Texas

Vast Landscapes and Deep Culture

Texas spans wide plains, rolling hills and vast deserts in the south central United States. The state has a long history shaped by Native American cultures, Spanish explorers, Mexican rule and waves of settlers seeking new opportunities. Today, cities like Austin and Houston are known for music scenes, food markets featuring barbecue and Tex-Mex and outdoor activities such as hiking or kayaking along rivers. Texas also plays a major role in energy production and technology, making it an economic hub with diverse communities across its many regions.

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State/Prefecture in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is the primary language spoken throughout Texas. Spanish is widely spoken, reflecting the state’s rich Hispanic heritage, which makes communication straightforward for both English and Spanish speakers.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Texas Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

World-class for big cities and cowboy culture. Enjoy live music, explore ranch heritage, visit major museums and try famous barbecue cuisine.

Place score

7.0

Best at:

Local cuisine

Museums

Guided tours

Hiking

Camping

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

❤️ 7

Couples

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Texas, United States

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	March - May, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	Feb., June - July, Sep., Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Climate and season vary a lot by region: cities and Hill Country best March to May and October to November, Gulf beaches best May to September, Big Bend best November to March, Panhandle cold in winter and stormy in spring

Bluebonnet wildflowers peak late March to mid April, best in the Hill Country

Hurricane season June to November on the Gulf Coast, highest risk August to September

Don't miss

🌊 Visit the iconic San Antonio River Walk and enjoy a boat ride
🌄 Explore Big Bend National Park’s rugged wilderness
🚀 Tour the NASA Space Center Houston
🤠 Experience the cowboy culture at Fort Worth Stockyards
🌇 Climb to the top of Mount Elijah for city views

You've been here?

Why travel to Texas?

Visitors are drawn to Texas for its unique combination of western heritage, cosmopolitan cities and natural beauty. The state boasts famous BBQ, the Alamo’s history, world-class museums and outdoor activities such as hiking and rafting in Big Bend. However, the sheer size means travel time can be long between destinations and summer temperatures often soar, requiring careful planning and hydration. Urban traffic congestion is common, especially in major cities.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Austin
Capital city known for live music, tech innovation and vibrant food scene. Home to iconic venues like South Congress and the State Capitol, it offers a mix of cultural festivals, outdoor spaces and growing startup community.
2 San Antonio
Historic riverfront city known for its iconic Alamo mission and vibrant River Walk. The area offers a mix of frontier heritage, modern museums, diverse cuisine and annual festivals that showcase Texas culture and hospitality.
3 Houston
A major commercial hub in southern Texas, Houston combines a diverse economy with cultural attractions such as world‑class museums and a vibrant food scene. The city’s expansive bayou network offers outdoor recreation alongside urban amenities.
4 Dallas
The heart of Texas beats in Dallas, where skyscrapers meet historic neighborhoods and vibrant culture thrives. This dynamic city offers world-class museums, bustling markets and endless entertainment options for every traveler seeking adventure and discovery.
5 Big Bend National Park
Spanning over 800,000 acres, this park offers dramatic desert canyons, towering rock formations and a diverse range of wildlife. Visitors can hike, camp or explore the scenic river valleys that cut through the rugged landscape.
6 Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
This Texas natural area features limestone cliffs, underground rivers and diverse wildlife. Visitors can explore caves, hike trails or swim in clear pools. It offers a peaceful retreat from city life with stunning geological formations and abundant nature to enjoy throughout the year.
7 Fredericksburg (Texas)
A historic town in central Texas known for its German heritage and vibrant wine scene, Fredericksburg offers charming Main Street shops, annual festivals and nearby natural attractions such as Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
8 Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
This historic site in Texas preserves the birthplace of Lyndon B. Johnson, featuring his boyhood home and a museum detailing his political career. The grounds include a cemetery and walking trails through the Hill Country landscape.
9 Hueco Tanks
This vast desert preserve in Texas offers miles of hiking trails, ancient rock art and dramatic canyon views. Visitors can explore unique geological formations while enjoying quiet solitude far from city crowds, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers seeking adventure and peace.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Cadillac Ranch
2 Dallas Museum of Art
3 Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
4 River Walk
5 Space Center Houston
6 Guadalupe Mountains National Park
7 Big Bend National Park
8 Museum District
9 The Alamo/San Antonio Texas

🎡Places for activities

1 Texas Ski Ranch Lake
2 Six Flags Fiesta Texas
3 The Escape Game
4 Lone Star Flight Museum
5 Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Guadalupe Mountains National Park
2 Padre Island National Seashore
3 Big Bend National Park
4 Caddo Lake
5 Enchanted Rock
6 Palo Duro Canyon
7 Rio Grande
8 Hill Country Village
9 Twin Mountains
10 Caprock Canyons Park Drive

🛍️Shopping

1 West Village
2 The Galleria
3 Shops at Rivercenter Mall
4 NorthPark Center
5 The Domain
6 Hill Country Galleria
7 Tanger Outlet Center
8 La Cantera

🎈Events

South by Southwest (SXSW)
Texas State Fair
Austin City Limits Music Festival
San Antonio Fiesta
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Texas Renaissance Festival
Cactus Rose Festival
Texas Book Festival
Dallas International Film Festival
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Pack light, breathable clothing for Texas heat.
Carry a reusable water bottle and sunscreen; UV index often exceeds 10 during summer months.
Use public transit or rideshare to avoid parking fees in major cities like Austin and Dallas.
Explore local BBQ joints after sunset for authentic Texan flavors, but be aware of peak dining hours around 7‑9 pm.

How to travel to Texas

Major airports include Dallas/Fort Worth International, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, Austin-Bergstrom and San Antonio International with extensive domestic and international flights. Car rentals and public transit facilitate city travel.

Access summary

From Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW): Train or taxi to Dallas/Fort Worth, about 25–50 minutes.
From Houston (IAH/HOU): Taxi, rideshare or shuttle downtown, usually 25–45 minutes.
From Austin or San Antonio: Drive interstates between major cities, typically 1–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Texas

Texas offers a range of accommodations from luxurious resorts and downtown hotels in big cities to rustic lodges and campgrounds in scenic parks. Visitors should book early during festivals and in popular spots.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Magnolia Hotel Downtown Dallas

8.1

Moody Gardens Hotel Spa and Convention Center

8.9

Hotel Gibbs Downtown Riverwalk

9.1

Isleta Resort & Casino

8.7

The San Luis Resort Spa & Conference Center

9.0

La Fonda on the Plaza

9.3

Choctaw Casino & Resort Durant, a Wyndham Grand Hotel

8.7

Club Quarters Hotel in Houston

8.5

Loews Arlington Hotel

9.7

Fredericksburg Inn and Suites

9.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Texas

Due to Texas’s size, car rental is highly recommended for traveling between cities and natural areas. Major cities have public transportation such as buses and light rail (Dallas, Houston, Austin). Domestic flights and Amtrak trains connect the major urban centers.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-7 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 7% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£71	£158	£437
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£83	£210
🍝 Food per day	£30	£70	£204
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£5	£23

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£25
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£15
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4.10
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.75
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£85
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£13

Safety information overview

General safety

Safety in Texas varies by location, with urban areas requiring standard precautions. Travelers should be cautious of traffic and avoid certain neighborhoods, especially at night.

Health & Medical

Texas has extensive healthcare facilities with major hospitals across the state. Travel insurance is advisable, particularly when visiting remote natural areas.

Accessibility

Most urban tourist spots and accommodations are accessible, though some natural parks have uneven terrain. Planning ahead helps travelers with mobility needs.

Tap water

Tap water in Texas generally meets safety standards but quality may vary regionally. Bottled water is widely available throughout tourist areas.