Budget · San Antonio · United States
San Antonio on a budget
What a trip to San Antonio really costs, and where the savings are.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: TheConduqtor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
San Antonio is moderately priced for most international visitors. Budget roughly $75–$130 per person per day on a tight budget, $180–$320 mid-range and $450–$1,000 for luxury, excluding flights. Hotel prices are usually lowest in January and August–September.
Key facts
- Budget traveller
- $75–$130 a day
- Mid-range
- $180–$320 a day
- Luxury
- $450–$1,000 a day
- Local currency
- USD
- Free sights
- 10
Daily budget and trip cost
AMZBooking estimates per person in US dollars, excluding flights, reviewed October 2026. Accommodation is the biggest variable; prices rise in peak months.
| Style | Per day | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $75–$130 | $225–$390 | $375–$650 | $525–$910 |
| Mid-range | $180–$320 | $540–$960 | $900–$1,600 | $1,260–$2,240 |
| Luxury | $450–$1,000 | $1,350–$3,000 | $2,250–$5,000 | $3,150–$7,000 |
Typical prices
Approximate prices in San Antonio, October 2026. They change; use them for planning, not as quotes.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| VIA bus ride | about $1.30 |
| Breakfast taco | about $2–$5 |
| Tex-Mex combination plate | about $14–$22 |
| Narrated River Walk boat cruise | about $14–$20 |
| Brisket by the half-pound | about $14–$20 |
| Margarita on the River Walk | about $10–$15 |
| Mid-range River Walk hotel | about $140–$260 per night |
Money-saving tips
- The Alamo church, the four missions, the River Walk, the Japanese Tea Garden and Yanaguana Garden are all free.
- Eat breakfast tacos and lunch at taquerías away from the River Walk loop for much lower prices.
- Hotel rates peak during Fiesta in April and big conventions; summer weekdays are often the lowest-priced.
- Use the free Mission Reach trail by bike instead of a guided tour to see the missions.
- Downtown hotel parking adds a lot per night; skip the car until you need it for day trips.
Free things to do
- The Alamo — Founded in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo became famous for the 13-day siege of 1836 during the Texas Revolution.
- San Antonio River Walk — A network of riverside paths one storey below street level, shaded by cypress trees and lined with restaurants, hotels and bridges.
- San Antonio Missions National Historical Park — Four 18th-century Spanish missions south of downtown — Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada — still serve as active parishes.
- The Pearl — The red-brick Pearl Brewery complex, which brewed beer for over a century, now holds restaurants, a bakery, shops, a Culinary Institute of America campus and the Hotel Emma, built around a plaza by the river.
- Market Square (El Mercado) — Three blocks of shops and stalls selling Mexican crafts, pottery, papel picado and embroidered dresses, plus restaurants and bakeries.
- La Villita Historic Arts Village — One of San Antonio's first neighbourhoods, La Villita is a block of small 19th-century stone and adobe houses now used as artists' studios and craft shops.
Where to stay on a budget
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget and solo travellers
Tobin Hill and the St. Mary's Strip
Bars, live music and taquerías between downtown and the Pearl
Eating well for less
- Breakfast tacos — Neighbourhood taquerías and drive-throughs across the city, many serving only until late morning.
- Barbacoa and Big Red — Taquerías and meat markets on the West and South Sides, especially on weekend mornings.
Getting around for less
VIA day pass
An unlimited-ride day pass for VIA buses, sold through VIA's app and ticket outlets.
Questions travellers ask
+How much does a trip to San Antonio cost?
About $900–$1,600 per person for five days mid-range, excluding flights (estimate), or $375–$650 on a tight budget.
+Is San Antonio expensive?
It is moderately priced for international visitors. The Alamo church, the four missions, the River Walk, the Japanese Tea Garden and Yanaguana Garden are all free.
+How much money do I need per day in San Antonio?
Roughly $75–$130 on a budget and $180–$320 mid-range (estimates).
+When are hotel prices lowest in San Antonio?
Usually in January and August–September.