Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: Car Rental Services
Renting a car at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the most efficient way to explore the massive North Texas region. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex spreads across thousands of square miles. Having a personal vehicle gives business travelers, families, and vacationers the freedom to travel between cities comfortably. With a reliable Car Rental DFW Airport, you can easily commute to local corporate offices, head out on a classic Texas road trip, or visit family-friendly attractions on your own schedule.
DFW Car Rental Center: Location, Hours, and Directions
Accessing your vehicle at DFW Airport is straightforward. All rental operations are consolidated into a single facility outside the main passenger terminals, making it easy to secure a 24-hour Car Rental DFW Airport travelers can rely on.
- Where to Find: The Rental Car Center is located at 2424 E. 38th Street, DFW Airport, TX 75261. The facility is located near the south entrance of the airport.
- Hours of Operation: The Rental Car Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Please note that individual rental brand service counters may have limited staff late at night.
How do I get to a rental car at DFW airport?
Getting to the DFW Airport Rental Car Center is simple. Free shuttle buses operate from every terminal and provide direct transportation to the Rental Car Center throughout the day. Just follow these steps after you arrive:
- After landing, head to the lower-level baggage claim area of your arrival terminal.
- Follow the blue ‘Rental Car’ signs exiting the building.
- Walk to the designated curb and board the free, blue-and-white Rental Car Shuttle bus.
- Shuttles run 24/7 and depart every 10 to 15 minutes. The ride takes approximately 10 minutes to reach the facility.
How to Return Your Car?
Drive toward the south entrance of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and follow the overhead signs for the Rental Car Center. Drop off your vehicle at your specific company’s lane. Walk to the upper level and board the terminal shuttle bus for your Domestic and International airlines.
What Car Rental Companies are in DFW Airport?
Dallas Fort Worth Airport Car Rental offers more than several well-known brands at a single centralized facility. Travelers can compare vehicles, complete reservations, and receive customer assistance without leaving the airport grounds. A Customer Service Plaza is also available on the upper level of the Rental Car Center.
| Car Rental Company | Direct Numbers |
| Alamo | (844) 307-8011 (800) 407-4411 (Roadside Assistance) 800 651-1223 (People with Disabilities) |
| Avis | (972) 453-4000 1-800-230-4898 (Reservation) |
| Advantage | 1-800-777-5500 |
| Budget | 800-472-3325 800-404-8033 (Technical Assistance) 800-354-2847 (Roadside Assistance) |
| Dollar | 099900 55775 |
| Enterprise | 855-266-9289 1-833-633-0739 (Outside U.S and Canada) 800-307-6666 (Roadside Assistance) 866-225-4284 (People with Disabilities) 1-877-881-5500 (Enterprise Business Rentals) |
| Fox Rent a Car | +1-323-593-7485 |
| Hertz | (877) 599-8916 (800) 654-5060 (Roadside Service) (800) 654-2280 (TDD) (800) 704-4473 (Insurance Replacement) |
| National | 844 382 6875 (Reservation – US) 844 307 8014 (Reservations – Canada) 833 608 1987 (Outside US and Canada) 800 367 6767 (Roadside Assistance) 888 273 5262 (Passengers with Disabilities) 877-881-5500 (Business Rental Help) |
| Payless | (972) 456-7939 |
| Sixt | (888) 749-8227 |
| Thrifty | (877) 283-0898 844-401-3100 (Claim after Damage) |
Alternative Car Rental Options Outside DFW Airport
A few smaller, independent car rental providers operate outside the main airport boundary. These off-site brands often offer alternative rates but require additional travel steps.
- Off-Site Brand: Easirent Car Rental or Metro Rent-A-Car.
- How to Access: Arriving passengers must first take the standard DFW airport shuttle bus to the main DFW Car Rental area. From there, you must walk to the inner car loop to transfer onto the specific off-site company’s private courtesy shuttle.
Note: Off-site rentals require a two-step shuttle process. This adds extra travel time to your trip. Most travelers prefer using the on-site Rental Car Center for maximum speed and convenience.
Places to Explore Near Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
DFW Airport is centrally located, making it easy to drive to various local attractions within minutes of picking up your car.
- Historic Downtown Grapevine: Located just 5 miles north of the airport. This historic area features local wineries, boutique shops, and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
- Arlington Entertainment District: Located 12 miles south. This neighborhood is home to AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys), Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers), and the Six Flags Over Texas theme park.
- Fort Worth Stockyards: Located 27 miles west. This historic district features daily cattle drives, wooden corrals, rodeo events, and traditional Texas country music halls.
- Founders’ Plaza: A free, open-air observation area 5 minutes away with picnic tables, telescopes, and speakers broadcasting air traffic control from the tower.
- Mandalay Canal Walk: A Venice-inspired waterfront trail in Las Colinas (15-minute drive), perfect for walking, dining, or gondola rides.
DFW Driving Guide: Distances and Travel Times
DFW Airport sits directly between the two major cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. The airport property connects immediately to major multi-lane highways, including TX-114, TX-183, and I-35.
| Destination | Distance from DFW | Est. Drive Time | Key Highlights & Attractions |
| Downtown Dallas | 19.4 miles | ~22 minutes | Dealey Plaza, Reunion Tower, Dallas Arts District |
| Downtown Fort Worth | 24 miles | ~25 – 50 minutes | Sundance Square, Fort Worth Water Gardens |
| Frisco / Plano (The Star) | 33.4 miles | ~43 minutes | Dallas Cowboys HQ, Legacy West shopping centers |
| Waco, TX | 109 miles | ~1.5 hours | Magnolia Market at the Silos, Dr Pepper Museum |
Texas Driving Rules for Rental Car Drivers
Driving in North Texas can feel overwhelming due to high speed limits, complex multi-level highway flyovers, and heavy traffic. Arranging your DFW Airport Car Rental ahead of time helps, but keep these local driving rules in mind to stay safe:
- No Cash Booths: Many major highways surrounding DFW are completely cashless. Toll roads such as the Dallas North Tollway (DNT), Chisholm Trail Parkway, and local Express Lanes do not have booths that accept cash. They use overhead cameras to automatically read your vehicle.
- Opt-In at the Counter: You should opt into your rental company’s electronic toll program (like TollPass) when picking up your car. If you drive on these roads without an active pass, the rental agency will bill your credit card later. This bill usually includes the toll price plus expensive daily administrative fines.
- Airport Pass-Through Fees: Simply driving a vehicle through the DFW Airport entry and exit plazas triggers an automatic toll fee on your rental account, even if you are just passing through to drop off the car.
Note: Simply driving a vehicle through the DFW Airport entry and exit plazas triggers an automatic terminal pass-through fee.
- High Speed Limits: Speed limits on North Texas highways are fast, often ranging from 70 to 75 mph.
- Keep Right Unless Passing: State law requires drivers to use the left lane strictly for passing on multi-lane highways. Slower drivers must stay in the right-hand lanes.
- Move Over or Slow Down Law: Texas strictly enforces safety around stopped vehicles. You must safely move over one lane when passing stationary emergency vehicles, police cars, tow trucks, or stranded motorists on the shoulder. If you cannot change lanes safely, you must slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
Renting a car at DFW is one of the easiest ways to escape long layovers at DFW and explore the Metroplex on your own schedule. For passengers arriving in DFWAirport Terminal, make sure to map out the timing ahead of your flights, as the Rental Car Center is separate from the terminals, so you’ll need to add a 24/7 airport shuttle ride into your travel plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Walk to the lower-level baggage claim area of any terminal. Follow the blue signs outside to the curb and board the free, blue-and-white Rental Car Shuttle bus.
No. The Skylink train operates strictly inside airport security to connect the terminals. Once you exit security to collect your bags, you must use the wheeled shuttle bus out front.
Major credit cards are universally accepted. Most DFW agencies accept debit cards, but only if you can show proof of a ticketed return flight outbound from DFW. A security deposit hold will also be placed on your account.
No. Rental agencies at DFW Airport require you to present a valid, physical plastic driver’s license at the counter. Digital copies or paper temporary permits are generally rejected.
Plan to arrive at the Rental Car Center at least 30 to 45 minutes before you want to be at your terminal. This gives you enough time to check in the vehicle and ride the terminal shuttle bus back to the airport.