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San Antonio travel guide

San Antonio is a large south Texas city with a compact visitor core: the River Walk loops one level below downtown streets past the Alamo, the convention centre and Rivercenter mall. Along the river's Museum Reach to the north lies the Pearl, while the King William district and the Spanish colonial missions of the national historical park stretch to the south.

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Getting there and choosing your base

  • San Antonio International (SAT): North of downtown, with non-stop flights to more than 30 cities. Shuttles, taxis and a VIA bus connect to the centre, and the airport-area hotels suit the north-side business districts more than sightseeing.
  • Amtrak station: Two long-distance trains call here: the Texas Eagle from Chicago and the Sunset Limited between Los Angeles and New Orleans. Downtown hotels are a short taxi ride away.
  • I-35 and I-10: The main highways in. SeaWorld San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas are well outside downtown, so families planning several park days may prefer a hotel on that side of the city.

Areas to consider

Downtown and the River Walk

Suits first visits, the Alamo and evening strolls by the water. Rooms at river level can pick up noise from restaurant patios and tour barges; ask whether the room faces the river or the street.

Pearl and the Museum Reach

Suits food-focused trips, with restaurants and bars around a redeveloped brewery complex north of downtown. Decide whether you are happy to walk the river path back from downtown after dark or will need a taxi.

Southtown and King William

Suits travellers drawn to Victorian houses, galleries and smaller inns. Many stays here are bed and breakfasts with fixed breakfast times and minimum-night rules, so read the house policies.

Alamo Heights

Suits a quieter, upmarket base inside the city, away from downtown crowds. Hotel choice here is limited, so weigh the drive into downtown against a River Walk stay before booking.

When to go

Fiesta, a ten-day citywide celebration in late April with more than a hundred events, is the busiest period, and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo takes place in early February. From May to September daytime temperatures regularly pass 32°C, and April and October can be just as hot.

Before choosing a room

  • Downtown and River Walk hotels usually charge for parking, sometimes valet-only; check the nightly charge before planning a car-based trip.
  • Resort hotels on the city's edge may add a resort fee; include it when comparing against downtown rates.
  • In summer, check the pool is open and shaded and that the room's air-conditioning can be controlled from the room.

Sources and planning resources

Facts checked on . Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.

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