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| Home > City Guide - Dallas - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport It is impossible to enjoy Dallas without some form of transport, partly because the city is too spread out but also because the heat is oppressive for much of the year. Public transport buses and trains are operated by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) authority (tel: (214) 749 3278; website: www.dart.org). The urban light railway and the commuter line, which are separate lines in the south and north, combine to form a single route in the Downtown area. The system operates 0400-2400. Single fares on bus and rail cost US$1 and a one-day pass costs US$2. Longer period passes are also available. There are express services, which cost double. Tickets must be purchased with exact change in cash. Alternatively, prepaid tickets can be purchased from most grocery stores or from vending machines at the station, although passes are only sold from the machines. The new classic-style DART electric trolley bus service has started in short circular Downtown routes, costing US$0.50 per journey. There are also the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (tel: (214) 855 0006) trolley buses, which specifically connect the Downtown Arts District with the Uptown areas’ shops, boutiques, restaurants and galleries. The system has four authentically restored cars from the early 20th century. Taxis Taxis operate 24 hours. Three of the main cab companies are Checker Cab and Yellow Cab of Dallas – both at the same depot (tel: (214) 426 6262) – and Terminal Cab (tel: (214) 350 4445). Fares start at the base rate of US$1.50, then increase at US$0.30 per mile – prices become more expensive into the night. Charges are higher if toll roads need to be used and there are minimum charges for trips going beyond the city limit and particularly to DFW airport. A tip of 10% is expected. Limousines As would be expected in a town famed for its oil riches, luxury chauffeur-driven cars are readily available. There are at least 13 companies including AAdvantage Limousine (tel: (972) 618 7313), Accent Limousines (tel: (972) 274 2500), Adams Gold Star Limousine (tel: (214) 361 6125), The Carey Companies (tel: (214) 638 4828), Dallas Limousine Service (tel: (972) 910 9090), DFW Limousine (tel: (972) 241 1500; website: www.dfw.limousine.com) and Sunrise Limousine Services (tel: (817) 467 9207). Rates start from US$75 per hour ($65 weekdays) for a six-seater, with a three-hour minimum hire. Driving in the City Driving in Downtown Dallas at the weekends is feasible for the visitor, since the streets are relatively quiet. Rush hour (0700-0930 and 1600-1830) in the week is just the opposite and very frustrating – this is to be avoided. The Dallas Downtown is essentially on a north–south grid layout, although north of Pacific Avenue, the grid is skewed slightly and angled more on a northwest–southeast axis. The same happens south of Young Street. Circling the whole Downtown is a freeway, known as the Central Expressway at the northeast corner and east side, the Thornton Freeway at the southern edge, becoming Stemmons Freeway up the west side and then Woodall Rogers across the northern edge. There are two toll roads in Dallas. One is the North Tollway, which goes from Downtown up into Collin County. There are tolls at various points along it, ranging from US$0.40 to US$0.75. Exact change is necessary and can be thrown into a wide coin-catching basket. Locals will have automatic toll smart-cards attached to their windscreens, so they appear to be going through without paying. The other toll road is the Mountain Creek Bridge in southwestern Dallas County, costing US$0.50. There are meters and parking lots all over the Downtown, which can be expensive, except at weekends. Visitors should read meters carefully as timings will be enforced. Fees vary according to location and are upwards from US$1. Car Hire A foreign driver's licence, provided that it is in English, is valid in Dallas, although an International Driving Permit is also a good idea, as this carries a photograph, unlike the British driver's licence. Insurance will be part of the hire arrangement, although drivers should check what this entails. The minimum age for hiring a car is usually 21-23 years. Car hire is available from Alamo (tel: (972) 453 0326 or (800) 327 9633; website: www.goalamo.com), Avis (tel: (972) 574 4130 or (800) 331 1212; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (817) 329 8700 or (800) 527 0700; website: www.budgetrentacar.com), Dollar (tel: (972) 929 8888 or (800) 800 4000; website: www.dollar.com), Enterprise (tel: (214) 688 0905 or (800) 325 8007; website: www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel: (214) 979 9494 or (800) 645 3131; website: www.hertz.com) and Thrifty (tel: (972) 453 5555 or (800) 367 2277; website: www.thrifty.com). For something with a real local flavour, visiting drivers should try Exotic Car Rental of Texas (tel: (972) 633 8183) or Rent-a-Wreck of Dallas (tel: (214) 398 7368). Rates start from around US$160 per week. Bicycle Hire Although Dallas is not the ideal city in which to cycle, bikes are available for hire from Jack Johnston Bicycles, 9005 Garland Road (tel: (214) 328 5238; fax: (214) 324 2974; website: www.jackjohnstonbicycles.com), for US$9 per hour or US$29 for 24 hours. Helmet hire is for US$4 per day. |
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