Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), also known as DFW Airport, serves the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. DFW was the fourth busiest airport in 2020, serving approximately 39 million passengers in terms of passenger traffic. Covering approximately 17,207 acres, DFW is the second-largest airport in the United States in terms of land area. DFW is also the primary hub for American Airlines, the world’s second-largest single airline hub. Given the size of the airport and the volume of passengers, you might be concerned about how to navigate the gargantuan DFW airport. Don’t worry -DFW airport is well designed, and multiple services connect the terminals. This, therefore, makes navigation hassle-free in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
How to navigate DFW airport
Navigation in the airport is made easy through two free transportation services – Terminal Link and Skylink. Terminal Link is a free van shuttle service that operates outside security. Skylink, on the other hand, connects all the five terminals (A-E) in DFW airport via free light-rail trains inside the security area. Terminals A, C, and E are on the east side of the airport, and terminals B and D are on the west side.
Terminal Link:
This offers the ideal transport option in DFW when you need to connect between terminals outside the secure area. Except for Terminal D, all other terminals have the shuttle service operating from the departures level. The pick-up and drop-off areas are at the arrivals level in Terminal D. The service hours are from 5 AM to 12 AM. Each terminal has two pick-up points with the signpost ‘Terminal Link.’ These are the points from where you could board the shuttle service.
- Terminal A – The entrance is at A10 for gates A1 to A20 and DFW Airport DART Rail Station. The next entrance is at A29 for gates A21 to A39.
- Terminal B – The entrance is at B14 for gates B1 to B25. Another entrance at B43 for gates B26 to B49 and DFW Airport TEXRail Station
- Terminal C – The entrance for gates C1 to C20 is at C4. The next entrance is at C30 for gates C21 to C39.
- Terminal D – For gates D1 to D22, the entrance is at Lower Level D17. Entrance is provided at lower level D29 for gates D23 to D40.
- Terminal 5 – Entrance provided at E14 for gates E2 to E18. For gates E20 to E38, the entrance is available at E35.
Skylink:
Wondering how to navigate DFW airport easily once inside the security area? Use the Skylink service! All terminals have two Skylink stations at either end from where the trains depart every two minutes, moving in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. You can reach the neighboring terminal in two minutes via train. It takes only around 8-9 minutes to reach the farthest terminal. If you are planning to use Skylink to navigate between the terminals, make sure you know the location of all the stations.
- Terminal A: The stations are between gates A13 and Gate A16, and gates A29 and Gate A34
- Terminal B: The stations are located between gates B9 and B12 and gates B28 and B31.
- Terminal C: The stations are between gates C8 and C12 and gates C27 and C32.
- Terminal D: The stations are between gates D11 and D20 and gates D24 and D34.
- Terminal E: The stations are between gates E8 and E11 and gates E31 and E32.
Walkways at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Are you looking for how to navigate DFW airport quicker? You could even reach the terminals quicker by walking! There are moving walkways available at many terminals that you could use to reach other terminals, giving you a bit of exercise.
- There are walkways to terminals B, C, and D from A.
- From Terminal A, it takes around 5-10 minutes to reach terminals B and C. It takes nearly 10-20 minutes to reach Terminal D.
- A walkway is available from Terminal C to D, which takes around 5-10 minutes to reach D. Terminal B to C also has a walkway, which takes around 10-20 minutes.
About DFW airport parking
Navigation seems to be an easy task if you have a clear idea about the airport and the transportation services. However, you need to get a secure DFW airport parking spot if you want to enjoy all that DFW Airport offers. The airport offers onsite parking via Terminal, Express Covered, Express Uncovered and Remote lots, and Valet parking service.
For long-term parking, these lot charges $24/day, $12 per day, $10/day, $10/day, and $34/day, respectively. For short-term DFW airport parking, Terminal lots charge you $6 for the first eight minutes, $2 for 8-30 minutes, and $3 for 30-120 minutes. Express parking charges you $2 for the first two hours and $3 for 2-4 hours. If you are looking for secure parking spots at cheaper rates, you can always check out the offsite garages and lots. Book via the Way.com app or website, and you will get safe a DFW parking spot at cheaper rates.
Tips on how to navigate DFW airport
- Ensure you have a proper understanding of the airport layout, terminals, and connectivity within the airport.
- Terminal Link and Skylink are the two primary free transportation services available in the airport. These services are free of cost.
- All the terminals except E at the airport have airside walkways.
- Ensure a parking spot in advance to have hassle-free navigation in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
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