Dallas and Austin are two cool cities in Texas. They’re about 195 miles apart, which is around a three-hour drive, give or take. Dallas is famous for its tall buildings, big businesses, and fun art stuff. It’s a great place to start if you want to visit Austin, which is called the Live Music Capital of the World because there’s music everywhere. People travel between Dallas and Austin for all kinds of reasons—maybe you want to go to a music festival, you’ve got a work meeting, you’re planning a weekend trip, or you’re on a family vacation. No matter why you’re going, it helps to know the best, cheapest, and fastest ways to get from one city to the other.
In this guide, I’ll talk about all your choices. You can take a bus, ride a train, or even book a private black car service in Dallas. I’ll also tell you the best times to travel, what you can do when you get to Austin, and why some people like to ride in a car with a driver because it’s just more comfy.
Starting Your Journey in Dallas
Dallas is well-connected and easy to navigate. The city has major highways, multiple bus and train stations, and two airports (DFW International Airport and Love Field) if you’re arriving by air before continuing to Austin. The main departure points for city-to-city trips include:
- Downtown Dallas – central hub for buses, trains, and private pick-ups
- Dallas Union Station – Amtrak and some bus services
- Bus terminals – Greyhound, FlixBus, and other operators
- Hotel pick-ups – for shuttles and limo services
Flying from Dallas to Austin
If you want to get from Dallas to Austin fast, take a plane. You can fly out from Dallas Love Field or DFW—both airports have flights to Austin-Bergstrom all the time. The flight’s super short—just about an hour. But honestly, by the time you wait in lines, go through security, get on and off the plane, and drive to and from the airport, it ends up taking three or four hours. So yeah, flying is the fastest way, but it’s not as quick as it seems.
Public Transport and Bus from Dallas to Austin
Public transport is the most budget-friendly way to travel between the two cities. The most popular options are Greyhound and FlixBus. Fares start from $20–$30 if booked early. While buses save money, they have fixed schedules and less flexibility, especially if you’re travelling with kids, pets, or lots of luggage.
Here’s how it works:
- Arrive at your chosen bus terminal in Dallas. Both Greyhound and FlixBus have multiple departures daily.
- Buses take 3.5–4.5 hours to reach Austin, depending on stops and traffic.
- Most buses arrive at downtown Austin stations, from where you can use a local bus, rideshare, or taxi to reach your final destination.
Drive Yourself from Dallas to Austin
If you want to go your way, you can drive from Dallas to Austin. It’s about 195 miles, so you’ll be on the road for around three to three and a half hours if you stick to the main highway, I-35 South. Driving is cool because you can stop wherever you want—check out little towns, grab a snack, or take a break. But watch out, traffic on I-35 gets pretty bad sometimes, especially when lots of people are driving, like on weekdays and weekends.
Train from Dallas to Austin
Amtrak’s Texas Eagle route runs from Dallas Union Station to Austin. This is a scenic and comfortable journey, but it’s slower than driving — usually around 6.5 hours. Trains offer spacious seating, panoramic views, and no traffic stress. But these have limited departure times (only once daily) and longer travel times.
Shuttle from Dallas to Austin
A bunch of companies have shared shuttles you can use. It usually costs between $45 and $60 per person, depending on where in Austin you’re getting dropped off. Shuttles work well if you’re by yourself and want someone to take you right to your door, but keep in mind—they stop a lot to let other people off, so your ride might take longer. If you need to get back to Dallas, it’s smart to book your ride before you go, especially when Austin is busy with big stuff like SXSW, Austin City Limits, or Formula 1. Otherwise, you might not find a seat.
Taxi from Dallas to Austin
You can take a taxi, but honestly, it costs a lot—like $500 or $600 to go one way. That’s super expensive. Taxis give you your ride, sure, but if you’re going to spend that much, a limo or black car is a better deal. Those have nicer seats and luxury vibes, and the price isn’t much higher. So, taxis aren’t the best choice here.
Austin 2025 Event Calendar to Watch Out For:
SXSW Festival: March 7–15, 2025 – Extremely busy travel period.
Austin City Limits Festival: October 3–12, 2025 – Hotels and roads are packed.
Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix: October 24–26, 2025 – Expect major delays on I-35.
Texas Longhorns Home Games: Fall weekends – Heavy local traffic.
Best Time to Depart from Dallas
| Priority | Leave Dallas | Arrive in Austin | Pros | Cons |
| Beat traffic | Around 10 a.m. | 1 p.m. | Avoid rush hour | Miss early Austin events |
| Maximize time in Austin | By 6 a.m. | 9 a.m. | Enjoy full day in Austin | Early wake-up |
| No-car option | Travel night before | Morning arrival | Start fresh with zero travel stress | Extra hotel night |
What to Do in Austin
Austin is packed with attractions for all types of travellers:
1. Nature & Outdoors: Rent a kayak and float around Lady Bird Lake, or take a hike up Mount Bonnell.
2. Food & Drink: Get yourself some legendary BBQ at Franklin Barbecue; the line’s insane, but people swear it’s worth it. And don’t skip Austin’s taco trucks. Trust me, you’ll want seconds.
3. Culture & History: Tour the Texas State Capitol if you’re into big, fancy buildings, or check out the Bullock Museum. Local art galleries are scattered around, too, so there’s always something cool to see.
4. Shopping: Head over to South Congress Avenue. Boutiques galore, colourful murals for your Insta, plus you’ll probably catch some live street performers just doing their thing. Austin’s got you covered.
The Best Way to Get from Dallas to Austin
City-to-city travel is not easy, especially when dealing with traffic or navigating public transport with luggage. While buses and trains are budget-friendly, they’re slower and less flexible. Taxis are expensive, and shuttles can mean long waits and multiple stops for a smooth, private, and comfortable trip with our Dallas to Austin long-distance car service.
At Limo Service Dallas, we provide professional chauffeurs with luxury vehicles like sedans, SUVs, and sprinter vans to make your journey as easy as possible. Even if it’s a business trip, a family getaway, or travel for a major Austin event, we make sure you arrive on time, relaxed, and ready to enjoy your stay. Just choose your vehicle, confirm your departure time, and let us handle the rest.