How to travel from Tampa to Detroit on the cheap

How to travel from Tampa to Detroit on the cheapPhoto: iStock
Hoodline
Published on May 30, 2019

At the heart of the Great Lakes region, Detroit was one of Conde Nast's must-visit destinations for 2018. Not only is Detroit known as a leader of American industry, the city's diverse communities also boast major contributions to music, art and architecture. Detroit was the first U.S. city to be named a "City of Design" by UNESCO, and is known as the home of Motown Records and the birthplace of techno. The city also offers many historic museums and arts institutions.

Thankfully, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between Tampa and Detroit. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

Cheapest Detroit flights

Currently, the cheapest flights between Tampa and Detroit are if you leave on Aug. 22 and return from Michigan on Aug. 26. Spirit Airlines currently has roundtrip tickets for $162.

There are also deals to be had in July. If you fly out of Tampa on July 17 and return from Detroit on July 20, Spirit Airlines can get you there and back for $177 roundtrip.

Top Detroit hotels

To plan your stay, here are some of Detroit’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.

The MotorCity Casino Hotel (2901 Grand River Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

For an all-around top recommendation, consider The MotorCity Casino Hotel. The hotel has a 4.7-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $178. This Detroit casino hotel is near the Masonic Temple and Fox Theatre.

The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit (1114 Washington Blvd.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Another 4.7-star option is The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. Rooms are currently set at $179/night.

"The Westin Book Cadillac is an iconic hotel that embodies Detroit’s revolution. The Book Cadillac building was built in a neo-classical style ... the hotel rooms are luxurious and comfortable, featuring the heavenly bed, which is standard across all Westin properties," wrote Samantha.

The Atheneum (1000 Brush Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're looking for an inexpensive place to stay, try The Atheneum. The 4.7-star hotel has rooms for $129/night. This family-friendly hotel is near Campus Martius Park, the GM Renaissance Center and Ford Field.  

Top picks for dining and drinking

If you're looking for a popular spot to grab a bite, Detroit has plenty of excellent eateries to choose from. Here are a few from Skyscanner's listings to help you get started.

Green Dot Stables (2200 W. Lafayette Blvd.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Let's start with the basics: where to get a drink. For a popular option, check out the Green Dot Stables, which has an average of five stars out of six reviews on Skyscanner.

"Each slider, side, salad or dessert you order ranges from $2 to $3," wrote Kenny.

Slows Bar BQ (2138 Michigan Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

For another popular option, check out Slows Bar BQ, with 4.8 stars from 22 reviews.

"If you love baby back ribs, this place serves them sliding off the bone," wrote reviewer Lou.

Public House (241 W. 9 Mile Road)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

One more solid option is the Public House, with five stars from five reviews.

"This is a cute little place that serves awesome sliders for a super low price," wrote Megan. 

Featured local attractions

Detroit is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are some popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.

The Detroit Institute of Arts (5200 Woodward Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First up is The Detroit Institute of Arts. It checks in with 4.7 stars from 45 reviews.

Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts for a chance to immerse yourself in beautiful artwork and robust collections. The museum features over 60,000 pieces, including collections from America, Asia, Africa and Europe. 

Greenfield Village (20900 Oakwood Blvd.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Located in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Greenfield Village is another popular destination, with 4.8 stars from 11 reviews. 

"This is a great place to spend the day learning about history. Lots of demos of glass blowing, pottery making, weaving, machinery, etc. My favorite was Edison's workshop and also all the Model T cars driving around. A great family place," wrote visitor Yvonne.  

Detroit Science Center (5020 John R St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Finally, spend some time at the Detroit Science Center, with 4.8 stars from eight reviews.

"It’s not your typical museum, as you can actually do things on interactive exhibits dealing with everything from life science to space," wrote visitor Amanda.  


This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.