Navigating Dallas–Fort Worth Without a Car: International Student Guide (UNT, UTD, SMU)

2025-04-17 — Arif Akram

Introduction

The Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) area is expansive and often challenging to navigate without personal transportation. International students at institutions like the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) in Richardson/Frisco, and Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas frequently face long commutes and limited public transit options. For F-1 or OPT students, balancing mobility with budget constraints is crucial.

Navigating Dallas–Fort Worth Without a Car: International Student Guide (UNT, UTD, SMU) Banner

Nearby Universities in the DFW Area

University of North Texas (UNT) – Denton
University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) – Richardson
Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Dallas
Texas Woman’s University – Denton
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Dallas Baptist University
Texas Wesleyan University
Collin College – Frisco, McKinney, Plano
North Lake College – Irving
Texas A&M University School of Law – Fort Worth

Transportation Challenges

Public transportation options like DART and Trinity Metro have limited coverage, especially in suburban areas. Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft can become expensive over time. Many students resort to informal ride-sharing through WhatsApp groups, which can be unreliable.

Transit Options in DFW

DART Rail: Effective within Dallas but limited reach to suburban campuses.
University Shuttles: Available at some institutions like SMU and UTD.
Trinity Metro & A-Train: Limited service outside major city centers.

How Grofyy Ride Sharing Makes It Easier

Grofyy offers a student-centric solution to transportation woes:

A verified platform exclusively for students to find rides quickly.
Affordable carpooling options to destinations like DFW Airport, internships, and grocery stores.
A trusted space to post ride availability or requests, particularly beneficial in less-connected areas like Frisco or Denton.

Try Grofyy Rides today!

Studying in North Texas? Whether you're in Denton, Irving, or Dallas—connect with fellow students and simplify your commute.