Comparison · Dallas vs San Antonio · United States
Dallas vs San Antonio
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Dallas for JFK history and Arts District; choose San Antonio for The Alamo and River Walk. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 406 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 406 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Dallas
- March–April and October–November
- Best time for San Antonio
- March–April and October–November
Side by side
| Dallas | San Antonio | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | JFK history, Arts District and Texas barbecue | The Alamo, River Walk and Spanish missions |
| Best time to visit | March–April and October–November | March–April and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$350 | $180–$320 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 36°C (97°F) | August, 36°C (97°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 14°C (57°F) | January, 17°C (63°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | DFW, DAL | SAT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Dallas for…
JFK history and Arts District. Dallas is a big, spread-out Texan city whose essential sights cluster downtown: the Sixth Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza, where President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, and an Arts District of free and low-cost museums including the Dallas Museum of Art…
Choose San Antonio for…
The Alamo and River Walk. San Antonio grew around five 18th-century Spanish missions, and together they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Alamo downtown and four working mission churches strung along the San Antonio River to the south. The River Walk, a sunken path of…
Top sights compared
| # | Dallas | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza | The Alamo |
| 2 | Dealey Plaza and the JFK Memorial | San Antonio River Walk |
| 3 | Dallas Museum of Art | San Antonio Missions National Historical Park |
| 4 | Nasher Sculpture Center | The Pearl |
| 5 | Crow Museum of Asian Art | Market Square (El Mercado) |
Food compared
| Dallas | San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Smoked brisket | Puffy taco |
| Frozen margarita | Breakfast tacos |
| Tex-Mex with queso | Barbacoa and Big Red |
| Chicken-fried steak | Chili con carne |
Which is cheaper?
Dallas and San Antonio cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $200–$350 in Dallas and $180–$320 in San Antonio (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). San Antonio on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Dallas and San Antonio are about 406 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Dallas and 3 in San Antonio.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Dallas or San Antonio cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $200–$350 in Dallas and $180–$320 in San Antonio (estimates).
+Is Dallas or San Antonio better for a first trip?
Pick Dallas for JFK history and Arts District, or San Antonio for The Alamo and River Walk.
+How far is Dallas from San Antonio?
About 406 km in a straight line.