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

South Padre Island travel guide

South Padre Island Tourism | South Padre Island Guide

You're Going to Love South Padre Island

With a population of 2,884, South Padre Island is a must-see destination in Texas, United States. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. South Padre Island deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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When to visit South Padre Island

South Padre Island in October
Estimated hotel price
$89
1 night at 3-star hotel
South Padre Island in October
Estimated hotel price
$89
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to South Padre Island in July, when the average temperature is 84.2 °F, and the highest can go up to 89.6 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 53.6 °F, with an average temperature of 60.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in September, when precipitation is around 4.4″. In contrast, January is usually the driest month of the year in South Padre Island, with an average rainfall of 1.2″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to South Padre Island

Plane

Although South Padre Island doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Brownsville South Padre Is. Intl (BRO), which is located 21 miles from South Padre Island. Harlingen Valley Intl is the most popular, with regular flights from Delta, Sun Country Air, WestJet and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to South Padre Island departs from Houston and takes around 1h 18m.

Plane

Although South Padre Island doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Brownsville South Padre Is. Intl (BRO), which is located 21 miles from South Padre Island. Harlingen Valley Intl is the most popular, with regular flights from Delta, Sun Country Air, WestJet and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to South Padre Island departs from Houston and takes around 1h 18m.

Airports near South Padre Island

HRLHarlingen Valley Intl
MFEMcAllen Miller Intl
BROBrownsville South Padre Is. Intl

Airlines serving South Padre Island

KLM
Good (1,410 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,572 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,008 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,517 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,017 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,011 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,661 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,408 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,444 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,282 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (1,004 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,668 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,565 reviews)
Qantas Airways
Good (934 reviews)
Gulf Air
Good (221 reviews)
Sun Country Air
Good (336 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (11,050 reviews)
Air New Zealand
Excellent (526 reviews)
WestJet
Good (3,160 reviews)
Allegiant Air
Good (698 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to South Padre Island

Where to stay in South Padre Island

Average rates range from around $182 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $162 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include The Palms Resort and Best Western Beachside Inn.

Where to stay in popular areas of South Padre Island

Most booked hotels in South Padre Island

See all
The Lighthouse Boutique Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (9.5, 116 reviews)
$93+
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Sand Rose Beach Resort
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 3042 reviews)
$73+
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La Copa Inn Beach Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 3416 reviews)
$74+
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Isla Grand Beach Resort
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1324 reviews)
$84+
View
Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1317 reviews)
$87+
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Port Isla Inn
2 stars
Excellent (8.1, 539 reviews)
$64+
View

Renting a car in South Padre Island

Renting a car in South Padre Island costs $65 per day, on average, or $129 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 13% cheaper than airport locations in South Padre Island.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in South Padre Island (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. The most frequently booked car type in South Padre Island is Standard (Ford Edge or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Mitsubishi Mirage or similar) are, on average, 51% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in South Padre Island costs $65 per day, on average, or $129 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 13% cheaper than airport locations in South Padre Island.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in South Padre Island (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. The most frequently booked car type in South Padre Island is Standard (Ford Edge or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Mitsubishi Mirage or similar) are, on average, 51% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Find car rentals in South Padre Island