Getting Around Dallas: A Transportation Guide

The primary mode of local transportation in the city is the automobile, though efforts have been made to increase the availability of alternative modes of transit including the construction of light rail lines, biking and walking paths, wider sidewalks, and more efficient public transportation. The city is much like other United States cities developed primarily in the late 20th century—criss-crossed by a vast network of highways which has led to and contributes to Dallas being a very low-density city.

Dallas and Fort Worth are connected by Greyhound buses as well as by an express commuter train service. A car used to be the only way to see both cities, but recent improvements to the public transport system, especially in Dallas, have meant that it is now possible to get around the main downtown area, hotels and restaurants without one. In Dallas, though, a car is still more convenient as the city is very spread out, but Fort Worth is easily manageable without. Dallas is serviced by buses and a limited light railway system, and there is also an electric trolley bus, as well as the free McKinney Avenue Trolley. Fort Worth is serviced by a fairly extensive bus system as well as the Longhorn Trolley that travels between the major districts of interest to tourists. Taxis are available for hire in both.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is the Dallas area public transportation authority, providing buses, rail, and HOV lanes. DART began operating the first light rail system in the Southwest United States in 1996 and continues to expand its coverage. Currently, two light rail lines are in service. The Red Line travels through Oak Cliff, South Dallas, downtown, Uptown, north Dallas, Richardson and Plano. The Blue Line goes through south Dallas, downtown, Uptown, east Dallas, Lake Highlands, and Garland. The Red and Blue lines are conjoined in between 8th & Corinth Station in Oak Cliff and Mockingbird Station in north Dallas. The two lines service Cityplace Station, the only subway station in the Southwest. DART has also begun construction on its Green and Orange lines, which will serve DFW Airport, Irving and Las Colinas, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, the Stemmons Corridor, Victory Park, downtown, Deep Ellum, Fair Park, south Dallas and Pleasant Grove.

Dallas is served by two commercial airports: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (known as DFW International) and Dallas Love Field. In addition, Dallas Executive Airport (formerly Redbird Airport), is a general aviation airport located within the city limits, and Addison Airport is another general aviation airport located just outside the city limits in the suburb of Addison. Two more general aviation airports are located in the outer suburb of McKinney, and two more general aviation airports are in Fort Worth, on the west side of the Metroplex.