Car Rental San Antonio Airport (SAT)

With an enviable location and great road connections, exploring San Antonio and the surrounding area by car is simple. Once you land at the airport, simply follow the US-281 south – you’ll be in the centre of the city after a short 15-kilometre drive.

One of the main interstates that cuts through the city is the I-35. Head north-east and you’ll be in Austin within around 90 minutes. One of the state’s most exciting cities, Austin is home to the annual SXSW music festival. Travel south-west and you’ll find Laredo, straddling the border with Mexico.

The I-37 leads out from the heart of San Antonio, winding through the suburbs and taking you to Corpus Christi, sitting on the Gulf of Mexico. For Columbus and Houston, take the I-10 east. There are several toll roads in operation in San Antonio – our pick-up location team can advise you where these are located and how to pay them.

San Antonio has both inner and outer beltways/ring-roads. The I-410 is the innermost of these, while the outer is formed by Route 1604.

There is plenty of parking in San Antonio, and you can often pay for metered parking by credit card. Check the nearest signs for parking restrictions and time limits.

Speed limits are typically set at 70mph (112km/h) on interstates in and around the city. However, there are some faster stretches in the state, including on the SH-130 toll road just to the north of San Antonio, where you can drive up to 85mph (136km/h). Limits drop on smaller roads and are usually 30mph (48km/h) or lower in built-up and residential areas.

The second-largest city in Texas has retained a firm grip on its unique charm better than most. Closer to the Mexican border than Houston or Dallas, it has a distinctive flavour that sets it apart.

Remembering the Alamo

There are five Missions in San Antonio, built centuries ago to spread Catholicism in Texas. Four of them form part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, while the fifth – The Alamo – doesn’t, despite being the most famous of all.

It had already become a secular building and fortress before Davy Crockett and a smattering of other defenders bravely battled Mexican invaders. The fact that they were vastly outnumbered in their battle for Texan independence is a large part of the legend.

The other Missions are more than worth a visit too, including San Jose, the most attractive of them all. It has a remarkable rose window and a mariachi mass every Sunday – perhaps the best time to go along. Look out for the acequia, the remains of the aqueduct that once irrigated all the Missions.

Walking the river

A place to park up and stroll, the city’s River Walk – Paseo del Rio – is the focal point of San Antonio. Miles of paths are punctuated with cafes and bars, live music, restaurants and street performers. You can take a cruise on the river, linger on footbridges and even wander further to the Museum Reach area.

Along the way you’ll find Seaworld, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, Splashtown and the Witte Museum. Here they offer both fine dining and family options, with some excellent Tex-Mex specials and a slew of steakhouses.

A Texan pearl

An area that’s benefited from a huge revamp in recent years, the Pearl District is centred around the Pearl Brewery, which brewed beer from 1883 through to 2001. The brewery itself is now a strikingly-designed boutique hotel, while the rest of the grounds have been taken up by cafes and shops.

Along with The Culinary Institute of America there’s also a farmer’s market and some of the most interesting restaurants in town. A constant roster of pop-ups and events have transformed it into a must-visit destination for new arrivals.

Car rental from San Antonio Airport allows you to explore the best of the city and beyond, all at your own pace.