Texas

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Spring

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September

Famous For: Barbecue, Hill Country scenery, Big Bend National Park, Gulf Coast beaches

Train Access: Yes (amtrak, dart, metrorail, tre, very safe)

Bus Service: Yes (Greyhound, Megabus, VIA Metropolitan Transit, METRO Houston, Capital Metro, relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: Most Western passport holders (US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU citizens) enter Texas visa-free as part of the United States. Tourist stays typically allow 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program; visitors must have a valid passport and may require an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) depending on nationality. Non-visa-exempt travelers should apply for a US B-2 tourist visa at their nearest US embassy.

Texas spans deserts, pine forests, Gulf Coast beaches, and Hill Country limestone terrain. Visitors explore Big Bend National Park's remote canyons, hike Enchanted Rock in the Hill Country, kayak through coastal bays near Corpus Christi, and visit San Antonio's River Walk. The state's food culture centers on barbecue (Central Texas style with brisket), Tex-Mex in South Texas, and Gulf seafood. Major cities like Austin, Houston, and Dallas offer live music venues, museums, and urban parks. The Panhandle features vast ranching landscapes; East Texas contains piney woods and small historic towns. Travelers experience rodeos, wildflower blooms in spring, and outdoor recreation across diverse ecosystems.

Podcasts

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Planning Your Trip to Texas

Weather: Texas experiences hot summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 95°F (35°C), particularly in inland areas, while winters are mild to cool with occasional freezing temperatures in northern regions. The state receives moderate rainfall, with spring being the wettest season and bringing severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes. Coastal areas experience hurricane season from June through November. Seasonal variation is significant, with dramatic differences between the hot, dry summers and cooler winters.

Festivals: South by Southwest (SXSW), Texas Book Festival, Wurstfest, Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic

Best Destinations for Kids: The Fort Worth Zoo houses over 7,000 animals across 110 acres. SeaWorld San Antonio features marine animal shows and water rides. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas offers interactive exhibits on dinosaurs, gems, and energy.

Hidden Gem: Marfa in West Texas attracts art enthusiasts to the Chinati Foundation and Prada Marfa installation, set against desert mountains and minimal crowds compared to major tourist hubs.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Budget accommodations range from $60–$100 nightly for mid-range hotels in smaller towns to $80–$150 in Austin or Dallas. Barbecue meals cost $12–$18 per plate at casual joints; Tex-Mex entrées run $10–$16. Greyhound and regional bus services connect major cities at $20–$50 per route. Car rental averages $35–$55 daily; driving is essential for accessing remote areas like Big Bend. State parks charge $5–$7 entry fees.

Accessibility: Major cities and national parks have paved trails and accessible facilities; Big Bend and remote areas lack comprehensive accessibility infrastructure. Public transit in Austin and Dallas includes wheelchair-accessible buses; rural regions require private transport. Hotels in urban centers meet ADA standards; smaller towns vary significantly in accessibility.

For the Solo Traveler: Solo travel is safe across Texas; major cities have established tourist infrastructure and public transport. Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas attract solo visitors with walkable downtown areas, hostels, and social venues. Driving solo through Big Bend or Hill Country is feasible but requires self-sufficiency; cell service is limited in remote areas. Women travelers report feeling secure in urban centers; rural areas are generally safe but less populated. Hostels and group tours in Austin facilita

Planning a 1 Week Stay: Spend 2 days in Austin exploring live music venues and Barton Springs Pool. Drive 1.5 hours to the Hill Country for Enchanted Rock hike and wildflower viewing. Allocate 2 days to San Antonio's River Walk and Spanish missions. End with 1.5 days on the Gulf Coast near Corpus Christi for beach and kayaking.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: Week 1: Austin and Hill Country (music, hiking, wildflowers). Week 2: San Antonio and South Texas (missions, Tex-Mex, coastal towns). Week 3: Big Bend National Park (remote canyons, desert landscape, Rio Grande). Week 4: East Texas piney woods and Gulf Coast, including lesser-known towns like Beaumont and Port Aransas. This pacing covers diverse ecosystems and avoids backtracking.