Secrets of Budget Travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan
Wednesday 11:10 AM by Randon Hall Cities Add commentsSecrets of Budget Travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan
To be honest, there are very few options when traveling from Detroit Metropolitan International Airport to Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is 20 miles from the airport which is about a 30-45 minute drive. Unfortunately, there is currently no easy or worthwhile way to get from the airport to Ann Arbor by public transportation. This blog will focus on the private transportation options that are provided in the area.
Without a doubt, the cheapest way to travel from the Airport to Ann Arbor is a service called The Michigan Flyer. I have personally taken this shuttle bus and it is an incredible option in a place where there are so few. To start, this shuttle bus costs $15 dollars for a one way trip, which is significantly less than the other options available. In addition, the shuttle is equipped with wireless internet as well as free bottled water. How can you beat that? The bus makes 7 trips a day from the Detroit Metro Airport to Ann Arbor starting at 6:25am and the last bus leaving at 10:20pm. The bus runs every 2 to 3 hours during that time.
It is important to note that the bus only drops off at one location which is the Four Points Sheraton located at 3200 Boardwalk Ave Ann Arbor, MI 48108. The Four Points Sheraton is located a few miles from The University of Michigan and the adjacent medical center. There is a bus that runs directly from the Four Points Sheraton to The University of Michigan, which is Route #36 on Ann Arbor Transit Authority. The bus will drop you off in a very central portion of the university, which in my opinion, is a short walk to the medical center. If you are interested in traveling directly to the medical center I would use the trip planner starting at 3200 Boardwalk Ave Ann Arbor, MI and ending at 500 E. Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI.
I want to be very explicit in explaining where to catch the #36 bus to avoid any confusion or frustration. When you get off the Michigan Flyer you will see a Wendy’s adjacent to the hotel. Follow Boardwalk Ave in that direction. As you pass a section of trees separating the Wendy’s from the hotel you will see two large towers about 1 block away. The building facing you will say 777. This is not the building that you need to walk to. The closer building is called Wolverine Tower. The #36 bus picks up in the parking lot of this building. Simply walk to this building and you will see a sign marking where the #36 bus stops. Any #36 bus that stops here will be going directly to The University of Michigan.
This bus trip will cost you only 1$. Importantly, the #36 bus has no weekend service and has a different schedule when U of M is not in session. Please check the Schedules for this bus route on the AATA website or verify the schedule with the trip planner for the day you will travel. I personally traveled on a weekend and found another option using the trip planner, however it will probably not be as convenient. The other option is to plan your trip directly to your hotel from where the Michigan Flyer drops you off.
I know what you are thinking - This is way too much of a hassle. Let me do the math for you so that you will see that it is worth it. Round trip transportation using the Michigan Flyer and public transportation costs $32. The only other ways to get to Ann Arbor are to rent a car or take a taxi. By my estimates, renting a car with gas and insurance for only one day will probably cost $50 to $60. Secondly, the cheapest taxi I know of is ~$35 one way. If you include tip that is close to ~$80 round trip. Bottom line is that if you can find a great deal on a rental car and you are only planning to stay one day then go for it. However, if a rental car isn’t an option don’t waste ~$50 when you have the know how to get there for much less.
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