Travel Budget for Detroit Visit Detroit on a Budget or Travel in Style

Detroit, Michigan, United States of America

Detroit is a hardworking city known for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.

How much does it cost to travel to Detroit?

You should plan to spend around $165 per day on your vacation in Detroit. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $76 on meals
  • $37 on local transportation
  • $127 on hotels

A one week trip to Detroit for two people costs, on average, $2,310. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $165
  • One Week Per person
    $1,155
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $2,310
  • One Month Per person
    $4,950
  • One Week For a couple
    $2,310
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $4,620
  • One Month For a couple
    $9,900
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Detroit cost?

A one week trip to Detroit usually costs around $1,155 for one person and $2,310 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Detroit on average costs around $2,310 for one person and $4,620 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Detroit will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Detroit on average costs around $4,950 for one person and $9,900 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Is Detroit expensive to visit?

Detroit is a smaller destination that attracts travelers with diverse styles, spending habits, and budgetary preferences. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.

If you're not cautious, Detroit can become costly, but you can save with strategies like eating at less expensive restaurants and looking for discounts and coupons.

On average, budget travelers spend $72 per day, mid-range travelers spend $165 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $322 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Detroit.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Detroit is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Albuquerque or Dallas.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Detroit Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Detroit?

The average Detroit trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Detroit travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Detroit cost?

Detroit on a Budget
Category Budget Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
$28 $64 $121
Local Transportation 1 $16 $37 $71
Food 2 $33 $76 $154
Entertainment 1 $9.06 $21 $40
Alcohol 2 $4-13 $10-30 $19-57

Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget

When planning your trip to Detroit, it's important to have realistic expectations about your budget. Many believe they can travel on a shoestring, but that often leads to either uncomfortable travel experiences or some surprisingly high expenses. Consider your vacation style. Do you enjoy staying in hostels, resorts, regular hotels, or vacation rentals? Are attractions and dining experiences a priority? These factors will affect how much you spend and your itinerary.

What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?

While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $72 per day that backpackers often spend.

Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.

Thankfully, Detroit features plenty of hostels, such as Hostel Detroit. At hostels like this, you can find economical dorm beds and a great social atmosphere, although amenities might be quite sparse.

What Makes You an Average Traveler?

If you're a couple or a family on a fun getaway, you might want to choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at well-liked restaurants, and visit the key museums and attractions that come with entry fees. Those traveling to Detroit often aim to see the major attractions, museums, and noteworthy landmarks. Most activities are not free, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to plan on a daily budget of about $165 per person, per day.

There's a wide selection of hotels and vacation rentals in Detroit. If you're traveling with others, sharing a hotel room with a partner, friend, or kids will help split costs and save money. When traveling as a family, look for hotels and restaurants that welcome children. The Inn on Ferry Street is a great choice for kids, and Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport is another wonderful option. For more family and couple-friendly places to stay, check out our Detroit hotel costs guide.

Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?

If you want an all encompassing getaway with top-notch amenities and exceptional service, get ready for a daily cost around $322. Staying in upscale hotels, dining at acclaimed restaurants, indulging in lavish activities, and using taxis or private drivers to navigate the city will require a more luxurious budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private Departure Transfer to Detroit Airport DTW - offered by Viator.

Accommodation Budget in Detroit

Hotel prices in Detroit can really fluctuate, especially between budget and luxury options. Expect higher costs during peak summer season, when rates climb from an off-season average of $144 up to around $269. From $83 for budget options to $457 for luxury hotels, there's something for everyone. Hostels, particularly dorms, are typically cheaper. Book early or travel in the low season for better prices.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in Detroit for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $127. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $64 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $64
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $127

Hotels in Detroit

Looking for a hotel in Detroit? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.



Actual Hotel Prices in Detroit

The average hotel room price in Detroit based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $144 in the low season and $269 in the peak season. Below are the average prices for each budget category. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Detroit include:

  • Detroit Foundation Hotel starting at $266
  • Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport starting at $235
  • The Detroit Club Hotel starting at $300
  • MotorCity Casino Hotel starting at $206
  • Inn at 97 Winder starting at $160
Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Detroit

If you avoid summer and go during the low or shoulder season, you'll find better hotel deals and fewer tourists.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Detroit

Detroit lacks an efficient public transit system. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Detroit is easy to navigate on foot in some locations, which can help you enjoy the sights. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

Public Transit:  starstarstarstarstar (moderate)
Walkability:      starstarstarstarstar (good)

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, past travelers have spent $37 per person, per day, on local transportation in Detroit. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Detroit is significantly more than public transportation.

  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $37

Transportation Tips

Ensure that your hotel has easy parking arrangements if you're planning to drive.

A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Detroit Airport DTW for $61 details
  • Private Departure Transfer - to Detroit Airport (DTW) by SUV for $90 details
  • Private Arrival Transfer - from Detroit Airport (DTW) by SUV for $90 details

Recommended Services


Flights to Detroit
How much does it cost to go to Detroit? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Detroit
The price of renting a car in Detroit will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Detroit

The culinary scene in Detroit is pretty good, but it's not the main draw for visitors. You'll find a few standout places around the city that are definitely worth a visit. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While restaurant and meal prices in Detroit can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Detroit is $76 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.

  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $76

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Detroit is around $76 ($76) per person, with previous travelers spending from $33 to $154. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Detroit are as follows:

  • Breakfast: $8 to $23
  • Lunch: $11 to $31
  • Dinner: $23 to $54
  • Coffee: $6
  • Fast Food or Street Food: $11

Detroit's downtown has an emerging food scene with several new farm to table restaurants. Detroit is world famous for the coney, a hot dog with chili, mustard, and chopped fresh onions. The most known coney restaurants are the American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island, both located next door to each other in downtown Detroit. Detroit-style pizza is a delicious and crispy deep dish pizza that you can't truly find outside of Michigan. It is not quite as thick as Chicago-style pizza, but the buttery crust is worth seeking out. The Detroit classic is Buddy's Pizza restaurants chain, with numerous locations a half hour drive from the city. Detroit's Greektown offers a large selection of Greek restaurants, all with delicious options. Detroit's Mexicantown is known for Mexican cuisine at restaurants such as Mexican Village, Evie's Tamales, El Zocalo and Xochimilco. Hamtramck is famous for its Polish cuisine and bakeries and neighboring Dearborn is known for its wide selection of restaurants serving Lebanese and Arabic fare. Choose to dine in elegance at one of Detroit's many fine restaurants a sample of which include the Coach Insignia atop the Renaissance Center Downtown, the Whitney House restaurant in Midtown, or the Opus One in the New Center. The options are endless, and you can find whatever it is you're craving.

Food & Dining Tips

Countless hotels provide breakfast as part of your stay, but some will add it as an additional fee. The price and quality can change based on the hotel. Being informed ahead of time can aid in deciding whether to budget extra funds. You might enjoy the delightful buffet offered at the hotel, or perhaps a more economical option would be a nearby bakery or cafe.

Pack a water bottle to avoid buying drinks on the go. Plus, it's beneficial for the planet.

When planning your tour, don't forget to check what meals are included. You might have to pay for some of your own food, which could add to your expenses.

If you want to experience the culture in Detroit, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:

  • Half-Day Classic Food Tour in Ann Arbor with Lunch for $60 details
  • Guided Pizza and Beer Pairing Experience for $30 details

Recommended


Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Detroit

It's understandable that travelers choose Detroit, as it is famous for music, nightlife, museums and attractions, and food.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Detroit typically cost an average of $21 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $21

The 1928 Fisher Building from the man who built Detroit, Albert Kahn, has an imposing art deco exterior made from Minnesota granite and Maryland marble, and an interior to rival any Italian cathedral. From the soaring vaulted ceilings, featuring an array of intricate, hand-painted patterns, to the sparkling mosaics by Hungarian artist Geza Maroti and gleaming marble on the walls, the visual inspiration here is endless.

The Motown Historical Museum. In this row of modest houses Berry Gordy launched Motown Records - and the careers of Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson - with an $800 loan in 1959. Gordy and Motown split for Los Angeles in 1972, but you can still step into humble Studio A and see where the famed names recorded their first hits.

The Detroit Institute of Arts holds one of the world's finest art collections. The centerpiece is Diego Rivera's mural Detroit Industry, which fills an entire room and reflects the city's blue-collar labor history. Beyond it are Picassos, Caravaggios, suits of armor, modern African American paintings, puppets and troves more spread through 100-plus galleries.

The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Tour takes visitors to the only "Brass Era" auto assembly plant in Detroit that is open to the public. A National Historic Landmark, the Ford Piquette Road plant was built in 1904, and it was the first factory owned by the Ford Motor Company and specifically built to manufacture the Ford. It was in that building that Mr. Ford designed his Model T and forever guaranteed himself a spot in the pages of history.



Campus Maritus Park, a new public space in the heart of Detroit's downtown, is the perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon. At the center is the Michigan Soldiers & Sailors Monument: In the warmer months, there's a sandy beach at its foot; in the winter, the space becomes the city's most popular ice rink. There's a stage for concerts and, in summer, a pop-up restaurant and bar.

Pretty Belle Isle Park floats in the Detroit River. The entire expanse is parkland where kayaking, walking trails and a glass-domed conservatory await. There's a beach, zoo, aquarium and maritime museum, too. The cycling here is terrific.

Experience a jazz fest at Baker's Keyboard Lounge. Come for the music, stay for the top-notch soul food - Detroit's longest continuously operating jazz club has made it through 80 years of ups and downs for a reason.

Go on a river cruise. Built in 1993 in Jennings, Louisiana, the Detroit Princess is an impressive cruise ship that offers several different kinds of river tours including lunch, afternoon, dinner, and moonlight cruises. The Detroit Princess is also available to host a variety of events such as corporate functions or private events like birthday parties, family reunions, and weddings.

Sightseeing Tips

Music:
The music scene here in Detroit is buzzing and pulls in a lot of visitors. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

A nice way to explore destinations in Detroit is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

  • Detroit Drunks of Antiquity Historic Bar Tour for $65 details
  • Detroit Red Wings Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Little Caesars Arena for $39 details
  • Downtown Detroit Donut and Pastry Adventure for $70 details

Recommended Activities


Nightlife Budget in Detroit

The nightlife in Detroit is vibrant and lively, with visitors reveling in evenings spent at local bars, clubs, and parties. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $20 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Detroit per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $20
Nightlife Tips

While nightlife is a key part of many trips, scaling back on drinks can help free up some extra cash in your budget.

If you're out drinking at night, keep an eye on your surroundings. You could be a target for pickpockets, so it's wise to stay in a group and with people you trust.



Travel cost data last updated: Dec 21, 2024

Budgeting and Travel Tips for Detroit

  • Prices usually spike during peak season in summer, and the city tends to be quite busy. To save some cash and steer clear of the crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder or low seasons instead.
  • Traveling slower can help save you money while letting you enjoy the beautiful surroundings. If you pack your days with activities, the costs can add up. However, taking it easy often results in a more enjoyable trip with lower expenses.

Budgeting Challenges

  • Detroit offers limited public transit options. Renting a car or having a pre-arranged ride, such as a tour, could be a wise choice. Just remember, this might take a toll on your budget in other areas.
  • Detroit isn't exactly teeming with hostels, so if you were hoping to find a low-cost dorm, you might want to rethink that. Finding a budget hotel or renting an apartment could be your best bet.
Traveling in Detroit
Detroit Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is the largest city in the Midwestern state of Michigan. Near Downtown, the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts is famed for the Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera, and inspired by the city's ties to the auto industry, giving it the nickname "Motor City." Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records, whose chart-topping history is on display at their original headquarters, Hitsville U.S.A.

Murals, markets, greenways, bike shops, distilleries and inventive chefs are getting the city's groove on, along with fresh public works like the new street car and sports arena downtown. While the city does have an abandoned, otherworldly vibe in some areas, it's these same qualities that fuel a raw urban energy you won't find anywhere else. Artists, entrepreneurs and young people keep moving in, and a DIY spirit pervades. They're converting vacant lots into urban farms and abandoned buildings into cafes and museums, making it an interesting and exciting destination to visit.



Neighborhoods & Around

Downtown

Detroit's central business district, containing most of the prominent skyscrapers in Detroit. It is the nation's second largest theatre district, has several parks, three casinos, and three major league sporting venues.

Midtown-New Center

This is Detroit's cultural center, home to several world class museums, art galleries, and Wayne State University.

Corktown

Detroit's oldest neighborhood. It was settled by Irish people from County Cork, hence the name Corktown. Many historic landmarks are located in the neighborhood, such as the abandoned Michigan Central Station and Tigers Stadium.

Greektown

Detroit's most famous neighborhood, known for its nightlife and gambling scene. It has an endless number of Greek restaurants and is home to Greektown Casino.

Mexicantown

The fastest growing neighborhood in Detroit. Predominantly hispanic, the area is famous for its Mexican cuisine, which is evidenced by its vast number of restaurants.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.