DFW Airport to Downtown Dallas

Leaving DFW: start with where you're going

From DFW Airport you can leave by three rail lines, a shuttle bus plus commuter train, or taxi. For downtown Dallas, take the DART Orange Line from Terminal A Station; for the northern suburbs (Coppell, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson, towards Plano), the DART Silver Line from Terminal B Station; for Fort Worth, TEXRail from the same Terminal B Station. You can also take the TRE LINK shuttle bus to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station and ride the TRE commuter train.

First check whether your ticket says DFW or Dallas Love Field (DAL). This post is about DFW; how to get into the city from DAL is one line in the 'At a glance' section at the end. Below you'll find where to board each option and the fares, taxis and late arrivals, how to continue to your neighbourhood, and an arrival-day checklist.

• Full Dallas travel guide →
• Incheon → Dallas flights →

DART Orange Line: Terminal A Station to downtown

DFW Airport Terminal A Station is near Gate A10. From here, DART's Orange Line light rail runs through Irving to downtown Dallas, which takes under an hour according to Visit Dallas.

If you land at another terminal, take the free Terminal Link shuttle bus before security or the Skylink train after security.

Buy a DART Local 3-Hour Pass (USD 3) or Day Pass (USD 6) at the station machines with cash or a credit/debit card. You can also tap a contactless card or phone at the platform reader; each rider needs their own payment method, and that card or device is your ticket and proof of payment. Fare inspectors may check your ticket. The centre car is level with the platform, which helps with large bags, but there are no luggage racks on light rail, so keep your bags with you and out of the aisle.

Terminal B Station: Silver Line to the suburbs, TEXRail to Fort Worth

The DART Silver Line is a regional rail line from DFW Airport Terminal B Station through Coppell, Carrollton, Addison and Richardson towards Plano. It does not go through downtown Dallas. It uses the DART Local Pass (USD 3 for 3 hours, USD 6 for a day); check journey times to your station with the DART Trip Planner. Trains have overhead luggage racks and an area for large items.

There are no DART ticket machines at this station. Pay by tapping a contactless card or phone, or check the official information on how to buy tickets before you go.

Trinity Metro's TEXRail also leaves from DFW Airport Terminal B Station and runs via DFW Airport North, Grapevine/Main Street and North Richland Hills to Fort Worth Central Station and Fort Worth T&P Station. Fares are USD 2 for a Local single ride and USD 4 for a Local 1-Day ticket; check the official information before you go for timetables and journey times.

TRE LINK bus + TRE: check the day of the week

The TRE LINK shuttle bus connects the airport terminals with the TRE's CentrePort/DFW Airport Station (Bus Bay A). The TRE is a commuter train between EBJ Union Station in Dallas and Fort Worth T&P Station, run jointly by DART and Trinity Metro.

The TRE runs Monday to Saturday, with no scheduled Sunday service except during the State Fair of Texas. If you arrive on a Sunday, keep this in mind first.

CentrePort to EBJ Union Station is included in the DART Local Pass (USD 3 for 3 hours, USD 6 for a day). Trips across the Dallas County and Tarrant County zones need a Regional ticket (USD 9 for a day). Check the official information before you go for TRE LINK bus and TRE times.

Taxis and late arrivals: before and after midnight

Taxis wait on the lower level of Terminals A, B, C, D and E. An airport guest assistant is at the taxi stands from 8 a.m. to midnight.

After midnight, call +1-972-973-4061 to request a taxi. Journey time depends on traffic; check the official information before you go for fares.

If you arrive late, also check the last light rail and train times in the official information before you go.

Continuing to your neighbourhood, plus an arrival-day checklist

All four DART light rail lines (Red, Blue, Green and Orange) pass through downtown. On a first visit, Downtown & West End is a good area for walking through history and museums. Deep Ellum has its own DART station, and the Bishop Arts District (Oak Cliff) is reached by the Dallas Streetcar from EBJ Union Station downtown (USD 1 a ride; DART 3-Hour and Day Passes are valid).

If you're staying around the Arts District & Klyde Warren Park, the free M-Line Trolley runs via Klyde Warren Park, with DART rail connections at Cityplace/Uptown, St. Paul and Pearl/Arts District stations. Check the official information before you go for the connections to your accommodation.

• Check the arrival airport on your ticket (DFW or DAL)
• Payment: cash or a credit/debit card for the station machines, or a contactless card or phone to tap at the platform reader (one per rider)
• There are no DART ticket machines at DFW Airport Terminal B Station (Silver Line), so have a contactless card or phone ready
• Large bags: use the centre car of the light rail. There are no luggage racks on light rail or buses
• The TRE has no scheduled Sunday service (except during the State Fair of Texas)
• Combining the TRE and Trinity Metro to Fort Worth: Regional Day Pass USD 9
• Taxi after midnight: call +1-972-973-4061
• Check the U.S. government's official information on entry requirements (visa, travel authorization, etc.) before you travel

At a glance

Here are the options from DFW Airport, plus the option if your ticket says DAL, one line each. Fares and hours can change, so check the official information before you go.

For what to do in the days after you land, see the Dallas 2-night, 3-day route.

• DART Orange Line: Terminal A Station (near Gate A10) → Irving → downtown; under an hour (Visit Dallas); Local 3-Hour Pass USD 3, Day Pass USD 6; ticket machines at the station
• DART Silver Line: Terminal B Station → Coppell, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson → towards Plano; does not go through downtown; DART Local Pass; no DART ticket machines
• TEXRail: Terminal B Station → Fort Worth Central Station and Fort Worth T&P Station; Local single ride USD 2, Local 1-Day ticket USD 4; times: check official information
• TRE LINK bus + TRE: CentrePort/DFW Airport Station (Bus Bay A) → EBJ Union Station or Fort Worth T&P Station; Monday to Saturday; CentrePort to EBJ Union Station included in the DART Local Pass
• Taxi: lower-level stands at each terminal; guest assistant 8 a.m. to midnight; after midnight call +1-972-973-4061; fares: check official information
• Dallas Love Field (DAL): DART Bus Route 5 Love Link → Inwood/Love Field Station → Green or Orange line → downtown; under an hour (Visit Dallas); Local 3-Hour Pass USD 3, Day Pass USD 6

• How Many Days in Dallas? A 2-Night, 3-Day Route →
• Airport to City: Train, Bus, Taxi or Transfer? A Practical Comparison →

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