How to get around the Texan Capital by car, bus, tram, bike, and more.
Let’s not beat around the cactus bush: Texas is not the easiest place for tourists to navigate, and thus, plotting to get from A to B can be a daunting experience for many first-timers. Renting a car is certainly the best way to explore. If you’re visiting Austin, that’ll also facilitate popular jaunts to neighboring cities like Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. But if you’re staying put solely in the capital, it’s possible to get around without driving, depending on where you stay and what you plan to do. Keep things downtown and you’ll be able to take advantage of bikes, e-scooters, and (if the weather’s on your side), walking. For everything else, there are rideshares, a limited but comfortable tram, and some tourist-friendly buses (explanation to follow). Here are all the ways you can get around Austin, along with recommendations on whether you should take them or not.
Renting a Car in Austin
If you can drive and you’re planning on seeing sights beyond downtown, the best thing to do is to rent a car. You’ll find all the major car rental companies at the airport, including Alamo, Budget, and Hertz. These can be expensive, so consider renting a Turo, cars from local hosts; or a Zipcar if you’re a member. There are plenty of vehicles dotted throughout the city, so you may even find one conveniently located close to your accommodation.
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Pros: Driving is the most convenient way to explore the whole city, beyond the downtown draws. Most visitors to Austin plan to stop at nearby San Antonio (1 hour 20 minutes), Wimberley (50 minutes), or Fredericksburg (1hour 30 minutes), too, and a car is really the only viable option between them. It’s also great for getting to the biggies: Dallas and Houston (both three hours). Also, Texas has some of the lowest gas prices in the nation—in 2024, the average price is about $2.57 a gallon.
Cons: Note that the traffic in and out of downtown can be bad at peak times, and watch out for the festivals like South By Southwest and Austin City Limits, when every street suffers congestion all day and night long. Expect to pay a premium for parking and valet downtown. There are also some toll roads.
Using the Bus in Austin
Ride the bus once, and you’ll know whether or not it’s for you. It’s well-serviced downtown and the surrounding areas and usually runs frequently. Download the CapMetro app to purchase tickets, which are a bargain $1.25 for a single ride (no transfers). Day, week, and month-long passes are available. The best place to take the bus is from the airport to downtown. Bus line number 20 picks up from right outside arrivals, and takes you downtown in about 40 minutes depending on traffic. These come every 15 minutes and run seven days a week.
Pros: The AUS to downtown route is very good, and an excellent way to dodge rideshare surges. As it’s such a popular route, it’s fairly safe during the day. The bus is one of the cheapest ways to get around Austin.
Cons: Safety. Aside from the airport route, most locals do not take the bus. There have been instances of dangerous activity and attacks on buses and at bus stops. Also, bus stops are outside and you’ll have to wait for them in the Texas heat and humidity.
Austin’s MetroRail
MetroRail is a limited train/tram commuter service that runs for 32 miles between Leander and Downtown. You’ll need to download the CapMetro app to purchase tickets, which are $3.50 for a single ride. The trains are clean and comfortable, with AC and Wi-Fi. On game day at the Q2 stadium, services increase, and it’s the best way to get back downtown on such days when roads are blocked with traffic.
Pros: It’s great if you have tickets to a game at Q2 stadium. The carriages are spacious, comfortable, and safe (there’s usually staff on duty). It’s relatively cheap, too.
Cons: This train is extremely slow, and does not run frequently. You’re looking at 30-minute intervals. It only has ten stops so may not take you close to where you’re staying. Basically, avoid unless you’re attending a game.
Rideshare in Austin
Austin is extremely well-serviced by rideshare apps, including Uber and Lyft. The airport is just 20 minutes from downtown, and while this is usually affordable when going to AUS (about $25-$30), the amount doubles (or even triples!) when you’re coming from it due to surges. Plus, the pickup spot is inconveniently located within a car park a long walk from arrivals. We recommend using rideshares when taking short distances in and around downtown.
Pros: Rideshares are most convenient in and around downtown, and much more affordable than renting a car in these areas, especially since there’s no need to fuss over limited parking.
Cons: The ride from the airport to downtown almost always is surged. Hailing a rideshare outside of the city core may mean lengthy wait times.
Bike and E-Scooter in Austin
Bikes and e-scooters are a great way to zoom in and out of downtown, plus East Austin, South Congress, West Campus, and South Lamar. You can rent them from Lime, Bird, and Wheels, and there are thousands available within the city limits. The costs vary but your average short journey along, for example, South Congress, will cost around $5. Simply download the apps to search for bikes or scooters nearby, scan to unlock, and ride. When done, park, lock, and finalize the trip.
Pros: A cheap and convenient way to get around the busier parts. These can also be a great workout, and some areas are even designed especially for them. The Anne and Roy Butler hike and bike trail, which loops Lady Bird Lake, is ideal for exploring on two wheels.
Cons: Aside from the areas we’ve listed, many Austin districts are not bike or scooter-friendly, especially North Austin, which is connected by highways, and West Austin, which is extremely spread out. The weather might also make this uncomfortable; you don’t want to be peddling during the blistering Central Texas heat between June and September.
Is Austin Walkable?
Where can you walk? In Austin, if you spend your trip in small and busy pockets, you can get around on foot. Our tip is to follow the crowd and be vigilant of the streets. Sixth Street, for example, can be rowdy at night. Stay in the heart of downtown, and you’ll find it’s fine to get to the main attractions on foot, like the Texas Capitol, the Paramount Theater, and the Second Street District. From downtown, you may also cross the two bridges over to South Lamar (your gateway to Barton Springs and Zilker Park) and South Congress.
Pros: It’s especially great to walk during the festivals, where downtown streets are clogged up with cars. Austin’s packed with natural spaces and trails, so join the locals and don that activewear. The Anne and Roy Butler hike and bike trail connects many key attractions between downtown and the tip of South Austin.
Cons: Walking in summer is not advised. Outside of downtown, Austin is not really walkable. In order to check out the length and breadth of the city, you most definitely need wheels, and ideally, air conditioning.