- San Antonio, Texas is a city served by an international airport, Amtrak, and regional carriers.
- Locally, you'll need a car; here are other transportation tips for getting to and around San Antonio.
- Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations.
The old proverb is true: Everything really is bigger in Texas, especially in San Antonio, which is the state's second-largest city.
I grew up in San Antonio and can confirm that, like most other locales in Texas, it isn't very walkable. And now that I make my base outside of my hometown, I know all too well what it's like to travel in and out of the city regularly.
So, trust me when I say that after you arrive by plane or train, it would be best to rent a car. Though, you can easily use ride-share apps like Uber as well. Keep reading for more on that, and everything else you should know when planning a trip to San Antonio.
Getting to San Antonio
San Antonio International Airport
San Antonio International Airport is just under 10 miles from downtown and is the most convenient way to travel to the city. Thirteen airlines serve the airport, and travelers can grab a direct flight from more than 35 destinations. If your options still seem limited, I recommend checking flights to the Houston airports, which typically have a wider array of options for more affordable prices. From Houston, it's a three-hour drive to San Antonio.
Once you arrive at the San Antonio airport, you can rent a car, take a taxi or shuttle to the downtown area, call ride share, or hop on a local bus.
San Antonio train station
Travelers can arrive in San Antonio on the Amtrak passenger train from more than 500 destinations across the nation. The San Antonio station is housed in a rustic building downtown, one street away from the Alamodome, though it's not very common for Texans to take a train.
Getting around San Antonio
Rental cars
I recommend getting a rental car if you're planning to visit spots outside of the immediate River Walk area.
Downtown is mostly walkable in the cooler months, but you'll want another mode of transportation during the scorching summers. Enterprise, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rent a Car are open 24/7.
Ride share
Uber and Lyft are my preferred ways of getting around San Antonio if I don't want to drive. Currently, face masks are required of drivers and passengers and the ride typically runs about $20 from the airport.
Taxis
From the airport, taxis will charge $25 to take you downtown. However, it's not easy to hail a taxi from other parts of the city, so be sure to plan ahead and call Yellow Cab San Antonio to reserve a ride.
Bikes and scooters
The electric transportation options are convenient but limited, with just 2,000 scooters available in the city.
Bird and Razor are the only electric-scooter companies in San Antonio right now. Meanwhile, hundreds of bikes are available from BCycle. A day pass runs for $15.
Public transit
VIA Metropolitan Transit: The most affordable option to get around the city is a $2.75-a-day bus pass, although the buses can be slow and the stops are often sporadic.
Keep an eye out for the return of Viva, the transit's special service for tourists to visit the downtown area, cultural spots, and the San Antonio missions. (Viva has been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.)
View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting San Antonio.