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.....

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.

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?

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

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 ). 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'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

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'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 ^

I agree with underpressure.

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

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

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