Austin At a Glance

Best Time to Go
Spring is the perfect time to visit Austin. Travelers will find plenty of things to do in Austin from March through May, including the South by Southwest Music and Film Festival, the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival and the Austin Livestock Show and Rodeo. Spring is also a great time weatherwise, as it's not too hot yet.

Average Weather
The weather is ideal for visitors in early spring. Not yet humid, March and April are dry and mild. The Hill Country is in full bloom in April, followed by rain in May. Summer gets steamy in Austin, and it's not uncommon for thunderstorms to be accompanied by tornadoes here and there. Winters in Austin are mild and snow is very rare. Fall is also a nice time to visit the Texas capital.

Transportation
If you plan on visiting Austin and its surrounding area, a car is a good idea. Travelers who want to devote much of their visit to Sixth Street though won't find the need for any transportation--other than their feet. It's possible to walk from downtown to the University of Texas, around the Capitol and Guadelupe, but it's quite a trek.

For those visitors interested in Austin's public transportation system, you're in luck. It's good. Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority includes more than 50 bus lines and a variety of ticket prices. For a regular, one-way ticket (adult fare), it's 50 cents. There are also three 'Dillo routes--Congress, Lavaca and Old Pecan Street, which are free. Keep in mind that in order to ride the bus, travelers need exact change.

In-Season Costs
Austin's prices don't necessarily fluctuate with the seasons. It's pretty even keel year-round. If you're planning on staying in the heart of the action, Sixth Street, you might want to add to your travel budget. Digs in downtown Austin are pricier, as are restaurant prices.

Day Trips
Dallas: Dallas is about three hours north of Austin. Home of the Cowboys, Dallas has much to offer all types of travelers and is worth the trip.