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McAllen to Austin bus

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McAllen - Austin Bus Schedule

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fromCA$41.41

Journey Information

There are 21 intercity buses per day from McAllen to Austin. Traveling by bus from McAllen to Austin usually takes around 9 hours and 5 minutes, but the fastest Tornado Bus bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 28 minutes.

Distance282 mi (454 km)
Shortest duration5h 28m
Cheapest priceCA$57.95
Trips per day3
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines3

How much is a bus ticket from McAllen to Austin?

Bus tickets for a trip from McAllen to Austin cost CA$66.93 on average. Tickets cheaper than CA$66.93 are an excellent bargain. 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

CA$83CA$55CA$28AprMay

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from McAllen to Austin is expected to be between CA$65 and CA$80. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is May 7, 2024, when tickets are available for May 7, 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just CA$69.

Monthly average prices

CA$104CA$83CA$62CA$41CA$21MJJASONDJFMA
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from McAllen to Austin, mark your calendar for May. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just CA$69. However, taking the bus from McAllen to Austin during September is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of CA$91. 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

CA$138CA$110CA$83CA$55CA$283020100

To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 26 days in advance to save up to CA$82.27.

What bus companies travel from McAllen to Austin?

There are 3 bus lines from McAllen to Austin available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 12 daily trips, Greyhound 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 US88h 50mCA$86.24
Greyhound129h 11mCA$80.91
Tornado Bus15h 28mCA$105.94
  • 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 8 trips per day from McAllen 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 12 bus trips from McAllen to Austin every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Austin usually start from CA$58.

  • 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

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 282 miles from McAllen to Austin. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 28 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from McAllen to Austin for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from McAllen to Austin, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 21 scheduled buses that travel from McAllen to Austin every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

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 McAllen?

Main departure station: Tornado Bus Station

McAllen has two bus stations with service to Austin.

All bus stations in McAllen:

  • Tornado Bus Station

  • 1501 W Highway 83

Where does the bus arrive in Austin?

Bus Terminal - 916 E Koenig Ln - AUSGLI-0

Image credit: leyla.a

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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.

  • 711 E Ben White Blvd

Get around town with Moovit

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