These Austin travel tips cover the decisions that catch first-time visitors off guard: how to get from the airport without overpaying, which neighborhoods you can reach by bus and which require a rideshare, and what the real hotel tax bill looks like. Austin is a car-friendly city where public transit works well for specific corridors but leaves large gaps elsewhere. Knowing where those gaps are before you arrive saves both time and money.
Austin fares, taxes and hours at a glance
- CapMetro local bus fare: $1.25 per ride ($1.50 from January 10, 2027), capped at $2.50 per service day ($3 from that date) after two paid rides. No 7-day or 31-day transit pass exists.
- MetroRail (Red Line) single ride: $3.50 ($4 from January 10, 2027). The Red Line runs 10 stations from Leander to Downtown and does NOT serve Austin-Bergstrom Airport.
- Airport bus: Route 20 Riverside runs every 15-30 minutes, 7 days a week, for $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027). The bus stop is on the lower level outside baggage claim at the neon guitar stop.
- Hotel tax: 17% (Texas state 6% + City of Austin 11%). Hotels with 100+ rooms may add a 2% TPID fee on top, so the bill can reach 19% at large properties.
- Texas State Capitol at 1100 Congress Ave: open Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-8pm. Free 40-minute tours run Mon-Sat from 9am, Sun from noon.
- Barton Springs Pool at 2201 William Barton Dr: open daily 5am-10pm (closed Thursdays 9am-7pm for cleaning). Adult non-resident admission is $9.
- Austin Convention Center is closed for demolition through at least December 2028. Palmer Events Center at 900 Barton Springs Road remains open.
Getting from the airport without a car
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) is at 3600 Presidential Blvd, and the Barbara Jordan Terminal is the only passenger terminal since the South Terminal closed March 31, 2026.
Route 20 Riverside is the cheapest option into the city. For $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027), the bus runs every 15-30 minutes, seven days a week, connecting the airport to UT, downtown, and Riverside Drive. Find the stop on the lower level outside baggage claim at the neon guitar bus stop. After midnight, Route 483 Night Owl Riverside takes over, running until 4am and ending downtown on 6th Street.
Rideshare and taxi pickups for arriving passengers happen under the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, north of the Red Garage. From baggage claim, take the rideshare tram from the Red Garage first floor or the Mobility Tram from the third floor. Departing passengers drop off at the upper-level departures curb.
If you prefer a taxi, the airport lists three companies: ATX Co-Op Taxi at 512-333-5555, Central City Taxi at 512-400-4044, and Z-Trip at 512-452-9999. No flat fare to downtown is published, so ask the driver for the posted rate before you get in.
The MetroRail Red Line does not reach the airport. Light rail is planned to open in 2033, and its first phase does not reach the airport.
Airport transfer options compared
| Option | Cost | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 20 Riverside bus | $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027) | Every 15-30 min, 7 days | Lower level, neon guitar stop; fare capped at $2.50 a day ($3 from January 10, 2027) |
| Route 483 Night Owl Riverside | $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027) | After midnight to 4am | Serves Montopolis; ends downtown on 6th St |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Varies | 24/7 | Pickup under Consolidated Rental Car Facility |
| Taxi | No published flat rate | 24/7 | ATX Co-Op 512-333-5555; Central City 512-400-4044; Z-Trip 512-452-9999 |
| MetroRail Red Line | N/A | N/A | Does not serve AUS; nearest station is Downtown |
How CapMetro fares and fare capping work
CapMetro uses a fare-capping model rather than a traditional day pass. Pay $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027) for your first local bus ride and the same for your second. After that, every local bus ride for the rest of that service day (4am to 3:59am) is free. Your daily spending is capped at $2.50 ($3 from January 10, 2027). Reach 17 capped days in a calendar month and the rest of the month costs you nothing.
For commuter services, the MetroRail Red Line and Express buses cost $3.50 per ride ($4 from January 10, 2027), capped at $7.00 per service day ($8 from that date). The monthly commuter cap is $96.25 ($110 from January 10, 2027).
How you pay determines which caps you can access. Tap to Pay (contactless card, phone, or watch) works on CapMetro buses and handles daily capping automatically, but it does not work on MetroRail, and Routes 214 and 990 are excluded. For monthly capping or MetroRail travel, you need either the Umo app or a CapMetro Reloadable Fare Card. You cannot use both the Umo app and the Reloadable Card simultaneously for monthly capping.
There is no 7-day pass and no 31-day transit pass. The only 31-day product ($25) is for MetroBike bikeshare, not buses or rail.
Where public transit works and where it doesn't
CapMetro covers downtown, the University of Texas campus, South Congress, and the airport corridor well. The MetroRail Red Line connects 10 stations from Leander through Crestview, Highland, and MLK to Downtown and Plaza Saltillo. McKalla station serves Q2 Stadium.
MetroRapid lines add frequency on key corridors: Route 801 runs North Lamar to South Congress through downtown, Route 803 connects The Domain to Westgate via UT, and Route 800 runs Mueller to Goodnight Ranch.
Outside these corridors, transit coverage thins out. East Austin neighborhoods away from the rapid lines, the Hill Country, and most of northwest Austin require a rideshare or rental car for practical travel. Even within the city, late-night service is limited to the Night Owl routes after midnight.
For visitors staying downtown or near South Congress, a combination of walking, bus, and occasional rideshare covers most needs. Visitors planning day trips to Barton Creek or Circuit of The Americas will find a car or rideshare far more practical than piecing together bus connections.
Understanding Austin's hotel tax bill
Austin's hotel tax totals 17%: Texas state tax of 6% plus the City of Austin's 11% (made up of a 9% occupancy tax and a 2% venue project tax). That 17% applies at every hotel in the city.
At hotels with 100 or more rooms, an additional Austin Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID) assessment of 2% of taxable room revenue applies to stays from April 1, 2025 onward. Hotels may pass this to guests as a separate line item on the bill. It is a fee, not a tax, but if the hotel passes it on, your bill shows 19% in taxes and fees.
Parking is not subject to the hotel occupancy tax, but it is a taxable service under Texas sales tax (state 6.25% plus up to 2% local). If your hotel charges for parking, expect sales tax on top of the parking rate.
Free and low-cost things to do in Austin
The Texas State Capitol at 1100 Congress Ave offers free 40-minute guided tours every 15-30 minutes, Monday through Saturday from 9am and Sunday from noon, with the last tour at 4:15pm. Tours start at the South Foyer. The building is open Monday through Friday 7am-8pm and Saturday through Sunday 9am-8pm, closed on major holidays.
Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park charges $9 for non-resident adults (18-62), $5 for juniors (12-17), and $4 for children (1-11). The spring-fed pool averages 68-70 degrees year-round and opens daily at 5am, with guarded swimming from 8am to 10pm. Thursdays, the pool closes from 9am to 7pm for cleaning.
Sixth Street, a National Register historic district, fills with live music on Thursday to Saturday nights spilling from open doors at no cover charge. South Congress Avenue (SoCo) and Rainey Street, with its historic bungalows converted to bars and restaurants, are both walkable and free to explore.
The Austin Convention Center is closed through at least December 2028, so check Palmer Events Center at 900 Barton Springs Road for any ticketed events.
Neighborhood guide: where to stay and what to expect
Downtown puts you within walking distance of Sixth Street, Rainey Street, and the Red River Cultural District. Transit access is strong, with multiple MetroRapid lines and the MetroRail Downtown station. Hotel taxes and rates run high here, and the 2% TPID fee applies at most large properties.
South Congress (SoCo) is south of Lady Bird Lake and offers a walkable strip of restaurants, shops, and bars. Bus Route 801 connects it to downtown and UT. The neighborhood has a mix of boutique hotels and the feel of a distinct local district.
Rainey Street borders Lady Bird Lake on the edge of downtown. Street parking is limited, and the area is best reached on foot from downtown or by rideshare. It is walkable to the Red River Cultural District.
The Domain in northwest Austin is a second city center, anchored by the north end of MetroRapid Route 803. It suits visitors with business in the tech corridor or those who prefer a suburban-style hotel at lower rates than downtown.
East Austin, served by MetroRapid Route 800 from Mueller, has a concentration of independent restaurants and bars. For neighborhoods away from the rapid lines, rideshare is the practical choice.
Insider tips for Austin visitors
- Load the Umo app before you arrive if you plan to use MetroRail or want monthly fare capping. Tap to Pay on your phone works for buses only and handles daily capping automatically.
- Book Barton Springs Pool tickets on the city website on busy summer weekends. The pool closes Thursdays from 9am to 7pm for cleaning, so plan around that.
- Check your hotel's room count before booking. Properties with 100+ rooms may add a 2% TPID fee on top of the 17% hotel tax, which can bring the total to 19%.
- The Austin Convention Center is closed through at least December 2028. If your event was listed there, confirm it has moved to Palmer Events Center or another venue before you travel.
- For the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas (9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd), plan rideshare or a rental car. CapMetro adds extra event trains at McKalla station for Q2 Stadium, but COTA is not on the rail line.
- SXSW 2027 runs March 15-21, 2027. Hotel rates and rideshare surge pricing spike across the city during that week. Book accommodation months in advance.
Sustainable travel in Austin
CapMetro's Route 20 Riverside bus carries visitors between the airport and downtown. Choosing the bus over a rideshare for the airport transfer and daily sightseeing trips cuts per-trip emissions and keeps money in your pocket. The MetroRail Red Line and MetroRapid network together cover the highest-demand corridors in the city, making car-free travel practical for visitors staying downtown or near South Congress.
Austin Light Rail, planned to open in 2033 with 15 stations across 9.8 miles, will extend that network further once construction completes.
Official sources
- CapMetro fares and transit information: bus, MetroRapid, MetroRail fares, fare capping rules, and Tap to Pay details.
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport ground transport: rideshare pickup, taxi companies, bus stop location, and cell phone lot.
- Texas State Capitol visitor information: hours, free tour schedule, and holiday closures.
- City of Austin Barton Springs Pool: hours, admission prices, and cleaning schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to get from Austin airport to downtown?＋
Route 20 Riverside costs $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027) and runs every 15-30 minutes, seven days a week. Find the stop on the lower level outside baggage claim at the neon guitar bus stop. After midnight, Route 483 Night Owl Riverside covers the same corridor until 4am. The cap is $2.50 a day ($3 from January 10, 2027), so after two paid rides the rest of that day is free.
What's the total hotel tax in Austin?＋
The base hotel tax is 17%: Texas state 6% plus City of Austin 11%. At hotels with 100 or more rooms, an additional 2% TPID fee applies to stays from April 1, 2025 onward, which can bring the total to 19% at large hotels that pass it on. Parking charges at the hotel are not subject to the occupancy tax but do carry Texas sales tax of up to 8.25%.
Does the MetroRail Red Line go to the airport?＋
No. The Red Line runs 10 stations from Leander to Downtown Austin and does not serve Austin-Bergstrom Airport. The only public transit connection to the airport is Route 20 Riverside by bus. Austin Light Rail, which may eventually include an airport extension, is in preconstruction and will not open until 2033 at the earliest.
How does CapMetro fare capping work for visitors?＋
Pay for two local bus rides at $1.25 each ($1.50 from January 10, 2027) and every additional local ride that service day (4am to 3:59am) is free. Your daily spending caps at $2.50 ($3 from January 10, 2027). Daily capping works automatically with Tap to Pay on contactless cards, phones, or watches, but only on buses, not MetroRail. For MetroRail or monthly capping, use the Umo app or a CapMetro Reloadable Fare Card. There is no 7-day or 31-day transit pass.
What's the Austin Convention Center situation for 2026 and 2027?＋
The Austin Convention Center at 500 E. Cesar Chavez St closed in April 2025 for demolition and redevelopment. No events will be held there through at least December 2028, with a targeted reopening for the 2029 spring festival season. Palmer Events Center at 900 Barton Springs Road remains open and bookable for events during this period.
Do I need a car to visit Austin?＋
For visitors staying downtown, South Congress, or near the UT campus, a combination of walking, CapMetro buses, and occasional rideshare covers most sightseeing. MetroRapid routes and the Red Line handle the main corridors well. For day trips to Barton Creek, Circuit of The Americas, the Hill Country, or neighborhoods away from the rapid lines, a rental car or rideshare is the practical choice. Austin is a car-oriented city, and transit coverage outside the core corridors is limited.
