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Austin to Houston bus

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Helpful info about taking the bus from Austin to Houston

  • There is no non-stop Amtrak service from Austin to Houston. Traveling by train on this route requires a transfer between trains in San Antonio. Since there aren’t any direct train trips, the bus is likely your best option if you want to get from Austin to Houston without a car.

    • Austin to Houston bus ticket prices do not see large fluctuations because several bus companies compete to keep prices low for travelers. You can find tickets from FlixBus, MegaBus, Greyhound, RedCoach, and Tornado Bus for about $25 on average. If you’re lucky, you can score Megabus tickets for as little as $1, and even last-minute tickets are rarely more expensive than $38.

    • Ticket prices for buses and trains vary depending on when you book and when you travel. To find the cheapest way from Austin to Houston, search on Wanderu and easily compare prices of multiple modes, days, carriers, and more. Prices tend to climb the closer you get to the departure date, so book in advance to get the cheapest bus tickets possible.

    • Traveling from Austin to Houston typically takes around 3 hours by bus, which is comparable to the time it would take to drive yourself. Either way, the journey relies on traffic conditions for an on-time arrival.

    • Buses from Austin to Houston are perfect for solo travelers. The main bus stations in both cities are in popular areas of downtown, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost. Plus, since there are no stops on most Austin to Houston bus routes, you’re traveling with the same people for the duration of the trip.

    • Many travelers from Austin to Houston aim to visit Space Center Houston on their trip, but there are no buses or shuttles directly to Space Center Houston. Luckily, after you arrive in downtown Houston from Austin, you can easily get an Uber or local transit bus from downtown Houston to the Space Center about 25 miles outside the city center.

Austin - Houston Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 36 intercity buses per day from Austin to Houston. Traveling by bus from Austin to Houston usually takes around 3 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance146 mi (235 km)
Shortest duration2h 30m
Cheapest price$28.00
Trips per day35
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines6

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Austin to Houston

(Based on 16 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Don

May 15, 2022- Visiting family

RedCoach Business

Pros: The bus driver is very professional. Cons: Nothing to suggest.

5.0

Miles

April 13, 2022- Visiting family

RedCoach Business

Pros: Affordable and reliable. Quiet atmosphere so I could just sleep the entire ride. No stops and chill customers. Cons: Being in time - but, hey, can’t do anything about traffic, right? Really no complaints. Tips: Have ID ready.

5.0

Idam

March 17, 2022- Business

RedCoach Business

Great service

5.0

Genevieve

March 8, 2022- Solo travel

RedCoach Business

My lean back lever was broken

5.0

Jon

December 20, 2021- Solo travel

RedCoach Business

Pros: The seats rocked you to sleep Very clean very spacious I liked that I borded the bus at a luxuory hotel and not a dirty bus station and My bus actually arrived earlier then what was promised. I slept the whole trip and felt completely safe and I knew al lol my luggage and belongings be were secure I would definitely travel on Red Coach again. Cons: More Destinations. Tips: bringing a pillow and a blanket.

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How much is a bus ticket from Austin to Houston?

Snag a sweet deal on bus tickets from Austin to Houston, averaging just $32.74, a steal compared to other bus fares. Want to save even more? Lock in your plans at least 26 days before your trip. If you’re the spontaneous type and can only book a ticket on the day of your adventure, be ready to shell out an extra estimated $28.16.

Average prices by travel date

$61$41$20AprMay

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Austin to Houston is expected to range from $33 to $46. If you are looking to travel to Houston within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $33. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $33 and can be found on April 30, 2024.

Monthly average prices

$68$55$41$27$14MJJASONDJFMA
Grabbing a one-way bus ticket from Austin to Houston will cost you between about $32.74 and $46, with the most budget-friendly option at around $33 Looking to save some extra bucks? Plan ahead and secure your ticket well in advance to avoid any last-minute price bumps.

Prices as travel date approaches

$68$55$41$27$143020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 26 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C$28.16 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Austin to Houston?

There are 6 bus lines from Austin to Houston available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 31 daily trips, FlixBus US usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US313h 7m$45.09
Greyhound16h 24m$162.58
Megabus33h 28m$53.33
RedCoach Business23h 33m$52.54
RedCoach First Class12h 48m$60.04
Tornado Bus13h 13m$97.08

  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 31 trips per day from Austin to Houston, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 1 bus trips from Austin to Houston every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Houston usually start from $121.

  • Book Megabus from Austin to Houston from $7. There are 3 Megabus schedules from Austin to Houston and you can expect on average to pay for a Megabus ticket to Houston. In Austin, Megabus departs to Houston from 1500 San Jacinto Blvd and no other station. In Houston, Megabus arrives at Hillcroft Park and Ride and no other station.

    An average trip on Megabus from Austin to Houston takes 3 hours and 28 minutes , while the fastest available Megabus trip will get you to Houston in 2 hours and 30 minutes .

    On weekends, Megabus offers 4 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Houston.

  • Book RedCoach Business from Austin to Houston from $41. There are 2 RedCoach Business schedules from Austin to Houston and you can expect on average to pay for a RedCoach Business ticket to Houston. In Austin, RedCoach Business departs to Houston from 516 E 5th St and no other station. In Houston, RedCoach Business arrives at 904 Dallas St and no other station.

    An average trip on RedCoach Business from Austin to Houston takes 3 hours and 33 minutes , while the fastest available RedCoach Business trip will get you to Houston in 2 hours and 30 minutes .

    On weekends, RedCoach Business offers 3 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Houston.

  • RedCoach offers a premium travel option called First Class, emphasizing quality and comfort for passengers. The transportation company operates primarily in Texas and has a modern fleet with features such as air conditioning, extra legroom, and 21-inch wide reclining seats. First Class buses also offer restrooms, complimentary WiFi, and power outlets for device charging during the journey.

  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are four different bus carriers that operate between Austin and Houston:

  • Greyhound offers at least two trips per day, and average about 3 hours of driving time. Greyhound bus tickets cost around $18.

  • Megabus offers at least five trips per day, and average about 3 hours of driving time. Megabus tickets cost around $16, but you may be able to find a ticket for as low as $1.

  • El Expreso Bus offers at least three trips per day, and average about 16 hours of driving time. El Expreso does not offer direct routes, and tickets cost around $50.

  • Tornado Bus offers at least six trips per day, and average about 15 hours of driving time. Tornado Bus does not offer direct routes, and tickets cost around $50.

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 8 minutes to cover the 235 kilometers from Austin to Houston. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Houston. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Austin to Houston, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 36 scheduled buses that travel from Austin to Houston every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 35 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Austin to Houston; ticket prices start at $53.29.

City Information

Austin

Austin, TX - AUS-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Austin, TX - AUS-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Austin, TX - AUS-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Austin is the capital of the Lone Star State and one of the best vacation destinations in Texas. Known as Texas’s “weird” city, Austin is famous for being the southern mecca for the arts. In addition to being a hot spot for both emerging and established artists from Texas and the surrounding states, Austin is well known for its eclectic live music scene. In addition, the University of Texas’ main campus is located in Austin, which makes the city a popular destination for young people from all over the world, keeping it vibrant at all times. It’s no surprise that it ranks among the top party cities in the U.S.

While you’re in town, make sure to stop by the hip South Congress neighborhood to shop at the trendy boutiques and grab some grub at the authentically Austin restaurants. Since Austin is one of the best craft beer cities in the country, you won’t regret checking out some of the local breweries too. After that, head over to Lady Bird Lake and rent a kayak for a relaxing paddling session on the water, or simply go for a walk on the picturesque Hike & Bike Trail. Finally, spend the night bar hopping along the pedestrian-only Sixth Street.

While the Austin airport is located on the outskirts of the city, the main train station is right in the heart of downtown. Similarly, the two bus stations that serve Austin are located close to the city center, making ground transportation the more convenient way to travel in and out of town.

Houston

Houston, TX - HOU-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Houston, TX - HOU-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Houston, TX - HOU-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Houston, Texas is one of the most populous cities and among the most expansive cities in the U.S. As a result, Houston has become the leading commercial center in the Southern United States. Astronomy aficionados recognize Houston as the city where NASA’s Mission Control Center is located, and music fans know Houston as the birthplace of Queen B herself, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

Even though Houston has a relatively small downtown area, it is packed with exciting things you can do while you’re in town. If you’re in the mood for a cultural outing, head to the Theater District where you are sure to find a play or a music performance you’d enjoy, or check out the Museum District that boasts more than 20 different museums and galleries. Since Houston is the most racially and ethnically diverse city in the country, its restaurant scene is one of a kind offering a rich variety of cuisines from all over the world. The many experiences available in Houston make it one of Texas' best vacation destinations.

As one of the main metropolitan cities in the U.S., Houston is very well connected to the rest of the country and the world. The main bus and train stations are both located right in the heart of downtown making it easy to get to your final destination by public transit or car. There are also several airports within the city’s vicinity that provide a good variety of options depending on where you’re flying to or from.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Austin?

Bus Terminal - 916 E Koenig Ln - AUSGLI-0

Image credit: leyla.a

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Eastside Bus Plz

Travelers to and from the capital of Texas will likely stop through the bus station at 916 E Koenig Lane. Located in Austin’s quaint North Loop neighborhood, and with close proximity to several main highways, this station serves bus trips from both Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. The station has a comfortable seating area inside, along with restrooms and vending machines for on-the-go snacks. Takeout restaurants, coffeeshops, and a range of stores surround the station for those seeking heartier food options before or after their bus trip.

All bus stations in Austin:

  • Eastside Bus Plz

  • Downtown Austin

  • South Congress - 710 E Ben White Blvd.

  • 1500 San Jacinto Blvd

  • 516 E 5th St

  • 711 E Ben White Blvd

Where does the bus arrive in Houston?

Main arrival station: Downtown - 605 Gray St

Buses arrive in Houston at 7 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Houston:

  • Downtown - 605 Gray St

  • 2525 Southwest Fwy (Timewise/Shell gas station lot)

  • Houston (Bus Station)

  • Hillcroft Park and Ride

  • 904 Dallas St

  • Tornado Bus Station - Lockwood

  • Tornado Bus Station - Airport

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