How to Get Around Texas

Getting Around

Texas is driven. Interstate 10 crosses it for just under 880 miles from El Paso to the Louisiana line, the longest untolled freeway in North America under one authority and, west of Houston, 26 lanes wide; Interstates 35 and 45 join it to make the Texas Triangle. Most highways are posted at 70 mph, some rural interstates at 75, and the southern section of the State Highway 130 toll road south of Austin at 85, the highest in the country; there are 17 toll roads, most of them around the cities. Both advisories say a foreign licence is accepted -- a UK photocard or a Canadian licence -- with the 1949 international driving permit recommended, and hire firms may ask for a year's experience, a higher minimum age and an IDP; never leave bags or passports in a parked car. In the far west the Guadalupe Mountains sit on Mountain Time, an hour behind the rest of the state, and the park's own page warns that there is no fuel for 35 miles in either direction and none in the park, no lodge and no restaurant; Big Bend's entrances are open 24 hours but its fee stations and visitor centres are not, every campground is by reservation, and the Boquillas crossing into Mexico requires a passport and keeps changing days. From Padre Island National Seashore to South Padre is a 3.5-hour drive inland via Corpus Christi, not a run down the beach.

Flying is how Texans cross Texas. DFW, between Dallas and Fort Worth, was the second-busiest airport in the world by passengers in 2022 and 2023, serves 269 destinations and is American Airlines' largest hub; Houston's Bush Intercontinental is United's; Austin, Hobby, San Antonio, Love Field and El Paso each carry more than three million a year, and Southwest Airlines was born at Love Field. Rail is thin: Amtrak's Texas Eagle runs daily from Chicago through Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio, and the Sunset Limited, the oldest named train in the country, passes through Houston, San Antonio and El Paso three days a week between New Orleans and Los Angeles. In the cities, Dallas's DART light rail has run since 1996 with the Trinity Railway Express to Fort Worth, Houston's METRORail since 2004, and Austin's CapMetro charges $1.25 a local ride, $2.50 a day and $41.25 a month, with commuter and rail fares at $3.50, $7 and $96.25; Arlington, home of the Cowboys and Rangers stadiums, is the largest American city with no public transit at all.

The parks charge by the vehicle or the head: Big Bend $30 a private vehicle for seven days, $25 a motorcycle, $55 a year, card only, no reservation needed to enter; the Guadalupe Mountains $10 per person aged 16 and over for up to seven days, $35 a year, cash or card at self-pay stations; Padre Island $25 a vehicle with one-day and seven-day passes and a $45 annual, camping extra; the San Antonio Missions free, open daily 9 to 5 with the grounds open sunrise to sunset; and the Alamo always free, with a timed reservation to enter the church, open daily 9 to 5:30.

Verified against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad), September 2026.

Entry

Federal rules: an approved ESTA or a visa before travel for every entrant including by land; a passport valid for the length of the stay; the ESTA now requires a selfie photograph, so check the account before departure; Canadians can usually stay six months without a visa but must state their intended stay; previous cannabis use or travel for the cannabis industry can bar entry; carry proof of legal status, which authorities may request at any time. A passport is required to cross into Mexico at Big Bend's Boquillas port or anywhere else.

Roads

Drive on the right; foreign photocard licences accepted, IDP recommended and required by some hire firms; most highways 70 mph, some 75, SH 130's southern section 85; 17 toll roads; I-10 toll-free for 880 miles; the Guadalupe Mountains on Mountain Time with no fuel within 35 miles; Big Bend backcountry roads require high-clearance true four-wheel drive with off-road tyres; never cross the border with a hitchhiker; do not leave valuables in a rental, even in the boot.

Air

DFW (269 destinations, American's largest hub, the world's second-busiest by passengers in 2022–23); Houston Bush Intercontinental (United); Austin-Bergstrom, Houston Hobby, San Antonio, Dallas Love Field and El Paso, each over three million passengers a year.

Rail and transit

Amtrak Texas Eagle daily Chicago–St. Louis–Little Rock–Dallas–Fort Worth–Austin–San Antonio, continuing three days a week with the Sunset Limited to El Paso, Tucson and Los Angeles; Sunset Limited New Orleans–Houston–San Antonio–El Paso three days a week. DART light rail and Trinity Railway Express in Dallas–Fort Worth; METRORail in Houston; CapMetro in Austin: local single $1.25, day $2.50, month $41.25; commuter and rail single $3.50, day $7, month $96.25. A private high-speed line Dallas–Houston in 90 minutes remains a proposal.

National parks (2026)

Big Bend: standard pass $15–30, private vehicle $30 for 7 days, motorcycle $25, annual $55, credit or debit only, no cash, no entry reservation; entrances open 24 hours, Panther Junction visitor centre daily 8:30–5, Chisos Basin 8:30–4; all campgrounds by reservation on recreation.gov; busy season November–April, when camping and lodging fill on holiday weekends and from mid-January to mid-April; free WiFi at visitor centres, the Chisos lodge and the Rio Grande Village store. Guadalupe Mountains: $10 per person 16 and over for 1–7 days, annual $35, cash or card at Pine Springs visitor centre (daily 8–4) or trailhead self-pay stations; pass must be displayed in the vehicle; primitive campgrounds only. Padre Island: standard pass $15–25, private vehicle $25 admitting up to 15 passengers, 1-day and 7-day passes, annual $45; entrance fees year-round; camping and boat-ramp fees extra; Corpus Christi beach permits not valid. San Antonio Missions: no entrance pass; open daily 9–5, grounds sunrise to sunset, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. All fee-charging NPS sites are free to US residents on the 2026 fee-free days.

The Alamo

Admission always free; a ticket reservation is required to enter the church; open daily 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Collections Center 9–5; hats off inside the church, no food or drink, no flash photography, no pets.

Emergency numbers

911 for police, fire and ambulance statewide.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — A UK photocard licence can be used to drive in the US, with the 1949 international driving permit possibly needed as requirements vary by state; a paper licence needs photo ID alongside; hire firms may require a year's experience, a higher minimum age and an IDP, Passport valid for the length of the stay; an approved ESTA or a visa is required to enter or transit the US, including at land borders under the Visa Waiver Program; an ESTA can be refused for an arrest record, a prior refusal or overstay, or travel to listed countries; an ESTA without the now-required selfie photograph may need renewing; check the ESTA account before travelling, A UK photocard licence can be used to drive in the US, with the 1949 international driving permit possibly needed as requirements vary by state; a paper licence needs photo ID alongside; hire firms may require a year's experience, a higher minimum age and an IDP (September 2026).
Checked against Global Affairs Canada — Canadian visitors can usually stay 6 months without a visa but must declare their intended duration of stay; previous cannabis use or travel for the cannabis industry can bar entry; carry government photo ID and copies of the passport page, and be prepared to show proof of legal status at any time; a valid Canadian licence suffices to drive, traffic laws vary by state and many states require proof of insurance; never cross the border with a hitchhiker as the driver is responsible for passengers' belongings; the currency is the US dollar, Canadian visitors can usually stay 6 months without a visa but must declare their intended duration of stay; previous cannabis use or travel for the cannabis industry can bar entry; carry government photo ID and copies of the passport page, and be prepared to show proof of legal status at any time; a valid Canadian licence suffices to drive, traffic laws vary by state and many states require proof of insurance; never cross the border with a hitchhiker as the driver is responsible for passengers' belongings; the currency is the US dollar, Dial 911 for emergency assistance; Canadian Citizen Services on 1-844-880-6519, the Emergency Watch and Response Centre toll-free on 1-888-949-9993, the embassy in Washington with consulates including Dallas and Houston; rabies may be present in wildlife including bats; hiking, backpacking and skiing never alone, with an experienced guide, helicopter-rescue insurance and marked trails (September 2026).
Checked against National Park Service — Big Bend park entrances are open 24 hours daily all year while fee stations and visitor centres keep hours (Panther Junction daily 8:30–5, Chisos Basin daily 8:30–4 closed for lunch); all campgrounds are by reservation only at recreation.gov; the Boquillas Crossing port of entry changes its days of operation through the year and requires a passport, Big Bend's busy season is November through April, with camping and lodging often full on 3-day holiday weekends, Thanksgiving week, the Christmas season and mid-January to mid-April, and advance reservations required; a passport is required for entry into Mexico; the NPS app's maps can be downloaded for offline use; free public WiFi is available at all visitor centres, the Chisos Mountains Lodge and the Rio Grande Village Store, Big Bend standard entrance pass $15–30; private vehicle $30 admitting one non-commercial vehicle of 15 seats or fewer and its passengers for 7 days; motorcycle $25 for 7 days; annual pass $55; no cash accepted, credit or debit only; no reservations required to enter, Guadalupe Mountains National Park has no gasoline, with the nearest full services at Van Horn (60 miles south) and El Paso (120 miles west) and no gas for 35 miles in either direction from the visitor centre; campgrounds are primitive dry camping with restrooms and potable water only; there are no lodges, restaurants or groceries; the park is in the Mountain Time zone and smart devices will probably show the wrong time; dogs are prohibited on most trails, Guadalupe Mountains entrance fee $10 per person aged 16 and over, valid 1–7 consecutive days; annual pass $35; payable by card at the Pine Springs Visitor Center (daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or at trailhead self-pay stations; a pass or stub must be displayed in the vehicle, Padre Island National Seashore includes about 66 miles of undeveloped beach near Corpus Christi at the end of Park Road 22; it is not possible to drive directly to South Padre Island because the Mansfield Channel cuts the island, so the trip is inland via Corpus Christi and Highway 77, 3–4 hours (about 3.5 hours), the two destinations being about 100 miles apart, Padre Island National Seashore standard entrance pass $15–25 with 1-day, 7-day and annual ($45) passes; private vehicle $25 admitting the passholder and up to 15 passengers; entrance fees required year-round for all areas; camping and boat-ramp fees charged in addition; Corpus Christi beach parking permits not valid, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the outside grounds sunrise to sunset, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park requires no entrance pass or fee; all fee-charging National Park Service sites offer free admission to US citizens and residents on the 2026 fee-free days (16 February, 25 May, 14 June, 3–5 July, 25 August, 17 September, 27 October, 11 November), Big Bend standard entrance pass $15–30; private vehicle $30 admitting one non-commercial vehicle of 15 seats or fewer and its passengers for 7 days; motorcycle $25 for 7 days; annual pass $55; no cash accepted, credit or debit only; no reservations required to enter, Big Bend park entrances are open 24 hours daily all year while fee stations and visitor centres keep hours (Panther Junction daily 8:30–5, Chisos Basin daily 8:30–4 closed for lunch); all campgrounds are by reservation only at recreation.gov; the Boquillas Crossing port of entry changes its days of operation through the year and requires a passport, Big Bend's busy season is November through April, with camping and lodging often full on 3-day holiday weekends, Thanksgiving week, the Christmas season and mid-January to mid-April, and advance reservations required; a passport is required for entry into Mexico; the NPS app's maps can be downloaded for offline use; free public WiFi is available at all visitor centres, the Chisos Mountains Lodge and the Rio Grande Village Store, Big Bend requires high-clearance true four-wheel-drive vehicles for backcountry driving; hikers should tell someone their plans and return time, carry a whistle, more water than they think they need and salty snacks, with a gallon per person recommended on longer hikes; temperatures swing 30 degrees or more daily and the park can be very hot even in winter; dehydration is described as a serious and deadly reality; keep distance from bears and mountain lions, do not run, stand tall and be loud if approached, and report sightings to a ranger, Guadalupe Mountains entrance fee $10 per person aged 16 and over, valid 1–7 consecutive days; annual pass $35; payable by card at the Pine Springs Visitor Center (daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or at trailhead self-pay stations; a pass or stub must be displayed in the vehicle, Guadalupe Mountains National Park has no gasoline, with the nearest full services at Van Horn (60 miles south) and El Paso (120 miles west) and no gas for 35 miles in either direction from the visitor centre; campgrounds are primitive dry camping with restrooms and potable water only; there are no lodges, restaurants or groceries; the park is in the Mountain Time zone and smart devices will probably show the wrong time; dogs are prohibited on most trails, Padre Island National Seashore standard entrance pass $15–25 with 1-day, 7-day and annual ($45) passes; private vehicle $25 admitting the passholder and up to 15 passengers; entrance fees required year-round for all areas; camping and boat-ramp fees charged in addition; Corpus Christi beach parking permits not valid, Padre Island National Seashore includes about 66 miles of undeveloped beach near Corpus Christi at the end of Park Road 22; it is not possible to drive directly to South Padre Island because the Mansfield Channel cuts the island, so the trip is inland via Corpus Christi and Highway 77, 3–4 hours (about 3.5 hours), the two destinations being about 100 miles apart, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park requires no entrance pass or fee; all fee-charging National Park Service sites offer free admission to US citizens and residents on the 2026 fee-free days (16 February, 25 May, 14 June, 3–5 July, 25 August, 17 September, 27 October, 11 November), San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the outside grounds sunrise to sunset, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day (September 2026).
Checked against Alamo Trust (the Alamo, San Antonio) — Admission to the Alamo is always free but a ticket reservation is required to enter Alamo Church; open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Collections Center 9 to 5; hats off inside the historic church, no open food or drink inside the Church, Long Barrack or Collections Center, no flash photography inside the historic structures, no pets other than service animals, Admission to the Alamo is always free but a ticket reservation is required to enter Alamo Church; open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Collections Center 9 to 5; hats off inside the historic church, no open food or drink inside the Church, Long Barrack or Collections Center, no flash photography inside the historic structures, no pets other than service animals (September 2026).
Checked against CapMetro (Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin) — Austin CapMetro local fares (bus, Rapid, UT Shuttle, Pickup): single ride $1.25, day pass $2.50, monthly $41.25; commuter fares (Express and Rail, local included): single $3.50, day $7.00, monthly $96.25, Austin CapMetro local fares (bus, Rapid, UT Shuttle, Pickup): single ride $1.25, day pass $2.50, monthly $41.25; commuter fares (Express and Rail, local included): single $3.50, day $7.00, monthly $96.25 (September 2026).