Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

San Marcos travel guide

San Marcos Tourism | San Marcos Guide

You're Going to Love San Marcos

With a population of 44,894, San Marcos is a must-see destination in Texas, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. San Marcos deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in San Marcos

If you’re looking for affordable options, Cody's Bistro & Lounge (690 Center Point Rd Ste 209) and Industry (110 Martin Luther King Drive) are great picks.

When to visit San Marcos

San Marcos in January
Estimated hotel price
$99
1 night at 3-star hotel
San Marcos in January
Estimated hotel price
$99
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to San Marcos in July, when the average temperature is 84.2 °F, and the highest can go up to 95 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 37.4 °F, with an average temperature of 50 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in May, when precipitation is around 4.2″. In contrast, January is usually the driest month of the year in San Marcos, with an average rainfall of 2″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to San Marcos

Plane

Although San Marcos doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Austin Bergstrom Airport (AUS), which is located 27 miles from San Marcos. Killeen Fort Hood Regional is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to San Marcos departs from Las Vegas and takes around 2h 35m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to San Marcos. The train journey from San Marcos to Dallas takes 6h 35m and costs around $18 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from El Paso, expect to pay about $102 for a 16h 39m trip. The train station in San Marcos is called San Marcos, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to San Marcos is to pick up a car rental from Houston, which is about 154 miles from San Marcos. You’ll find branches of Thrifty and Stride, among others, in Houston.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to San Marcos, including Tornado Bus, Bus and FlixBus. From San Antonio, the bus ride to San Marcos takes 80 miles and will cost you around $62. From Houston, the ticket costs about $63 for a journey of 155 miles.

Plane

Although San Marcos doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Austin Bergstrom Airport (AUS), which is located 27 miles from San Marcos. Killeen Fort Hood Regional is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to San Marcos departs from Las Vegas and takes around 2h 35m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to San Marcos. The train journey from San Marcos to Dallas takes 6h 35m and costs around $18 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from El Paso, expect to pay about $102 for a 16h 39m trip. The train station in San Marcos is called San Marcos, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to San Marcos is to pick up a car rental from Houston, which is about 154 miles from San Marcos. You’ll find branches of Thrifty and Stride, among others, in Houston.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to San Marcos, including Tornado Bus, Bus and FlixBus. From San Antonio, the bus ride to San Marcos takes 80 miles and will cost you around $62. From Houston, the ticket costs about $63 for a journey of 155 miles.

Airports near San Marcos

GRKKilleen Fort Hood Regional
SATSan Antonio
AUSAustin Bergstrom

Airlines serving San Marcos

Lufthansa
Good (7,044 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,334 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,836 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,588 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,935 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,790 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,698 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,446 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,696 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,215 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,563 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,244 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,349 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (346 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,275 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,967 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,851 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (967 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,292 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,922 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to San Marcos

Where to stay in San Marcos

Average rates range from around $227 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $550 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Comfort Inn & Suites and Wingate by Wyndham San Marcos.

Where to stay in popular areas of San Marcos

Most booked hotels in San Marcos

See all
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Marcos Outlet Mall
2 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1048 reviews)
$113+
View
Holiday Inn San Marcos Convention Center
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 634 reviews)
$132+
View
Wingate by Wyndham San Marcos
2 stars
Excellent (8, 972 reviews)
$100+
View
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel Conference Center
3 stars
Good (7.8, 979 reviews)
$159+
View
Baymont Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Marcos Outlet Malls
2 stars
Good (7.6, 903 reviews)
$74+
View
Motel 6 San Marcos Tx
2 stars
Okay (5.2, 758 reviews)
$55+
View

Renting a car in San Marcos

Renting a car in San Marcos costs $44 per day, on average, or $88 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 46% cheaper than airport locations in San Marcos.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in San Marcos (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. Compact (Ford Focus or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in San Marcos, while also 66% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in San Marcos costs $44 per day, on average, or $88 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 46% cheaper than airport locations in San Marcos.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in San Marcos (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. Compact (Ford Focus or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in San Marcos, while also 66% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in San Marcos

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$29/day

Economy

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$36/day

Intermediate
Find car rentals in San Marcos

San Marcos Travel Guide - View the KAYAK San Marcos city guide for the best San Marcos travel tips. To help you organize your San Marcos trip ideas, this San Marcos visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.