The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is enormous, so transport costs vary significantly depending on where you are going. Here is a clear breakdown by destination and transport method.
To Downtown Dallas (24 km / 15 miles)
- DART Orange Line train: $2.50. Takes about 50-60 minutes.
- Uber/Lyft: $25-45. Takes 25-45 minutes depending on traffic.
- Taxi: $45-65. Same drive time.
- Pre-booked transfer: $50-75.
To Downtown Fort Worth (29 km / 18 miles)
- TEXRail train: $2.50. Takes about 55 minutes.
- Uber/Lyft: $30-50. Takes 30-45 minutes.
- Taxi: $50-70.
- Pre-booked transfer: $55-80.
To Arlington (20 km / 12 miles)
- Uber/Lyft: $20-35. Takes 15-25 minutes.
- Pre-booked transfer: $40-55.
- No train service to Arlington.
To Grapevine (8 km / 5 miles)
- Uber/Lyft: $15-25. Takes 10-15 minutes.
- TEXRail: $2.50 to Grapevine stations.
- Pre-booked transfer: $25-40.
To Plano / Frisco (40-50 km / 25-30 miles north)
- Uber/Lyft: $35-55. Takes 30-50 minutes.
- Pre-booked transfer: $55-80.
- DART train to Plano (Parker Road station): $2.50, but requires a transfer to the Red or Orange line. Takes about 90 minutes.
To Irving / Las Colinas (12 km / 7 miles)
- Uber/Lyft: $15-25. Takes 10-20 minutes.
- DART Orange Line: $2.50, with stops in Irving along the route.
- Pre-booked transfer: $30-45.
To Denton (55 km / 34 miles north)
- Uber/Lyft: $45-70. Takes 40-60 minutes.
- Pre-booked transfer: $70-100.
- DCTA A-train connects to DART but the full journey takes over 2 hours.
What affects the price
Traffic is the major variable for ride-hailing and taxis. Rush hour on I-35, I-30, and the Dallas North Tollway can double drive times. Uber and Lyft pricing may surge during heavy traffic. Train prices are unaffected by traffic.
Tolls are common on DFW-area highways. The Dallas North Tollway, Sam Rayburn Tollway, and others may add $3-8 to your ride-hailing fare. These are included in the Uber/Lyft price but worth noting.
Time of day affects ride-hailing demand. Morning rush (7-9 AM) and evening rush (4-7 PM) see higher prices. Midday and late night are typically cheapest.
Vehicle type matters. UberXL and Lyft XL cost 30-50% more than standard rides. Transfer minivans are $10-20 more than sedans.
Best value by scenario
Going downtown on a budget: Train. At $2.50, nothing comes close. You trade time for savings.
Going to suburbs: Uber/Lyft. No train options for most suburban destinations, and ride-hailing is significantly cheaper than taxis.
Business travel or premium comfort: Pre-booked transfer. The meet-and-greet service and guaranteed vehicle justify the cost for business travelers.
Extended stay: Rental car. If you are in the DFW area for more than 2-3 days, a rental car at $40-70 per day is more economical than daily ride-hailing, and the region essentially requires a car for practical daily transport.