GETTING AROUND SAN ANTONIO

Do you need a rental car?

YOU DON'T NEED A CAR IF:

YOU PROBABLY WANT A CAR IF:

WILLIE'S RULE

“If you're resort-based and doing any day trips, get the car. If you're downtown for 2 nights and not leaving the core, skip it and use Uber.”

Uber, Lyft, and Leep in San Antonio

Rideshare works well in SA — the city is spread out but drivers are available. These are real ranges, not estimates.

Surge pricing: Applies during conventions, Fiesta, events, and weekend evenings after 9pm. Fares can double during peak times.

LEEP — LOCAL RIDESHARE

Leep is a San Antonio-based rideshare — same app experience as Uber/Lyft but locally owned. Worth having installed as a backup.

RIVER WALK RIDESHARE PICKUP

Uber/Lyft cannot access the River Walk level directly. You have to walk up to street level for pickup:

Parking downtown and at key destinations

Best for River Walk. Enter from Commerce St. Validated with most River Walk restaurants.

$5–15

Best for the Alamo. Enters off E. Houston.

$5–12

East of downtown, cheaper, 10-min walk to River Walk.

$3–8

2-hour limit in most zones. Enforced until 8pm. Free after 8pm most streets.

Best way to pre-book downtown parking for events or busy weekends.

Pre-book on weekends — saves 20–30 minutes of circling

Pearl has free surface parking on the east side of the complex. Fill fast on Saturday farmers market mornings — arrive before 9:30am.

JW Marriott, La Cantera, and Hyatt all have resort parking (valet or self-park). Expect $15–30/night. Most restaurants nearby have free surface lots — no need to pay resort rates for every dinner.

Know your fare before you land.

SAT is 8 miles north of downtown — about 15–20 minutes without traffic.

$18–30 to downtown, $25–35 to resorts. Pickup from the designated rideshare zone outside baggage claim — follow signs.

All major companies at the airport. Book in advance for weekend arrivals — supply gets tight.

Budget option. Runs from airport to downtown. Takes 30–45 minutes with stops. Fine for solo travelers with light bags.

Most downtown hotels don't offer airport shuttles. Resort hotels (JW, Hyatt) sometimes do — confirm when booking.

PRE-FLIGHT FOOD NEAR SAT

Rudy's Country Store BBQ on I-410 is 10 minutes from SAT — best last meal in SA before flying. Brisket by the pound, counter service, fast. Go 11am–noon for peak brisket.

The real savings are in the round trip.

WILLIE'S ADVICE

“From the resorts, the question is always whether downtown is worth the $25–30 each way. If you're a couple and you're doing a real dinner + drinks night, yes — split that Uber cost and it's fine. If you're a family and you're paying $60 round trip plus dinner plus activities, factor that into the night's real cost.”

River Walk rideshare pickup spots

PICKUP POINTS BY LOCATION

The River Walk runs below street level. Your driver can't come to you — you go to them. Takes 2–3 minutes to walk up. Set your pin before you start walking so the timing works.

Scooters, bikes, and VIA bus

E-scooters available throughout downtown. Good for short hops between River Walk, Pearl, and Southtown. $1 unlock + per-minute rate. Watch for pedestrian zones where scooters are restricted.

Docked bike share system. Stations at the Alamo, River Walk, Pearl, and along Mission Reach. Daily pass available. Best for the Mission Trail — bikes are the ideal way to do all 5 missions.

Connects downtown to Mission San José and Concepción. Budget option for mission visitors. Doesn't go to San Juan or Espada.

The River Walk, Pearl, and downtown are all walkable to each other. About 1.5 miles from the heart of the River Walk to Pearl. 20–25 minute walk on a good weather day. Not recommended in summer heat.

PRIVATE TRANSFERS

THEME PARK RUNS — DOWNTOWN TO THE PARKS

Staying downtown or at an Airbnb? Skip the rental car and the parking lot walk. Round trip means morning drop-off at the gate and a scheduled evening pickup — no surge ride home with exhausted kids.

JW MARRIOTT

LA CANTERA

HYATT HILL COUNTRY

Flat rate. No surge. Willie shows up on time.

Airport pickups, resort dinner runs, and late-night returns. Book in advance and your rate is locked in.

Or text Willie directly: 210-880-3390

Let Willie plan your whole SA trip.

Local concierge from $0 · Day trips $900–$1,200 · Custom routes quoted

NOT SURE WHAT FITS YOUR NIGHT?