Skipping the US This country's safest A spotlight on America Lost, damaged? Tell us
FLIGHTS
DFW Airport

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Guide

USATODAY
At Buckaroo Duty Free shop, airport visitors can find "antique" Western saddles, cowboy hats and bags.

Contact information and flight status

Checkpoint savvy

Terminal D: Checkpoint No. 22 (by Grand Hyatt DFW) busy most days from 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP) underway. Progress/updates here.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Workaround: Gates can be accessed from any terminal checkpoint. In a pinch, you can enter any terminal and take the bi-directional Skylink train to your terminal.

Parking

Parking information: Audio report on parking availability, 972-973-PARK. 24-hour automated information.

Most convenient: Valet parking, $31/day in covered garages; car wash services available. Reserve online, via mobile app, or at 972-574- 2407. Electric vehicle-charging stations at all terminals. Terminal parking, $24/day. Express, uncovered, $12/day; $15 for covered parking, with shuttle, free bottled water, newspaper and luggage assistance at north and south ends of the airport. See more options.

Least expensive: Remote parking, $10/day. North and South lots with shuttle to terminals. See more options.

Cellphone lot: Located at north end of the airport. 53 spaces.

Transportation to/from city

Most convenient: Taxi or app-based transportation. To Dallas: $45 flat rate to locations within Dallas Central Business District. Travel time: 30 minutes. To Fort Worth: $48 flat rate to locations within Fort Worth Central Business District. Travel time: 30 minutes. UberX and Lyft are permitted to pick up passengers at DFW. Go Yellow Checker Shuttle serves Fort Worth.

Least expensive: Public transportation. To Dallas: Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Rail System. Station for the Orange Line is at Terminal A. Fare: $2.50 for a two-hour pass or $5 for a day pass. To Fort Worth: Trinity Railway Express, commuter rail service. Fare: $2.50 for a two-hour pass or $5 for a day pass. The airport's free DFW Remote South Shuttle provides connections between the station and airline terminals.

Wi-Fi and charging stations

Free Wi-Fi offered by AT&T in terminals and parking garages.  Six complimentary Travel Lounges (A29, B8, B28, C8, C27, E8) offer workstations and seating with power outlets. Complimentary power stations, with USB charge ports are located at A10, C6, C20, C27, C35, D21, D23, D30, D40, E10, E14 and E36. Free Internet kiosks are also scattered throughout the airport’s five terminals. See more options.

Go local

Good choice for local gifts: Find Western gifts at Lone Star Emporium (B23), Lone Star Attitude (C33, E34), Texas Territories (B41), Ropin' & Ridin' Western Shop (A39), Mercado Gifts (C6, E7), Official Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop (C27, D23), Dallas Cowboys for Her (D10), Southwest Collegiate (C4), The Stars Are Bright (C4), Gas Monkey Garage (E22) and The Range ( D36). See more options.

Good choice for local food: Terminal A: Salt Lick Bar-B-Que (A16), Cowtown Bar (A35), Dallas Cowboys Club (A22), Lorena Garcia Tapas y Cocina (A33). Terminal B: Cantina Laredo (B28), Cousin's Bar-B-Q (B47, D28). Terminal C: Urban Taco (C22). Terminal D: Cool River Café (D25), Reata Grill (D33), Railhead BBQ (D18), Gas Monkey Bar & Grill (D31), Cantina Laredo (D24), III Forks Prime Steakhouse (D27) and Stampede 66 Express (Modern Texas cuisine).See more options.

Tips and tidbits

Terminal D and the Skylink stations feature artwork by more than 30 artists. A walking path in Terminal D ends at a yoga space by Gate D40. Guests of Grand Hyatt DFW (inside Terminal D) have access to airport shops and restaurants. Paradise 4 Paws offers 24-hour accommodations, doggie daycare and other services.

Minute Suites (Terminal A, Gate A8 and Terminal D, Gate D23) rents private suites with daybeds, office workstations, showers and other comforts. The Terminal D location has shower suites.

XpressSpa branches are at D20 and D24. Play areas for children are located at A13, B12, C14 and D30. There are three on-airport hotels: the Grand Hyatt DFW (inside Terminal D), the Hyatt Regency DFW (next to Terminal C) and a Hyatt Place Hotel at Southgate Plaza, near the airport’s south entrance.

Service dogs and handlers in the DFW K9 Crew calm and reduce stress for fliers in Terminal B.

Nearby layover option

The Grapevine Visitors Shuttle takes passengers to restaurants, shopping venues and attractions such as Historic Downtown Grapevine, Grapevine Mills and Bass Pro Shops. Departs seven days a week at the top of the hour from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from the Grand Hyatt DFW Hotel. Fare: $5/person or $10/family.

The 36-hole Bear Creek Golf Course is on DFW property. The American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum is 3 miles south of the airport. Founder's Plaza is a 6-acre park/observation area on the northwest side of the airport with great views of aircraft, picnic table, telescopes, historic information, a commemorative monument and a radio that broadcasts air traffic control communications from the FAA tower.

Your tips and picks?

Please share your time and money-saving tips, favorite restaurants, bars and stores in comments below.

These guides are written by Harriet Baskas, who is the author of six books, including the airport guidebook Stuck at the Airport and a blog of the same name.

Featured Weekly Ad