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DFW

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW  IATA) is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Equally positioned between Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW is a great airport to fly into. Don't forget that as you drive out of the airport, you will have to pay a toll to leave. DFW is the chief hub of American Airlines, which controls well over 80% of all the flights.

Understand

The airport was designed in the 1960s to allow for people to park next to their gate and make a short walk to their plane. However, modern security requirements and the hub-and-spoke system have made its long narrow semi-circular terminals somewhat inefficient. Recent improvements including a people-mover tram system (inside security) and renovated terminals have overcome this challenge to make DFW a great connecting airport. Also, the terminal layout with 4 semi-circular terminals and 1 squared one means that the airport has multiple security checkpoints and shorter lines.

The largest selection of restaurants and shops are in Terminal D, while A, B, C, and E have a few decent restaurants spread throughout. An ongoing renovation of the older terminals will improve the selection. Part of A has been completed.

Flights

DFW International has 5 terminals. Terminals A, B, and C handle domestic flights, while Terminal D and E handles international and domestic flights. All terminals are connected by a quick rail system inside security and buses outside of security. American Airlines and its affiliate American Eagle has a dominant position at DFW airport and occupies all of Terminals A, B, and C and parts of D and E, though exact locations can change due to an ongoing renovation of 5 of the terminals. A Terminal F, which will be in the current Express South parking lot, is in planning.

  • Terminal A- American Airlines
  • Terminal B- American Eagle
  • Terminal C- American Airlines
  • Terminal D- Aero México, Air France, American Airlines/American Eagle, Avianca, British Airways, Contour Airlines, Denver Air Connection (to Denver & Clovis NM); Emirates, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Sun Country Airlines, VIA Airlines (to Branson, Missouri), Turkish Airlines, VivaAerobús and Volaris.
  • Terminal E- Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines.
  • DFW Corporate Airport Terminal- Boutique Airlines (To Clovis & Carlsbad, New Mexico, and to Greenville, Mississippi); Southern Airways Express (Harrison, El Dorado and Hot Springs, Arkansas); and other private VIP flights. The corporate air terminal is located behind the American Airlines cargo terminal north of Terminal A on N Service Rd and E 16th St/N 24th Ave. This terminal is not connected with the other terminals or International Pkwy, the main toll road connecting the other terminals. Therefore, Boutique Air & Southern Airways Express do provide a shuttle from the other airline terminals to their terminal on request. See below under "Private aviation" for a list of additional companies operating private VIP flights.

Note: If you're traveling with Southwest and JSX, they only land and take off at Dallas Love Field (DAL IATA), another airport closer into downtown Dallas. JSX and Southwest do not offer flights into or out of Dallas Ft Worth International Airport. JSX have their own separate terminal, by Love Field, at 7201 Lemmon Ave. Alaska Airlines and Delta offer flights to both airports. See below under 'Ground transportation' on getting to Dallas Love Field by DART Orange Line train. See this link for the flight schedules at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

Arrive

For those arriving on international flights, Immigration and Customs (at Terminal D) process usually takes 15–30 minutes, but can take over an hour at peak times. The busiest times are in the afternoon. Arrivals from Canada are pre-cleared by U.S. immigration and customs prior to boarding in Canada and arrive into the U.S. as a domestic flight.

Transfer

Like all airports in the United States, there are no special transit facilities for international transfers. That means that if you are arriving from an international flight and have an immediate connection, you will still have to pass through Customs and Immigration. For details of entry and visa requirements see get in section of United States page.

Private aviation

Dallas is home to the third highest number of Fortune 500 companies in the United States behind only New York City and Houston, making it one of the busiest regions for business and luxury aviation in the country. It's also frequently used by business jets as a refueling stop for cross-county and intercontinental flights. Although private planes typically use Dallas Love Field (FAA: DAL) and other DFW-area airports focused on private aviation, Dallas Fort-Worth International is still used by corporate aircraft, fractionally owned aircraft, and jet card programs.

DFW Corporate Aviation operates the only private terminal at KDFW, located to the northside of the passenger terminals opposite the Express North Parking Lot. The terminal is accessible via N Service Rd and E 16th St/N 24th Ave behind the American Airlines Cargo terminal. Ameriflight is the only charter operator at KDFW, however, air charter brokers including Alliance Air Charter[dead link] and Private Jets Dallas offer access to charter planes throughout Texas and across the country for private flights to/from DFW International, with planes ranging from single and twin-engine propeller aircraft, to luxury Gulfstreams and business jets. Private flights may experience a bit of a taxi upon arrival, but will enjoy quick departures from Runway 17R.

Ground transportation

DFW Terminal Map

By car

The main way most travelers get to DFW is by driving to the airport. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has grown up around the airport to the point that major expressways form a complete (though oddly-shaped) loop around the airport, with a spiderweb of freeways and toll roads going in all directions. Routes to the airport are noted on road signs 10 miles or more from the airport, though the numerous multilevel interchanges will make it difficult to just head to the airport without looking at a map or using a GPS device. If you go by car, you cannot avoid the tolls, so have some cash with you.

While there are many different parking areas and 5 terminals, all the terminals and the express and garage parking are on International Parkway, a toll road that goes from the north entrance to the south entrance and connects to all the major highways. The North Entrance connects to the DFW Connector, a several-mile-long interchange of SH 121, 114, and 26, as well as Interstate 635. A $1-billion construction project untangled what was a confusing and disjointed mix of highways that often hopelessly congested. However, the redesigned interchange eliminated the exit to the airport loop road for using the North Remote parking lot from International Parkway, so you should take Texas Trail exit from 121/114 from the west or Freeport exit on 114 from the east. The South Entrance meets with an SH 183 near interchanges with SH 360 to the west and President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) to the east. South remote parking and the car rental center are both easily reached from the south entrance before the toll plaza.

  • From Downtown Dallas take I-35E north to S.H. 114/183 ("Airport Freeway"). When 114 and 183 split, you have a choice to go the north or south entrance of the airport. SH 183 (Airport Freeway goes to the south entrance, while 114 goes the north entrance.
  • From Downtown Fort Worth take SH 121 to SH 183 (Airport Freeway). When 121 and 183 split, you can either take 121 to the north entrance or 183 to the south entrance.
  • From Collin County or anywhere north take either SH 121 (toll road in Collin Co) to the north entrance or PGBT to 114 westbound to the north entrance.
  • From Arlington and anywhere south take either SH 360 or PGBT north to the south entrance interchange.
  • From Denton or further north take either I-35W south to SH 114 eastbound or I-35E to SH 121 toll road south bound to the north entrance.

By shuttle bus

Once you've arrived at the airport, you will probably do best to take one of the Shared Ride shuttle services. They offer door to door pickup and drop off, probably costing ~$30 for ~20 miles, which will get you to most places.

By rental car

Another option is to pick up a rental car at DFW. To do so, you will take the shared shuttle from the airport terminal to the 1 Rental Car Center located at 2424 E. 38th St, DFW Airport. The Rental Car Center is open 24 hours daily but the individual rental car companies may keep certain hours. Shuttle buses pick up at the lower level of each terminal. Follow signs to the designated pick-up stops or phone them to arrange pick-up. The following companies are inside the shared facility:

For DFW, there are courtesy phones that will let you ring them directly (for free), and they are usually pretty quick about pickups and drop offs. (at most adding an extra 30–40 minutes while you wait for them to pick up more people, or to drop your fellow passengers off on the way to your place or hotel). Click here for a list of the car rental companies at Dallas Love Field.

terminal D

Public transportation

If you're longer on time than money or prefer to not to drive altogether, public transit is also another option.

The airport has direct rail links to both downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth from a pair of stations sandwiched between Terminal A and Terminal B. Terminal A is the best place to reach the DART Orange Line to Dallas, and Terminal B is the best place to board TexRail to Fort Worth.

2 DART Orange Line begins at Terminal A (Lower Level, A10) and runs southeast to downtown Dallas, where you can transfer to any another DART light rail line or DART bus. Get off at the Inwood/Love Field Station and transfer to DART #5 or 55 ("Love Link Shuttle") to continue to the Love Field Airport Terminal (bus stops at opposite ends of the Love Field main terminal). This train connects DFW Airport to LBJ/Central Station in North Dallas (via downtown Dallas, Pearl/Arts District). Weekday peak hour trains continue from LBJ/Central Station to Parker Rd Station in Plano. Transfer to the Red Line train to continue beyond the LBJ/Central Station, towards Plano at other times.

To get to the 'DART' station, take the airside SkyLink people mover to Terminal A. A recording will tell you when to get off. If you have checked baggage to claim, claim it and take the slower landside Terminal Link shuttle bus to Terminal A instead.

DART trains arrive at DFW regularly from 4AM to 1AM daily, 7 days a week, and a replacement bus service runs from the same station when rail service is interrupted. Traveling by DART rail is covered more thoroughly in the main Dallas article. Passengers can transfer to other DART trains and buses at different stations along the way.

DART passes buy unlimited travel on the entire network within a specified time slot. You can pay $3 for an AM or PM pass (3AM to noon or noon to 3AM the following day, respectively), or $6 for an all-day pass (3AM to 3AM).

DART Silver Line is a new DART Rail Line under construction that is expected to begin service in 2026. It will run from the present Metro TEXRail Station in Terminal B (see below) to Plano via Addison and Richardson on the previously proposed Cotton Belt Line from 1983.

West of the airport: Trinity Metro

3 Trinity Metro TEXRail begins at Terminal B (Lower Level, B43) and runs southwest towards downtown Fort Worth (T&P Station) via Grapevine and North Richland Hills. Various bus routes also connect to stations on the line, and Metro's main bus transfer hub is at Fort Worth Central Station in downtown.

To get to the TEXRail station, take the airside SkyLink people mover to Terminal B. A recording will tell you when to get off. If you have checked baggage to claim, claim it and then take the landside Terminal Link shuttle bus to Terminal B instead.

The TEXRail fare is $2.50 for a single ride. Alternatively, a $5 multi-ride pass buys unlimited rides across the entire Trinity Metro transit system for the rest of the day.

  • Grapevine Shuttle Green Route operates from Terminal D (D22) to Hyatt Regency DFW, Target, Grapevine Main Station, Historic Main Street, Silverlake Complex, Grapevine Mills, Bass Pro Shops, and back again. This route is operated by the City of Grapevine. Connect to other Grapevine Shuttle routes in the Historic Main Street and Target.

Both Directions of the airport: Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro's TRE (Trinity Railway Express), travels in both directions between the EBJ Union Station in downtown Dallas and Fort Worth T&P Station in downtown Fort Worth. The 4 CentrePort/DFW Airport Station is the nearest station to the DFW International Airport, south of the airport grounds, in Fort Worth. Various bus routes (DART in Dallas County and Metro in Tarrant County) also connect to the stations on the line, and Metro's main bus transfer hub is at Fort Worth Central Station in downtown. Connections to Amtrak's Texas Eagle Train are only in Dallas Union Station and Fort Worth Central Station while the Heartland Flyer (to Oklahoma City) is only in Fort Worth.

To get to the CentrePort/DFW Airport Station (Bus Bay A), take the free TRE Link Shuttle Bus (Metro #31) from Terminal B (Curbside, Lower Level, B47). Take the SkyLink people mover train or the landside Terminal Link shuttle from the other terminals to Terminal B. The TRE Shuttle operates every 20-40 minutes, Mondays through Saturdays from 5AM to 11PM.

The Trinity Railway Express fare is $2.50 for a single ride. Alternatively, a $6 multi-ride pass buys unlimited rides across the entire Trinity Railway Express for the rest of the day.

  • Metro #30 operates as a local circulator route to serve the businesses and hotels surrounding the CentrePort Airport Station, south of the airport grounds. This route does not enter into the airport grounds.

Parking

There are several different levels of pricing for parking at the airport depending on proximity to the terminal and level of service. In addition, there are private parking services located near the airport that will drop you off at a terminal like the Parking Spot and Park 'N Fly.

Short-term

Since International Parkway cuts through the center of the airport, anyone entering the airport will have to pay a toll of $2 ($1 with a TollTag from the NTTA). Tolls are $2 up to 30 minutes, and $3 for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Tolls increase to $5 after 2 hours, $7 after 4 hours, and $20 (or $18 with a TollTag) after 6 hours. You can park in the covered parking at any of the terminals, except the valet areas. There is also 1-hour parking on the 1st level nearest the gates.

Long-term

If you are leaving your vehicle at the airport, there are many options.

  • Leave it in the covered parking at any terminal for $20 a day (or $18 with a TollTag).
  • Park in Express Parking and get picked up at your car for $11 a day, or $13 for covered parking. Located on the north and south sides of the airport after the toll plazas.
  • Remote Parking costs $9 a day and is located before the toll plazas on both the north and south side of the airport. Buses run from the lot entrance to all the terminals.
  • For a not too outrageous $27 a day, you can Valet your car at any of the terminals. Its kept inside a secure area of the covered terminal parking. You can even get your car washed and detailed for an extra fee.

Get around

On foot

It is possible to walk between Terminals A, B, C, and D inside security. The distances can be great though, so it is best to use the Skylink to travel between terminals. There are sidewalks outside of security, but these are outside and not really designed for easy transit by passengers carrying lots of luggage. Terminal E is also accessible but you will need to use to Skylink to go there (see below)

Skylink is an automated people mover system operating airside (secured side) between all DFW terminals. This system allows passengers simply changing planes at DFW along with originating passengers who have already gone through security to move between terminals without having to be re-screened. Skylink has 2 stops at each terminal with trains running in both directions. A train stops every 2 minutes with average rides of 5 minutes and the longest ride between most distant stops being 9 minutes.

DFW Skylink

Terminal Link is a free shuttle van system operating landside (unsecured side) between all DFW terminals. The shuttles are painted in orange and can accommodate luggage. Service operates every 10 minutes between 5AM and midnight. Between midnight and 5AM, passengers must call in advance (+1 972 574-5465) to request pick-up.

Wait

  • Art Program, Around Terminal D and Skylink. The new Terminal D and Skylink people mover included millions of dollars in public art when it was opened in 2005. More than 30 artists installed murals, medallions and terrazzo floors, painting, and sculptures. There is also a sculpture garden outside of the Terminal D parking garage on the arrival level. 
  • Kids Play Areas, Gates A13, B12, C14, D10, D33. Feature foam landscape and kid-safe activities. The D33 playground is at a McDonald's. 
  • Terminal D Theaters, Terminal D, gate D18. Has 3 video feeds on 10 screens; CNN, TBS, and Time Warner Classic Movies. Each media seat has an audio jack to plug your headphones into. 

Lounges

There are several airline lounges scattered around various terminals.

  • American Airlines
    • Admirals Club Terminal A: Gate A24
    • Admirals Club Terminal B: Gate B6
    • Admirals Club Terminal C: Gate C20
    • American Airlines Temporary Premium Lounge Terminal D: Gate D36. This is a temporary lounge, as AA is building a renovated Admirals Club, as well as a new Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining, expected to open in 2019.
  • American Express Centurion Lounge: D12
  • The club (Priority Pass): D27
  • The Club at DFW: D21. This lounge has a shared reception area, but each airline operates a dedicated room for its passengers. Used by Qantas, British Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Emirates, and Qatar.
  • Delta Sky Club: E10
  • United Club: E5

Spas

  • XpresSpa. Manicure $20, 10-minute massage $25. 

Eat and drink

There is a good collection of places to eat air side of the terminals. The only restaurants outside the secure areas are inside the 2 Hyatt Hotels. Fast food restaurants, Starbucks, and Dunkin Donuts are spread liberally throughout all 5 terminals with a few decent places if you know where to look. Most of the best restaurants are located in Terminal D.

Budget

  • Chik-fil-A, Gates C25, D18, E6
  • Fuddruckers Hamburgers, Gate D18. Simple, custom made burgers and breakfast, though with less choices of meat than a normal Fuddruckers (sorry no buffalo or elk burgers here!) Meals under $10. 
  • McDonald's, Gates A17, C6, C22, D33. 5AM- 10:30PM. Open early. There is also a playground at the D33 location. 
  • Urban Taco, Gate C22. Opens at 7AM. Cheap, fast street-style tacos and breakfast. Spicy salsa and corn tortillas. Under $10. 
  • Whataburger, Gate E27
  • Shake Shack, Gate C7

Mid-range

  • Cantina Laredo, Gate D24. A full service restaurant that serves Tex-Mex and traditional Mexican food, and has a fully stocked bar. Meals from $12. 
  • Pappasito's Cantina, Gate A28. 6AM-9:30PM. Full service dinning and bar with to-go option for Tex-Mex. Makes flour tortillas fresh throughout the day. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lunch from $14. 
  • Salt Lick Bar-B-Que, Gate A16. A local chain of Texas-style BBQ. Several choices of meat are slow cooked and served with cole slaw, potato salad, and baked beans. Plates from $10. 
  • Chili's Too, Gate's B20 and C16. Limited menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pasta. Serves breakfast. 
  • TGI Friday's, Gates A13, B10, C8, C29, D34, E17. Casual American dining restaurant and bar with dine-in or take out options. Serves breakfast. Meals around $10. 

Splurge

  • Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Gate A24. Louisiana-style seafood restaurant and bar with plenty of spicy Cajun and Creole dishes, and some less spicy ones as well. Has a lunch menu. 
  • III Forks Prime Steakhouse, Gate D27 Upper Level. A classic American steakhouse with prime beef, seafood, salads, and sandwiches. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (updated Jan 2018)

Buy

Duty Free

International-bound passengers are free to shop at the two duty free shopping shops in Terminal D.

  • Buckaroo Duty Free, Gate D14 & D27. Two shops sell alcohol, tobacco, jewelry, and perfume without taxes or other fees. 

Connect

DFW Airport has free WiFi provided by AT&T. To connect, you can use "attwifi" (for devices capable of using the 2.4 GHz WiFi connection) or "att-24" (for devices capable of using the 5 GHz WiFi connection). You will need to accept the terms and conditions, and you will be asked to enter your email address for the Airport's newsletter in exchange for free WiFi.

Cope

  • DFW Airport Interfaith Chaplaincy, Inside security A24, D21, E4, Outside B25, C15, ☏ +1 972 973-2665. The chapel is open 24 hours. Services for Catholics and Protestants are held on Sundays and some holy days and holidays. Juma Prayer is held on Friday.All services are in the Terminal D Chapel by Gate 21. See website or call office for times. A Rabbi and Hindu services available on request. All chapels have prayer rugs available. 
  • Travelers' Aid, Outside Security D15 Bag claim, E4 lower level, ☏ +1 972 973-4420. M-F 8AM-6PM, Sa-Su 9AM-5PM. Provides information and social services to passengers including crisis assistance and military R&R. It serves as Lost and Found for all security checkpoints and all areas of the airport. 
  • The U.S.O. has a center in front of security for active, reserve, and retired military personnel in Terminal B near Gate B47, (Open 24 hours) For more information call +1-773-686-7396.

Sleep

There are 3 hotels and an hourly hotel service inside the airport. There are more hotels in the surrounding areas outside the airport grounds. Most of the hotels in the nearby areas have shuttles to the airport and long-term parking services.

  • Minute Suites, Terminal D, Inside security at D23 & Terminal A at A38, ☏ +1 972 973-4235. Small private rooms and showers rented by the half hour, hour, or night. All suites have a couch that turns into a bed, fresh pillows and blankets, a computer with a 32" screen connected to the internet and DirectTV. Suites start at $34 for 1 hour, $8.50 every 15 minutes extra, 30 minute showers are $25, or $15 with a suite rental, or $125 for a suite overnight (11PM-7AM). 
  • 1 Grand Hyatt DFW, 2337 South International Parkway (Inside Terminal D), ☏ +1 972 973-1234, . 298 room hotel, with sound-proofed glass was built at the same time as Terminal D. Guest have access to the secure side of the airport to use the shops and restaurants. From $250. 
  • 2 Hyatt Place DFW, 2350 Global Dr (Next to Rental Car Center & Airport Admin Bldg.), ☏ +1 972 574 1234, . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. From $150. 
  • 3 Hyatt Regency DFW, 2334 North International Parkway (adjacent to Terminal C), ☏ +1 972 453-1234. 811-room hotel that was extensively upgraded in 2011. Has soundproof windows and a 24 hour gym. From $150. (updated Jun 2020)

Nearby

The nearest cities to the airport are Grapevine, Southlake, and Coppell to the north, Irving to the east, and Arlington and parts of Fort Worth to the south.

This huge airport travel guide to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is a usable article. It has information on flights and ground transportation as well as some complete entries for food and beverage options at the airport. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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