Dallas-Fort Worth has a public rail system that covers a surprising amount of ground. Three separate rail services connect the airport, downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts and Fort Worth. But the system has one significant gap that every visitor needs to know about before they plan their trip.
DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) operates four light rail lines (Red, Blue, Green and Orange) with 65 stations across 93 miles. It is one of the longest light rail systems in the United States. DART covers downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Deep Ellum and extends to the northern and southern suburbs.
TRE (Trinity Railway Express) is a commuter rail that connects Dallas Union Station to Fort Worth Central Station with a stop at CentrePort/DFW Airport Station. The ride from Dallas to Fort Worth takes about 55 minutes.
TEXRail is a commuter rail operated by Trinity Metro that connects DFW Airport Terminal B to downtown Fort Worth (T&P Station) via Grapevine and North Richland Hills. The ride takes about 50 minutes.
A DART single ride costs $2.50 to $3. A DART Local Day Pass costs $6 and covers DART rail, buses and the TRE commuter rail to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station. A Regional Day Pass costs $12 and covers DART, TRE (full route), TEXRail and Trinity Metro buses for the entire day. A TRE single-zone ticket costs $2.50.
The GoPass app is the best option. Download it, buy your pass digitally and activate it when you board. The app works on all three rail systems. GoPass Tap reloadable cards are available at stations. Ticket vending machines exist at most stations but are sometimes out of order. Contactless credit and debit cards work on buses and at some rail stations.
Image source: trinityrailwayexpress.org
Three rail options connect DFW Airport to the metro area. The DART Orange Line departs from Terminal A (lower level) and reaches downtown Dallas in about 50 minutes. TEXRail departs from Terminal B and reaches downtown Fort Worth in about 50 minutes. The TRE LINK shuttle bus runs from Terminal D (near Gate 22) to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, where you can transfer to the TRE heading to either Dallas or Fort Worth. The TRE LINK runs every 20 minutes during weekday peak hours, every 40 minutes off-peak and on Saturdays. There is no Sunday TRE LINK service.
From downtown Dallas to Fair Park: DART Green Line, about 10 minutes. From downtown Dallas to Fort Worth: TRE, about 55 minutes. From downtown Dallas to Bishop Arts: free Dallas Streetcar from Union Station, about 15 minutes. From downtown Dallas to Deep Ellum: DART Green Line, about five minutes.
This is the most important section. Arlington does not have DART rail service. There is no train to AT&T Stadium or Globe Life Field. This is the single biggest public transit gap for visitors attending the 2026 international soccer tournament.
On match days, charter buses run from CentrePort Station to the stadium area. The Arlington Trolley provides free shuttle service between participating hotels and the stadiums on event days. Arlington On-Demand (Via app) costs $3 per ride and operates Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CT and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CT. There is no Sunday service.
Outside of these options, a rideshare or rental car is necessary to reach the Arlington Entertainment District. A rideshare from downtown Dallas costs $20 to $35 and takes about 25 minutes.
DART trains run every 15 to 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes late at night. The first DART train at DFW Airport departs at approximately 3:50 a.m. CT. The last departure is around midnight.
The system is honor-based. Carry your activated pass or ticket at all times. Random fare inspections occur, and failure to produce a valid pass can result in a fine up to $500.
Take the TRE LINK or DART from DFW Airport to CentrePort Station, then use Arlington On-Demand or a rideshare to reach the Entertainment District. Get tickets to see the Rangers in 2026 and plan your transit before game day so you know the route.
DART Orange Line from Terminal A lower level. The ride takes about 50 minutes.
No. Arlington does not have DART rail service. Use rideshare, the event-day charter bus from CentrePort Station or Arlington On-Demand.
$6 for a Local Day Pass (DART rail, buses, TRE to CentrePort). $12 for a Regional Day Pass (adds full TRE, TEXRail and Trinity Metro).
The TRE commuter rail connects Dallas Union Station to Fort Worth Central Station. A DART Day Pass covers the TRE to CentrePort Station. The Regional Day Pass covers the full route to Fort Worth.
Yes. Use the GoPass app to buy and activate your pass before boarding. Random fare inspections occur.
No. The TRE LINK shuttle from Terminal D does not operate on Sundays. Use the DART Orange Line from Terminal A instead.
