Austin on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Austin is doable on a budget at about US$130 per person per day sharing a room, mostly thanks to cheap tacos, free sights and low-cover live music. The hard part is the hotel, so book early and avoid festival dates.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$65 | US$120 | US$250 |
| Food & drink | US$45 | US$80 | US$150 |
| Sights & tickets | US$15 | US$35 | US$70 |
| Local transport | US$5 | US$20 | US$40 |
| Per person, per day | US$130 | US$255 | US$510 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Austin day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Texas State Capitol, with free guided tours
- The bat flight from the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset (March to October)
- The Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake
- Mount Bonnell viewpoint over the Colorado River
- Zilker Park and the 'I love you so much' wall on South Congress
- Free early or happy-hour music sets in bars on Red River and South Congress
Cheap eats
- Breakfast tacos: about US$3–6 each
- Kolaches: about US$2–4 each
- Smoked sausage link: about US$6–9
- Queso and chips: about US$8–14
- A barbecue plate split between two: about US$20–30 per person
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in East Austin or around Riverside, where hostels and older motels cost about US$100–160 for a double (roughly US$65 per person sharing). Hostel dorm beds in East Austin are typically about US$35–60.
Getting around cheaply
CapMetro buses (about US$1.25 a ride or US$2.50 a day) are the cheapest way around; bus 20 runs from the airport to downtown in about 30 minutes. MetroBike shared bikes and walking work in the centre. A car is only needed for the Hill Country or Lockhart.
A sample budget day
- Morning: breakfast tacos (US$8) and the free Capitol tour
- Lunch: food truck in East Austin (about US$12–15)
- Afternoon: Barton Springs Pool (about US$10) and a walk on the lake trail
- Evening: the bat flight (free), then a low-cover music bar with one drink
- Total: about US$130 including a shared budget room
More ways to save
- Remember that menu prices exclude tax and an 18–20% tip at table service.
- Order at the counter (barbecue, tacos, trucks), where tipping is lighter.
- Swim at free creek spots or the US$9–10 Barton Springs instead of paid attractions.
- Buy a CapMetro day pass if you will ride more than twice.
- Book refundable rooms months ahead and re-check prices later.
- Drink at happy hours, usually late afternoon, when beers and food are discounted.
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Common questions
Can you do Austin on a budget?
Yes, at about US$130 a day per person sharing a room, if you eat tacos and food trucks and focus on free sights like the Capitol, the bats and the lake trail.
Are the Austin bats free to see?
Yes. Watch from the Congress Avenue Bridge or the lakeside below about 20 minutes before sunset, from March to October.
How do I get from Austin airport to downtown cheaply?
CapMetro bus 20 costs about US$1.25 and takes around 30 minutes; a rideshare costs roughly US$25–40.