Dallas Fort Worth International: How Passengers Can Access The Airport Using Public Transport

Summary Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is American Airlines’ largest hub with over 250 destinations.
DFW is the third-busiest airport in the world in terms of aircraft movements and covers more land area than Manhattan.
DFW offers convenient transportation options via DART, TEXRail, and TRE trains for travelers heading to the airport.
If you’re set to take off from Dallas/Fort Worth and don’t fancy leaving your car at the airport, you might want to continue reading. Dallas, American Airlines’ largest hub, has three options for traveling to the airport if you fancy trying out the train. This is via the DART, TEXRail, and TRE. Let’s read on.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the largest city serving the Dallas metroplex in the North Texas region of Texas. With American Airlines HQ located near the airport, it is a flurry of activity and, according to the Airports Council International, the third busiest airport in the world by aircraft movements.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The airport is located between two major Texan cities, Dallas and Fort Worth, and straddles two local counties (Dallas and Tarrant). However, it also spills into four more. By land area, it is the second largest after Denver, at 17,207 acres, or 26.89 square miles. In layman’s terms, it covers more land area than Manhattan and has its own zip code, 75261.
Choice is aplenty in Dallas, with over 250 destinations, including over 190 domestic and over 60 international destinations. DFW provides more nonstop destinations than any other airport located in North America. With all major cities in the continental US, less than four hours by flight (direct).
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How do I get there?
As already alluded to, if you’re looking to lower your carbon footprint (as DFW has achieved the world’s most considerable carbon-neutral airport status), there are three convenient options. Let’s read into these a little more:
DART
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit system is the transit agency that serves the Dallas/Fort Worth and operates buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high occupancy vehicle lanes across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The first train from DFW will arrive at the DFW airport station at 03:50, which is perfect for those early morning services. If you want to return to the city, the first service departs at 04:14. Tickets are $2.00 for a midday pass or $6.00 for a day pass. You can purchase tickets at the airport station kiosks or download the GoPass App.
Photo: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
To access the service, arriving passengers in Terminal A will need to go to level A10. If you come into Terminal B, C, D, or E, jump onboard the Terminal Link Shuttle to Terminal A.
TEXRail
Destined for Fort Worth, the service arrives and departs at DFW from Terminal B. Its first train arrives at the American Airlines hub by 04:06, but for departing towards the city, you can be onboard from 02:10 in the deepness of night. Tickets are $2.50 for a single ride or $5 for a day pass and can be purchased at the station or on the GoPass app.
TRE
Trinity Railway Express is a commuter rail service in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with just ten stations. It’s named after the Trinity River, which flows between Forth Worth and Dallas. Its services are operated to Dallas and Fort Worth at $2.50 a ride. It operates only between 05:00 and 11:00 six days a week, Monday to Saturday, and tickets can be purchased at CentrePorte Station kiosks or the GoPass app.
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It is important to note that if you are looking to board this train, you will first need to go to Terminal B and to the lower level near gate 47, where you will then board a bus towards TRE CentrePort station. These buses depart every 20 to 40 minutes.
Are you staying over?
If jumping on public transport in the early morning hours or after you’ve landed from a long-haul flight doesn’t appeal, then there are plenty of accommodation options close to the airport, with shuttle bus services. However, if you’re looking to spoil yourself, two Hyatt-branded hotels are in the central terminal area. Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport is adjacent to Terminal C, with buses connecting it to all terminals.
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Alternatively, Grand Hyatt DFW is above Terminal D, with a direct link to the check-in area. This hotel has over 298 rooms, three food and beverage options, and 34,000 square feet of meeting space.
Catch the bus
If you prefer to take the bus over the train, the airport is served by the International Parkway, running through the center of DFW. Bus routes serving the airport include route 230, which spurs from Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station or Southwestern Medical District/Parkland to the Remote South Parking facility. Alternatively, the Trinity Metro service, where the TRE Link bus operates to and from CentrePort/DFW Airport Station.
Photo: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
If it’s too much to absorb and plan, there are plenty of rental car options, with the consolidated rental car facility on the southern grounds of the airport. Over ten rental companies call home here, served by several shuttle buses connecting all terminals to your facility.
How did you last travel to the airport? Let us know in the comment section below.