Texas - Getting from Houston to Austin

I'm planning a trip to visit family in Austin in June. I've been a couple of times before and usually get a Continental flight from Houston (IAH where I land from London) to Austin but this time the dates I need are coming up pretty expensive (around $200 each way, previously I've paid half that for the return trip!).

I need to do this vacation as cheaply as possible so am looking for a more affordable way to make the trip. Any suggestions? I gather there is a Greyhound that only costs around $35 but I can't seem to find details of where in Houston it leaves from.

I'm planning a trip to visit family in Austin in June. I've been a couple of times before and usually get a Continental flight from Houston (IAH where I land from London) to Austin but this time the dates I need are coming up pretty expensive (around $200 each way, previously I've paid half that for the return trip!).

I need to do this vacation as cheaply as possible so am looking for a more affordable way to make the trip. Any suggestions? I gather there is a Greyhound that only costs around $35 but I can't seem to find details of where in Houston it leaves from.

Greyhound bus station is in Downtown Houston.
You can take the Metro Bus from IAH to Downtown. Then, take Greyhound to Austin.
I noticed that the cheapest fare was 28$ for dates one-week away.

Have you checked Southwest (WN) for cheaper fares to Austin? Will be far better than the greyhound experience.
Also, check one-way car rentals....sometimes they are a good deal.

I am sure you have done this...but what about getting a CO ticket London-IAH-AUS? Is that way different than London-IAH?

Thanks for the suggestions :) I'm flying in on BA (using BA miles) so a ticket all the way to AUS isn't an option sadly.

Do you know if the Greyhound departs from the same place the Metro drops off? I'll have luggage so not keen to walk too far.

Southwest are much cheaper than Continental to Austin but as they fly from Hobby not IAH I'd have to get all the way across town which I gather can take a couple of hours so was trying to avoid that if possible.

I'll look into the car rental option. I assume it's an easy drive for someone who doesn't know the area?

Have you considered just driving? 3 hours each way.....

Thanks for the suggestions :) I'm flying in on BA (using BA miles) so a ticket all the way to AUS isn't an option sadly.

Do you know if the Greyhound departs from the same place the Metro drops off? I'll have luggage so not keen to walk too far.

Southwest are much cheaper than Continental to Austin but as they fly from Hobby not IAH I'd have to get all the way across town which I gather can take a couple of hours so was trying to avoid that if possible.

I'll look into the car rental option. I assume it's an easy drive for someone who doesn't know the area?

I sure dont know much about BA miles program. But, is there a way you can ask them to ticket you LHR-DFW-AUS (maybe all on AA metal; Or LHR-DFW on BA, DFW-AUS on AA).

The Greyhound station is about two blocks by walk from the Metro Bus station. So, its not too bad.

As far as Southwest....you can technically get a bus to Downtown, then take another bus to Hobby airport.....lot of work though! Yes, that will easily take a couple of hours.

The drive to Austin is not bad at all. I take highway 290, which goes through Brenham, and its a nice road to drive in. Scenic during the April bluebonnet season. It usually takes me 3 hours to get to Austin area...i follow most speed limits.

Supposedly a faster way is to take Interstate-10 and then another freeway. But, I-10 can be brutal in rush hour.

I'll look into the car rental option. I assume it's an easy drive for someone who doesn't know the area?

Yes, easy. Interstate and/or large state roads. maps.google.com will give you directions and a time estimate.

Hertz is usually good rate-wise for one-way rentals if that's what you need.

Aren't there some good BBQ places just east of Austin for a pit stop?

....
I'll look into the car rental option. I assume it's an easy drive for someone who doesn't know the area?

Get a rental car with GPS...... no problem.

Have you considered just driving? 3 hours each way.....

It's one option I'm looking at but I'll have to hire a car and having never been to Houston before (other than the airport!) I would prefer to rely on public transport (at least they know where they're going :D). It does look like it might be the best way though as Hertz are quoting $59 for a one-way rental which seems like a good deal.

It's one option I'm looking at but I'll have to hire a car and having never been to Houston before (other than the airport!) I would prefer to rely on public transport (at least they know where they're going :D). It does look like it might be the best way though as Hertz are quoting $59 for a one-way rental which seems like a good deal.

$59 is a great deal!!
Make sure there is no secret "drop-off-fee".

For that price, you should also rent the navigation system for like 10 bucks a day.

I sure dont know much about BA miles program. But, is there a way you can ask them to ticket you LHR-DFW-AUS (maybe all on AA metal; Or LHR-DFW on BA, DFW-AUS on AA).

The Greyhound station is about two blocks by walk from the Metro Bus station. So, its not too bad.


I've tried the AA option but annoyingly there isn't any redeption availability for the dates I need to travel or even a week either side, Austin is my only option using mymiles.

The Greyhound sounds like it might be the cheapest option but a bit of a hassle.

Driving to be the easiest and at $59 not a bad price. I'll see if Hertz have sat nav available just in case ;)

It's one option I'm looking at but I'll have to hire a car and having never been to Houston before (other than the airport!) I would prefer to rely on public transport (at least they know where they're going :D). It does look like it might be the best way though as Hertz are quoting $59 for a one-way rental which seems like a good deal.

With the rental car, you most likely arrive their quicker.

30 minutes for rental car dance. + 3 hour drive.

30 minutes for bus trip down town. + Minimum published time of 3 hours (which I don't believe) + How long to wait at the bus station for the connection?

$59 is a great deal!!
Make sure there is no secret "drop-off-fee".

For that price, you should also rent the navigation system for like 10 bucks a day.

I've triple checked and that's all in including unlimited mileage! :) They also seem to have Sat Nav for $9.95 a day so I'll definitely add that, just to be on the safe side!

Thanks so much for all the advise everyone ^

With the rental car, you most likely arrive their quicker.

30 minutes for rental car dance. + 3 hour drive.

30 minutes for bus trip down town. + Minimum published time of 3 hours (which I don't believe) + How long to wait at the bus station for the connection?

I agree with underpressure.

This way the OP need not use Greyhound...
OP, believe me, you are not missing much by not using Greyhound!!

I've triple checked and that's all in including unlimited mileage! :) They also seem to have Sat Nav for $9.95 a day so I'll definitely add that, just to be on the safe side!

Ok great!
you should be home in AUS in under 4 hours from IAH baggage claim.

I agree with underpressure.

This way the OP need not use Greyhound...
OP, believe me, you are not missing much by not using Greyhound!!

Actually, he will be missing quite a bit, all of which he will be better for. ;)

I've triple checked and that's all in including unlimited mileage! :) They also seem to have Sat Nav for $9.95 a day so I'll definitely add that, just to be on the safe side!

Thanks so much for all the advise everyone ^

Stop at a honky tonk BBQ on the way..... there are some good ones in Texas.

It does look like it might be the best way though as Hertz are quoting $59 for a one-way rental which seems like a good deal.

I think a rental car is by far the easiest/best mode of transportation for you, good choice!

Based on your London location on one hand but the fact that you have family in Austin on the other hand, I don't know if you need any advice/clarification on US rental rates excluding/including insurance?

(Once I was in line at an Avis in-town office where the initially happy, later less happy, young touristing Asian-British student ahead of me thought he had a booking for $50, but ended up with CDW, GPS and pre-paid gas sell-up by the agent and a total of over $200.)

That would be very helpful please, I've never rented from Hertz before so I'm not familiar with their policies, I usually book Avis through the BA scheme.

I think what tourist is saying that the rental rates usually do not include any insurance (they are added on if you want them).
there are various insurances...some examples:
Liability - If you hit someone else's car
CDW - Collision Damage Waiver - If you have an accident and the rental car is damanged.

And etc, etc.

Generally speaking, for someone living and driving their own car in the USA, ..
their auto insurance policy gets transferred to the rental car.
And many credit cards cover offer some coverage on the rental if the rental is made and paid for with such credit cards.

So, you have to factor the above in to your cost.

Does your auto insurance cover foreign rentals?
Will your credit card cover foreign rentals?

If not, you should really purchase these insurances before you drive. ..
to be safe....than sorry.

Tacking on the insurance will add between 30 to 60$ per day (in general).
Those numbers vary on many counts.

I think what tourist is saying that the rental rates usually do not include any insurance (they are added on if you want them).

Yes! :D

Flying Flis, you now have a PM from a fellow European explaining your options!

I've triple checked and that's all in including unlimited mileage! :) They also seem to have Sat Nav for $9.95 a day so I'll definitely add that, just to be on the safe side!

Thanks so much for all the advise everyone ^

Don't worry if GPS rental not available. It's hard to miss the way to Austin, Hertz will give you a map, out JFK Blvd to Sam Houston Tollway/Beltway 8 (only 1 $1.50 toll IIRC), turn West, take exit for US 290, and just keep going, Hempstead, Brenham, Giddings, Elgin, Manor and you're in Austin. For finding your way to the family manse in AUS, Google maps or Michelin site will actually do your entire route, "address to address' for you in map and written directions form, to me less confusing that unknown roads on a never-before-used GPS.