Major city · United States
Denton, TexasDenton
Give Denton one night, two if a festival is on: the square, live music and cheap food are the draw, not sights.
Denton is a college town of about 113,000 at the north tip of the Dallas–Fort Worth triangle, roughly 40 minutes from both by car. Its historic courthouse square holds the restaurants, bars and shops; the University of North Texas supplies the music scene. Most travellers pass through for a night or use it as a cheaper base for the Texas Motor Speedway and the northern DFW suburbs.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (35°C (95°F)+ afternoons), late Dec when campus emptiesavoid Jul–Aug (95°F (35°C)+ afternoons), late Dec when campus empties
- Airports
- DFW · DAL
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Denton, Texas911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Denton, Texas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyDenton is a low-risk college town; the real issues are heat, drink, and driving after a night on Fry Street or the square.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckDFW Dallas/Fort Worth International (About 35–45 min by car via I-35E; DART Silver Line plus A-Train by rail (check Sunday service).).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the square, the two universities and the interstate hotels are 5–10 minutes apart.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealBreakfast burrito$5–9
- BeerDraft beer at a square bar$6–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$130
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$130 · High US$240
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DFW Dallas/Fort Worth International (About 35–45 min by car via I-35E; DART Silver Line plus A-Train by rail (check Sunday service).) · DAL Dallas Love Field (About 45 min by car; DART Green Line to Trinity Mills, then the A-Train.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid*
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Denton, Texas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the square, the two universities and the interstate hotels are 5–10 minutes apart. DCTA buses run through the day and the A-Train links downtown Denton to Trinity Mills in Carrollton for DART connections to Dallas and Love Field. The A-Train does not run on Sundays (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 40–60 min by car; about 1 h 45 min by rail
I-35E south by car, or A-Train to Trinity Mills then DART Green Line
Rail is cheap but slow and stops early; a car is easier for a full day.
Door to door: About 40–50 min
I-35W south by car
Stockyards and museums; go on a weekday to avoid I-35W rush hour.
Gainesville, Texas
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
I-35 north by car
Outlet shopping and a small historic square; only worth it if you are already driving north.
Decatur, Texas
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
US 380 west by car
County-seat square and barbecue; pair it with a loop back through Wise County.
Lake Ray Roberts
cautionDoor to door: About 20–25 min
Locust Street north out of town by car
Swimming and trails; facilities are minimal, so bring water and food.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown square
Walk to restaurants, bars and the courthouse; limited hotel stock, so book early for festival weekends.
I-35E corridor
Chain hotels with parking, 5–10 min drive from the square; best value for car travellers.
UNT / Fry Street
Student bars and cheap eats; noisier at night, closest to campus events.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rideshare, DFW airport to downtown Denton1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| DCTA local day pass2 × US$6 · check | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$12 | US$24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$50 |
| Trip total≈ US$273 per person per day, bed included | US$546 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at the till. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Breakfast burrito | $5–9 |
| Burger with a side | $12–18 |
| Draft beer at a square bar | $6–9 |
| Rideshare, square to I-35E hotels | $8–14 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The A-Train has no Sunday service: check the DCTA timetable before you plan a rail arrival or departure.
- Summer afternoons from June to August regularly pass 35°C (95°F); plan indoor stops between noon and 16:00.Summer afternoons from June to August regularly pass 35°C (95°F); plan indoor stops between noon and 4:00 PM.Summer afternoons from June to August regularly pass 95°F (35°C); plan indoor stops between noon and 16:00.Summer afternoons from June to August regularly pass 95°F (35°C); plan indoor stops between noon and 4:00 PM.
- Fry Street allows open containers on the street until 02:30, but not in glass and not on UNT property.Fry Street allows open containers on the street until 2:30 AM, but not in glass and not on UNT property.
- Festival weekends (Arts and Jazz in April, 35 Denton in March) fill the few downtown rooms: book weeks ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Denton, TexasDenton
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Denton; consulates-general sit in Dallas and Houston, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- A-Train, Downtown Denton to Trinity Mills: about 45 min, hourly off-peak (check)
- Rideshare, DFW airport to downtown Denton: $50–70 (check)
- DCTA local bus day pass: about $6 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the courthouse square? — Where is the square?
- Can I get the check, please? — Can I get the check, please?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Denton, Texas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (35°C+ afternoons), late Dec when campus empties · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for DFW and DAL: last A-Train and DART departures field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the square, Fry Street and UNT, the I-35E hotel strip, the warehouse district.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (courthouse museum, Bayless-Selby House, UNT on the Square) and eat pages with last orders.
- Festival-date fixtures (Arts and Jazz, 35 Denton, Thin Line, PolaCon) so gate checks can go green.