San Antonio Airport to Downtown

Getting from San Antonio Airport to Downtown

Located in the Southwestern part of Texas, San Antonio is the most populous city in the State. When visiting this stunning city, you will be landing at San Antonio International Airport (SAT). You have three travel options to get from San Antonio Airport to the Riverwalk: you can take a taxi or private shuttle, or the public bus. 

A San Antonio Airport taxi is a great way to reach your hotel, as they provide 24/7 door-to-door services, getting you to your Riverwalk hotel in just 15 minutes. A service level above a taxi is a San Antonio Airport transfer, which is ideal for those who like to plan and budget in advance.

Alternatively, travelers on a budget can take the public bus No. 5, taking 35 minutes to reach Downtown.

3 ways to get from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk

PRICE FOR
OPTION
PRICE
TIME
AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer
€95 15min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Taxi
€21 15min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Bus
€2.20 35min 05:39–22:37
Convenience
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How to get from San Antonio Airport to Downtown by taxi

The most comfortable and convenient way to get from San Antonio Airport to the Riverwalk and the San Antonio downtown area is by taking a cab. San Antonio Airport taxis are available 24/7 and only take 15 minutes to reach your Riverwalk accommodation. Rides are metered, door-to-door, and can usually accommodate up to four passengers–ideal for anyone traveling with children and/or heavy luggage.

Taxi fare from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk

San Antonio taxis calculate their fares using a taximeter, which factors in the distance traveled and any time spent stalled in traffic. As a guide, a 15-minute taxi from San Antonio Airport to the Riverwalk area will cost around $24 (€21), with a $1 (€0.90) surcharge applied between 21:00 and 05:00. On top of that, you’ll need to pay tips, tolls, and an airport surcharge of $1.25 (€1.10).

If you’d rather travel at a fixed rate with no extra fees, you can pre-book your San Antonio Airport shuttle with Welcome Pickups.

Where do I get a taxi from?

You can catch a cab from San Antonio Airport to Downtown at the curbside of Terminal A. If you need any assistance, you can speak to a staff member at the Airport Ground Transportation counter.

Convenience

Finding your way around a new city can be tricky and stressful, especially if you’re traveling late at night and/or with children. San Antonio cabs provide reliable, safe, and door-to-door transportation from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk, ensuring your loved ones and personal belongings are secure and well looked after.

Useful Tips

Taxi cabs in San Antonio should accept credit card payments, however, it's always best to check with your driver before starting your journey.
It's customary to tip your taxi driver; a tip of 10% to 15% is the norm.
Standard taxis can fit four passengers with one luggage item each.

How to get from San Antonio International Airport to Downtown by bus

A great cost-savvy travel alternative is the local bus. San Antonio provides excellent public transportation to and from the airport via Bus No.5. The bus runs daily and takes 35 minutes, making several stops along McCullough Street as it heads downtown.

*Note that since there isn’t a train from the San Antonio Airport to the Riverwalk, this is the only public transport option.

How much is a bus from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk?

A one-way bus transfer from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk costs $1.30 (€1.10) for adults and $0.90 (€0.80) for children.

For those planning to use the VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio, you can purchase a $2.75 (€2.40) Day Pass, which allows you to travel unlimitedly on all buses and services for the day indicated.

 

Cost
$1.30 (€1.10)
Trip Duration
35 Min.
Bus No. 5 runs hourly on weekdays and weekends.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The airport bus is available Monday to Friday from 05:39 to 22:37, Saturday from 05:34 to 21:32, and Sunday from 06:04 to 21:37.

Where do I get the bus from?

You can find the bus at the Lower Roadway (Arrivals/Baggage Level in Terminal A and B), across the marked crosswalk to the outer curb.

Convenience

Taking the bus from San Antonio Airport to Downtown is an excellent alternative for travelers on a budget. The bus is direct, runs daily, and only takes 35 minutes to reach the Riverwalk.

However, since buses only depart once an hour, it’s not the most convenient option for anyone in a hurry or simply looking forward to getting to their hotel and resting after a long flight. If you’d prefer to travel directly to your hotel or accommodation, you can book your transfer in advance with Welcome.

Timetables

Bus Timetables

San Antonio Airport – Downtown

Bus Fares

Useful Tips

Bus transfers are available at no extra cost.
Discounts are available to children aged 5-13, seniors aged 62 or older, Medicare recipients, persons with certain disabilities, active-duty U.S. military, and students.
Please note that the bus frequency may vary throughout the day and on weekends.

How to get from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk and the Downtown area by private transfer

The best way to get from the San Antonio Airport to the Riverwalk is with a San Antonio transfer. Vehicles are modern, air-conditioned, and comfortable, and drivers are all vetted, trained, and speak English. Moreover, prices are fixed and all-inclusive, and come with a guaranteed on-time pickup. 

Best of all, you can tailor your ride to suit the needs and wants of your group, creating a fully experienced experience. To top it off, you’ll be treated to a mini tour of the San Antonio city center on the route to your hotel in the Riverwalk.

How much is a private shuttle from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk?

When you arrange a private transfer, you’ll be provided with a bespoke quote inclusive of all costs. For instance, the cost of a private San Antonio Airport shuttle to the Riverwalk is $95 (€82.20) for up to 3 passengers. Otherwise, you can take an SUV with 6 passengers for $125 (€108.10). Lastly, a minivan with room for up to 12 passengers will cost $190 (€164.30).

All prices include tolls, fees, and surcharges, so there’s no need to worry about any hidden extras on the day. To book, head to the Welcome Pickups website or download the easy-to-use app. You’ll then just need to enter a few personal details, your flight information, and select a pick-up time.

Cost
$95 (€82.20)
Trip Duration
15 Min.
*When booked in advance a car will be waiting for you when you land.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Private transfers are available 24/7 from San Antonio International Airport.

Where will my private transfer depart from?

Your driver will be waiting to meet you in the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name on it. Following a warm introduction, your driver will happily lend a hand with your luggage and show you to your pre-selected private vehicle so that your transfer from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk can begin.

Note that all of our drivers receive live updates on any flight changes, and we provide up to 1 hour of free waiting time to help minimize any stress in the event of a delay.

Convenience

Private transfers in San Antonio are certainly on the pricier side, so they may not be suitable for everyone’s budget. However, they do offer the most convenience, particularly for larger groups or anyone who needs to get from A to B as quickly as possible.

The service is professional from start to finish, and with payments taken care of in advance and 24/7 customer service available, you’ll certainly feel that you are being taken care of.

Useful Tips

Any customizations can be made at the time of booking or through the Welcome app. These can include a wheelchair-adapted vehicle, baby booster seats, and minibuses.
Vehicle sizes are based on each passenger traveling with a standard-sized suitcase each.
While you are not obligated to leave a tip, it's standard practice in the U.S. to leave 10-15% on top of the total trip cost.

Frequently asked questions

How far is it from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk?

The distance from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk is roughly 15 kilometers; it takes around 15 minutes to reach by car or by taxi and approximately 35 minutes by bus, excluding wait times.

How do I get from the airport to downtown San Antonio?

Is there a shuttle from San Antonio Airport to Riverwalk?

How much is a taxi from San Antonio Airport to Downtown?

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