How to Travel between Terminals at DFW Dallas-Fort Worth Airport? Let’s Find Out

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is a crucial airfield in the United States region of Texas. It is the country’s second-largest airport and exceeds Manhattan’s land area in New York City. The DFW Airport has five major terminals and 174 gates. Millions of passengers travel to their favorite destinations from their operating terminals yearly. If you have a scheduled arrival or departure, understanding the process of travelling between terminals at DFW Airport is crucial, whether you want to catch a connecting flight or move around for the flight procedures.

So, keep scrolling to ensure that your upcoming terminal transfer at the airport is seamless and pleasant.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport – An Overview

Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the most occupied airports in the world, offering services to 254 destinations. It is also the largest carbon-neutral airfield worldwide. Here are some significant facts about the DFW Airport that passengers must know before their journey.

Name of the Airport	Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
IATA CODE	DFW
Headquarters Address	2400 Aviation Dr, DFW Airport, TX 75261, United States
Contact Number	+1 972-973-3112
Official Website	http://www.dfwairport.com/
Number of Terminals	5

The airport is the second-largest airfield in the USA, covering an area of 17,207 acres. Despite its enormous size, the airport is easy to navigate as it was made to reduce passenger traffic. It has several facilities for travelers, from flight procedures to restaurants, lounges, cafes, and more. Individuals can utilize the following Dallas Fort Worth Airport Map to understand the layout and additional information about the area.

Configuration of Terminals at DFW Airport 

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport has five terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, Terminal D, and Terminal E. The terminals are linked by the Skylink, a rapid transit train system that facilitates swift and convenient transfers between them.

DFW Terminal A

Terminal A has 26 gates identified as A8 to A11, A13 to A25, A28, A29, and A33 to A39. Furthermore, airside walkways connect Terminal A to Terminals B and C. Reaching Terminal B from Terminal A is easy. Travelers can navigate the Skylink tunnel with moving walkways across from gate A39. One can also use the elevator at the southern end of the platform. To reach Terminal C, walk through the connector tunnel with moving walkways next to gate A39 on the same level.

To utilize the Skylink train for inter-terminal travel, you will locate the Terminal A stations situated between gates A13 and A16, as well as between gates A29 and A34.

Note – When transferring from the higher-numbered gates in Terminal A to the lower-numbered gates in Terminal B or C, walking will be better than taking the Skylinks, given the positioning of the Skylink stations.

DFW Terminal B

Terminal B of the DFW Airport has 45 gates (35 in the primary terminal and 10 in a satellite facility). The gates are numbered B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12A, B12B, B14, B16 to B19, B21, B22, B24 to B44 and B46 to B49. While the gates with lower numbers are situated south of the terminal, higher-numbered gates are located north of the terminal.

The gateway is on the left side of the airport. It is opposite terminal A and adjacent to terminal D, both of which can be accessed by the walkways or Skylink trains. If you want to visit Terminal A on foot, proceed to the escalator or elevator adjacent to gate B4 to ascend to level 3 and cross the Skylink using the moving walkways. To reach Terminal C on foot, navigate the connector bridge to Terminal A, arrive at gate A39, to follow the walkways to Terminal C.

Passengers who want to reach Terminal D must follow the path around the corner adjacent to gate B4, passing gates B1 and B3 along the walkway. To access the Skylink train between gates B9 and B14, and B28 to B43, passengers must reach level 3. The Skylink train provides transportation to other terminals for those who can stay airside.

DFW Terminal C

Terminal C of the airport has 29 gates, numbered C2, C4, C6, C7, C8, C10, C11, C12, C14, C15, C16, C17, C19, C20, C21, C22, C24, C26, C27, C35, C36, C37, C38 and, C39. The station is positioned on the east side of the airport, opposite Terminal D, with Terminal A and Terminal E flanking it on either side. It has airside walkways connecting it to Terminal A and Terminal D, while lacking a direct link to Terminal E.

For access to Terminal D, individuals must reach level 3 of Terminal C, then traverse the Skylink connector bridge. To reach Terminal A on foot, proceed along the walkway to the right after gate C2. Alternatively, the Skylink train provides service to all terminals, with stations between gates C8 and C12 or C27 and C35.

DFW Terminal D

Terminal D of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport has 33 gates, with higher gates at the terminal’s northern end and lower at the southern end. These doorways are numbered D1 to D8, D10 to D12, D14, D17, D18, D20 to D25, D27 to D31, D33, D34, D36 to D38, and D40. Passengers can board the Skylink train between gates D11 and D20 or between gates D24 and D34, with stops at every terminal.

Travelers who want to reach Terminal B from Terminal D must continue along the walkway to the terminals’ corridor. It is also important to note that Terminal D serves international flights. So, after you arrive, you will be outside the secure area following customs and immigration clearance after baggage claim DFW.

DFW Terminal E

Terminal E of the airport is the only station not connected to other terminals via walkways. However, it has connections via the Skylink train. It consists of 41 gates ( 26 present in the main terminal and 15 found in a secondary building), numbered E2, E4 to E18, E20, E21, E22A, E22B, E23A, E23B, E24A, E25, E25A, E25B, E26, E27A, E27B, E28, E29A, E29B, E30, E31, E32, E33, E34, E35A, E35B, E36, E37A, E37B, E38A, and E38B.

To access terminal E from outside the secure area, take the Terminal Link shuttle bus outside the terminal at entry E14, which services gates E2 to E18, or at entry E34, which services gates E20 to E38 B.

Inter-terminal Transit Options at DFW- The Best Ways to Get Around

Moving between terminals at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is remarkably straightforward. The airfield offers thoughtfully designed transportation alternatives, regardless of whether you are within the security area or require landslide transfer. So, let us have a look. 

Before Security

There is a possibility that passengers will have to move from one terminal to another before entering the security area. For this, the most suitable way is to use the complimentary Terminal Link shuttle bus, which operates from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. In case you want to access this service on non-operational hours, feel free to call 972-574-5465.

Apart from terminal D, shuttle buses run every 8 to 10 minutes from each terminal. Passengers can locate them at the departure section of all the stations. Let us see the exact location of Terminal Link shuttle buses on each terminal.

Terminals	Location of Terminal Link Shuttle Buses
Terminal A (At Departures)	Passage A16 connects gate A21 to gate A39. Access A10 for gates A1 through A20 and the DFW Airport DART Rail Station.
Terminal B (At Departures)	For gates B1 to B25, the entrance will be at B14. Entry B43 connects gate B26 to gate B49 and the TEXRail Station at DFW Airport.
Terminal C (At Arrivals)	Terminal C of the airport is undergoing construction. Thus, the terminal Link pick-up point has temporarily moved to the lower level, near entrance C17.
Terminal D (At Arrivals)	Passengers can enter gates D1 to D22 from the lower level of D17. The entrance to Gates D23 to D40 can be found at Level D29.
Terminal E (At Departures)	Access point E14 for entry from gate E2 to gate E18 Passage E35 connects gate E20 to gate E38.

After Security

Passengers wanting to move around the terminals after security have an excellent option, DFW Skylink, a convenient airside transportation system. Trains are scheduled to depart every 2 minutes, and the longest journey between the farthest points takes no more than 9 minutes. 

Moreover, travelers must know that the Skylink is available for complimentary use. There will be no need to pay charges for this facility. It operates in clockwise and anticlockwise directions, enabling you to choose the path that will easily lead you to your desired terminal. Here is the location of the Skylink stations-

Terminal A	Between gate A29 and gate A34. Located between gate A13 and gate A16.
Terminal B	Between gate B43 and gate B28. Situated between gate B14 and gate B9.
Terminal C	Between gates C35 and C27. Located between gates C12 and C8.
Terminal D	Between gates D11 and D20. In the area between gates D34 and D24.
Terminal E	Between gates E31 and E34. Located between gates E8 and E11.

What Airlines operate from the DFW Airport? Learn Here

With the above information, individuals must have learned about the layout of DFW airport and numerous ways to travel between the terminals. Now, it is time to know the airlines that operate from the airfield, providing services to millions of travelers. Read the following table and acquire the necessary details.

Airlines	Gates
AeroMexico	D6-D16
Air Canada	E2
Air France	D6-D16
Alaska Airlines	E11
Avianca	D6-D16
British Airways	D6-D16
Delta Air Lines	E12-E17
Emirates Airlines	D6-D16
Frontier Airlines	E20
Japan Airlines	D6-D16
JetBlue Airways	E10
Korean Air	D6-D16
Lufthansa	D6-D16
QANTAS	D6-D16
Qatar Airways	D6-D16
Spirit Airlines	E18, E31-E33
Sun Country Airlines	D6-D16
United Airlines	E4-E9
Viva Aerobus	D6-D16
Volaris	D6-D16

Travel Duration at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Terminals

As we have already discussed, the Skylink train is generally the fastest means of transportation for traveling between the terminals at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. However, in some cases, walking will be a better alternative, especially for connecting flights. For instance, if you have a scheduled arrival at the higher-numbered gates of Terminal A and your connection is located at a lower-numbered gate in Terminal B, you can easily move through a walkway.

The walking times listed below are calculated from the closest points of each terminal. It is recommended to consider extra time for reaching your gate.

• Moving walkways are accessible from Terminal A to Terminal B and C, Terminal C to Terminal D. The total time for the movement is expected to be around 5 minutes.
• Moving walkways are also accessible from Terminal A to Terminal D and from Terminal B to Terminal C. This will take around 10 to 20 minutes.

Note- The moving walkways are not operational between Terminal B and Terminal D. So, one must utilize the Skylink train or the Terminal Link Shuttle Bus for the commute.

Directions to DFW Airport- Know Major Routes

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport can be conveniently reached via several highways. Here are the directions to arrive there-

• From Dallas- Proceed west on State Highway 183 or north on Interstate 635, then follow the signs directing you to DFW Airport.

• From Denton- Individuals will have to travel south along Interstate 35E, subsequently merging onto State Highway 121 heading towards DFW.

• From Waco- To reach the airport from Waco, proceed northbound on Interstate 35W, then take State Highway 121 heading north towards DFW.

• From Fort Worth- Utilize State Highway 121 heading north or Interstate 820 heading east, then merge onto State Highway 183 eastbound towards DFW.

Best restaurants near DFW Airport- Enjoy Delicious Meals

While passengers can enjoy mouth-watering meals and beverages inside the terminals, there are also various dining outlets near the airport. We have listed some of the finest eateries around the DFW Airport. As a result, it is essential to review it comprehensively.

• La Stella Cucina Verace
• 12 Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse
• TGI Fridays
• Mr. G’s
• Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
• Pappasito’s Cantina
• Jacob’s Spring Grille
• 12 Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse
• Grand Met
• Pappasito’s Cantina

Wrapping Up

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is one of the busiest airports worldwide, so it is essential to understand the layout of the place. Hopefully, you could get a clear picture of the terminals and ways to move around them effortlessly. Moreover, those travelers at DFW Airport layover can enjoy multiple facilities, including lounges, shopping, and more.

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