Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Use an ATM with a no-fee card — the ATM gives you the real mid-market rate, while airport exchange booths charge 10–20% above it. On a $500 exchange, that difference is $50–100 in hidden costs.
The key rule
Airport currency exchange booths typically charge 10–20% above the mid-market rate.
On a $500 exchange, that is $50–100 in hidden fees. The ATM is almost always better — even with a bank fee. And with a no-fee card, the ATM is unambiguously better.
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates at the McNamara Terminal in Concourse A near the international gates (gates A1–A20) and near the international arrivals customs exit. The North Terminal has no dedicated exchange booth.
ICE kiosks at DTW charge 12–16% above the mid-market rate. DTW's McNamara Terminal handles Delta's transatlantic and trans-Pacific service; the ICE kiosk near international arrivals sees high volumes on European morning arrivals.
ATMs are throughout the McNamara Terminal (all Concourse A areas) and the North Terminal. Flagstar Bank, Chase, and Bank of America ATMs are near the tram stations at A24 and A57, and at baggage claim exits.
DTW ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A Schwab, Wise, or Revolut card at any DTW ATM gives the real exchange rate with zero surcharges.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for DTW
Use an ATM with a no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) and decline any offered currency conversion at the ATM. Airport exchange booths charge 15-20% above the real rate.
Pro Tip
DTW's McNamara Terminal has ATMs at both tram stations (A24 and A57) — if you need foreign currency before a long-haul departure, use the tram-station ATM rather than the ICE kiosk for a significantly better rate.
Before you leave
Order foreign currency from your bank before departure — Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer currency ordering at branches and online (3–7 business days). Rates are better than airport booths, and you avoid the airport rush entirely.
At your destination
Withdraw from a local ATM at your destination — you get the real mid-market exchange rate, minus a small network fee. A no-fee card eliminates even that. This is almost always the cheapest option.
In transit
Currency exchange at city banks or post offices in your destination country is typically far better than airport rates in both countries. Most major cities have walk-in currency exchange with rates 5–10% better than airport booths.
Is it better to exchange currency at DTW airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport charge 10-20% above the mid-market rate. At your destination, ATMs give the real interbank rate minus a small network fee — typically saving $50-100 on a $500 exchange versus the airport booth.
Where are the ATMs at DTW airport?
ATMs are throughout the McNamara Terminal (all Concourse A areas) and the North Terminal. Flagstar Bank, Chase, and Bank of America ATMs are near the tram stations at A24 and A57, and at baggage claim exits. DTW ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A Schwab, Wise, or Revolut card at any DTW ATM gives the real exchange rate with zero surcharges.
Which currency exchange is at DTW airport?
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates at the McNamara Terminal in Concourse A near the international gates (gates A1–A20) and near the international arrivals customs exit. The North Terminal has no dedicated exchange booth. ICE kiosks at DTW charge 12–16% above the mid-market rate. DTW's McNamara Terminal handles Delta's transatlantic and trans-Pacific service; the ICE kiosk near international arrivals sees high volumes on European morning arrivals.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at DTW?
The Charles Schwab debit card is the top choice — it reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and charges 0% on international transactions, giving you the real mid-market exchange rate. Wise and Revolut travel cards are strong alternatives with similar 0% fee structures. Avoid using a standard bank debit card, which typically charges 1-3% foreign transaction fee plus an ATM surcharge of $3-5.
See also: Getting around DTW airport · Live DTW TSA wait times
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live DTW TSA wait, real-time drive time from your door, and gate-walk distance into one exact time to leave home — no guesswork.
Calculate my Leave-By Time →