Dallas’s “second” airport, Dallas Love Field (DAL) sits just seven miles from downtown Dallas, and it’s one of the closest major airports to a city center in the US. Despite having only 20 gates and no scheduled international commercial passenger service, it’s the busiest medium-hub airport in the country and has served the DFW Metroplex since 1917. My guide covers everything you need to navigate DAL efficiently, from transportation and security to dining, shopping and lounges.
How to get to and from Dallas Love Field
Dallas Love Field sits just seven miles from downtown Dallas, typically about 20 minutes by car or taxi depending on traffic. It’s one of the closest airports to a city center in the US.
While Dallas may seem like an unlikely place to use public transportation to get to the airport, I love how easy it is to get to the terminal. I always prefer taking public transportation when possible, so I appreciate this option for getting to the airport.
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Love Link bus (Route 5) runs between Dallas Love Field and the Inwood/Love Field rail station. It also connects to the Green and Orange light rail lines for faster trips into the city and suburbs. You can catch the Love Link at either far end of the lower-level Ground Transportation area, with a Love Link kiosk inside Baggage Claim by Door 2.
To rent a car, head to the counters in the hallway leading to the baggage claim area. There are nine well-known rental agencies here: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty. While there are counters for each agency, the rental car fleet is located in the parking garage adjacent to the terminal, which you can reach by walking. It’s actually quite convenient since you don’t need to take a shuttle.
Rideshare services and taxis both pick up from the southeast end of the terminal at the valet pavilion and Garage C area, along with private cars and limos. The walk to this area is a little longer than it used to be, but only by a few minutes.
While taxis from DAL to Downtown Dallas are a flat $26, they will be metered to other destinations.
Terminal information
Dallas Love Field is a single terminal with two wings and a central area, all easily walkable. The central section houses the security checkpoint and several restaurants, with baggage claim and check-in areas accessible from both wings. The departures area forms a T-shape past security and includes plenty of restaurants, shops and the Lil’ Love Lounge children’s play area.
Being a smaller airport, all of Dallas Love Field can be accessed on foot, so there are no shuttles or rail services within the terminal. All connections are made within the secure area so there’s no need to go through security again. Because of this, I find it a quick and easy airport to navigate, and I don’t mind a shorter connection time than what I’d usually book at a larger hub.
Parking at DAL
There are three parking garages at Dallas Love Field: A, B and C. Garage A is the most convenient, as it’s connected to the terminal building by a sky bridge on level 3. Garage B is also connected via the level 3 sky bridge but is a bit farther away.
Garage C is located east of the terminal and has a skybridge that bypasses the ticketing wing for customers not checking bags or printing boarding passes.
Garages A and B offer the first 30 minutes free, while Garage C offers the first 59 minutes free on Levels 1-2 and 4-7. The roof level of Garage B is the least expensive overall at $18 per day, and I usually opt for the uncovered roof level since it’s even cheaper than the covered levels at $21 (though only by a few dollars, so shade-seekers won’t break the bank).
If you’re picking up passengers, you can wait for free in the cell phone lot for up to 60 minutes. The main lot is on the northeast corner of Hawes Avenue and Herb Kelleher Way. There’s also additional cell phone parking closer to the airport, north of Spirit of Flight Plaza just off Contrail Lane.
Security at Dallas Love Field
Dallas Love Field has a single security checkpoint in the central terminal area. It operates from 4 am until the last flight of the day departs.
Security typically takes less than 15 minutes, even in the general line. The checkpoint has a dedicated TSA PreCheck lane and two CLEAR lanes (one for PreCheck, one for general boarding). I can quickly get through by using CLEAR to jump to the front of the PreCheck line.
CLEAR lanes operate from 4:15 am to 9 pm and enrollment services are available Sunday through Friday from 6 am to 8 pm, and Saturday from 6 am to 7 pm.
Where to eat and shop at Dallas Love Field
If you arrive at Dallas Love Field hungry, you are in luck because there are plenty of restaurants within the terminal, with plenty of familiar food court faces like Auntie Anne’s, Baskin Robbins and Moe’s Southwest Grill. If you’re going this route, opt for every Texan’s favorite: Whataburger. Try a Whataburger and sweet tea, of course.
If you’re like me and prefer a more unique and local dining experience, there are several great options. These include local Italian favorite Campisi’s and sandwich spot TexPress Gourmet. I love grabbing a couple of slices of Campisi’s award-winning pizza, but if I want something to take on my next flight, the packaged bites from TexPress are a safer bet.
Sports fans can catch a game at Cool River Cafe, the Dallas Cowboys Club, First Quarter Bar and Grill or Turco35, which is owned by former Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco. For a more peaceful pre-flight experience, you can grab a drink at AV8 Bar Cafe, CRU Wine Bar or Hops & Grapes.
Things to do during a layover at Dallas Love Field
If you have a few minutes (or maybe a lot of minutes) between flights, there are plenty of options to keep you busy. The Lil’ Love Lounge children’s play area is a must-visit if you have a kid. It features a Dallas Mavericks-themed design and lots of other toys to keep little ones occupied while waiting to board.
There’s an animal relief area just past security in the stem for your furry friend before takeoff, with two additional areas outside the terminal, and a nursing room is available for parents. Other worthwhile amenities in the terminal include a prayer garden, a designated smoking area on the upper level before security, automated water bottle refill stations and vending machines for a quick bite.
Love Field also has a Public Art Program that prominently features Dallas and Texas artists, with works ranging from sculpture to paintings and mixed media. I particularly enjoyed Flying Dreams, an installation with three life-size figures that have propellers in their mouths, suspended from the ceiling in front of a mural of similar figures in the sky.
Lounges and alternatives
The size of Dallas Love Field means there are no private airport lounges, but there is a USO Center for active members of the US military and their families, located near the Dallas Cowboys Club. The comfortable space includes lounge chairs. Family members can use the provided computers, watch movies on the televisions, play games, or take advantage of the complimentary Wi-Fi. Snacks, soft drinks and water are complimentary inside the center.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
