Everything you need to know if you're traveling through DFW

Connect with DFW
Address:2400 Aviation Drive, DFW Airport, TX 75261.
General Information: (972)973-4968. askdfw@dfwairport.com
Social media accounts: Twitter; Instagram; Facebook; YouTube; Pinterest
DFW Airport website: dfwairport.com
Getting around DFW: https://www.dfwairport.com//getarounddfw/index.php

Checkpoint savvy
DFW has multiple security checkpoints in each terminal and 15 checkpoints overall.

Real-time security checkpoint wait time information is available online, via terminal screens and on the DFW mobile app.

Getting around DFW – Post-security
All terminals are connected post-security and accessible the free Skylink light rail train. You can walk between DFW's five terminals, but keep in mind that each has an average of 39 gates. But the maximum ride time between the farthest points on the Skylink is 9 minutes.

Getting around DFW – Pre-security
Courtesy shuttles: In addition to walking between terminals and taking the free post-security Skylink light rail train between terminals, passengers can get around DFW by the DFW Terminal Linkoutside security.

These free orange vans travel between all terminals every 10 minutes. Follow the Terminal Link signs for pick-up and drop-off points.

Hours: 5 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. CT.

After-hours pick up is available: Call 972.574.LINK (5465)

Getting to and from DFW
Location:DFW Airport is situated halfway between the two major/owner cities of Fort Worth and Dallas.

Ground transportation: Taxis, shared shuttle vans, ride-hailing services (Uber, Lyft, WINGZ, Alto), limousines and other ground transportation is available at DFW Airport.

Bus: Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) rails service connects travelers to Dallas neighborhoods both north and south of DFW Airport. Trains leave from Terminal A. Find DART fares/hours.

Rail: TEXRail connects DFW travelers to downtown Fort Worth and surrounding landmarks and more. The trains depart from Terminal B.

Trinity Railway Express (TRE) offers service from Dallas to Fort Worth. See TRE schedules and stops.

Parking at DFW
DFW's parking options include Valet service (all terminals), Terminal garages, Express and Remote.

Prepaid parking: Toll-tags, reservations and discounts for pre-paid parking are all available.

Valet: Car wash/detail services available. Car pick-up in one-hour terminal parking area.

Cell phone lots: These free lots are located at both the north and south ends of the airport. Drivers may stay there for two hours only. The north lot, located before the North Toll Plaza, has 53 spaces. The south lot has 64 spaces and is located east of the South Shell station, across from post office.

Get connected at DFW                    
DFW Airport provides free Wi-Fi airport-wide. (The fine print: You must provide your email and sign up for a DFW newsletter.)

Power up: Charging stations and power outlets are located throughout the airport.

Pet Relief and Pet Care at DFW
DFW Airport has pet-relief areas at each terminal.

Post-security: By Gates A29, B28, D18 and E31 (Note: no post-security area in Terminal C).

Outdoor pet relief areas: These are located in or near short-term parking across the terminal from Gates A8, B49, C2, C39, D17, D30 and E38.

DFW’s Paradise 4 Paws offers pet boarding with 24-hour staffing. Sevices include vet care, daycare, grooming and massage.

Family-friendly facilities at DFW
Play area: The McDonald’s Play Area (In Terminal D, near Gate D8), this area has foam soft-play sculptures for young kids and nearby seating and charging outlets for their parents.

Kids may also enjoy looking at some of the artwork throughout DFW Airport and riding the free Skylink around the airport.

Nursing areas: These are located in Terminal A at Gate A18; Terminal B, at Gate B40; and Terminal E, by Gate E14.

Lounges
Airline and airline alliance lounge access is usually available to travelers holding first and business class tickets and to travelers who pay membership or daily fees. Priority Pass and some credit cards offer lounge access. Contact your airline for locations at DFW.

In addition to airline-branded lounges, DFW is home to The Centurion Lounge  (D12), The free DFW Airport Travel Lounge (B28) and The Club at D27 (upper level).

Minute Suites (Gates A38 and D23) offers short-stay nap/work/relax rooms. The D terminal location has shower facilities that may be reserved separately.

EAT at DFW Airport
Dining options at DFW Airport can be searched by terminal and type on the DFW Airport mobile app or the DFW Website.

Pre-ordered meals:Passengers may also order in advance from more than 50 airport restaurants for quick pick-up through the Grab app.

So long, straws: DFW began phasing out plastic drinking straws in September 2019. 

Dining highlights include:
Terminal A: Lorena Garcia Tapa Y Cocina, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina, Salt Lick Bar-B-Que
Terminal B:Cantina Laredo,Cousin’s Bar-B-Q, Hickory (BBQ and burgers), Smashburger
Terminal C: Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina, Whisk & Bowl (coffee, breakfast and pastries)
Terminal D: Whitetail Bistro by Kent Rathbun (French cuisine with Texas accent), Italian Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, CRU Food and Wine Bar (stone-fired pizza), Rio Mambo, Grand Met/Grand Met Lounge (before security), Stampede 66 Express, Shinsei
Terminal E: Love Shack (burgers), Blue Mesa Taco & Tequila Bar, Cereality (yes, cereals!), Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Drew Pearson’s Sports 88), Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse, Whataburger.

Shopping at DFW Airport
In addition to wide variety of Duty-Free Shops and shops selling snacks and sundries, retail shops at DFW include:
Terminal A: Benefit Cosmetics, Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, The Scoreboard (sports memorabilia)
Terminal B: Texas Territories and Texas Marketplace (both offer Texas-themed souvenirs)
Terminal C: Emmitt Smith Sports,  Natalie's Candy Jar
Terminal D: Aveda (hair and skincare), The Range (cowboy hats, boots and belt buckles), Whiskey Flight. (cigars and whiskey. Note: the mezzanine over this Duty-Free shop has great tarmac views)
Terminal E: Lone Star Attitude (cowboy hats and boots), Texas Marketplace

DFW Yoga spaces
DFW offers travelers two yoga studios to stretch and relax in Terminal B, by gates D40/41 and Terminal E, by Gate E31.  These yoga spaces have complimentary practice mats, exercise balls and stretch bands and 20-minute instructional videos to help you loosen up before boarding.

DFW Art program
There a more than 30 commissioned public art pieces by local, national and international artists throughout DFW Airport, with many clustered in International Terminal D and in the Skylink stations.

The DFW Art collection includes paintings and sculptures, medallions in the terrazzo floors in the terminals and an outdoor sculpture garden.

The DFW Walking Path in Terminal D doubles as an art walk: the (almost) mile-long path passes by the floor medallions and informational signage about the art in the terminal.

DFW therapy dogs
DFW’s Canine Crew consists of 12 therapy dogs and their handlers who visit the terminals to spend time with passengers. If you need a furry fix, look for the dogs with the “Pet Me” vests.

Hotels at DFW Airport
There are several hotels on DFW property and many more nearby.

On-property hotels at DFW Airport include the Grand Hyatt DFW (Terminal D), which has a rooftop fitness and pool; the Hyatt Regency (Terminal C) and Hyatt Place DFW, inside DFW’s Southgate Plaza near the rental car facility.

Minute Suites offers short-stay in-terminal suites for napping, working or relaxing. Two locations: Terminal A, by Gate A38  and Terminal D, by Gate D23. Shower facilities are available at the Terminal D location.

Video gaming stations at DFW
Gameway has two locations at DFW (Terminal E, Gate E16 and Terminal B, near Gate 42) with video gaming stations equipped with leather chairs, 43” flat screen 4K TVs, noise-canceling headphones and charging stations for devices.

Games: Pre-downloaded games include Fornite, Halo, Madden 19, FIFA 19, Call of Duty World War II and Forza Horizon 3

Prices: Rates range from 30 minutes for $10.99 to $44.99 for an unlimited session.  Priority Pass members receive two complimentary hours (additional time is 10% off), two snacks and a drink.

DFW Founders’ Plaza
Located on DFW airport property, Founders’ Plaza is a small park-like area popular with families and plane spotters that provides parking, picnic tables, telescopes, historic information, a commemorative monument and great views of aircraft taking off and landing.

Bonus: a radio lets visitors listen to air traffic controllers in the FAA tower. Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.