakfast/lunch/dinner restaurants, craft beer, wine bars, cocktail bars, top things-to-do.
Easiest Getting Around Downtown Detroit - Lyft and Uber
Lyft and Uber have a very robust presence in the Detroit area, a great way to get around town. Typically, clean cars, friendly drivers, very little waiting. Maybe the best way of getting around downtown Detroit.
Metro Cab is Michigan’s largest and best taxi company, servicing Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and all of Southeast and West Michigan. Metro Cab is the only taxi service allowed by DTW to provide curbside service in Detroit.
If a specific pickup time is needed, a reservation is recommended, but the dispatch center can help 24 hours a day if a ride is needed on short notice. Use the Metro Cab App for booking a ride with up to 6 passengers in the Metro Detroit area. If you need a ride within 3 hours, call 734-997-6500 24hours per day.
Get the App:
Whether your travel is business or personal, it’s always a pleasure in a luxurious Sedan, Limousine, SUV or Large Van of our company. Provides door-to-door service, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Along with serving the Detroit Metropolitan area, they specialize in service to and from Detroit Metro Airport. We provide exclusively low rates for excellent service.
Call: 1-800-892-6467
Book 24h in advance and save 10%
Traditional city cab service. Checker has been operating in Detroit since 1921, and we are the largest livery company in Michigan. There is always a Checker nearby to service all your transportation needs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - 313-963-7000.
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MoGo Detroit is a nonprofit bike share system for quick trips around town; MoGo is a fun, flexible, and convenient way to get around. Downtown Detroit is very bike friendly and biking is a great way to see the city. Detroit is particularly easy to bike around – a big city, but not a lot of traffic. Ride the Detroit Riverwalk for sure.
Get the Pass - Purchase a pass online, with the Transit App, or at any one of our touch screen stations. Cash payment and flexible payment options are available. Download the Transit app to find the nearest MoGo station, plan a trip, purchase a pass, and unlock a bike!
With Transit, view the number of bikes and available docks at any station in real time!
Get the App:
Use Transit to sign into your MoGo account, get a ride code, and check out a bike. Use Transit to unlock bikes at a lite station after you've purchased a pass at a touch screen kiosk. Sign into your account using your credit card to unlock another bike.
MoGo is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Easily plan MoGo trips with DDOT, SMART, People Mover, QLine, and ride share.
E-Scooters for Getting Around Downtown Detroit
E-scooters are very popular for getting around downtown Detroit and are readily available.
City of Detroit E-Scooters- Users of scooters should operate the vehicles in a safe manner, keep the public right-of-way clear, and follow any additional rules from the company they rent their scooter from.
Detroit residents that participate in any state of federally-run assistance program are eligible for discounts to scooters.
1. Age Requirement: Riders must be at least 18 years old to operate electric scooters in the city.
2. Helmets: While helmets are recommended, they may not always be enforced. It’s good practice to wear one for safety.
3. Sidewalk Usage: Avoid riding scooters on sidewalks. Stick to the road or designated bike lanes.
4. Speed Limit: Abide by the maximum speed limit of 15 mph while riding electric scooters.
The City of Detroit has introduced a curfew that renders rentable electric scooters unusable between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights in Detroit’s Central Business District (bordered by the Lodge, I-75, I-375 and the Detroit River).
Lime (e-scooters and e-bikes)
Google Play
LINK Scooters
Google Play -
Google Play:
Google Play -
Spin - Electric Scooters
Google Play:
The Detroit People Mover (DPM) is a fully automated light rail system that operates on an elevated single-track loop in Detroit's central business district. Launched in 1987, the system’s 13 stations provide quick connections between the courts and administrative offices of several levels of government, sports arenas, exhibition centers, major hotels, and commercial, banking and retail districts.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2, 2024 THE DETROIT PEOPLE MOVER IS OPERATING A ZERO-FARE PILOT PROGRAM, WITH A FARE-FREE POLICY FOR ALL RIDERS THROUGHOUT 2024.
Detroit Q-Line
The most convenient and comfortable way to experience the Woodward corridor, with streetcars arriving every 15 minutes. Runs from Downtown Detroit at Jefferson Ave. up to Grand Blvd in New Center; and returns. An easy way of getting around downtown Detroit.
The QLINE connects riders to sports and concert venues, museums, special events and recreation, and many of Detroit’s premier retail, restaurants, and bars. The QLINE's 3.3-mile route runs on Woodward Ave. with 12 stops serving neighborhoods such as New Center, North End, Midtown and Downtown Detroit. The QLINE streetcars run from: Monday - Saturday: 8AM - 12AM Sunday: 8AM - 9PM
ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS & DESTINATIONS
Click on any of the 12 QLINE STATIONS for a brief selection of destinations and resources available via the QLINE.
Bus System
The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is the largest public transit provider in Michigan that serves the city of Detroit, surrounding suburbs, and neighboring cities, including Highland Park and Hamtramck. DDOT prides itself on providing reliable, clean, safe, and efficient service to an average of 85,000 riders daily.
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