Travel to San Antonio

Travel to San Antonio

Located on the South Texas Plains, San Antonio is one of Americas oldest cities, boasting centuries of history including the world-famous 1836 Battle of the Alamo. With a population of over one million, San Antonio is by no means a small town backwater, yet it lacks the bustle of major American metropolises, which may appeal to the more discerning traveller.

Transportation to San Antonio

San Antonio International Airport is the main gateway to San Antonio and is just north of the city centre. This two-terminal airport receives flights from all over the US and from some overseas destinations, and it boasts modern facilities including ATMs and currency exchange outlets. Good ground transportation and a slew of car hire depots makes flying here even more attractive.

You can also get to San Antonio by train from the north, west and east, while Greyhound buses provide a cheaper means of transport. For those driving to San Antonio, major highways come in from every compass point via major towns and cities. Four interstate highways intersect at San Antonio as well as a number of US and state highways.

What to see

The San Antonio area is split into several interesting districts and neighbourhoods where world-class attractions, fine dining and quality shopping can be had. Downtown San Antonio no doubt offers the biggest concentration of attractions, with some outstanding theme parks, architecture and buildings of great historical interest such as the Alamo and the San Fernando Cathedral, Americas oldest cathedral.

San Antonio also offers several entertaining and peaceful parks and gardens, the highlight of which is the Botanical Gardens, displaying plants and flowers of the world. The city also has plenty of museums where you can learn and appreciate more about the past.

Daytrips

There is also plenty to see outside the city, with lots of natural attractions and world-renowned cities within a few hours drive. Explore spectacular cave complexes complete with stalactites and stalagmites or spend a day touring one of the many huge ranches in the region. In addition, Austin is just to the north, Houston to the east and Corpus Christi on the Gulf to the south.

Activities and leisure

The nearby hills provide opportunity for hiking and all sorts of leisure activities including golfing and cycling. In addition to the excellent mountain biking outside the town, tourists can also hire a bicycle in town and make use of the cycle paths along the San Antonio River.

Fishing is also a pastime in this region, with the 1,350-acre Braunig Lake just a few miles out of town, while northwest of town, many water sports including tubing, rafting and canoeing can be enjoyed at the Guadalupe River State Park.

Safety issues

Although a relatively safe city, make sure you have travel insurance before visiting San Antonio, be aware of pickpockets when in crowded parts of the city and stay away from dimly lit areas and parks at night.

Those from the UK who hire a car should be especially careful as Americans drive on the right and have different driving etiquette, while those partaking in certain adventure activities should also make sure their travel insurance policy covers them for accidents.