Overview
Dallas-Fort Worth is Texas at full tilt: two distinct cities in one sprawling metroplex, mixing downtown towers, world-class museums and genuine Western heritage. It suits UK travellers coming for business, a sports fixture, live music or the start of a wider Texas road trip. With a major transatlantic hub on the doorstep, getting there is more straightforward than many first-time visitors expect, and this page helps you see when fares tend to dip.
Best time to fly to Dallas-Fort Worth
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons, with warm days and cooler evenings. Summers are long and very hot, often above 35C, while winters are mild with the odd cold snap; spring can bring dramatic thunderstorms. Fares usually climb over the summer holidays and around Christmas, and ease in winter and the shoulder months. Check the When to book chart above and the price charts on this page to see how prices move through the year.
Airlines and routes
Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) is one of American Airlines' largest hubs, so non-stop options from the UK are strong. American Airlines and British Airways both fly direct from London Heathrow, typically once or twice daily. Non-stop flying time is around 10 to 10.5 hours outbound, and a little shorter on the way home with tailwinds. From Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other UK airports you will normally connect, either through another US gateway or via a European hub with partners such as Delta, KLM or Lufthansa.
Things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth
The metroplex rewards visitors who split their time between the two cities.
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza: a thoughtful account of the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy, on the very spot.
- Fort Worth Stockyards: historic cattle pens, a twice-daily longhorn drive and lively honky-tonks.
- Dallas Arts District: the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and Klyde Warren Park in one walkable stretch.
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science: a striking, hands-on museum that is a hit with families.
- Kimbell Art Museum: a small but exceptional collection in a celebrated Louis Kahn building in Fort Worth.
At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
DFW sits midway between the two cities, roughly 18 miles (30 km) from downtown Dallas and a similar distance from Fort Worth. It is large, with five terminals linked by the free Skylink train. The DART Orange Line light rail reaches downtown Dallas in about 50 minutes, while TEXRail runs to downtown Fort Worth. Taxis, rideshare and car hire are all available, with a taxi into central Dallas taking about 30 minutes off-peak.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Dallas-Fort Worth
- Book roughly two to five months ahead for the best balance of price and choice on transatlantic routes.
- Fly midweek and avoid the school holidays; Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheaper than weekends.
- Use a flexible-date search to spot the cheapest days, and compare American Airlines and British Airways on the direct route.
- Weigh a cheaper one-stop itinerary against the comfort of a non-stop, especially for the long daytime outbound.
Travel essentials
UK citizens travelling for tourism or business do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but you must hold an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Programme before you fly, plus a passport valid for the length of your stay. The currency is the US dollar; card payments are near-universal and tipping (around 15 to 20% in restaurants) is expected. No special vaccinations are required, but comprehensive travel insurance with strong medical cover is essential given the high cost of US healthcare.
