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

Detroit, Michigan, United States of America

How much does it cost to travel to Detroit?

You should plan to spend around $133 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:

  • $44 on meals
  • $37 on local transportation
  • $127 on hotels

A one week trip to Detroit for two people costs, on average, $1,860. 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
    $133
  • One Week Per person
    $930
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $1,860
  • One Month Per person
    $3,986
  • One Week For a couple
    $1,860
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $3,721
  • One Month For a couple
    $7,973
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 $930 for one person and $1,860 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Detroit on average costs around $1,860 for one person and $3,721 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 $3,986 for one person and $7,973 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Detroit has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Detroit expensive to visit?

Prices in Detroit are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Detroit is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Vernon, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.

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.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) $127
Local Transportation 1 $37
Food 2 $44
Entertainment 1 $21
Alcohol 2 $10 - 30
Accommodation Budget in Detroit
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

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


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

Hotel Prices 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.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Detroit based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $144. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

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


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Detroit
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Detroit is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $37 per person, per day, on local transportation in Detroit.


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

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
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Detroit can vary, the average cost of food in Detroit is $44 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Detroit should cost around $18 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Detroit is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $44

Recommended


Entertainment Budget in Detroit
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities 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

Recommended Activities


Alcohol Budget in Detroit
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $20 on 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


Detroit On a Budget
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.
Sights
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.
Neighborhoods
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.

Activities
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.
Food and Dining
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.

Transportation
It is easy to get to Detroit by plane into the Detroit Metro Airport. The airport is a major Delta hub and operational headquarters, so it offers direct flights to and from a surprising variety of cities and countries. There are train routes available to get to Detroit. You can also get to Detroit by bus or car. Detroit does not have an elevated/subway network that covers the entire city, but there is the People Mover, an automated, elevated rail system that runs a three mile loop in the downtown area. It is the best way to get around the downtown area. A round trip excursion, covering 13 stations, takes approximately 20 min, and offers great views of the city's downtown landmarks. The Detroit Department of Transportation provides mass transit bus service within the city of Detroit and to nearby areas. There is also a new streetcar line that runs from Downtown up Woodward avenue to New Center. Detroit has an abundance of taxi, limo, and shuttle services. Car rental prices are reasonable. Detroit spreads over a large area, it is difficult to be without a car, so a rental car is one of the best options for getting around. An extensive freeway system and ample parking make the region one of the most auto-friendly in North America. Detroit is one of the best cities for biking, with a thriving bike culture. Streets are flat and have usually multiple lanes in each direction.

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.