Flying for Thanksgiving? Consider taking the train to DFW Airport
Editor’s note: The above video is from 2024.
Between airport construction, flight numbers bouncing back from the government shutdown, and the busiest travel time of the year, DFW Airport is getting crowded.
The Federal Aviation Administration also lifted the flight reduction order on Monday, Nov. 17, so now DFW and Dallas Love Field airports will operate at full capacity in time for Thanksgiving.
A post on Facebook circulated from a DFW Airport store owner on Sunday, Nov. 16 that claimed traffic lines were 2.5 hours. The person advised travelers to consider taking the train into the airport rather than driving in.
The traffic in the photo is due to a “historic magnitude of construction” at DFW, according to a statement on the airport’s website. A bridge from Terminal A into Terminal B is causing lane closures and traffic redirection. Travelers can only access Terminal A from the southbound entrance. And when exiting Terminal B, travelers can only exit to the southbound exit.
The best thing travelers can do is plan ahead. Here are a few options for those traveling out of DFW for Thanksgiving.
How to take the train into DFW Airport
Not only is the train a traffic-free option that takes travelers directly to the airport, but it’s also is more affordable than other ride-share options.
The GoPass app is the best way to download a ticket for all three of the following trains.
TexRail
- Arrives at Terminal B.
- To plan a TexRail trip, visit Trinity Metro’s website to see which station is closest to you and the schedule that matches up with your departure time. There are typically two train departures per hour from 4 a.m until 11 p.m
- Tickets are $2.
Trinity Rail Express
- Arrives at Terminal D outside Gate D22.
- To plan a trip, visit TRE’s website to find the closest station to you. Trips leave every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 40 minutes on Saturdays beginning around 5:30 a.m. Closed Sundays.
- Tickets are $2 to CentrePort Station and then get on TRE Link to the airport.
DART
- Silver Line arrives in Terminal B and Orange Line arrives in Terminal A.
- Visit DART.org to see the closest stations to you and their schedule. Trips leave approximately every 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight.
- Tickets are $6.
These train options arrive at specific terminals in the airport that may not coincide with one’s departure terminal. So, travelers can take the airport shuttle (outside of security with rides every 10 minutes) or the Skylink (inside terminals every two minutes) to their departure terminal. Shuttle and Skylink require no ticket.
Tips from travel expert for travelers during the holidays
Denise DelVecchio, owner and lead travel advisor of Magic Destinations Travel LLC. has a few go-to guidelines for flying out of DFW during the holiday season.
Like the airport suggests, DelVecchio agrees: Arrive at least three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic flight.
She also suggests always checking your bags for a more seamless vacation.
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 3:45 PM.