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Cheap bus tickets from Austin to Houston

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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 to Houston Bus Schedule

Bus from Austin to Houston: Journey Information

30 buses operate daily from Austin to Houston. The bus trip from Austin to Houston is usually about 3 hours and 13 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest FlixBus US bus can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance146 mi (235 km)
Shortest duration2h 30m
Cheapest priceNOK 244.22
Trips per day31
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines6

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Austin to Houston

(Based on 25 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Kazem

January 8, 2026- Visiting family

Pros: That I didn’t have to drive myself. Cons: Trash cans. Tips: It is assigned seating.

5.0

Joy

July 24, 2025- Visiting friends

FlixBus US

All is good

5.0

Chan

July 3, 2025- Visiting family

FlixBus US

First time and had good experience. Will book again.

5.0

Justin

May 10, 2025- Solo travel

FlixBus US

Pros: I liked talking to the staff, especially the bus driver. He welcomed everybody and was very courteous. Cons: I wish the arrival time was more accurate. We were late by about a half hour. Tips: Give a bit of leeway between arriving to your destination and your other plans in the day. Never know when your bus may be slow.

4.0

James

May 8, 2025- Business

FlixBus US

Pros: Departure and arrival locations! Cons: Nothing. Tips: Good efficient trip.

How much is a bus ticket from Austin to Houston?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Austin to Houston was NOK 311.75. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 16 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 205.81 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average bus ticket prices from Austin to Houston by travel date

NOK 440NOK 293NOK 147MarApr

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way bus trip from Austin to Houston will range from NOK 303 to NOK 430. If you're planning to travel by bus to Houston in the upcoming week, the cheapest bus ticket from Austin you can find in the next 7 days is NOK 313. Be sure to book your trip in advance as bus ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Average bus ticket prices from Austin to Houston by month

NOK 489NOK 391NOK 293NOK 195NOK 98MJJASONDJFMA
You can find the lowest prices on this route during April. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Austin to Houston, with the average price at just NOK 322. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in November, when the average price goes up to NOK 391. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

NOK 489NOK 391NOK 293NOK 195NOK 983020100

If you're looking to save on your bus trip from Austin to Houston, book online with Wanderu at least 16 days in advance. That way, you’ll save NOK 205.81 compared to booking your ticket 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 24 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 US243h 4mNOK 389.05
Greyhound16h 10mNOK 1,143.50
RedCoach Business15h 11mNOK 421.40
RedCoach Economy23h 3mNOK 318.88

RedCoach First Class

13h 6mNOK 491.47
Tornado Bus17h 30mNOK 781.81
  • 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 24 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 10 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Houston usually start from NOK 884.

  • Book RedCoach Business from Austin to Houston from NOK 264. Typically there is one RedCoach Business schedule per day 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 353 W 21st St . In Houston, RedCoach Business arrives at Houston - Downtown, TX and one other station.

    An average trip on RedCoach Business from Austin to Houston takes 5 hours and 11 minutes , while the fastest available RedCoach Business trip will get you to Houston in 2 hours and 30 minutes .

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

  • Book RedCoach Economy from Austin to Houston from NOK 244. There are 2 trips per day offered by RedCoach Economy from Austin to Houston and you can expect on average to pay for a RedCoach Economy ticket to Houston. In Austin, RedCoach Economy departs to Houston from 353 W 21st St . In Houston, RedCoach Economy arrives at Houston - Downtown, TX and 2 other stations.

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

    On weekends, RedCoach Economy offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Houston.

  • Book RedCoach First Class from Austin to Houston from NOK 361. Typically there is one RedCoach First Class schedule per day from Austin to Houston and you can expect on average to pay for a RedCoach First Class ticket to Houston. In Austin, RedCoach First Class departs to Houston from 353 W 21st St . In Houston, RedCoach First Class arrives at Houston - Downtown, TX and 2 other stations.

    An average trip on RedCoach First Class from Austin to Houston takes 3 hours and 6 minutes , while the fastest available RedCoach First Class trip will get you to Houston in 2 hours and 30 minutes .

    On weekends, RedCoach First Class offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Houston.

  • 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 Austin to Houston

Wondering the most affordable way from Austin to Houston? It’s the bus! At just NOK 244.22 on average, it’s your most wallet-friendly option. The bus is the way to go compared to train tickets at up to $61 and plane fares over $150.

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.

Looking for a touch of luxury on your journey from Austin to Houston? Check out Megabus’s plush double-decker buses for a more cost-effective option without sacrificing comfort. They offer amenities like onboard restrooms, power outlets, three-point seatbelts, reclining seats, and complimentary onboard Wi-Fi - all without breaking the bank.

On average, the bus ride from Austin to Houston spans about 4 hours for the 146-mile trip. The quickest bus might take only 2 hours and 30 minutes. But keep in mind actual arrival times can vary due to traffic.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by buses from Austin to Houston on Monday. Tickets for Monday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Wednesday. Wednesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Austin to Houston, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are plenty of buses from Austin to Houston daily, offering ample choices for your journey. Among these, 30 are direct buses, ensuring a seamless trip without transfers. Still in need of more options? Try taking the train instead, with ticket prices kicking off at just $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

  • Austin South Congress

  • 353 W 21st 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 8 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Houston:

  • Downtown - 605 Gray St

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

  • Houston - Downtown, TX

  • 820 Lockwood Dr

  • Houston Airline - 1516 Airline Dr

  • Greyhound Terminal Bus Station

  • Cypress - Exxon Gas Station

  • University of Houston

Get around town with Moovit

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