Austin

A Texas capital with a strong live music scene, long barbecue lines and the spring-fed Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park.

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Austin is the capital of Texas, on the Colorado River in Central Texas and inside the Texas Hill Country. The city's official slogan is the Live Music Capital of the World, and its clubs and festivals back that up. South by Southwest, an annual festival of film, interactive media and music, takes place here each year. Austin is also nicknamed the City of the Violet Crown for the glow that spreads across its hills just after sunset.

Food is a major draw. Texas barbecue, Tex-Mex and breakfast tacos are local staples. Franklin Barbecue has sold out of brisket every day since it opened, so expect to queue. Visitors often swim at Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed pool in Zilker Park, and paddle on Lady Bird Lake. Spring brings wildflowers, while July and August highs often reach 95°F (35°C) or above. A car helps for Hill Country day trips, since the rail line serves only downtown and nearby neighborhoods.

Austin in five

Pick spring or fall to avoid the heatSummer highs often pass 35°C (95°F). March to May and October to November are far more comfortable for walking, lake paths and patios.
Plan live music by night, not by venueSixth Street, Rainey Street and South Congress all have stages most nights. Check venue calendars the week you arrive for the shows that fit your dates.
Book Hill Country trips aheadWineries, swimming holes and Hamilton Pool are popular and some need advance reservations. Check each site before you drive out.
Rent a car, or lean on rideshareAustin sprawls and public transit is limited. A car helps for Hill Country and barbecue towns; downtown, Zilker and South Congress work by rideshare or scooter.
Approve your ESTA before you plan the Texas legA Visa Waiver Program passport needs an approved ESTA before you board a US-bound flight. Apply only through the official CBP site and keep the confirmation.ESTA explained

Things to do in Austin

See all attractions in Austin

a large building towers over Texas State Capitol

Museum · AustinTexas Science & Natural History MuseumCheck the museum’s current admission details before you go; free Community Day admission is available.

Museum · AustinMexic-Arte MuseumAdmission is free on Sundays; check the museum’s website for current admission details on other days.

Museum · AustinThinkeryPack a change of clothes if your child plans to play with water.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to AustinPut the places you like in Austin on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Austin-Bergstrom (AUS), about 20–30 min to downtown by car or bus
Getting there: Fly into AUS; Houston and Dallas are about 3 hours by road
Getting around: Car or rideshare; buses, bikes and scooters in the core
Best base: Downtown, South Congress or East Austin
Time needed: 2 to 4 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Cool, mild
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Mild, bluebonnets
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Spring, SXSW
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Wildflowers
MayRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low20°Warm, storms
JunePartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low23°Hot, humid
JulyClear8 rainy daysHigh36°Low24°Very hot
AugustClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh36°Low25°Very hot
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Hot, bats
OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Warm, ACL fest
NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Mild, clear
DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Cool, holiday

Average daily high and low in Austin, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Austin

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 32°
Humidity: 50%
Wind: 22 km/h
Chance of rain: 2%

Austin

02:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today27°18°2%Monday: Fog. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 2%.
Tue24°17°58%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 58%.
Wed26°17°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu28°17°3%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 3%.
Fri26°17°4%Friday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sat27°19°14%Saturday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 14%.
Sun26°17°14%Sunday: Clear. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 14%.

Updated 02:15 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Austin

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Day trips by train

Hill Country wineries and Fredericksburgabout 1.5 hours by carPeach stands, wineries and German heritage towns.
Lockhartabout 35 to 45 min by carA cluster of long-established barbecue joints.
Hamilton Poolabout 45 min by carA swimming hole under a collapsed grotto; advance reservations are required.

Before you go to Austin

Rental car for Hill CountryPick up at AUSCompare car rental

Hotels and rentalsCompare areas and ratesCheck availability

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USAUS medical care is costlyRead the guide

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Rules for Austin, checked

Most visitors from visa waiver countries need an ESTA before flying to the U.S. Other travelers need a visa. Check the official U.S. CBP ESTA site first.Source
Dockless electric scooters and bikes are banned from city parks and the Ann and Roy Butler Trail. Check City of Austin rules before you ride.
Since May 2021, camping, sitting or lying on public sidewalks, or sleeping outdoors near Downtown or the UT campus is penalized. Camping is banned in downtown green spaces, trails and greenbelts. Check City of Austin rules first.

Plan around Austin

San Antonio

South by car or bus

Read the guide All of the USA

Parks, cities and the rules every visitor needs

Read the guide Houston

Space City and food, about 3 hours east

Read the guide Dallas

Museums and Fort Worth next door, about 3 hours north

Read the guide Atlanta

Another Southern music and food city

Read the guide ESTA, explained

Who needs it, the fee and how to apply

Read the guide

Austin FAQ

How many days do you need in Austin?

Two days cover live music, barbecue and Barton Springs. Three or four add Hill Country, Lockhart and a lake day. Festival weeks fill hotels, so book early.

When is the best time to visit Austin?

March to May and October to November. Summer is very hot, while winters are mild with the occasional cold snap. South by Southwest in March and the Austin City Limits festival in October raise rates.

Do you need a car in Austin?

For downtown and South Congress, no; rideshare, bikes and scooters cover short trips. For Hill Country, barbecue towns and many parks, a car is easier.

Where should I stay in Austin?

Downtown for music and walkability, South Congress for shops and food trucks, or East Austin for barbecue and breweries. Zilker suits outdoor trips.

Is it worth visiting Austin in summer?

If you plan around the heat, yes: swim at Barton Springs, tour the bats at dusk and keep afternoons indoors. Mornings and evenings are the best times to be outside.