If you are wondering how far is Austin from San Antonio or what’s the distance between Austin and San Antonio, you are in the right place.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about how far is San Antonio to Austin, which is the best way to travel to get from Austin Tx to San Antonio Tx and how to transform a boring drive into a special memory.
Texas is the second largest state in the United States of America, so everything about it is big, and planning a road trip might sound complicated.
Generally, traveling between two cities from Texas requires time as the distance is quite long, but Austin and San Antonio are quite close to each other, perfect for a weekend getaway.
San Antonio is a very modern and cosmopolitan city, with many interesting attractions and a very active nightlife, while Austin is packed with museums and natural attractions within a short drive from the city center.
You can choose to drive, fly, or take a bus or a train to travel the San Antonio distance to Austin, and each of these transportation means comes with pluses and minuses.
Let’s start with the beginning and see how far is Austin to San Antonio and which is the best way to get from one city to another.
Some of the following links are affiliate links. When you buy something using the retail links in our article, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost for you. You can read our full disclosure disclaimer and privacy policy.
How far is Austin from San Antonio
These two cities are located relatively close one of each other.
The distance from Austin to San Antonio on a nonstop drive is about 80 miles or 130 km, which means, under normal traffic conditions, about 1 hour and 25 minutes Austin to San Antonio drive hours.
This time might increase, depending on traffic conditions and how many stops you make on the road.
There are many interesting attractions along the road, so you’d better book a few extra hours to explore all these attractions and to enjoy your road trip.
Austin to San Antonio flight
Supposing you have a private jet and you can fly directly from Austin Texas to San Antonio Texas.
The shortest fly distance or “great circle” distance calculated using the Vincenty formula is 74 miles or 119 km.
You will need about 40 minutes to fly from San Antonio to Austin, but at this time, you must add up the time you need to arrive at the airport and the security check for your flight to San Antonio.
Being such a short distance and so easily to reach by car, there are no direct passenger flights between the two cities.
If you insist to fly from Austin to San Antonio, you must know that you will have at least one stop.
At this moment, the quickest flight between these two cities is almost 3 hours with a 50 minutes stop in Houston.
Austin airport: Austin Bergstrom International Airport
San Antonio airport: San Antonio SAT International Airport
The ticket price starts from a few hundred USD and can go to more than 600 USD depending on the route and stops.
The flight price depends on the length of the flight and the flight deals available when you decide to book your flight, and the airlines fly you choose.
Getting from the airport to the city
San Antonio and Austin have public transport from the airport to the city center, and the ticket price starts from 2 USD for one single ride.
You can choose to take a taxi and go directly to the hotel, but this is more expensive than public transport.
Or, you can choose to rent a car from the airport and explore the area around the city during your getaway.
Have a unique experience by exploring the area in your own rented car
Whether you prefer day trips from your hotel or a tour around the country, car rental is the best way for creating your own experience and live your dream vacation
San Antonio to Austin drive hours
A nonstop drive the distance from San Antonio to Austin is around 80 miles or 130 km on Interstate 35 (I-35).
Under normal traffic conditions and with no stops on your drive from Austin to San Antonio, you will need 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive San Antonio distance to Austin.
The distance might differ a little bit, depending on the start and end point within each city and how many stops and deturns you make on the road.
The fastest way to get from Austin to your destination is by taking I-35.
The average speed limit on I-35 is 75 miles per hour, but the speed is lower on the roads that lead up to the highway.
Austin to San Antonio train
You can take a train from San Antonio, Texas to Austin, Texas.
But you should know that this is one of the slowest ways to travel between states.
The train ride from San Antonio to Austin lasts for about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Amtrak’s The Texas Eagle operates this route.
The train ride costs around 30 USD one-way ticket, and it is a good opportunity to see more of Texas.
The main downside is that it is very time-consuming, and you cannot stop visiting any of the attractions along the road.
How far Austin to San Antonio by bus
Whether you travel by car or bus, the distance is 80 miles or 130 km and the time spent on the road is almost the same.
Greyhound and Megabus operate several courses per day, and the ticket price starts from 15 USD single trip.
The main downside of traveling by bus is that you miss all the attractions located along the road.
The cheapest way to get from Austin to San Antonio
The cheapest way to travel from San Antonio to Austin is by car, with just a few dollars less than the price of a bus ticket.
The main advantage of driving from Austin Tx to San Antonio Tx is that you have the freedom to stop wherever you want and explore the main attractions located close by.
Now that you know how far is Austin from San Antonio and which is the best way to get from one city to another is time to move forward and see which are the main attractions on the road.
The ones from the list below are the most important, so I drop a few words about each of them to give you a clear idea of each attraction.
San Antonio to Austin road trip stops
Alamo
The beautiful town of Alamo was built in 1718 by Franciscan missionaries as a fortress complex, a home to the missionaries and American Indian converts.
This is the perfect stop for scholars and history buffs to learn new things about an important page of American history.
A few years later, in 1793, the Spanish officials decided to secularize San Antonio’s mission, and all the lands were distributed to the Christianized Indians.
Alamo also played an important role during the Texas Revolution because national heroes Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie fought the Battle of the Alamo.
New Braunfels
Another beautiful small town located on your way to San Antonio is New Braunfels with its wonderful sceneries and long list of outdoor activities.
The Guadalupe River State Park is located right at the border of the town and it is a great place to relax and cool off in a hot day of summer.
The park has really beautiful areas and plenty of walking trails to explore nature and to enjoy the view.
Get your floating tub from the car and float the river, for a memorable experience!
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
The Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a must-stop if you travel with kids, no matter their age.
This wildlife ranch is a place where you can see animals from everywhere. There are more than 500 animals belonging to 40 different species.
One thing that really helps me whenever I plan my next travel is - to stay focused and organised! Check out this gorgeous Vacation Planner printable - with pre-trip to-do lists + accommodation and flight research + activities and car-rental + packing lists (empty and even pre-filled) to make sure you don't forget anything when you travel
CLICK HERE TO GET THE VACATION PLANNER PRINTABLE (all included)!
(THIS POST PROBABLY CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. OUR FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY IS REALLY BORING, BUT YOU CAN FIND IT HERE: DISCLOSURE POLICY)
Related: Trip research planner (a lighter version of the Vacation Planner)
You can find animals from all around the world here, except for Antarctica.
There are animals from Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.
The Caverns at Natural Bridge
The Caverns at Natural Bridge is a natural wonder that you can hardly see anywhere else in Texas.
The cavern system has stunning rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites.
The Colossal Dome room is the most beautiful part.
There are many tours of the cavern, and we think it would be great if you took one.
It is a lot of fun, and you will see the beauty beneath Earth.
San Marcos
San Marcos is a city with a famous college. You can explore the city and see the pretty houses.
The town is packed with boutique shops and coffee houses, perfect for relaxing and resting after exploring its beautiful streets.
The San Marcos river is a place you should go see. It is very popular for tubing and paddle boarding during the summer season.
If you like to shop, San Marcos is the right place.
You should definitely go to The San Marcos Premium Outlets when you are there.
Here you will find an impressive number of designer stores where you can buy fancy clothes at really reasonable prices.
The Largest Pecan in the world
Seguin is a very interesting stop along the Austin to San Antonio drive.
You can find the largest pecan in the world there.
The pecan is located in front of City Hall. It is 5 feet long, 2.4 feet wide, and weighs about 1000 pounds.
It was built in 1962 and held the title of world’s largest pecan until 1982 when farmers from Brunswick, Missouri built an even bigger pecan.
In 2011, Seguin decided that it was time to get their title back, so they built a new pecan with a total length of 16 feet.
Jacob’s Well
You cannot drive from San Antonio to Austin without stopping at Jacob’s Well.
It is an artesian spring located inside the second largest fully submerged cave in Texas.
Every day, water from underground comes up to Jacob’s Well. It is a popular place to visit.
Swimming is allowed in the spring waters during summer, but you need a prior reservation.
The waters of the river are extremely cold, so swimming is allowed only during the hot summer days.
McKinney Falls State Park
The park was opened to the public in 1976 and was named after one of the co-founders of Galveston, Texas.
Thomas McKinney was a trader and merchant who raised livestock in these lands, and played a vital role when Galveston city was born.
Inside the park, you can visit McKinney’s farm.
The area is also famous for its beautiful trails, perfect for hiking, bicycling and mountain biking.
You can also swim in the swimming hole at the bottom of the falls and watch the birds roaming around in their natural environment.
How far is Austin from San Antonio – travel tips
You can drive from San Antonio to Austin in 1 hour and 30 minutes without stopping.
Avoid driving during rush hour
If you travel from Austin to San Antonio during rush hour, it might take a lot longer.
Rush hour is from Monday to Friday between 7 to 9 in the morning and 4 to 6 in the afternoon.
Driving in cities like San Antonio and Austin during rush hour can be a nightmare.
You might have to spend twice as much time driving.
Book time to explore the attractions on the road
All the attractions listed in this article are unique and definitely worth including them in your road trip itinerary.
If you plan to visit each house on the list, you will need the whole day.
Make sure to factor in travel time when you are planning your trip.
Fill up your tank before your trip
Make sure you fill up your gas tank before you leave so that you don’t have to stop because you’re out of gas.
Gas prices are higher at gas stations on the highway or small towns.
So, before you drive on the highway, fill your tank with gas in a big city like Dallas or Austin.
This way, you will not run out of gas and be stuck on the side of the road.
Plan for lunch
If you plan to explore all these attractions, you will also need a place to eat lunch during the day.
There are a few gas stations on the highway where you can buy a quick meal like a sandwich.
If you want to eat some cooked food, consider stopping in San Marcos.
It is located halfway along the road and it is the largest town.
Or, there is always the third option: pack some sandwiches with you, some sweets and some water in a cooler and eat when you feel hungry.
What to do in San Antonio
San Antonio has a lot of things to do.
You need two days to do most of them.
The most popular thing to do is walk along the San Antonio River.
The path is lined with trees and many places to eat, drink, and shop.
And there is nothing better than booking a tour to enjoy the best attraction in the area.
With San Antonio: Scenic Night Tour & River Walk Cruise, you can discover the city during the night, view the breathtaking skyline at the Tower of the Americas, and relax on a beautiful river cruise walk.
The experience will last for about 3 hours. You will have a 45 minute drive where someone will tell you interesting facts about the city.
There are lots of things to do in San Antonio.
You can walk along the river, visit museums, and see the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
If you love nature, we recommend visiting the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
It’s a 38-acre area that’s perfect for an afternoon stroll.
The garden’s main attraction is the Texas Native trail, which features more than 250 species of plants from 3 ecosystems.
If you are a beach person, than Corpus Christi Beach is only 2 hours drive away from San Antonio so you can go and spend a day on the beach.
What to do in Austin
Touring the city’s best attractions is a great way to explore Austin and see a lot in a little time.
Austin: Electric Bike City Sightseeing Tour is our recommendation for you, a tour that lasts about 3 hours and doesn’t require much effort as you will have an electric bike.
You will stop at many places on the way to take pictures and visit the Texas State Capitol building.
You will explore downtown Austin, pass by Rainey Street and 6th Street, stop at the Capitol, and head to the University of Texas campus.
You will learn about the school’s history while you are there.
On your way back, you will stop at Barton Springs, the oldest swimming pool in Texas and Austin’s hidden gem .
For more details about Barton Springs, check our article How to spend a day at Barton springs pool in Austin Texas.
Texas State Capitol Building
This is undoubtedly the biggest Capitol Building in the United States of America, even bigger than the one in Washington, D.C.
The building was constructed between 1882 and 1888, and the huge construction proves that “everything is bigger in Texas”.
It is open to the public for tours most weekdays, and it is a pity to pass near Austin and not visit it.
Best hotels for your road trip
Austin
The Driskill, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt is a 5-star luxury hotel with exceptional services in the city center of Austin that combines old-world charm with 21st-century luxury.
It is one of the best hotels in the city with top-notch services and incredible dining that even offers a local brewery paired with a 4-course dinner.
San Antonio
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Antonio Downtown/Alamo Plaza is our top choice for this magnificent city.
The hotel is located near the riverwalk and The Alamo. It has a swimming pool and modern guestrooms.
You can have a complimentary breakfast at the property every day.
You have a coffee maker in your room to make coffee in the morning.
Conclusion
Now you know how far Austin is from San Antonio. You also know what you can see on your road trip and which are the main attractions of these two wonderful cities.
The good news is that they are located very close to each other.
And along the road, there are many interesting things to see.
This is a great example of a wonderful weekend getaway.
You can learn new things and spend quality time with your family and friends.
FAQ
Is San Antonio or Austin better?
It is hard to say which city is better because both Austin and San Antonio are great.
Austin has more restaurants and bars, while San Antonio has a more active nightlife.
If I had to choose where to live, I would probably choose Austin as it has better schools, a better job market, and many things to do around.
Is Austin bigger or San Antonio?
With a population of 2.5 million, San Antonio is slightly bigger than Austin, which has around 2.3 million people.
Is San Antonio cheaper than Austin?
San Antonio is less expensive than Austin.
This means that it costs less to live there.
Housing costs and health-related expenses are more expensive in Austin.
When talking about restaurants and hotels, Austin is a little more expensive than San Antonio.
What is the distance from San Antonio from Austin Texas?
These two cities are located relatively close one of each other.
The distance from Austin to San Antonio on a nonstop drive is about 80 miles or 130 km.
Under normal traffic conditions, it will take you about 1 hour and 25 minutes Austin to San Antonio drive hours.
Book your accommodation
We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.
You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.
Don't forget travel insurance
We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money.
When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.
Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected costs caused by medical events like illness, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.
We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.
Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.
We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.
Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.
We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.
Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.
Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.