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Ride a train from Austin to San Antonio and swap the tedious trek down I-35 for a relaxing rail journey through the Central Texas countryside.
You can take an Amtrak train from Austin to San Antonio and back, but would you want to? It increases your travel time; the schedule is extremely limited and there’s no Wi-Fi on board. I wasn’t sold on the idea when my husband suggested we try it with our daughter. But it turned out to be a great adventure, and one I would gladly do again.
What to know about buying Amtrak tickets
Amtrak tickets are easy to buy and surprisingly cheap. Visit Amtrak.com to see your options, or download the Amtrak app. You’ll create an account to keep track of your tickets.
Here are a few things to know:
- An adult ticket from Austin to San Antonio is as low as $10 if you book a few weeks in advance.
- Child tickets, for ages 2 to 12, are half price.
- When booking in coach, you’ll choose the upper or lower deck, but you won’t be assigned a specific seat. We chose the upper deck and had great views.
- You can pay an extra dollar per ticket to make it refundable. Refunds are fast and easy if your plans change.
- Private rooms with beds are also available for as low as $95, depending on the day and how far in advance you book.
- You can take your bike or pet on board for an additional fee.
For weekend trips, the Texas Eagle leaves downtown Austin at 7:22 p.m. on Friday and arrives three hours and 24 minutes later, at 10:46 p.m. The return train is faster on Sunday — only two hours and 28 minutes, but it leaves San Antonio super early at 6:48 a.m. These are your only weekend options, except for another early train back to Austin on Saturday morning.
Parking and boarding the train
The Austin Amtrak station is located at 250 North Lamar Boulevard downtown. It has an outdoor lot with overnight parking available, or you can get someone to drop you off if you’re nervous about leaving your car unattended.
You’re encouraged to arrive at least half an hour early if you’re not checking bags. There’s an indoor waiting room, and boarding typically begins 15 minutes before your departure time.
When you board, you can take any available seat. We had plenty to choose from, so my daughter commandeered her own row. There are no middle seats, and chairs recline with a foot rest, making it feel like a luxury experience. It is certainly nicer than flying in coach.
Here are some handy links for more information:
The ride from Austin to San Antonio
We were surprised how fun it was to see Austin as tourists, riding on the upper deck of the train on a Friday night. It was lovely to sit back, relax and enjoy the sunset as the train veered away from city traffic to a more rural route.
The train runs mostly parallel to I-35, but you don’t see the highway. Instead, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Texas countryside. My daughter and I visited the train canteen to buy some snacks, and we had a little picnic in the panoramic car before heading back to our seats.
The ride passed quickly, and I was so busy looking out the window that I barely read any of my book. I was delighted that the longer train journey felt shorter than a car ride to San Antonio.
Do you need a car in San Antonio?
You can have a fantastic weekend in San Antonio without a car. The San Antonio Amtrak station is a quick 11-minute walk from the San Antonio River Walk, where there are hotels and restaurants aplenty.
Once there, you have easy access to miles of attractions:
– Museum Reach. This section of the River Walk links cultural destinations along the San Antonio River, including San Antonio Museum of Art, Pearl, Witte Museum, Breckenridge Park and San Antonio Zoo. Museum Reach also features 13 works of public art.
– Mission Reach. These 16 miles of trail along the river give walkers and cyclists access to four historic Spanish Colonial Missions: Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. The missions are spaced about 2.5 miles apart, with Mission Concepcion being the closest to downtown. You can also explore the Mission Reach section of the River Walk by kayak. Check out the city’s paddling trails.
Not far from the River Walk, you can stop by San Pedro Creek Culture Park for a self-guided art walk, or Hemisfair Park for the sprawling playground. At night, take a stroll over to San Antonio | The Saga, a free light show on the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral.
Where to stay on your weekend adventure in San Antonio
My family loves to stay at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk. It’s located directly on the River Walk, next to the Convention Center, making it convenient to go anywhere on foot. The Amtrak station is only an 8-minute walk from the hotel.
The heated rooftop pool is also a year-round favorite. It’s a fun place to splash away an afternoon, away from the River Walk crowds.
Throughout March, guests of Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk can enjoy:
- A pool bar Thursday to Saturday, from noon to 7 p.m.
- A pool party with a DJ and giveaways on March 14, from 4 to 7 p.m.
- A duck race, with a $25 gift card prize, daily at 9 a.m. through March 22
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Cover photo Heidi Gollub
Heidi Gollub spends a lot of time in San Antonio these days, now that one of her kids lives there. She’s happy to have found a relaxing and affordable way to visit from her home in Austin.
