Getting Around
By Car
It’s fairly easy to get around Austin, which makes for less time traveling and more time enjoying the city. Most everything is conveniently accessible either by foot, bus, Dillo (trolley-style bus), or bike. However if you plan on hiking some of the trails in and around Austin, visiting the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, or if you want to explore the Hill Country, you’ll want to rent a car.
Getting around Austin by car is not necessary, but a car can provide the most freedom, and the best way to make the most of your time. There are only a few major freeways in the metropolitan area, and only a few major streets that connect everything to downtown, which makes it easy to figure out your way around. One minor drawback to using a car is downtown parking, which can require patience and a good eye. Fee parking garages are available to eliminate parking woes.
All the usual rental car companies are represented on the ground floor at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as well as around town. Car rental agencies include Advantage Rent-A-Car (800/777-5500), Alamo Rent-A-Car (800/462-5266), Avis Car Rental (800/331-1212), Budget (800/527-0700), Dollar Rent-A-Car (800/800-3665), Enterprise (800/261-7331), Hertz Rent-A-Car (800/654-3131), National Car Rental (800/227-7368), and Thrifty (800/847-4389).
By Bus
Austin’s public transportation system, Capital Metro (512/474-1200 or 800/474-1201, www.capmetro.org) is easy to get the hang of and inexpensive. Most individual rides are 50 cents (exact change only), but you can get the most for your money if you buy a $5 card that’s good for 20 rides or a $10 pass that offers unlimited rides within a calendar month. Passes are available at any H.E.B. Grocery store and at the Capital Metro Transit Store (323 Congress Ave.). Capital Metro’s very informative website is a great place to get schedule and route information. This information can also be found at most supermarkets in town and at the Capital Metro Transit Store.
Austin is only 250 miles from Mexico. If you want to take a bus to Mexico City, Autobuses Lucano (1208 E. Cesar Chavez St., 512/476-4682) has buses that leave every night at 10 p.m. for only $100.
By TAXI
Taxi service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Smoking and non-smoking cabs are available thanks to city regulations. Hailing a cab downtown is pretty easy, but anywhere else in town you’ll want to make a call to any of the following taxi services: American Yellow Checker Cab (512/452-9999), Austin Cab (512/478-2222), and Roy’s Taxi (512/482-0000).
By BICYCLE
Austin is an ultra bicycle-friendly town, but it hasn’t always been that way. Before Lance Armstrong became a celebrity athlete, cyclists were considered an inconvenience out on the motorways. Now Austin has miles of designated bicycle lanes and very respectful motorists. The City of Austin’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program (www.ci.austin.tx.us/bicycle) has a helpful map of suggested routes. It’s also good to note that all Capital Metro buses are equipped with bike racks. However, if you plan to use a bicycle to get around be forewarned that Austin has a dreadful problem with bike thievery.
The premier place to rent a bicycle for the day is Bicycle Sport Shop (517 S. Lamar Blvd., 512/477-3472). They rent just about anything, including mountain bikes, road bikes, tandems, kids’ bikes, and trailers. Prices range $28-35 for four hours and $18-50 for 24-hour rentals. Rates vary depending on the type and make of bike.