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Cheap bus tickets from San Marcos to Austin

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San Marcos to Austin Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Marcos to Austin?

There are usually 1 daily train trips from San Marcos to Austin.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$55.74
Avg. Price
$25.41
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
14
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
0h 38m
Duration
0h 54m

Bus from San Marcos to Austin: Journey Information

There are 17 intercity buses per day from San Marcos to Austin. Traveling by bus from San Marcos to Austin usually takes around 43 minutes, but the fastest Tornado Bus bus can make the trip in 25 minutes.

Distance29 mi (47 km)
Shortest duration0h 25m
Cheapest price$13.88
Trips per day18
Most frequent serviceTornado Bus
Bus lines3

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from San Marcos to Austin

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Ethan

January 23, 2026- Visiting friends

FlixBus US

Pros: Once on the road, trip was comfortable. Cons: Better timing. Tips: be safe.

How much is a bus ticket from San Marcos to Austin?

Bus tickets for a trip from San Marcos to Austin cost $14.23 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price

Monthly avg. prices

$70$56$42$28$14MJJASONDJFMA
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from San Marcos to Austin, mark your calendar for January. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $32. However, taking the bus from San Marcos to Austin during September is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $39. The best way to find deals on a trip in September is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

$70$56$42$28$143020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 18 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $25.41 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from San Marcos to Austin?

There are 3 bus lines from San Marcos to Austin available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 8 daily trips, Tornado Bus 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 US70h 49m$15.37
Greyhound10h 40m$16.83
Tornado Bus80h 33m$97.54
  • 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 7 trips per day from San Marcos to Austin, 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 San Marcos to Austin every day, with the average journey taking around 0 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Austin usually start from $14.

  • 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 about traveling by bus from San Marcos to Austin

The bus takes an average of 43 minutes to cover the 47 kilometers from San Marcos to Austin. However, the fastest bus only takes 25 minutes. It's a short trip that goes by very quickly. 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.

"Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Austin. 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week."

The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Marcos to Austin, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 17 scheduled buses that travel from San Marcos to Austin every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 18 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 San Marcos to Austin; ticket prices start at $13.91.

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Marcos?

Main departure station: Restaurant Mazatlan

San Marcos has two bus stations with service to Austin.

All bus stations in San Marcos:

  • Restaurant Mazatlan

  • 338 S Guadalupe St - San Marcos Intermodal Station

Where does the bus arrive in Austin?

Main arrival station: 711 E Ben White Blvd

Buses arrive in Austin at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Austin:

  • 711 E Ben White Blvd

  • Austin South Congress

  • Downtown Austin

  • Eastside Bus Plz

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Austin by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Austin to San Marcos?

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