Austin
3 hostels · dorms from $25
The Live Music Capital of the World.
Points of interest
- Sixth Street
- South Congress
- Barton Springs
- Congress Avenue bats
State guide
Things to do in Texas
Austin's live music and bat bridge, San Antonio's River Walk and the Alamo, Houston's space centre and food, Dallas and Fort Worth's cowboys, Hill Country towns, barbecue and the wild desert of Big Bend.
11
Hostels across its 4 main cities
8.8
Average, from 5,045 reviews
1.5 million
Bats under Austin's bridge
Barbecue, music and wide open spaces
Texas is enormous, bigger than any country in Europe except Russia, and it feels like several states in one. It has big modern cities, cowboy towns, desert mountains, pine forests and a long Gulf coast.
Austin, the capital, calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, and hosts SXSW and Austin City Limits. San Antonio has the Alamo, a free shrine to Texas independence, and the River Walk, a path of cafes and bars along the river. Houston, the biggest city, has Space Center Houston, a free Museum District and one of the most diverse food scenes in the country. Dallas has the Sixth Floor Museum, about the assassination of President Kennedy, and neighbouring Fort Worth holds a cattle drive in its Stockyards twice a day.
Between Austin and San Antonio, the Hill Country has German towns, wineries and swimming holes. Far west, Big Bend National Park is a remote desert and mountain wilderness on the Mexican border, and Marfa is an art town in the desert. Give Texas a week or more. Spring and autumn are best; summers are very hot.
Where to base yourself
Austin for music and the Hill Country, San Antonio for history, Houston for food and space, and Dallas for the north.
San Antonio
A historic city built around the River Walk.
Points of interest
- The Alamo
- River Walk
- San Antonio Missions
- Pearl
Houston
5 hostels · dorms from $37
A huge, diverse city of space and food.
Points of interest
- Space Center Houston
- Museum District
- Montrose
Dallas
3 hostels · dorms from $25
A big city with Fort Worth's cowboys next door.
Points of interest
- Sixth Floor Museum
- Deep Ellum
- Fort Worth Stockyards
Regions of Texas
Dallas and Fort Worth in the north, Austin, San Antonio and the Hill Country in the centre, Houston and the Gulf coast in the south-east, and desert in the far west.
Austin and the Hill Country
Music, swimming holes, wineriesThe capital and the German towns to its west.
San Antonio
History, River WalkThe Alamo, the Missions and the River Walk.
Houston and the Gulf coast
Space, food, beachesHouston, Galveston and the coast.
Dallas and Fort Worth
Cowboys, museumsThe Metroplex and the Stockyards.
West Texas
Desert, mountains, artBig Bend, Marfa and El Paso.
Things to do
Things to do in Texas
In Austin, see live music on Sixth Street, Red River and in the bars of South Congress, swim in Barton Springs Pool, and watch up to 1.5 million bats fly out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk from spring to autumn. In San Antonio, visit the Alamo and walk the River Walk, then explore the San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In Houston, visit Space Center Houston, home of NASA's mission control, and the free museums of the Museum District. In Dallas, see the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and the Deep Ellum music district. In Fort Worth, watch the cattle drive in the Stockyards and see a rodeo.
Drive the Hill Country to Fredericksburg and Gruene, eat barbecue in Lockhart, and swim at Hamilton Pool. In the far west, hike in Big Bend National Park and visit the art town of Marfa. On the coast, Galveston and South Padre Island have beaches.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Alamo church is free, with a free timed reservation, and so is the San Antonio River Walk. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is free. In Houston, several museums in the Museum District are free, including the Menil Collection.
The Austin bat flight and the Fort Worth Stockyards cattle drive cost nothing to watch. Many Austin bars have free live music.
Austin's Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake trail are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Texas barbecue means slow-smoked beef brisket, sold by the pound with white bread, pickles and onions. Central Texas, especially Austin and Lockhart, is the heartland, and the best places sell out by early afternoon.
Tex-Mex is the other great Texan food: enchiladas, fajitas, queso and breakfast tacos, which Austin and San Antonio argue over. Houston has excellent Vietnamese, Mexican and Gulf seafood, and Viet-Cajun crawfish.
Texas has a big craft beer and wine scene. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Austin has the best nightlife, with live music every night on Sixth Street, Red River and East Austin. Houston's Montrose and Midtown, Dallas's Deep Ellum and San Antonio's River Walk are lively too.
Dance halls such as Gruene Hall and Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth are a Texan classic.
Bars in the big cities close at 2am.
Getting around
Getting around
Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston are huge international hubs, and Austin and San Antonio have busy airports. Dallas has the DART light rail, including to the airport, and Houston has a light rail line.
Amtrak trains are slow and infrequent. Buses link the cities.
A car is the best way to get around. Distances are huge: El Paso is around nine hours' drive from San Antonio. Most of Texas is on Central Time; El Paso and the far west are on Mountain Time.
Costs
What Texas costs
Texas is moderately priced. Austin has become expensive, especially during SXSW and festivals, while San Antonio and Houston are better value.
Sales tax is 6.25 per cent statewide, plus local taxes, up to 8.25 per cent in total. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Many of the best sights, including the Alamo and the Missions, are free.
Safety
Safety and scams
Texas cities are generally safe in the areas visitors go to; take normal city care at night.
Summer heat is extreme, often above 38°C: drink lots of water and avoid hiking at midday, especially in Big Bend. Flash floods are a real danger in the Hill Country: never drive through flooded roads. The Gulf coast has hurricane season from June to November.
Spring brings severe storms and hail. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
SXSW, rodeos and music festivals.
Staff pick
25 Sep – 18 Oct
State Fair of Texas
Dallas
Grab your steel-toed boots and head to Dallas, Texas, for the State Fair of Texas, a 24-day celebration that has attracted thousands of carnival-goers…
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23–25 October
Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
Austin
The F1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, is a premier event on the Formula 1 calendar.…
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21 November
Holiday in the Park
San Antonio
Holiday in the Park lights up Six Flags Fiesta Texas with dazzling displays and festive live shows. You can enjoy select rides and attractions,…
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26 November
H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade
Houston
The H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Houston, Texas, is a cherished holiday tradition that has brought the community together for over 70 years.…
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27 November
Ford Holiday River Parade
San Antonio
The Ford Holiday River Parade lights up the San Antonio River Walk with festive floats and dazzling holiday lights. You’ll see 27 illuminated floats…
Staff pick
5 December
Dallas Holiday Parade
Dallas
The Dallas Holiday Parade is a beloved tradition that transforms Dallas into a festive wonderland each holiday season. Drawing thousands of families and spectators,…
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12–15 October
International Quilt Festival
Houston
The International Quilt Festival is a vibrant celebration of artistry and craftsmanship, drawing quilting enthusiasts from around the world to marvel at the intricate…
Staff pick
16–18 October
NTX Universe
Dallas
NTX Universe brings together collectors and fans for a massive showcase of trading cards, sports memorabilia, comics, toys, anime, and unique art. With over…
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Texas, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Mixed Gender Shared Room - CoLiving Condo
Austin
Dorms from $75 a night
See dates and book
Comfort Suites Energy Corridor by Samay Resort LLC
Houston
Rooms from $23 a night
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MyCrib Houston Hostel
Houston
Dorms from $45 a night
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River Timber
Austin
Dorms from $25 a night
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Firehouse Hostel
Austin
Dorms from $29 a night
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SOVA Micro-Room & Social Hotel
Dallas
Rooms from $42 a night
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Wild Wild West Backpackers' Hostel
Dallas
Dorms from $25 a night
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Bishop Hostel
Dallas
Dorms from $36 a night
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Wanderstay Houston
Houston
Dorms from $40 a night
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HOST/EL - Boutique Shared Rooms
Houston
Dorms from $37 a night
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We1 International Hostel
Houston
Dorms from $100 a night
See dates and book
When to go
March to May and October to November are the best times, warm but not too hot, with wildflowers in spring. Summer is very hot. Winter is mild in the south, and the best time for Big Bend.
Jan
Mild, Big Bend season
Feb
Rodeo season
Mar
SXSW, wildflowers
Apr
Bluebonnets
May
Warm
Jun
Hot
Jul
Very hot
Aug
Very hot
Sep
Hot
Oct
ACL Fest
Nov
Pleasant
Dec
Mild
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Austin, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Austin prices.
Treat these as a guide. Festivals cost more, and car hire is extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Texas questions
The ones we get asked most.
How many days do you need in Texas?
A week for Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Add more for Big Bend or Dallas.
Is the Alamo free?
Yes, entry to the church is free with a timed reservation.
When can you see the Austin bats?
From around March to October, at dusk, from the Congress Avenue Bridge.
Where is the best barbecue in Texas?
Central Texas, especially Austin and Lockhart.
Do I need a car in Texas?
Yes. Distances are huge and public transport between cities is limited.
When is the best time to visit Texas?
Spring and autumn. Summer is very hot.
Is Big Bend worth the drive?
Yes, for remote desert, mountains and dark skies. Winter and spring are best.
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