Why go
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport lies southeast of the center, while the Amtrak station is on North Lamar Boulevard. Road approaches differ too: Interstate 35 brings traffic from Dallas and San Antonio, and Houston has approaches via U.S. Highway 290 or State Highway 71. These distinctions help you choose a sensible connection.
The full story
Austin’s position in Central Texas makes the direction of approach useful information. Interstate 35 runs north toward Dallas–Fort Worth and south toward San Antonio. From Houston, U.S. Highway 290 approaches from the east, while Interstate 10 and State Highway 71 provide another approach toward the southern side of the city. The better choice depends on the destination within Austin as well as the starting city. Air and rail arrivals place travelers in different parts of town. Austin–Bergstrom International Airport is southeast of the center. Austin’s Amtrak station is on North Lamar Boulevard, west of the downtown core. Neither arrival point should be treated as the end of the journey: the connection to accommodation or a first activity still needs planning. Intercity buses add further choices, but stops and operators can change. Confirm the arrival location on the booked service before deciding how to continue into the city.
Useful to know
- Plan the connection from the airport or station to your first Austin address.
- Use the arrival stop printed on your intercity ticket when arranging onward travel.