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How To Navigate DFW International Airport

December 12, 2015 / 9:43 AM CST / CBS Texas

The Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport is a very large airport. But despite its size, it is still pretty easy to navigate. There is a Skylink that takes people from one terminal to another, and there are plenty of dining and shopping areas throughout the entire airport. However, despite the fact that it is so spread out and designed so well, there are some helpful tips that will help anyone navigate the DFW International Airport. Here is everything a traveler needs to know when using this particular airport.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
3200 E. Airfield Drive
Dallas, TX 75261
(972) 973-3112
www.dfwairport.com

Connecting On The Skylink

The connecting time when riding the Skylink is only eight minutes at the most. It is only a two minute wait time for a train and a two minute trip from a terminal to its closest neighboring terminal. This allows a person to reach a connecting flight in another terminal easily and quickly. There is also the key point that many of the terminals have unique restaurant and shopping locations. The Skylink allows a person with a longer layover to hit up different terminals for different options.

Terminal D

Not all terminals at the DFW International Airport were created equal. If a person has a longer layover and wants to find good shopping or a great restaurant or bar to spend time at, Terminal D is where that person should head. For one thing, it is brighter in there and much more welcoming, especially when you have been cooped up on an airplane for a few hours. For restaurants, Terminal D features the Cool River Cafe, Fuddruckers, the Gas Monkey Bar & Grill, Ill Forks Prime Steakhouse, the Reata Grill and the Tigin Irish Pub & Restaurant.

Where To Park

There seems to always be construction ongoing at the DFW International Airport. For anyone trying to get to their flights on time, this construction means a person should leave earlier than normal to ensure a flight is not missed. Terminals A and D have a brand new high tech parking guidance system in place to help travelers find out exactly where they need to go, serving American Airlines and international carriers. For those flying other airlines, especially those that depart from Terminal E, it is best to park at the DFW Express South Parking, adjacent to Terminal E. This is a trunk to terminal service, which guarantees to be there in five minutes.

DFW Airport App

Honestly, the best advice to anyone traveling through the DFW International Airport is to download the DFW Airport app onto any smartphone or tablet. This app has voice concierge, social media integration, shop and restaurant locators, a flight tracker that remains up to date, parking availability and more. There is no more searching for display screens in the airport or trying to find a parking garage that has availability when this app does everything for a traveler. The app also has a setting to show anyone restaurants, bathrooms, bars and shops that are all within five minutes from the gate, so there is no wasted time searching for a stop that might be out of the way.This is available through the iTunes App Store, Google Android Play Store and BlackBerry App World.

Related: Best Mexican Food In DFW

Shawn S. Lealos is a freelance writer who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He writes for a variety of national publications and has over 15 years of sports journalism experience. Follow Shawn on Twitter @sslealos. Examiner.com.