Living in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

International Students > Post-Arrival and Transitional Resources > Living in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Transportation

Comet Cruiser

The Comet Cruiser, or Neighborhood Bus Service, is a shuttle bus serving UT Dallas and the surrounding community. You do not need any sort of pass or identification to use this bus. Many apartments, stores, and restaurants are conveniently located along the Comet Cruiser routes.

The Comet Cruiser webpage contains detailed information about routes and timetables. You may also follow the UTD Comet Cruiser on Twitter for the most up-to-date information.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is an extensive system of buses and trains with routes around Dallas and 12 surrounding cities. The DART is equipped with modern public transit services and customer facilities tailored to make your trip fast, comfortable and economical. You may also plan your trip in advance to make sure you are aware of the time needed to commute.

UT Dallas students enrolled in classes are able to apply for a DART Student Transit Pass which enables them to ride all DART buses and trains, plus TRE Zone 1 for free. Students must apply on or after the first day of the semester for which they are registered.

Other Transportation

Ridesharing Companies

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex does not have an extensive taxi system like other major U.S. cities such as New York or Chicago. Therefore, if you need to get somewhere and are unable to use the DART or drive yourself, you will need to call a rideshare. The following companies are popular in the DFW metroplex and have convenient mobile apps:

Zipcar Vehicle Sharing Service

UT Dallas has partnered with Zipcar to bring self-service, on-demand vehicle sharing to campus. The University’s Zipcar fleet includes a variety of vehicles. Reserved parking spots for these vehicles are available at several locations.

Membership in this vehicle sharing club is available through UT Dallas at special rates to students over the age of 18 who have held a valid driver’s license for at least a year. You can join online using a major credit card.

Driving in the U.S.

If you are planning to drive in Texas, you must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and the appropriate car’s insurance in alignment with the Texas Department of Public Safety. In order to obtain a Texas driver’s license, you are required to pass both written and driving exams, showing evidence of insurance.

Please note the U.S. driver’s license is only granted based on student’s approved immigration status.

Packages from the Texas Department of Public Safety are available at Intercultural Programs (ICP), Student Services Building (SSB), Suite 3.2. These include:

  • How to Prepare for a Driving Test
  • Contact information of the Texas Department of Publica Safety
  • Guidance for drive license applicants 18 to 24 years old
  • Application form
  • List of document requirements and checklist

Parking on Campus

You are required to purchase a parking permit if you plan to park a car on campus. This requirement also applies to parking at your on-campus housing location.

Consult the UTD Parking & Transportation webpage for more information related to parking, the DART, and all other forms of transportation on campus.

Finances

Opening a U.S. Bank Account

Opening a U.S. bank account will help you stick to a budget as well as make sending and receiving money easier. To open an account at most banks, you will need one or two valid forms of identification and proof of local address, such as a utility bill.  A passport, driving license, Texas ID card and/or a birth certificate will typically be sufficient identification.

A minimum amount is usually required to open an account. This is usually between $25.00 and $100.00.

When opening an account, you may consider selecting a bank that is in network with your bank in your home country. This facilitates transactions you may need to make and even avoid some bank commissions.

Additionally, some banks may have accounts specifically for university students. These typically have reduced or no account maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and/or minimum balance requirements. When choosing a bank, ask about opening a student account. You may be required to provide proof of enrollment at UT Dallas.

Below is a list of major U.S. banks with branches located near the UT Dallas campus:

Credit Cards

Once you have opened a U.S. bank account, you may wish to obtain a credit card. You may consult your primary bank for available credit card options, or you may open a credit account through another bank or credit card provider. Below are some popular credit card options in the United States:

Mobile Phones

Getting a U.S. mobile phone service is the foremost necessity for any students in the U.S. to stay connected with your friends and family. Some carriers may offer student discounts, but it is best to check with the carrier directly. Most major carriers require a two- or three-year contract and may offer significant discounts to obtain a new device. Below is a list of major U.S. mobile phone carriers:

If you do not want to sign a long-term contract, you may obtain a pre-paid phone plan. The following carriers offer popular pre-paid plans in the U.S.:

Some students bring unlocked phones from their country and buy a U.S. sim card from a mobile provider. If you plan to use your current device, check with your mobile provider in your home country first to make sure it can be unlocked and will be compatible with a U.S. sim card.

Shopping

Major Grocery Stores and Supermarkets

Grocery stores carry a variety of items from fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables to packaged and canned food as well as basic household items like cleaning supplies, paper products, and health and beauty care. Like grocery stores, supermarkets carry a broader range of items including clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and electronics, and often include a pharmacy. Many offer reward programs that provide discounts on select items to help save money. The following major U.S. grocery stores and supermarkets are located near the UT Dallas campus, with some along the Comet Cruiser routes.

Ethnic Food Stores

In addition to the above major grocery stores and supermarkets, there are several smaller ethnic food stores near the UT Dallas Campus and in the Richardson area where you can find more diverse and specialty food products and ingredients. These include:

Furniture Stores

Since most U.S. apartments are unfurnished, you may need to purchase new furniture. The following stores are popular choices for affordable furniture:

Electronics and Office Supply Stores

You may need to purchase a few electronics or office supplies to support your educational experiences. While supermarkets carry a range of electronic and office items, there are also many stores dedicated to these products. Some of these located near the UT Dallas campus include:

UT Dallas students may also visit the UTD Tech Store for hardware, software, and accessories, and to avail of student discounts on select items.

UT Dallas students, faculty, and staff are able to install Microsoft Office 365 on up to 5 personally-owned devices. Learn how to install and use Office.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) also provides a comprehensive list of resources and information for new UT Dallas students, including a new student technology checklist (pdf).

Other Shopping

Outlets & Shopping Centers

Outlets, or shopping centers, are convenient locations which feature several stores in proximity, often surrounding a single parking area. Some of the outlets or shopping centers near UT Dallas include:

Shopping Malls

Some of the major indoor and outdoor shopping malls near UT Dallas and Richardson include:

Discount Clothing & Home Goods Stores

There are several major retail stores in the U.S. which sell brand-name and designer products at a discounted price. These products at these stores are brand new items which have not passed the quality inspection standards to be sold for full price at other major stores, and often the defects are blemishes on these products are invisible to the naked eye. Some of these stores located near UT Dallas include:

Mailing Services

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the primary mailing service in the U.S. and can assist you in mailing letters and parcels around the world. The USPS offers many services including express postage and tracked delivery. There are several post offices located near the UT Dallas campus.

You may purchase first-class and international USPS postage stamps through the UT Dallas Comet Card Office, located on campus in SSA 12.324.

Private couriers such as UPS and FedEx can also help with your mailing and shipping needs. However, these couriers are typically more expensive than services offered by the USPS.

Culture & Social Life

Discounted Tickets & More

UT Dallas students are able to avail of Discounted Tickets & More through the Comet Card Office. Simply present your Comet Card (UT Dallas ID card) to receive a discounted rate on tickets to local museums, performances, sporting events, festivals, cinema showings, and more. The selection of events and availability of tickets varies throughout the year.

Intercultural Programs (ICP) aims to offer at least one Cultural Trip per semester, sponsoring a group of international students to attend a local event or institution to learn about an element of U.S. or global culture. Past trips have included the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX (Summer 2022), Rigoletto at The Dallas Opera (Fall 2022), and Moulin Rouge! The Musical at Broadway Dallas (Spring 2023).

ICP Cultural Trips

The subject of each cultural trip varies per semester, depending on availability of events and tickets. International students are notified via email each semester as information becomes available.

Museums

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to several world-class museums of art, science, history and more. Many of these are either free or low-cost to attend for UT Dallas students. Some major museums nearby include:

Performing Arts

Dallas Fort-Worth is also home to some amazing institutions for the performing arts. Among these include:

In addition to these performing arts companies, there are several major concert venues in the area which draw in world-renowned artists:

You may also consult the Dallas Arts District webpage for a complete list of Dallas arts organizations and institutions, and information about current events.