Downtown Austin including 6th Street, Congress Avenue, Lady Bird Lake, and the Texas State Capitol.

About Downtown Austin

Downtown Austin pulses with live music, innovative food, and the energetic spirit of Texas\'s capital city. Sixth Street is the legendary entertainment district where dozens of bars and music venues spill sound onto the street every night — this is the heart of Austin\'s claim to be the 'Live Music Capital of the World.' Congress Avenue runs south from the Capitol to the lake, anchored by the stunning Texas State Capitol building (taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington).

The Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) hike-and-bike trail offers a 10-mile urban escape along the Colorado River, while the Congress Avenue Bridge is famous for hosting the world\'s largest urban bat colony — 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at sunset from March to November in a spectacular nightly display.

Austin\'s food scene is anchored by legendary barbecue (Franklin Barbecue regularly sees 3-hour lines), innovative Tex-Mex, and a thriving food truck culture. The Rainey Street Historic District has converted early-1900s bungalows into bars and restaurants with expansive patios. Downtown also serves as the hub for South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits, two festivals that bring global attention to the city each year.

Nearby Landmarks

Texas State Capitol Sixth Street Congress Avenue Bridge Lady Bird Lake

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost $25-35
Time 15-25 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost $15-25
Time 15-25 minutes

Ground Transportation area on the lower level, follow Rideshare signs

Step-by-Step Directions

Take Capital Metro Route 20 from the airport to downtown. Service runs every 30 minutes. Stops at Congress Avenue and the Capitol.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi $25-35 15-25 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare $15-25 15-25 minutes Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

After midnight, Uber and Lyft are readily available at the airport (USD 15-25 to downtown). Taxis operate from the ground transportation area. Austin is a late-night city, especially on weekends when Sixth Street keeps going until 2:00 AM. The Capital Metro bus 20 runs until about midnight on weekdays. Austin is safe for nighttime arrivals downtown.

Luggage Tips

Uber and Lyft vehicles easily handle luggage for this short trip. The Capital Metro bus 20 has space for bags but can be crowded during SXSW and ACL festival periods. If heading to Rainey Street or Sixth Street areas, the streets are walkable with rolling luggage from any downtown drop-off point.

Accessibility

Austin-Bergstrom Airport is fully ADA accessible. Capital Metro buses have wheelchair ramps and priority seating. Downtown Austin has ADA-compliant sidewalks along Congress Avenue and most major streets. Some Sixth Street bars have steps at entrances. The hike-and-bike trail around Lady Bird Lake is paved and wheelchair accessible. Rideshare offers WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle) options.