Dallas Airport Transportation: Tram System Explained

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) offers a range of transportation options for travellers to get between terminals. The Skylink is a free light rail train that operates 24 hours a day, connecting all five terminals within the airport. Trains arrive every two minutes, making it a quick and convenient option for travellers. In addition, the Terminal Link shuttle bus provides pre-security transportation from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., with an after-hours service available upon request. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) rail service is another option, connecting the airport to various landmarks and destinations in Dallas.

The Skylink train connects all five terminals at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

The Skylink train is a free light rail service that connects all five terminals at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The train operates 24 hours a day, with departures every two minutes, and the average ride time is five minutes. The maximum ride time between the farthest points is nine minutes, making it a highly efficient mode of transportation within the airport.

The Skylink train provides a convenient and quick way for passengers to navigate between terminals at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The train runs in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, allowing passengers to choose the route that will get them to their desired terminal the quickest. The train stations are located post-security, and passengers need to clear security to utilise this service.

Each terminal has two Skylink stations, located at either end, to provide easy access to the train. For example, Terminal A's Skylink stations are situated between gates A13 and A16, and between gates A29 and A34. Similarly, Terminal B's Skylink stations can be found between gates B9 and B12, and between gates B28 and B31. The specific locations of the Skylink stations within each terminal can guide passengers in determining the most efficient route to their desired gate, especially when deciding between walking or taking the train.

The Skylink train is fully accessible, with elevators available at each station and dedicated seating areas onboard for passengers with mobility impairments. Additionally, the Skylink provides easy access to shops and restaurants located in the different terminals.

The Skylink train operates 24 hours a day, with trains arriving every two minutes

The Skylink train at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport operates 24 hours a day, with a train arriving every two minutes. The Skylink train is a free light rail train that connects all five terminals. The average ride time is five minutes, with a maximum ride time of nine minutes between the farthest points. The Skylink train runs both clockwise and counterclockwise, so you can choose the direction with the quickest journey to your desired terminal.

The Skylink train is located inside the terminal, beyond airport security. It is accessible by elevator and has dedicated seating areas for passengers with mobility impairments. The Skylink train stations are located:

• Between gate A13 and gate A16
• Between gate A29 and gate A34
• Between gate B9 and gate B12
• Between gate B28 and gate B31
• Between gate C8 and gate C12
• Between gate C27 and gate C32
• Between gate D11 and gate D20
• Between gate D24 and gate D34
• Between gate E8 and gate E11
• Between gate E31 and gate E32

The Skylink train is a convenient option for passengers with a short layover time or for those who need to connect to another terminal. It offers easy access to shops and restaurants in other terminals and does not require a ticket or pass.

The Terminal Link shuttle bus is an alternative to the Skylink train

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the second busiest airport in the U.S., serving over 30 million passengers in 2021. The airport is so large that it is bigger than Manhattan and even has its own ZIP code. Despite its size, it is easy to navigate, with a convenient light rail service running between all terminals.

The Skylink train is a free light rail train that connects all five terminals inside the airport. It operates 24 hours a day, with trains arriving every two minutes. The average ride time is five minutes, with a maximum ride time of nine minutes between the farthest points. The Skylink train provides easy access to shops and restaurants in other terminals and does not require a ticket or pass. It is located post-security, so passengers need to clear security to utilise this transportation.

The Terminal Link shuttle bus is particularly useful for connecting between terminals outside of the secure area. For example, passengers arriving on an international flight who need to clear customs and immigration and re-check their bags for a connecting flight can use the Terminal Link shuttle bus to reach their connecting terminal before re-clearing security. Additionally, the Terminal Link shuttle bus can be used to access the DART rail service at DFW Airport Station, which provides a convenient way to visit many Dallas sights and landmarks without a car.

In summary, while the Skylink train is a quick and efficient way to navigate between terminals at DFW Airport, the Terminal Link shuttle bus provides a valuable alternative, particularly for passengers who need to connect between terminals outside of the secure area or those looking to access the DART rail service.

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) rail service is a public transit option at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

For passengers needing to get to other terminals, the airport provides a free Skylink people-mover service. The Skylink train operates post-security and connects all terminals. Trains depart every 2 minutes, with a maximum travel time of 9 minutes between the furthest points.

The Terminal Link shuttle bus is another option to get to other terminals. It runs pre-security every 5-10 minutes from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., with after-hours service available upon request.

DART passes can be purchased at DFW Airport Station kiosks or by mobile on the GoPass app (available for iPhone and Android smartphones only).

TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) are other public transit options at the airport

TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) Services at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) offers three public transportation options, including the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) rail service, which primarily services Dallas, and the TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) services, which connect Dallas and Fort Worth.

TEXRail

The TEXRail service primarily services Fort Worth. It takes passengers from Fort Worth to DFW Airport Terminal B Station, where they can connect to the Skylink people-mover or Terminal Link shuttle buses to reach other terminals. The TEXRail commuter rail service can be accessed from the DFW Airport Station kiosks or by mobile on the GoPass app, which is available for iPhone and Android smartphones.

Trinity Railway Express (TRE)

The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) service connects Dallas and Fort Worth. Passengers can get to DFW Airport via the Centre Port/DFW Station, where they can transfer to the TRE Link shuttle bus to reach DFW Airport Terminal B Station. To get to the Dallas Love Field Airport, passengers can take the TRE to Victory Station and catch the DART Green Line or Orange Line.

The TRE One-Way Pass is only available on the GoPass app and is valid for 75 minutes after activation. No transfers are included.

Frequently asked questions