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.
Two of these numbers are fixed and published by the transit operators. The rest are quoted per trip, and you should get your own quote rather than budget from a range.
To Downtown Dallas (24 km / 15 miles)
- DART Orange Line train: $3.00 Local 3-Hour Pass, transfers included. Takes about 50-60 minutes.
- Uber/Lyft: quoted in the app. Takes 25-45 minutes depending on traffic.
- Taxi: posted rate card at the stand. Same drive time.
- Pre-booked transfer: fixed price, quoted at booking.
To Downtown Fort Worth (29 km / 18 miles)
- TEXRail train: $2.00 single ride, or $4.00 Trinity Metro day pass. Takes about 55 minutes.
- Uber/Lyft: quoted in the app. Takes 30-45 minutes.
- Taxi: posted rate card.
- Pre-booked transfer: quoted at booking.
To Arlington (20 km / 12 miles)
- No train service to Arlington. Road transport only.
- Uber/Lyft: quoted in the app. Takes 15-25 minutes.
- Pre-booked transfer: quoted at booking.
To Grapevine (8 km / 5 miles)
- TEXRail: $2.00 single ride to the Grapevine stations — the cheapest way there by a mile.
- Uber/Lyft: quoted in the app. Takes 10-15 minutes.
- Pre-booked transfer: quoted at booking.
To Plano / Frisco (40-50 km / 25-30 miles north)
- DART train to Plano (Parker Road station): the $3.00 Local 3-Hour Pass covers it, including the transfer to the Red or Orange line — but the trip takes about 90 minutes, longer than the pass's three hours is generous with.
- Uber/Lyft: quoted in the app. Takes 30-50 minutes.
- Pre-booked transfer: quoted at booking.
To Irving / Las Colinas (12 km / 7 miles)
- DART Orange Line: $3.00 Local 3-Hour Pass, with stops in Irving along the route.
- Uber/Lyft: quoted in the app. Takes 10-20 minutes.
- Pre-booked transfer: quoted at booking.
To Denton (55 km / 34 miles north)
- DCTA A-train connects to DART but the full journey takes over 2 hours.
- Uber/Lyft: quoted in the app. Takes 40-60 minutes.
- Pre-booked transfer: quoted at booking.
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. Uber and Lyft build tolls into the fare they quote you, so they are not a surprise charge, but they are part of why a tolled route prices above an untolled one.
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 price well above standard rides, and transfer minivans above sedans — both quote you the difference before you book.
Best value by scenario
Going downtown on a budget: Train. At $3.00 to Dallas or $2.00 to Fort Worth, 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 usually works out cheaper than daily ride-hailing, and the region essentially requires a car for practical daily transport. Price it for your own dates — rental rates swing hard with season and demand.