Most people driving to The Star in Frisco figure it out once — and then immediately wish they'd taken a bus. The 91-acre Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters campus sits right at the junction of the Dallas North Tollway and Warren Parkway, which sounds convenient until you arrive on a training camp Tuesday in August and realize everyone else in Collin County had the same idea. Parking fills fast.
The garages back up. And when the event ends, the same Tollway that got you there becomes the reason your group is still sitting in a lot forty minutes after everyone else went to dinner.
One charter bus or party bus changes the whole math. Your group rides together from Plano, Allen, Richardson, or wherever you're coming from — steps to the door, no garage circles, no surge-priced rideshare scramble after the Cowboys practice wraps. Below is everything you need to plan a group trip to The Star: exactly where the bus drops off, how parking works by event type, what's on the calendar that fills the place up, and which vehicle fits your group.
For a free quote on a Frisco party bus or charter bus rental, call 214-396-1135 — or use the online form and have pricing in under 30 seconds.
Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to The Star in Frisco
The Star is designed to feel like a destination — and it delivers on that. What it is not designed for is moving fifty people from three different pickup points in Plano and getting them all through the Gaylord Parkway entrance at the same time. That's where the bus solves everything at once.
One vehicle, one pickup loop, one drop-off on the east side of Ford Center — and zero negotiating over who drives on a night when half the group wants to stay for the post-practice tailgate on Tostitos Championship Plaza.
The Dallas North Tollway through Frisco is a known pain point. On event days at Ford Center — training camp, the Frisco Bowl, the East-West Shrine Bowl, major concerts — the Tollway northbound between Plano and Frisco backs up well before the event starts and takes time to clear on the way out. The Blue and Silver parking garages fill quickly, especially for Cowboys-branded events that draw fans from across the Metroplex.
Groups trying to coordinate multiple cars routinely end up split across different lots, different entry times, and different post-event rideshare waits. A charter bus from Plano to The Star covers the whole run without any of that.
And there is one more factor locals learn the hard way: parking is free on a normal weekday visit but can cost money during larger events, and the campus is spread across 91 acres. The walk from the far end of the Gaylord Lot to the Ford Center South Entrance through Tostitos Championship Plaza is not short — especially in July in North Texas. Your bus puts the group at the Media Entrance drop-off on Gaylord Parkway, steps from where they need to be, so nobody is hiking across the campus in 100-degree heat.
Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at The Star in Frisco
The official drop-off and pick-up point for commercial vehicles, rideshares, and taxis at Ford Center is the Media Entrance on the east side of the building, off the southbound lanes of Gaylord Parkway, per the official Ford Center guest information page. From that drop point, guests walk to Tostitos Championship Plaza and enter through the South Entrance — the single public entrance for Ford Center events. That sequence matters: the bus does not pull around to the south side.
It drops on Gaylord, and the group walks through the plaza to the doors.
For oversized vehicles — which includes full-size 40-to-56-passenger charter buses — The Star asks groups to contact Guest Services in advance at (972) 497-4800 to confirm approach and staging. That call is worth making before any large event day, because vehicle routing on the campus can be adjusted based on what else is happening. The guest information page is the right official source to bookmark before your visit.
Parking at The Star in Frisco — What Your Group Needs to Know
The Star has two covered parking garages — the Blue Garage and the Silver Garage — plus the open-air Gridiron Lot and the Gaylord Lot. On a regular weekday, all public parking is free. The Blue Garage off Cowboys Way is the most convenient for first-time visitors and sits closest to the District entrances.
The Silver Garage and the Gaylord Lot handle overflow.
On event days, that changes. During Ford Center events, Cowboys training camp sessions, and high-demand programming, parking costs money and fills faster than the event pages typically warn you. Lots open 90 minutes before Frisco ISD high school football games; other events have their own timelines.
The tailgating spaces that do exist — designated spots on the southwest perimeter of the Gaylord Lot — are available only for Frisco ISD games, not for all Ford Center programming. Groups planning to tailgate before the Frisco Bowl or a Cowboys practice night should not count on a grill setup in the lot unless it's a high school game day.
The calculus for a group is simple. Ten cars paying event-day parking costs across the Blue Garage, each circling and then dispersing to different sections, is more expensive and more chaotic than a single charter bus that stages near Gaylord Parkway after the drop, waits through the event, and is right there when your group walks out. That post-event pickup window — agreed on before anyone goes in — is what keeps a 35-person group from standing around for 45 minutes trying to get the carpool back together on a busy event night.
Events at The Star and Ford Center That Fill the Parking Lots
The Star calendar runs year-round, but there are specific dates and event types where group transportation makes the most practical difference. These are the ones worth planning around.
Dallas Cowboys Training Camp at The Star. The Cowboys return from their California camp portion each August for open public practices at Ford Center. In 2025, the Frisco practices were held August 19 and 20, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and practice running from 6:00–8:00 p.m. both nights.
Admission and parking are free — which means the lots fill even earlier than a paid event because every cost barrier is removed. Groups coming from Plano or Allen for training camp should plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before the doors open; a charter bus can stage off Gaylord Parkway after the drop, then come back for the post-practice pickup. Check the official training camp calendar page for current dates and times — they shift year to year.
East-West Shrine Bowl. The 101st edition returns to Ford Center on January 27, 2026. This is the kind of event where fans drive in from all over the Metroplex, making the Tollway especially backed up in the 90 minutes before kickoff.
A Plano sporting event party bus rental takes your group there and back without anyone white-knuckling the DNT on the way home.
Frisco Bowl. The college football bowl game lands at Ford Center each December — December 23 in 2025. December evenings on the DNT get dark and cold fast, and parking close to the South Entrance fills early for this game.
A charter bus drops the group at the Media Entrance drop-off and skips the lot hunt entirely.
Concerts and Special Events. Ford Center hosts boxing, concerts, and one-off large events throughout the year. These rarely get the same parking-page planning attention that sporting events do, which is exactly when groups end up scattered across the campus.
For any Plano concert party bus run to Ford Center, the Gaylord Parkway drop-off and a pre-arranged pickup window are the smartest plan regardless of what's on stage.
VIP Tours. The Star's guided tours run year-round — including the standard Guided Tour, the Owner's Experience with the Jerry Jones AI hologram, and group field trip packages for 10 or more. Tour groups coming from Plano schools or corporate teams are one of the most practical use cases for a minibus: everyone loads at one address, arrives together, and doesn't deal with finding parking before a time-ticketed experience.
Tour tickets range from $40 to $80 depending on package. Group tours of 10 or more must be booked at least one week in advance through The Star's tours page — reach the tour office at (972) 497-4720 or email TheStarTours@DallasCowboys.net.
What Size Bus Does Your Group Need for The Star?
The Star draws groups at every scale — a corporate team of 18 on a VIP tour, a fan group of 40 for a Shrine Bowl night, a school of 56 for a field trip that combines the Cowboys campus with lunch in The Star District. The right vehicle depends on your headcount and how much gear you're moving.
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter Van / 14-passenger Sprinter Limo | Up to 14 | Executive teams, small corporate groups, VIP tour runs | Premium leather, individual USB charging, tinted windows |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Mid-size tour groups, school field trips, corporate shuttles | Powerful A/C, reclining seats, overhead storage — easy campus maneuverability |
| Party bus (25-passenger, 40-passenger, 50-passenger) | 15–50 | Fan groups, birthday outings, corporate team nights | Color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large fan groups, school trips, multi-stop corporate events | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage bays |
For fan groups heading to a bowl game or Cowboys training camp, a 40- or 50-passenger party bus is the most-requested vehicle — the energy builds on the ride up and the LED setup keeps the celebration going on the way back. For corporate groups on a Star tour or a client dinner at Dee Lincoln Prime, a Sprinter or minibus fits the scale without the party-bus footprint. For school field trips, the 40-to-56-seat charter bus is the right call — undercarriage bays handle backpacks and gear, and the onboard restroom removes the pit-stop variable on the way up from Plano.
Browse the full vehicle lineup to compare options side by side.
Party Bus and Charter Bus Rental Prices for The Star in Frisco
Plano to The Star in Frisco is a short run — roughly 10 to 15 miles each way — so hourly rates matter more than per-mile pricing on this trip. To give you an idea of what a rental runs: a 15-to-35-passenger minibus typically runs $200–$275 per hour on weekdays and $200–$275 on weekends; a 25-passenger party bus runs $250–$350 per hour on weekdays and $275–$375 on weekends; a full 40-to-56-passenger charter bus runs $200–$350 per hour on weekdays and the same range on weekends. Your final price depends on your exact date, total hours, and vehicle availability — those are planning ranges, not a quote.
The fastest way to get an actual number for your specific date and group is to call 214-396-1135 or fill out the form on this site — pricing in about a minute, no account required.
The per-person math tends to be the deciding factor. A 30-person group splitting a charter bus for a bowl game evening works out to roughly $40–$60 per head for a few hours — less than individual parking costs plus a post-game rideshare per person once surge pricing kicks in on the Tollway. Check out the Plano party bus prices page for a fuller breakdown of rate ranges by vehicle type.
Getting to The Star from Plano and the Surrounding Area
The Star sits at 9 Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX 75034 — about 10 to 15 miles from central Plano via the Dallas North Tollway northbound, with exits at Warren Parkway or Gaylord Parkway putting you right on campus. Off-peak, that's a 15-to-20-minute drive. On event days, the Tollway backs up between US-380 and the Warren Parkway interchange, and the same backup is often worse on the way out when 12,000 people all leave Ford Center at the same time.
| From | Approx. distance | Off-peak drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Central Plano (via DNT) | ~12 miles | 15–20 minutes |
| Allen (via US-75 to DNT) | ~18 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Richardson (via DNT) | ~18 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Garland (via George Bush Tollway) | ~30 miles | 30–40 minutes |
| Downtown Dallas (via DNT) | ~28 miles | 30–40 minutes |
Those off-peak times double during major events — particularly Cowboys training camp nights in August, when the Tollway northbound from Plano can back up significantly starting two hours before the open practice. A charter bus handles the Tollway while the group gets the evening started. And on the way home, your group loads up in one shot at the Gaylord Parkway pickup point instead of waiting on four separate rideshares that all have 20-minute ETAs because everyone left at once.
Group Tours at The Star — What to Plan and When to Book
The Star's behind-the-scenes tours are one of the most popular group activities in the entire North Dallas corridor, and they're genuinely worth doing. The standard Guided Tour (~75 minutes) takes your group through the Cowboys World Headquarters — the War Room, the indoor practice field, the locker room, the Super Bowl trophy collection, and the practice fields. The Owner's Experience adds an AI-powered hologram of Jerry Jones where you can ask questions.
The Ultimate Fan Experience adds exclusive merchandise to the standard tour. Tour and Dine packages combine the walk-through with an onsite dining event — useful for corporate teams using the visit as a client entertainment day.
Pricing runs $40 to $80 per person depending on which package you choose. Children 4 and under are free; ages 5–12 get $5 off the adult price. Senior, military, and first responder discounts are available with ID.
For groups of 10 or more, book at least one week in advance via the tour office at (972) 497-4720 or by emailing TheStarTours@DallasCowboys.net — space on specific tour times is limited, and peak weeks (Cowboys preseason, holiday week, spring school-trip season) fill out well ahead. Full details live on The Star's tour FAQ page.
A Plano corporate event charter bus is the cleanest way to move a client group or staff team through this kind of experience. Everyone boards at the office or hotel, arrives at 9 Cowboys Way together, clears the tour on the same schedule, and heads to dinner at Dee Lincoln Prime or Cane Rosso on the same bus without anyone wandering off to find their car. For school field trip groups, the same logic applies — the 40-to-56-seat charter bus with undercarriage bays handles the luggage, the onboard restroom removes the scheduling headache, and the school drop-off and pickup are both single-stop operations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a Group to The Star in Frisco
Where exactly does a charter bus or party bus drop off at The Star?
The official drop-off and pick-up zone for commercial vehicles, rideshares, and taxis is the Media Entrance on the east side of Ford Center, off the southbound lanes of Gaylord Parkway, per the official Ford Center guest information page. From there, your group walks to Tostitos Championship Plaza and enters through the South Entrance. For oversized vehicles (40-seat charter buses and larger), call Guest Services at (972) 497-4800 in advance to confirm the approach.
Is parking free at The Star in Frisco?
Parking is free on most normal days. On event days — Cowboys training camp, bowl games, concerts, high-demand programming — parking costs money and fills faster. The Blue Garage off Cowboys Way is easiest for first-timers.
The Silver Garage, Gridiron Lot, and Gaylord Lot handle the rest. Tailgating is only permitted in designated spaces on the southwest perimeter of the Gaylord Lot during Frisco ISD high school football games — not for all events. We recommend reviewing the official guest information page before your visit to confirm current event-day parking details.
How far is The Star from Plano?
About 10 to 15 miles from central Plano via the Dallas North Tollway, typically 15–20 minutes off-peak. On event nights in August and December, that stretch of the Tollway northbound can add 20–30 minutes on top of normal drive time. A charter bus from Plano to The Star handles the whole run in one vehicle while your group avoids the Tollway stress entirely.
What events at Ford Center should groups book transportation for earliest?
Cowboys training camp nights in August fill the Tollway and the lots faster than almost any other event on the campus, partly because admission is free. The East-West Shrine Bowl in January, the Frisco Bowl in December, and major concerts all spike demand. For any event where you're moving 20 or more people from the same origin point, book a bus as early as your date is confirmed — two to four weeks of lead time is workable for most dates, but prime event evenings fill quickly.
Can the bus wait for us during a tour or event?
Yes. The bus is reserved as a block of hours, so it can drop your group at the Media Entrance, stage in the area during the event or tour, and be right at the pickup point when you walk out. Agree on the pickup window before anyone goes in so the timing is clean — the FAQ page covers how the quote and booking process works if you have questions about structuring your trip hours.
Are there accessible vehicles available?
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — just note your needs when you request your quote. At Ford Center itself, accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis (requires a state-issued placard or license plate), and the venue has accessible drop-off areas, power-assisted doors, restrooms, and seating sections throughout the building.
What's the bag policy at Ford Center at The Star?
Only approved clear bags are permitted — clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12" × 6" × 12", or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus a small clutch no larger than 4.5" × 6.5". Backpacks, tinted bags, and oversized bags are not allowed. No outside food or beverages, no tripods or video cameras (high school game policies differ slightly).
Guest Services is behind Section 127 on the concourse if anyone in your group needs help on arrival.
Book a Charter Bus or Party Bus to The Star in Frisco
The Star is one of the most-requested group destinations in the North Dallas corridor — and for good reason. A 91-acre Cowboys campus with a 12,000-seat indoor stadium, behind-the-scenes tours, 20-plus restaurants, and a packed event calendar gives groups of every kind a reason to show up together. Getting there and back without turning the DNT into the main event is the whole point of renting a bus.
Planopartybuses.com makes it easy to compare charter buses, party buses, and minibuses serving Plano and the surrounding area — fill out the quick form or call 214-396-1135 any time for pricing in about a minute, no account required. Also planning a run to AT&T Stadium in Arlington or American Airlines Center in Dallas? Those guides cover their own drop-offs: the AT&T Stadium transportation guide and the American Airlines Center bus guide have everything you need.
