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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 33 intercity buses per day from Austin to Houston. Traveling by bus from Austin to Houston usually takes around 4 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance146 mi (235 km)
Shortest duration2h 40m
Cheapest price$19.99
Trips per day24
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average 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?

Bus tickets for a trip from Austin to Houston cost $23.66 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average prices by travel date

$45$30$15OctOct

If you're planning to travel by bus from Austin to Houston in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $25 to $33. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 27, 2023.

If you’re looking to travel to Houston this week, bus tickets are available starting at $26.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10NDJFMAMJJASO
Taking the bus from Austin to Houston is usually cheapest in June, when the average ticket price is only $28. If you're planning to take the bus from Austin to Houston during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $38. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $27.66 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Austin to Houston?

There are 4 bus lines from Austin to Houston available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 27 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 US273h 54m$35.01
Greyhound38h 13m$49.51
RedCoach Business22h 48m$37.73
RedCoach First Class14h 20m$53.14

  • 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 27 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 3 bus trips from Austin to Houston every day, with the average journey taking around 8 hours and 13 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Houston usually start from $21.

  • Book RedCoach Business from Austin to Houston from $28. There are 2 trips per day offered by RedCoach Business 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 . In Houston, RedCoach Business arrives at 904 Dallas St .

    An average trip on RedCoach Business from Austin to Houston takes 2 hours and 48 minutes , while the fastest available RedCoach Business trip will get you to Houston in 2 hours and 40 minutes .

    On weekends, RedCoach Business offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cheapest way to get from Austin to Houston is to take a bus. Tickets for this route average $17, while train tickets run about $40 and direct plane tickets between the two cities cost more than $200.

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.

Vonlane provides a luxury bus that drives between the Houston and Austin Hyatt Regency hotels. This service is significantly more expensive than a regular bus, with tickets running about $99. Alternatively Megabus’s luxurious, double-decker buses average just $17 for this route, and include such amenities as onboard restrooms, individual power outlets, three-point seatbelts, reclining seats and free Wi-Fi.

Our bus partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, bus carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the bus or in stations.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 37 minutes to cover the 146 miles from Austin to Houston. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 40 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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.

Because many passengers travel from Austin to Houston at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 33 scheduled buses that travel from Austin to Houston every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 24 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 $37.50.

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.

  • 516 E 5th St

Where does the bus arrive in Houston?

Main arrival station: Downtown - 605 Gray St

Buses arrive in Houston at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Houston:

  • Downtown - 605 Gray St

  • Houston Southeast Bus Station

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

  • Bus Terminal - 2121 Main St

  • 904 Dallas St

Get around town with Moovit

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