How to Travel From Dallas to San Antonio by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

San Antonio is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Texas, while Dallas is a booming metropolis that's building a reputation as a vacation hot spot. The two cities are 275 miles (443 miles) apart and there are several convenient ways to make the trip. If traveling by car, the journey takes around 4.5 hours depending on traffic. Flying can be an easy, quick, and occasionally affordable (depending on when you book) way to travel, especially if you don’t want to deal with traffic along the north-south I-35 corridor. For a budget-friendly, eco-conscious (albeit longer) transportation option, you can opt to take the bus or train: Greyhound, TL Premium, FlixBus USA, Megabus, Grupo Senda, and Amtrak all offer routes between the two cities. 

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Dallas to San Antonio?

Depending on the company you use, the bus the cheapest way to get from Dallas to San Antonio. It’s also an eco-conscious alternative when compared to other modes of transportation. Megabus, Grupo Sendo, Greyhound, and FlixBus all offer routes between Dallas and San Antonio, and each of them have different frequencies, rates, and types of routes (direct or non-direct). 

Greyhound buses depart from the Greyhound station at 205 S Lamar Street and arrive at the San Antonio Greyhound station at 500 N St Mary's Street. There are hourly buses, and a one-way ticket per person can cost anywhere between $30 to $50. There are a couple of different Megabus pick-up stations, when traveling from Dallas to San Antonio: the DART East Transfer Center at 330 North Olive Street, or 710 Davie Street, in Grand Prairie. The bus arrives at the south corner of 4th Street and Broadway. Megabus operates four buses a day, with one-way fares as low as $10 depending on how far in advance you book. FlixBus, TL Premium, and Grupo Senda all operate one bus per day, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $40 for a one-way ticket for all operators.  

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Dallas to San Antonio?

Flying to and from Dallas and San Antonio is the fastest method, taking just over an hour. Of course, this doesn’t include the time it takes to get to the airport, check your bags, clear security, and then get from the airport to your final destination in San Antonio. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has five terminals and offers service from 27 passenger airlines. Of these airline carriers, American, United, and Southwest offer nonstop and connecting flights to and from San Antonio International Airport. One-way fares start at around $100. You might be able to find a cheaper fare, depending on the time of year that you book, although you can usually always expect to pay more for a nonstop, regardless of the time of year.  

How Long Does it Take to Drive?

Driving from Dallas to San Antonio takes around five hours and can be a tad stressful, since I-35 is always packed with traffic, especially during rush hour. While the direct journey is straightforward enough, if you’re keen on making a road trip out of it, there are a few stops worth considering. Fort Worth is full of cowboy-tinged fun and world-class art museums, Hamilton Pool (just outside of Austin) is a gorgeous place to swim and soak up nature, and Gruene Hall in New Braunfels is Texas’s oldest continuously operating dance hall. 

How Long Is the Train Ride?

The train ride takes around 10 hours, although, just like the bus, it’s an eco-conscious, easy mode of travel. If you have the time, this can be a fun, relaxing way to make the journey from Dallas to San Antonio.

Amtrak operates a train from Dallas to San Antonio once per day and ticks range from $35 to $50 for a one-way ticket. The Dallas station (Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station) is located at 400 South Houston Street and trains end at San Antonio Station (350 Hoefgen Avenue).

When Is the Best Time to Travel to San Antonio?

If driving, avoid traveling during rush hour when the already clogged I-35 is gridlocked. Summers are very hot and humid San Antonio, but aside from that the city is great to visit all year, with plenty of events and festivals to keep visitors entertained.

Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel From the Airport?

To get to downtown San Antonio from the airport VIA Metropolitan Transit bus 5 from the west end of Terminal B. Buses run every 15-20 minutes, seven days a week, from around 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fare is $1.30 and it takes 30 minutes to reach downtown. The airport is 8 miles from the city center. Rideshare services (Uber, Lyft, and Wingz) and taxis pick up from Terminal A.

What Is There to Do in San Antonio?

San Antonio is bursting with outstanding food, rich history, unique museums and shops, and exciting festivals and other seasonal events. While most visitors have heard of the River Walk and the Alamo, this fast-growing, vibrant city has a number of other cultural attractions to explore. Hike or bike along the Mission Reach Trail (which connects the five Spanish colonial missions, including the Alamo), wander around the Pearl District, explore the Briscoe Western Art Museum or the fabulous collection at the McNay, and visit the largest Mexican market in the U.S. at Historic Market Square. Oh, and don’t miss "The Saga," a dazzling 24-minute video art installation designed by the French artist Xavier de Richemont that’s projected onto the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral downtown.