Getting to Dallas could not be easier – the International airport is the 3rd busiest airport in the world! The airport is around 25 miles from downtown Dallas so even if you don’t hire a car (which is recommended) it’s not too expensive in a taxi.
The smaller Dallas Love Field airport is nearer to the city and offers more short-haul services. Driving to Dallas is simple via Interstate 35 and Interstate 20 and if you don’t have a car renting is by far your best option of exploring the area and car rental is easily available from all the major providers.
The public transport system in Dallas is excellent. Known as the DART (Dallas Rapid Area Transit) this is a rail and bus system that crosses the city and is reliable and fast. The trains run from 6.30 am to 6 pm and there are around 930 daily departures. Tickets are $1.75 for a one-way ticket or $4 of you want a 1-day pass, which is a good option if you are looking to hop on or off to explore the sights.
The nostalgic streetcars are a cool way to travel from Uptown to downtown, and they operate 7 days a week every 15 minutes. Amtrak and Greyhound also provide bus routes to Dallas and are the cheapest way to travel – buses go from the Union Station. Finally, the Trinity Railway Express is the main commuter service in Dallas but tickets are more expensive at $2.50 each way.
Travel Tips for Dallas
Dallas is a safe city on the whole, and tourists feel well looked after and safe on their visit, although as with any large city it is always worth taking sensible precautions.
Make sure any valuables are concealed when you go out, and if you are stayed in a hotel make full use of the hotel safe.
If you are traveling with others make sure you make a note of their numbers and keep the numbers of the local authorities close at hand.
Don’t forget your travel adaptor if you are traveling from outside the USA and if you do need any guide other than this one make sure it’s light and easy to carry or photocopy the relevant pages you need.
The weather in Dallas is often really hot and dry, so sunglasses and sun cream are essential to be safe when you are packing, and a small handheld fan might be a welcome addition to your trip although most bars and hotels have air conditioning as standard.
As for travel money, most places accept major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and Amex, and non-US visitors can use ATMs to withdraw cash although it is best to get dollars before you travel as you may be charged for this facility once in America.
Make sure you tip waiters, taxi drivers, etc for good service – at a bar, the average tip is around $1 per drink to the bartender, and in a taxi around 10% is average.