Cheap flights to San Antonio
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Quick summary
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Airport
SAT
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-6 (UTC-5 during summer time)
Deals already spotted to San Antonio
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
SAT, an airport about 13 km north of downtown
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Antonio International Airport lies in Uptown, about 13 km, or 8 miles, north of downtown according to Wikipedia (EN), which gives it two terminals. Wikivoyage (EN) says shuttles and taxis link the airport with downtown; check the options and timetables before you travel. We give no exact journey times or fares.
Distances are approximate, based on Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN); timetables change, so check them before you go. We do not quote fares.
San Antonio had 1,434,625 residents at the 2020 census according to Wikipedia (EN, FR): it is the seventh-largest US city and the second-largest in Texas according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES). It lies about 120 to 130 km from Austin according to Wikipedia (EN), about 310 km from Houston and about 240 km from the Mexican border according to the same source.
By rail, Amtrak serves the city with the Texas Eagle from Chicago and the Sunset Limited, which links New Orleans and Los Angeles three times a week, according to Wikipedia (EN). By road, the city is ringed by two loops, Loop 410 and Loop 1604, according to Wikipedia (EN).
Landmarks and sights
The River Walk, Spanish missions and riverside gardens
San Antonio is best explored along its river: a park of terraces one level below the street, stone missions on the UNESCO list and gardens. Six images illustrate the city; the Alamo and the historic center are described in text.
The River Walk, terraces under the cypresses
The River Walk is a city park and pedestrian street along the San Antonio River, one level below the street, with two parallel sidewalks winding under bridges and lined with restaurants and shops according to Wikipedia (EN). The city is nicknamed the Little Venice of Texas because of the canals running through its center according to Wikipedia (FR). The River Walk is the city's second-most-visited attraction according to Wikipedia (EN).
Bridges, an open-air theater and lights
Along the River Walk the Arneson River Theater hosts performances, and the route turns into a festival of lights during the end-of-year holidays according to Wikipedia (EN). During Fiesta, a boat parade, the River Parade, goes along the river instead of the streets according to Wikipedia (ES). The route was extended between 2009 and 2013 according to Wikipedia (EN); the Mission Reach links the missions to downtown.
Brackenridge Park and the Japanese Tea Garden
North of downtown, Brackenridge Park holds the zoo, and the city also has a botanical garden and the Japanese Tea Garden according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN). The stone pavilion by the pool offers a green stop close to downtown.
The missions, a World Heritage site
San Antonio has five 18th-century Spanish missions, including the Alamo, listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2015 according to Wikipedia (EN) and the National Park Service; it is the first site in Texas on the list according to Wikipedia (EN). Four of them form San Antonio Missions National Historical Park according to Wikipedia (EN).
A mission founded in 1718
The city grew from a Franciscan mission and a military post: Mission San Antonio de Valero, later known as the Alamo, dates from 1718 according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE). The city is named after Saint Anthony of Padua, whose feast day the Spanish explorers were celebrating when they passed through in 1691 according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES).
Carved facades under the oaks
The missions in the national historical park are stone churches, convents and compounds that were part of a Spanish colonial system meant to convert local peoples according to Wikipedia (EN). Wikivoyage (EN) notes that they remain active parishes; check visiting conditions before you go.
The Alamo, the tower and the historic center, in text
The Alamo is a former mission-fortress, site of the battle of 1836, from February 23 to March 6, during the Texas Revolution according to Wikipedia (EN); Davy Crockett died there according to Wikipedia (FR). The nearby center also has San Fernando Cathedral, the Spanish Governor's Palace, La Villita and Market Square according to Wikipedia (EN). The Tower of the Americas, a 229 m observation tower built for the 1968 World's Fair, stands in the Hemisfair district according to Wikipedia (EN).
Museums and culture
Modern art, Western art and natural history
McNay Art Museum
The McNay is the first museum of modern art in Texas according to Wikipedia (EN, FR). Wikivoyage (EN) mentions art exhibitions, a library and a shop. We do not quote fares.
San Antonio Museum of Art and Witte Museum
Wikivoyage (EN) describes the San Antonio Museum of Art as having permanent collections from antiquities to Asian and contemporary art, and the Witte Museum as a museum of natural history, textiles and science. Opening hours change, so check them before you go.
Ruby City and Blue Star
Ruby City is a contemporary art museum showing international artists according to Wikivoyage (EN); the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, part of the Blue Star Arts complex, is a contemporary art center according to Wikivoyage (EN). Wikipedia (EN) lists both among the city's art institutions.
Briscoe Western Art Museum and cowboy culture
The Briscoe Western Art Museum presents Western art and the story of Texas independence according to Wikivoyage (EN). Every year in early February the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo combines livestock, rodeo and concerts according to Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (EN, ES).
Food and drink
Tex-Mex, markets and German heritage
Tex-Mex and local specialties
San Antonio is a Tex-Mex city: Wikivoyage (EN) lists puffy tacos, carne guisada, guacamole and house-made tortillas among the specialties of local restaurants. Wikipedia (EN) notes that the city was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2017.
Markets and neighborhoods
Market Square, or El Mercado, groups shops and a farmers market according to Wikivoyage (EN). The Pearl, a former brewery turned into a district of restaurants and shops, holds a weekend farmers market according to Wikivoyage (EN). During Fiesta, the Night in Old San Antonio party at La Villita offers food from around the world according to Wikipedia (ES).
German heritage
German immigrants settled in the region in the 19th century: in the early 1900s about a third of San Antonio's people were of German descent according to Wikipedia (EN). Wikivoyage (EN) mentions German restaurants downtown. We name no individual address.
Getting around
On foot downtown, by bus and car for the rest
On foot
The River Walk and the historic center can be explored on foot according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN); the southern missions lie along the extended river route according to Wikipedia (EN). In summer, favor mornings and evenings.
Bus and streetcar
VIA Metropolitan Transit runs the buses and two streetcar routes downtown according to Wikipedia (EN); Wikivoyage (EN) notes that the downtown trolley is actually a bus. We do not quote fares.
By car
The city is spread out and ringed by Loop 410 and the outer Loop 1604 according to Wikipedia (EN); a car is useful for SeaWorld, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and trips into the Hill Country according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN). Austin is reached by Interstate 35 according to Wikipedia (EN).
Budget and precautions
Mass tourism, widely varying prices
Price level
Tourism weighs heavily in the economy, with many conventions according to Wikipedia (EN): prices vary a lot by district and season, from simple Tex-Mex to River Walk tables. The currency is the US dollar (USD). We publish no figures: sources are dated or disagree.
Flights and alerts
SAT is served by about twenty airlines according to Wikipedia (EN), with nonstop flights to many US cities according to Wikivoyage (EN). SniperAir tracks flight prices to SAT and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets.
Precautions
Wikivoyage (EN) notes that summers are hot and humid; drink plenty of water and avoid the middle of the day. Wikipedia (EN) ranks San Antonio and New Braunfels among the most flood-prone regions in North America: follow weather alerts during storms. Foreign visitors should check US entry requirements for their nationality.
When to go
A hot climate: spring and fall are the most pleasant
Winter (December to February)
Mild, with a few frosty nights: about a dozen a year according to Wikipedia (EN). Snow is very rare according to the same source. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo takes place in early February according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Spring (March to May)
A very good time for the River Walk and the missions. Fiesta San Antonio, a ten-day celebration, is held in late April according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Summer (June to August)
Very hot and humid: in July and August the average high reaches about 35 C according to Wikipedia (EN), and Wikivoyage (EN) mentions 90s to 100s F (30s C) from May to September.
Fall (September to November)
Heat eases in October; Wikipedia (EN) lists October among the wetter months. A good time to walk around the city.
San Antonio has a transitional humid subtropical climate bordering a hot semi-arid one according to Wikipedia (EN), with long, very hot summers and mild winters. The record high is 44 C according to Wikipedia (EN); sources give different monthly means depending on the language, so we do not quote them.
By length of stay
What to do in San Antonio by length of stay
The essentials
The River Walk, the Alamo, the historic center and a Tex-Mex meal.
Culture and discoveries
Add the missions of the historical park, a museum such as the McNay and the Japanese Tea Garden.
Going further
Allow time for a trip into the Hill Country, a day in Austin or an event such as Fiesta or the rodeo.
In pictures
San Antonio in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to San Antonio
How do I get from SAT airport to downtown San Antonio?
SAT is about 13 km north of downtown according to Wikipedia (EN); shuttles and taxis serve downtown according to Wikivoyage (EN), to be checked.
When is the best time to visit San Antonio?
Spring and fall are the most pleasant; summer is very hot, with average highs of about 35 C in July and August according to Wikipedia (EN).
What is there to see in San Antonio?
The River Walk, the Alamo and the UNESCO-listed missions, the McNay and the gardens of Brackenridge Park according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN).
How far is San Antonio from Austin?
About 120 to 130 km along Interstate 35 according to Wikipedia (EN).
What should I eat in San Antonio?
Tex-Mex, with puffy tacos and carne guisada, plus markets such as Market Square and the Pearl according to Wikivoyage (EN).
How long should I stay in San Antonio?
Two to three days cover the River Walk, the Alamo and two missions; add a day for the Hill Country.
How much does a flight to San Antonio usually cost?
The price depends mostly on your departure city, the season and how early you book. The opportunities section above shows real examples of fares SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to San Antonio drops below my budget?
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