Getting Around Fort Worth
Fort Worth is a sprawling city, and its attractions are spread across distinct districts — downtown and Sundance Square, the Cultural District, the Stockyards, West 7th, and the Near Southside. That layout shapes how you get around: some areas are pleasantly walkable, while others are best reached by bus, train, bike, or car. Trinity Metro is the local transit agency, operating buses, trains, and trolleys, and a single all-day pass can cover several of these modes.
Public Transit: Trinity Metro
Trinity Metro links many parts of town over mid-range distances with local buses, express buses, and the Trinity Railway Express commuter train. The bus system connects downtown to many of the city's entertainment districts, and local routes also serve destinations such as the Stockyards, the Zoo, and TCU.
- Blue Line — a free downtown circulator serving central Fort Worth, including Sundance Square.
- Orange Line — a circulator running between downtown and the Stockyards; an all-day pass covers all buses, local trains, and on-demand rideshare services.
- The Dash — an electric bus connecting downtown, the Cultural District, and the West 7th entertainment area.
- Molly the Trolley — a free vintage-style trolley looping downtown between the Fort Worth Convention Center and Sundance Square, connecting to Fort Worth Central Station. Route 15 serves the Stockyards.
Tickets can be purchased through the GoPass mobile app, at ticket vending machines (cash or card), at select retail locations, and with cash onboard some buses. A day pass is a good value if you plan to make several trips, and the same pass can cover buses, local trains, and on-demand rideshare services. When boarding, let passengers exit first, have your ticket ready, and signal your stop using the cord or button; priority seating is available for seniors and disabled riders. Trip planning and real-time updates are available through the Trinity Metro website and app.
Rail: Trinity Railway Express and Amtrak
The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) is a commuter train jointly operated by Trinity Metro and DART, running between downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas. It is a stress-free way to travel between the two cities, especially during rush hour, and it also serves DFW Airport. Stops include Fort Worth Central Station, Richland Hills, CentrePort/DFW Airport, Medical/Market Center, and Dallas Union Station. Onboard you'll find Wi-Fi, restrooms, bicycle racks, and accessible seating and boarding.
Tickets are available via the GoPass app, vending machines at all stations, online, and at retail locations, with single-ride, day, and monthly passes plus reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders. A regional pass covers travel to Dallas. At Fort Worth Central Station you can connect to local buses and Amtrak; at Dallas Union Station you can connect to DART light rail and Amtrak.
For longer journeys, Amtrak's Texas Eagle provides daily service between Chicago and San Antonio with stops in Fort Worth and Dallas, while the Heartland Flyer runs daily between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. The Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center on Jones Street is the central hub for Amtrak, TRE commuter trains, Greyhound inter-city buses, and local Trinity Metro buses. TRE also serves the historic T&P Station on the south side of downtown.
Buses and Intercity Coach Service
Greyhound stops at the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center, with regional carriers such as TNM&O also serving the area. Megabus offers service from Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, and Norman, with its stop in Grand Prairie. Mexican trans-border lines Autobus Americanos and Turimex Internacional serve various points in Mexico from stops in Fort Worth, and Vonlane provides luxury coach service from Austin and Houston.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Uber and Lyft are the most common ways to get around without a car, and both operate at designated pickup locations at the airports. Taxis are available at major hotels, the airport, and downtown, but they are less common on the streets and are typically booked by phone through local companies. Rideshare prices rise during major events such as the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, so plan accordingly.
Walking and Biking
Downtown Fort Worth is walkable, particularly around Sundance Square, the Cultural District, and the Stockyards, though attractions across the city can be spread out. The Trinity Trails provide walking and biking paths along the Trinity River. Fort Worth Bike Sharing operates a bike-share program with docking stations downtown, in the Near Southside and Cultural District, and along the Trinity Trails; bikes can be picked up and returned at any station and are rented through the B-Cycle app. Cyclists must follow the same traffic rules as motorists. Electric scooters from Bird and Lime are available in West 7th, downtown, and near the Stockyards. In summer, walking between attractions can be hot, so carry water, especially in July and August.
Driving and Parking
A car is recommended for outlying attractions such as the Fort Worth Nature Center, Eagle Mountain Lake, and Texas Motor Speedway. Fort Worth is reached via I-20 or I-30 from the east or west, or I-35W from the north or south; I-35 splits north of the metroplex, with the west branch going to Fort Worth and the east branch to Dallas. Rental cars are available at the airports and around the city.
Parking varies by district:
- Downtown/Sundance Square — free parking after 6 PM on weekdays and all weekend; city garages and meters charge hourly; valet is available at hotels, fine dining, and theaters. The FW PARK app helps find and pay for downtown parking, and Sundance Square offers customer validation.
- Stockyards — limited free street parking, with paid lots near Exchange Avenue and Main Street and garage parking at Stockyards Station and Mule Alley; these fill quickly on event weekends.
- Cultural District — free parking at the Kimbell Art Museum, Amon Carter Museum, and Modern Art Museum.
- West 7th — some free parking in shopping areas, with garages sometimes charging a flat weekend rate and limited street parking.
Traffic is lighter than in Dallas but congested near downtown, the Stockyards, and major event venues, and weekends and festivals increase it. The Dash and TRE are good options for avoiding parking during concerts and rodeos.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the main gateway, located northeast of downtown Fort Worth and served by all the major American carriers and many international ones; it is one of three major hubs for American Airlines, which is headquartered in Fort Worth. Dallas Love Field (DAL) is farther from Fort Worth and primarily handles domestic flights.
From DFW, you have several options for reaching the city:
- TEXRail — a commuter train providing direct rail service from the airport to downtown Fort Worth through North Richland Hills.
- Trinity Railway Express (TRE) — commuter train service connecting downtown Fort Worth, DFW Airport, and downtown Dallas; the CentrePort/DFW Airport station connects to the airport by shuttle.
- Rental cars — available at both DFW and DAL, with many companies operating at DFW.
- Ride-hailing — Uber and Lyft operate at designated pickup locations at both airports.
Note that TRE service runs Monday through Saturday, with no scheduled service on Sundays and most major holidays, so check schedules if you are arriving on a weekend.