Waco Regional Airport (ACT): A Baylor Student's Complete Travel Guide
Every Baylor student flying home at some point faces the same question: should I use Waco Regional Airport or drive to Dallas? It's not as simple as "ACT is closer" — the airport has real limitations and a specific use case where it shines. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about flying in and out of Waco, so you can make the right call without paying $150 more than you need to.
What to Expect at Waco Regional Airport (ACT)
Waco Regional Airport (airport code: ACT, FAA identifier: KACT) sits about 8 miles north of Baylor's campus at 7909 Karl May Drive — roughly a 15-20 minute drive from South Waco. It's a small regional airport with 3 operating gates and a single terminal, which means security lines are typically short even without TSA PreCheck. You can arrive 60-75 minutes before your flight and still be fine on most days.
The terminal is basic but functional: a restaurant (Aerodome Cafe), a small gift shop, and free Wi-Fi. Don't expect a long list of amenities, but for a quick in-and-out regional flight, it gets the job done. The airport is entirely car-friendly — there's no public transit connection to Waco Regional, which is an important planning consideration.
Airlines at ACT: One Route, One Hub
Here's the key thing to know about Waco Regional Airport: American Eagle operates essentially all commercial service, with connecting flights to and from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) only. Envoy Air and SkyWest Airlines operate some of the regional jets under American's brand, but all routes funnel through DFW.
This means ACT works well if:
- Your home city has a direct flight from DFW (most major US cities do)
- You don't mind a DFW connection on both legs
- You're flying American Airlines or one of its partners
ACT does not work if:
- You want to fly Southwest Airlines (Southwest doesn't serve ACT)
- You need a non-stop to a city not connected through DFW
- You want more than 2-3 daily departure times
Check aa.com for current routes and schedules — ACT's flight schedule is smaller and changes seasonally, so always confirm before booking.
Getting from Waco Regional Airport to Baylor Campus
No shuttle connects ACT to Baylor campus. Your options:
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) — The most practical choice. The 8-mile trip from ACT to campus takes 15-20 minutes and typically costs $20-$35 for a standard car, or $35-$55 for Uber XL if you have a lot of luggage. Both apps work at the airport. During Move2BU (Baylor's official move-in weekend in mid-August), rideshare demand spikes — book in advance or expect surge pricing. For students moving into a place like Centre Apartments at 1901 S 11th Street, the ride from ACT runs about 20 minutes under normal conditions.
Rental Car — Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis maintain counters at ACT. If you need a car for more than a day or two (or you're moving furniture and need a truck), this makes sense. Expect to pay $40-$80/day for a standard car. Reserve online in advance — the counter inventory at a small airport can sell out during busy periods.
Family Pickup — If a parent or roommate is driving you, terminal drop-off and pickup is straightforward: the small footprint means no circling a massive arrivals level.
Waco Transit — City buses don't offer a practical route between ACT and Baylor campus. Skip this option.
Parking at ACT
Waco Regional Airport started charging for parking in October 2025 after operating a free lot for years. The current rate is $5/day, paid via the ParkMobile app or at the lot exit. Short-term parking for drop-off and pickup is available near the terminal. For weekend trips, $10-$15 total for parking is still very reasonable compared to major airports.
When to Skip ACT and Fly from Dallas or Austin Instead
ACT is convenient — but it's not always the best choice. Here's when flying out of a bigger airport makes more sense:
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) — About 2 hours north of Waco by car. If you're booking a non-DFW connection anyway, flying from DFW directly instead of ACT-to-DFW can save you 2 hours of travel time (and sometimes $50-150 on the ticket price). This is the most common alternative for Baylor students.
Dallas Love Field (DAL) — About 1.5 hours north. Love Field is Southwest's primary Dallas hub, which means if you prefer Southwest Airlines for its no-change-fee policy and affordable fares, you're driving to DAL. This is a very popular option for students flying home to cities with strong Southwest service (Phoenix, Denver, Chicago Midway, Nashville).
Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) — About 2 hours south. If you're flying to the West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle) or internationally, AUS often has better direct routes and pricing than connecting through DFW. Southwest, United, Delta, and most major carriers all serve AUS with a full range of destinations.
The math: If ACT saves you money AND your route goes through DFW anyway, fly ACT. If you're adding a connection that you'd avoid by driving to a bigger airport, the 2-hour drive often saves money and stress.
Travelling Light: What ACT Does Well
ACT's small size is actually a feature for students who know how to use it:
- Security takes 5-10 minutes on most days — you can arrive 60 minutes before and easily make your flight
- No terminal confusion — one building, three gates, impossible to get lost
- Parking is walkable — no shuttle from a remote lot; you park and walk in
- Less crowded — during holidays and move-in, the small terminal handles the volume surprisingly well (Dallas Love Field on Thanksgiving is a different story)
Living Near Baylor Makes Airport Logistics Easier
Students living in South Waco near campus have a real advantage on travel days: your Uber from Centre Apartments to ACT runs about 20 minutes, and on a good day you can be parked at the curb, through security, and at your gate in under 40 minutes total. Compare that to leaving 3 hours early for DFW.
The walking-distance lifestyle — from Centre's location on S 11th Street — means you're also not scrambling for someone to pick up your car from a lot or worrying about long-term campus parking while you travel. Rideshare handles the trip cleanly from door to gate.
If you're still searching for housing near Baylor, explore our floor plans or schedule a tour before your next arrival in Waco — it's worth landing at ACT knowing you already have a place lined up.
Move-In Day Travel Tips
Moving to Waco for the first time? A few airport-specific tips:
- Book your ride in advance — On Move2BU weekend (typically mid-August), Waco sees a surge of incoming students. Rideshare queues at ACT can have wait times during peak hours. Use Uber in advance scheduling to lock in a pickup time.
- Ship boxes ahead — Airlines charge $35-$50 per checked bag, and oversized items cost more. For large shipments (bedding, kitchen supplies, desk accessories), shipping ahead to your apartment address via Amazon or UPS is often cheaper.
- Confirm your apartment move-in date — Off-campus apartments like Centre have specific lease start dates. Your arrival at ACT should align with when your unit is available, not just when your flight lands cheapest.
- Coordinate with roommates — If two or three roommates are arriving the same day, coordinating a shared Uber XL from ACT saves everyone money and simplifies logistics.
Quick Reference: Waco Regional Airport
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Airport code | ACT (FAA: KACT) |
| Address | 7909 Karl May Drive, Waco TX 76708 |
| Distance to Baylor | ~8 miles (~15-20 min drive) |
| Airlines | American Eagle (to/from DFW only) |
| Parking rate | $5/day (ParkMobile app) |
| Rideshare to campus | $20-$35 (standard), $35-$55 (XL) |
| Terminal size | 3 gates, 1 building |
| Dining | Aerodome Cafe |
Waco Regional Airport works best for students whose travel connects naturally through Dallas Fort Worth. For Southwest flyers, West Coast routes, or anyone who can save $50-100 on a ticket by driving to a bigger hub, the extra drive time pays off. Know your route, book early, and you'll spend less time in airports and more time getting settled in Waco.
Looking for housing with an easy airport commute? View Centre's available floor plans or contact us to learn about move-in availability.
