Are you looking for a unique experience for your family this summer? Consider a ride on the Heartland Flyer train from OKC to Fort Worth, Texas. It really is fun for all ages! My family of 4 took the trip for a day to see family and celebrate my train-loving son’s 6th birthday last year! If this is something you’ve considered doing, but aren’t sure where to start, look no further. We’ll get you on track!
Get Your Tickets on the Heartland Flyer
First thing you’ll need to do is get your tickets! Adult tickets are around $31, seniors receive a 10% discount, children 2-12 receive a 50% discount, and children under 2 ride free. Pets (with some exceptions) are $58!
The Train Depot
The train departs from the OKC Amtrak station which is just NE of the Cox Convention center in Bricktown. (100 S E K Gaylord Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73102). Be sure to arrive a little bit before your departure so that you can explore the inside of the historic train station before you take off on your adventure!
All Aboard the Heartland Flyer
While aboard the train, you will have easy access to bathrooms and concessions! You are welcome to travel with your own drinks and snacks, but the train offers several breakfast, lunch & dinner items, as well as lots of drink and snack options. To get an idea of what they offer ahead of time, here is their menu.
Heartland Flyer Stops
The train will make multiple stops on your ride to Fort Worth: Norman, Purcell, Paul’s Valley, Ardmore & Gainesville. I believe you can get off at each stop and stretch your legs, get some fresh air, or just check out the train stations if you’d like. Just be sure to get back on before the train leaves the station!
If you’re traveling with kids, make sure to print some train activities prior to take off, and take some crayons or markers with you for the ride. Amtrak has a site full of printable activities for kids here.
Have Fun in Fort Worth
Whether you’re just taking a day trip or staying a few days in Fort Worth, you’ll need to do a little more research about what to do once you arrive. Here are our Top 10 Things to Do in Fort Worth.
When my family went, my grandparents picked us up at the train station with car seats in their car, and we shopped for a bit, had lunch and hung out at a nearby park before it was time to head back home. My kids were 3 and 6 at the time, and this was the perfect amount of activities for them. They fell asleep on the ride home in the reclining seats after bellies full of snacks.
If you’re looking for more in depth travel, the National Park Service partners with Amtrak and provides monthly tour guides which you can learn more about here.
Our experience was great and the staff was so kind. The train was clean, and I felt that myself and my children were safe. Riding the Heartland Flyer is definitely something my entire family enjoyed, and something we’d love to do again some day!
Fun to hear your experience! We’ve been wanting to do this!
I did this recently also, rode the train to Fort Worth to stay with a friend for a week. I cannot endorse this enough. Everyone needs to try it. It’s the only way to avoid I 35 south to DFW.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
I did this trip 15 years ago with my kids. Enterprise rental was in the station. We rented a car got a hotel and went to six flags and hurricane harbor. Came back to ft worth for Billy bobs and rode the train home. Had glasses of wine that evening and relaxed playing uno with the kids. It was so nice to be able to spend time with the kids like that instead of focusing on the traffic