Group Pickup & Drop-Off at MBS (MBS), Bishop (FNT), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) & Gerald R. Ford (GRR)
Flying in or out of Mid-Michigan and the Great Lakes Bay Region with a crowd takes a solid transportation plan. Between navigating seasonal lake-effect snow on I-75 and US-10, timing drawbridge openings across the Saginaw River in Downtown Bay City, and following strict commercial curb rules at MBS International Airport (MBS), Bishop International Airport (FNT), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), and Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), splitting your group into multiple cars or waiting on rideshares quickly turns into a headache. That’s where Baycity
You’ll love that Baycity
Key Takeaways
- At MBS International Airport (MBS) in Freeland (just 20 minutes from Downtown Bay City), charter buses load and unload along the single-level terminal loop off Garfield Road (M-47) and wait in the free Cell Phone Waiting Lot on Airport Drive.
- At Bishop International Airport (FNT) in Flint, commercial buses drop off and pick up groups along the outer commercial lane on West Bristol Road and stage in the FNT Cell Phone Waiting Lot near the I-75 entrance.
- At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), charter buses unload departing passengers on the Upper Level Ticketing curb and pick up arriving groups at the McNamara Ground Transportation Center (GTC) or the Evans Terminal Big Blue Deck commercial stalls.
- At Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, buses drop off along the Upper Level Departures curb and meet arriving groups at the Lower Level commercial bus zone outside Baggage Claim.
- All four airports strictly prohibit unattended vehicles and prolonged curbside idling (5-minute maximum), so always gather your entire group and all checked luggage before signaling your driver to pull up to the terminal curb.
Tips for Bay City Airport Travel with Groups
Keep these local pro tips in mind when organizing a Bay City airport charter bus for your corporate team, university roster, wedding guests, or family tour:
Before departure day, check each airport’s official ground transportation page for real-time roadway and terminal updates:
- Use approved cell phone and commercial staging lots: Airport police at MBS, FNT, DTW, and GRR actively enforce TSA curbside security rules and ticket commercial vehicles that idle or wait at the terminal curb. Your driver will stage off-curb in the designated cell phone or holding lot until your entire group has claimed its suitcases and is ready to board immediately.
- Build buffer time for I-75, US-10 & Saginaw River bridges: Crossing Downtown Bay City via the Liberty Bridge, Independence Bridge, or Veterans Memorial Bridge (M-25), driving over the Zilwaukee Bridge on I-75, or navigating construction zones along US-10 and I-675 can add 20 to 40 minutes to your trip.
- Include your airline and flight number when booking: Share your flight details when you submit your online form so your local operator can monitor early arrivals or weather delays. Once you reserve your bus online through the national booking platform, a dedicated confirmation department contacts you to verify every pickup, drop-off, and terminal meeting point on your schedule.
- Match your vehicle size to your luggage count: Traveling with heavy checked bags, hockey gear, or trade show displays? A full-size 56-passenger charter bus rental offers cavernous undercarriage luggage bays plus overhead parcel racks, making it ideal even for groups of 25 to 35 flyers. For lighter carry-on trips, compare our 18-passenger minibus, 25-passenger minibus, or 35-passenger minibus options.
- Book custom one-way, round-trip, or multi-stop packages: Whether you need a quick one-way transfer from MBS to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bay City - Riverfront, a split-time pickup and drop-off, or a multi-day shuttle across Michigan, you can request a custom package through our online contact form any day of the year!
- MBS International Airport (MBS) parking and ground transportation
- Bishop International Airport (FNT) ground transportation
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) ground transportation
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) ground transportation
Know Before You Go: Charter Bus Guidelines at Bay City-Area Airports
Every charter bus, minibus, party bus, and sprinter van operating at Michigan airports must follow airport authority rules for loading, unloading, and staging. Review this quick-reference guide before your trip:
| Airport | Departures Drop-Off | Arrivals Pickup | Commercial Staging Area | Curb Waiting Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBS (MBS International Airport) | Single-level terminal loop commercial curb off MBS International Airport Dr | Ground-level outer commercial curb directly outside Baggage Claim doors | MBS Cell Phone Waiting Lot on Airport Dr (just off Garfield Rd / M-47) | No (Active loading only; driver must stay with vehicle) |
| FNT (Bishop International Airport) | Ground-level terminal outer commercial lane off W. Bristol Rd | Outer commercial lane outside ground-level Baggage Claim (East Entrance) | FNT Cell Phone Waiting Lot on W. Bristol Rd near I-75 Exit 116A | No (Active loading and unloading only; 5-min limit) |
| DTW (Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County) | Upper Level Ticketing curb at McNamara Terminal & Evans Terminal | McNamara Ground Transportation Center (GTC) / Evans Terminal Big Blue Deck | DTW South Cell Phone Lot on Eureka Rd (near I-275 Exit 15) | No (Commercial bus stalls only; no curbside waiting) |
| GRR (Gerald R. Ford International) | Upper Level Departures curb outside main ticketing hall | Lower Level commercial bus lane on the outer island outside Baggage Claim | GRR Cell Phone Waiting Lot at 44th St SE & John J. Oostema Blvd | No (Active loading only; no unattended vehicles) |
Charter Bus Guide to MBS International Airport (MBS)
What makes MBS International Airport at 8500 Garfield Road in Freeland so convenient is its location just 15 miles from Bay City. The single-level terminal makes group loading and unloading fast.
Major Roadways to MBS
Drivers traveling from Downtown Bay City typically take US-10 West to the Garfield Road exit for a direct approach to the terminal loop. Groups departing from Saginaw Valley State University or Euclid Avenue can also follow M-84 South toward Tittabawassee Road. If your trip includes pickups in Midland or Saginaw, I-75 and US-10 connect directly to Garfield Road (M-47).
Charter Bus Drop-Off for Departures
Your charter bus follows MBS International Airport Drive directly to the commercial curb outside the main ticketing entrance. Since curbside stops allow active unloading only, have your group ready to step off with their luggage.
Charter Bus Pickup for Arrivals
Arriving passengers at MBS enjoy a short walk from their gate to the ground-level baggage claim carousels. Wait inside until every person in your group has collected all of their checked suitcases. Once your group is ready, your driver will pull up to the commercial loading zone outside the arrivals doors. Your driver will load the luggage bays so everyone can board your Bay City airport shuttle together.
Staging & Waiting Rules (How to Call Your Bus)
TSA security rules and MBS airport regulations strictly prohibit charter buses from idling or waiting unattended at the terminal curb. Instead, your driver waits in the free MBS Cell Phone Waiting Lot on Airport Drive near the Garfield Road entrance. After your entire group has claimed all checked bags, send a quick text to your driver. Your bus will pull up to the arrivals curb in under two minutes for immediate loading.
Recommended Meeting Point
Have your group meet inside the main terminal right next to the ground-level baggage claim carousels. Once everyone has their suitcases in hand, walk out the sliding glass doors together to the commercial loading curb.
Charter Bus Guide to Bishop International Airport (FNT)
Find exactly what your group needs for an easy flight at Bishop International Airport (FNT), located at 3425 West Bristol Road in Flint. Sitting 55 minutes south of Bay City along I-75, FNT is a popular hub for sports teams and corporate travelers. Booking a private shuttle keeps your entire group together from Flint to the Bay.
Pickup & Drop-Off at FNT
Charter buses reach Bishop International Airport directly from I-75 Exit 116A or I-69 via West Bristol Road. For departures and arrivals, your driver uses the outer commercial lane along the ground-level terminal loop outside ticketing and baggage claim. Because the parking deck has height restrictions and strict curb rules, motorcoaches cannot enter the garage or idle curbside. Instead, your driver stages at the FNT Cell Phone Waiting Lot on Bristol Road until your group is ready.
Common Itineraries from FNT
Groups landing at FNT often book direct shuttles up I-75 to Downtown Bay City waterfront hotels and Saginaw Valley State University. Many visitors also stop in Frankenmuth for group dining during the 45-minute drive north.
Charter Bus Guide to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) & Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
Need nonstop or international flights that smaller Mid-Michigan airports do not offer? Many local groups book a Bay City long-distance charter bus to fly out of Detroit Metro (DTW) or Grand Rapids (GRR). Instead of splitting into car caravans and paying steep airport parking rates, everyone rides together on one schedule. Full-size motorcoaches feature reclining seats, WiFi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms for a relaxing two-hour trip.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Located in Romulus off I-94 two hours south of Bay City, DTW operates the McNamara and Evans terminals. Charter buses unload departing passengers along the Upper Level Ticketing curb at either terminal. Drivers stage in the Eureka Road Cell Phone Lot until your group claims its luggage. Arriving groups board at the McNamara Ground Transportation Center or Evans Big Blue Deck.
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
At 5500 44th Street SE in Grand Rapids, buses unload departing groups along the Upper Level curb. Drivers wait in the Cell Phone Lot before meeting arrivals outside Lower Level Baggage Claim.