The Heartland Flyer is a daily passenger train that travels 206 miles (332 kilometers) between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Fort Worth, Texas. It is operated by Amtrak and subsidized by the governments of Oklahoma and Texas.
The train’s daily round journey starts in Oklahoma City in the morning and arrives in Fort Worth in the early afternoon. It departs Fort Worth in the afternoon rush for a nighttime return to Oklahoma City. Future plans include extending the train’s northern terminus from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kansas, with increasing frequency along the original route by 2029.
Stations and Stops
Here’s a list of all stations served by the Heartland Flyer, from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth.
- Oklahoma City, OK (OKC)
- Norman, OK (NOR)
- Purcell, OK (PUR)
- Pauls Valley, OK (PVL)
- Ardmore, OK (ADM)
- Gainesville, TX (GLE)
- Fort Worth, TX (FTW)
Planning Your Trip
Ticketing and Reservations:
There are three convenient ways to book your Heartland Flyer trip:
- Amtrak Website: Visit the Amtrak website, http://heartlandflyer.com/schedule/ to browse schedules, fares, and book tickets online. This method allows you to compare options and secure your reservation in advance easily.
- Phone: Call Amtrak directly at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) to speak with a representative who can help you book your tickets and answer any questions you may have. can answer
- Station: Tickets can also be purchased in person at stations served by Heartland Flyer. While this may be a convenient option, it is recommended to check availability online or by phone in advance to avoid potential sell-outs, especially during peak travel times.
Different Ticket Options:
Amtrak offers various ticketing options to suit your travel needs:
- One-way: Perfect for point-to-point travel between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.
- Round-trip: Ideal if you’re planning a return trip on the Heartland Flyer. Round-trip tickets can often offer a slight discount compared to purchasing two one-way fares.
- Discounts: Amtrak offers a variety of discounts for seniors, students, AAA members, and military personnel. Be sure to check Amtrak’s website or ask when booking to see if you qualify for any savings.
Schedules:
- Finding Train Schedules: Easily access train schedules for the Heartland Flyer on the Amtrak website http://heartlandflyer.com/schedule/ or by using the Amtrak mobile app. The schedule displays departure and arrival times for each station along the route.
- Frequency: The Heartland Flyer operates daily, offering a convenient travel option between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.
Baggage:
Amtrak allows passengers to bring both checked and carry-on baggage on the Heartland Flyer.
- Checked Baggage: Amtrak generally allows for two checked bags weighing up to 50 lbs (22.7 kg) each, with a maximum combined weight of 100 lbs (45.4 kg). Fees apply for exceeding these limits.
- Carry-on Baggage: You’re permitted to bring one carry-on bag that fits within the designated size requirements and a personal item like a purse or small backpack.
For the most up-to-date information on baggage allowances and fees and any possible changes, it is always best to consult Amtrak’s official website, https://www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy, before your trip.
Onboard Experience
Heartland Flyer offers a comfortable and scenic journey, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery as you pass by.
Seating Options:
- Coach: The most common seating class on Heartland Flyer is coach. These spacious reclining seats provide plenty of legroom and are equipped with individual reading lights and large windows to take in the view.
- Business Class (Not Available): Currently, Heartland Flyer does not offer a separate business class section. However, all passengers enjoy a comfortable seating experience in the coach.
Amenities:
Regardless of your selected seating class, all Heartland Flyer passengers have access to the following amenities:
- Overhead storage bins: Store your carry-on luggage conveniently above your seat.
- Restrooms: Well-maintained restrooms are located throughout each train car.
- Electrical outlets: Recharge your devices at designated outlets near most seats.
Food and Drinks:
- Cafe Car: Heartland Flyer has a café that serves a variety of snacks, sandwiches, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), and light meals. You can purchase these items onboard with cash or credit card.
- Bringing Your Own Food: Amtrak allows passengers to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages on the Heartland Flyer. It can be a budget-friendly option for long trips.
Restrooms and Accessibility:
- Restrooms: As mentioned previously, accessible restrooms are available on each train car.
- Accessibility: Heartland Flyer is committed to providing accessible travel for all passengers. Amtrak offers designated wheelchair-accessible coach seating and restrooms. If you require mobility assistance, be sure to mention this when booking your tickets to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Wi-Fi and Entertainment Options:
- Wi-Fi: Currently, Wi-Fi is not available on the Heartland Flyer. However, you can enjoy scenic views or bring your own entertainment options such as books, magazines, or downloaded content on your devices to enjoy while traveling.
- Entertainment Options: The train itself does not have an entertainment system. Consider bringing your headphones and downloading movies, shows, or music for offline enjoyment during your trip.
Tip: Download the Amtrak app before your trip for access to mobile ticketing, real-time train tracking, and station information.
Things to Do Before You Go
- Plan Your Itinerary:
- Research things to do in Oklahoma City (https://www.visitokc.com/) and Fort Worth (https://www.facebook.com/VisitFortWorth/).
- Find attractions, museums, restaurants, and entertainment that interest you.
- Consider the time of year and any special events happening during your visit.
- Book Accommodations:
- Secure your hotel, vacation rental, or bed and breakfast in advance, especially during peak seasons.
- Transportation:
- Decide if you’ll need a rental car to explore beyond the city centers.
- Research public transportation options (buses, streetcars) in Oklahoma City and Fort Worth if you plan to use them.
- Weather Check:
- Visit the National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov/) to check the forecast for your travel dates in Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.
- Pack accordingly and adjust any outdoor plans based on the weather.
Additional Tips
- You may carry bikes on the train, but reservations are necessary. Learn more.
- Day excursions are possible if you are heading southerly (including from Oklahoma City).
- The Oklahoma City Station is located in a walking neighborhood, making it simple to see neighboring attractions without hiring a vehicle or utilizing ridesharing. Tip: If you want to visit, you’ll need to spend at least one night in OKC.
- The Oklahoma City Station is within a 5-minute walk of many hotels, including:
- Renaissance Bricktown
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Wyndham Grand
Amtrak Heartland Flyer Train FAQs
No, Amtrak Heartland Flyer does not currently provide WiFi on its trains. However, we find that a good book helps pass the time, and streaming services such as Netflix enable you to download TV episodes and movies to view throughout your vacation. Plan ahead of time, and you’ll be delighted during the train travel.
Yes, Amtrak Heartland Flyer trains are equipped with power outlets. You can usually find one or two outlets in each row of seats, so be a good passenger and ask your seatmate if they want to charge their electronics as well. With onboard power outlets, you can charge computers as well as USB gadgets with a USB power adapter, which most phones and tablets come with.
Because the Amtrak Heartland Flyer sometimes uses alternate train cars, not all trips are guaranteed to include power outlets. We recommend bringing a power bank to charge your phone for any trip lasting more than 2 hours.
The Amtrak Heartland Flyer typically has ten scheduled train trips each day. However, actual departure and arrival times vary by day and route. To get the exact timetable for your journey, use the search function on this page.
No, Amtrak Heartland Flyer does not provide Will Call tickets. Buy your tickets online and make sure you have everything you need to board before you arrive at the station.
No, Amtrak Heartland Flyer does not provide Will Call tickets. Buy your tickets online and make sure you have everything you need to board before you arrive at the station.
Yes, Amtrak Heartland Flyer trains have restrooms. Toiletries are rather basic, with toiletries, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. Most toilets do not have running water. Please use caution and hang onto the rail when using the toilet on a moving vehicle.
The Amtrak Heartland Flyer provides food to feed you during your ride. Make sure you have a credit card and cash with you in case you get hungry.
The Amtrak Heartland Flyer does not require a paper ticket to board the train. Instead, when you make your reservation, you will receive an e-ticket via email. You can show this eTicket on your smartphone to the ticketing agent as soon as you board.
The Amtrak Heartland Flyer goes above and beyond to provide its passengers with high-quality amenities.
Do you find yourself squeezed into a standard seat, or do you prefer more room to spread out? You’re in luck, because the Amtrak Heartland Flyer has extra legroom seats. As there is no standard for the configuration of extra legroom, the amount of extra space you get can vary between train lines, although more is usually beneficial.
Additional Resources
- Amtrak Website: http://www.amtrak.com/ – Plan your trip, book tickets, and find train schedules for the Heartland Flyer and other Amtrak routes.
- Amtrak Mobile App: Download the Amtrak app for mobile ticketing, real-time train tracking, station information, and more.
- Oklahoma City Tourism: http://www.visitokc.com/ – Explore things to do, attractions, restaurants, and accommodations in Oklahoma City.
- Fort Worth Tourism: http://www.fortworth.com/ – Discover things to see and do, restaurants, and places to stay in Fort Worth.
- National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov/ – Check the weather forecast for Oklahoma City and Fort Worth before your trip.
- Chickasaw Cultural Center: https://www.chickasawculturalcenter.com/ – Learn more about Chickasaw history and culture near Purcell, Oklahoma, on one of your train stops.
- Heartland Flyer Train Information: http://heartlandflyer.com/ – Amtrak‘s official website offers comprehensive information about the Heartland Flyer, including schedules, fares, and amenities. You can find it by searching online for “Amtrak Heartland Flyer.”
- Wikipedia – Heartland Flyer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartland_Flyer – For background and history of the Heartland Flyer train route, you can find an information page on Wikipedia by searching for “Heartland Flyer Wikipedia”.