Amtrak Heartland Flyer: Schedule, Stops & Route Guide

If you want a simple and affordable way to travel between North Texas and Oklahoma, the Amtrak Heartland Flyer is one of the easiest train routes to take.

Operating daily between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, this short-distance train is perfect for first-time riders, weekend getaways, and anyone who prefers not to drive along I-35.

After taking hundreds of Amtrak trips over the years, I’ve found that routes like this are some of the best ways to experience train travel without committing to a long overnight journey.

In this guide, I will walk you through the schedule, stops, travel time, and what to expect on board the Heartland Flyer so you can determine if it’s right for your trip.

Heartland Flyer Funding Update

Great news: the Heartland Flyer has received funding to operate through most of 2027.

This represents a significant change in circumstances. In early 2026, the future of the train service was genuinely uncertain due to funding issues in Texas and Oklahoma, which raised the possibility of service being discontinued. However, in August 2026, Michael Morris, the Transportation Director of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, announced that funding had been secured for another year.

Travelers can continue planning trips on the Heartland Flyer without concern for an imminent service suspension.

There’s also some long-term momentum developing. The Regional Transportation Council has requested that TxDOT include funding for two additional years of Heartland Flyer service in its next legislative budget request. While this isn’t guaranteed, it is a positive indication that people are considering the future beyond just one year.

I’ll continue to monitor the funding situation and will update this page if anything changes. For now, the Heartland Flyer is operational, and that’s what matters.

Amtrak Heartland Flyer at a Glance

• Route: Fort Worth, TX ↔ Oklahoma City, OK
  Distance: ~206 miles
• Travel Time: About 4 hours
• Frequency: 1 round-trip daily
• Train Numbers: 821 (northbound), 822 (southbound)
• Stops: 7 total (Fort Worth, Gainesville, Ardmore, Pauls Valley, Purcell, Norman, Oklahoma City)

Onboard Highlights

• Seating: Coach only (no sleeper or business class)
• Equipment: This train uses Amtrak’s Superliner (bi-level) coach cars.
• Food: Café car with snacks, drinks, and light meals
• Baggage: Carry-on only (no checked bags)
• Wi-Fi: Not available
• Bikes: Allowed with reservation
• Pets: Small cats and dogs allowed (reservation required)

This is one of the simplest Amtrak routes to ride — no overnight travel, no complicated boarding, just a straightforward trip.

Amtrak Heartland Flyer Schedule

Use this schedule or timetable as a guide; check with Amtrak or your eticket for exact times. Click on the stations below to view the services available at each stop. Times last checked on May 2, 2026.

You can use the button below or print them from Amtrak. I have an article on the Amtrak website about printing Amtrak schedules for specific routes or trip customs.

All Stops on the Amtrak Heartland Flyer Route

The Heartland Flyer operates between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, with seven stops along the route.

Texas

• Fort Worth (FTW)
• Gainesville (GLE)

Oklahoma

• Ardmore (ADM)
• Pauls Valley (PVL)
• Purcell (PUR)
• Norman (NOR)
• Oklahoma City (OKC)

Click any station above to view amenities, directions, and local transportation options.

How to Buy Amtrak Heartland Flyer Tickets

You can purchase Amtrak tickets through the Amtrak website or Amtrak app, by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL, at staffed Amtrak stations, or from ticket kiosks where available. You can also check with local or online travel agents.

For many travelers, using the Amtrak website or app is the easiest option. The Amtrak app lets you store your eTicket, or you can print the PDF ticket Amtrak emails you. Conductors can also scan your eTicket directly from the email on your phone or another electronic device.

I recommend buying your ticket in advance, especially when traveling on weekends, during holidays, or at other busy times. Some trains, accommodations, and services can sell out quickly. It’s also a good idea to book early if you plan to travel with a bicycle or a pet, or if you want one of the limited premium accommodations on the train.

Connections on the Amtrak Heartland Flyer

In Fort Worth, you can connect to the Texas Eagle, which serves cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, and San Antonio.

• Northbound Texas Eagle (Train 21/421) departs Fort Worth in the afternoon, allowing a same-day connection from the Heartland Flyer.
• Southbound Texas Eagle (Train 22/422) arrives earlier in the day, so an overnight stay may be required before continuing on the Heartland Flyer.

From Oklahoma City, Amtrak Thruway bus service connects passengers to Wichita and Newton, Kansas, where you can transfer to the Southwest Chief.

Why Ride the Heartland Flyer?

The Heartland Flyer offers several advantages over driving or flying between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City:

Skip the I-35 traffic. If you’ve driven between Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, you know I-35 can be grueling, primarily through construction zones and weekend traffic. The train lets you relax, work, or enjoy the scenery instead of white-knuckling through traffic.

Connect to the Texas Eagle. The Fort Worth station is a central hub where the Heartland Flyer and the Texas Eagle meet. This creates connections to Chicago, St. Louis, San Antonio, and Los Angeles, enabling longer Amtrak itineraries through the heartland.

Serve the University of Oklahoma. The Norman stop puts you within miles of OU’s campus, making it a practical option for prospective students, visiting families, or anyone attending university events.

Red River scenery. While this isn’t a designated scenic route, the crossing of the Red River near Gainesville and the transition from the North Texas prairie to the Oklahoma plains offer pleasant views, especially at sunset on northbound departures.

Whether you’re avoiding the drive, making connections, or seeking a more relaxed way to travel between these two cities, the Heartland Flyer offers a comfortable alternative to driving on the highway.

What to Expect Onboard the Heartland Flyer

The Heartland Flyer is a daytime train with simple, comfortable amenities designed for a short trip.

Seating

• Coach seating only (no business class or sleeper cars)
• Reclining seats with more legroom than on a plane
• Power outlets at your seat
• Overhead storage and luggage racks

This is a relaxed, no-frills setup — perfect for a 4-hour trip.

Food & Drinks

• Café car available for most of the trip
• Offers snacks, sandwiches, hot items, and beverages (including alcohol)

You’re also allowed to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Baggage

• No checked baggage service
• Bring:
  • 2 carry-on bags
  • 1 personal item

Store bags overhead or in luggage racks on the lower level.

Wi-Fi & Connectivity

• No Wi-Fi on this train
• Cell service is usually available, but it can drop in rural areas

Download anything you need before boarding.

Bikes & Pets

• Bicycles: Allowed with reservation
• Pets: Small cats and dogs allowed (reservation required)
  • If you own a service or comfort animal, be sure to review Amtrak’s current policies.

Heartland Flyer Station Guide

Here’s what to expect at each stop along the route, including amenities, location, and helpful tips for your trip.

Fort Worth (FTW) — Southern Terminus

Address: 1001 Jones Street, Fort Worth, TX

What to Expect:

• Major intermodal hub (Amtrak, TEXRail, Trinity Railway Express, buses)
• Staffed station with indoor waiting area, restrooms, and food options
• Easy access to downtown and Sundance Square (3 blocks away)

Connections:

• Texas Eagle to Chicago, St. Louis, San Antonio, and Los Angeles
• Same-day connections are possible, depending on direction

Best station on the route for connections and amenities.

Gainesville (GLE)

Address: 605 E California St, Gainesville, TX

What to Expect:

• Unstaffed station with minimal amenities
• Historic depot building

Bring food and drinks — services here are limited.
You’ll cross the Red River shortly after this stop, heading north.

Ardmore (ADM)

Address: 251 E Main St, Ardmore, OK

What to Expect:

• Walkable downtown location with shops and restaurants
• Small waiting area (may not always be open)
• Limited services

Nice small-town stop, but plan for amenities.

Pauls Valley (PVL)

Address: Santa Fe St & Paul Ave, Pauls Valley, OK

What to Expect:

• Unstaffed stop with very limited services
• Quiet, small-town setting

Quick stop — don’t expect much beyond basic access.

Purcell (PUR)

Address: E Main St & N Santa Fe Ave, Purcell, OK

What to Expect:

• Unstaffed station
• The downtown area is within walking distance

Another simple stop — good access, limited amenities.

Norman (NOR)

Address: 200 S Jones Ave, Norman, OK

What to Expect:

• Home of the University of Oklahoma
• Walkable downtown with shops and restaurants
• Restored depot with waiting area and restrooms

Good to Know:

• The OU campus is about 2–3 miles away
• Popular stop on game days and university events

One of the better mid-route stops for amenities and activity.

Oklahoma City (OKC) — Northern Terminus

Address: 100 S E.K. Gaylord Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK

What to Expect:

• Historic Art Deco station in Bricktown
• Excellent walkability to hotels, restaurants, and entertainment
• Access to local transit and streetcar

Good to Know:

• Arrival is in the evening (~9:30 pm)
• Departure is early morning (~8:25 am)

Plan an overnight stay — this isn’t ideal for a same-day turnaround.

FAQ: Amtrak Heartland Flyer

Final Thoughts on the Heartland Flyer

The Heartland Flyer prioritizes simplicity over speed and luxury.

You board the vehicle, settle into your seat, and a few hours later, you arrive in another state without dealing with traffic, gas stops, or airport stress.

In my experience, routes like this are among the easiest ways to try Amtrak without committing to a long overnight trip.

For those traveling by train for the first time, this is one of the simplest ways to begin. With its short travel duration and clear schedule, it’s an excellent way to determine if train travel suits you.

Thank you for visiting the Amtrak Heartland Flyer schedule page.

My goal is to keep these as up-to-date as possible.

Safe Travels,

Kev