Getting Around

By Public Transportation

Austin's public transportation system, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (www.capmetro.org) operates more than 50 bus lines and features low to nonexistent fares. A day pass on Metro costs $1; express service from various Park & Ride lots costs $2. You'll need exact change or fare tickets to board the bus. Call tel. 800/474-1201 or 512/474-1200 (TTY 512/385-5872) from local pay phones for point-to-point routing information. You can also pick up a schedule booklet at any HEB, Fiesta, or Albertsons grocery store; at stores and hotels throughout the downtown area; or at the Capital Metro Transit Store, 106 E. Eighth St., just off Congress Avenue.

In addition, Capital Metro also offers a special weekend Tour the Town route, which loops around the University of Texas, goes through downtown, and then heads for the Restaurant Row along Barton Springs Road. Regular bus pricing applies.

Discount Fares -- 'Dillos aren't the only free ride in Austin. With the exception of Special Transit Service and Public Event shuttles, passengers 65 and older or those with mobility impairments may ride all fixed bus routes free upon presenting a Capital Metro ID card to the driver. Cards are available for $3 from the Capital Metro Information Center (open Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm). University of Texas students also ride free upon presentation of a UT ID card; all other students who get a Capital Metro ID card pay half-price. If you buy a Ticket Book, available at the same place as schedule booklets , you can get 20 tickets for only $5. Children 5 years or younger can ride free when accompanied by adults. And on ozone alert days, in order to discourage people from getting into their cars, Capital Metro lets you board all its buses gratis.

Tourist-Friendly Transport -- The seven free 'Dillo routes -- Blue, Gold, Orange, Red, Silver, and the latest, Moonlight and Starlight -- make it simple as well as economical for visitors to troll the tourist sights. Routes include the most popular -- and most parking challenged -- sections of downtown, as well as the University of Texas, the South Congress shopping district, and historic East Austin. The Orange and Silver 'Dillos are particularly geared toward sightseeing, while the Starlight and Moonlight rides, available Thursday through Saturday from 6pm to 3am, shuttle you around downtown's hottest nightspot and restaurant areas.

By Car

With its lack of traffic planning, driving in Austin is, to put it mildly, a challenge. Don't fall into a driver's daze anywhere in town; you need to be as vigilant on the city streets as you are on highways. The former are rife with signs that suddenly insist LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT or RIGHT LANE MUST TURN RIGHT -- generally positioned so they're noticeable only when it's too late to switch. A number of major downtown streets are one-way; many don't have street signs or have signs so covered with foliage they're impossible to read. Driving is particularly confusing in the university area, where streets like "32 1/2" suddenly turn up. Multiply the difficulties at night, when you need X-ray vision to read the ill-lit street indicators.

The highways are no more pleasant. I-35 -- nicknamed "the NAFTA highway" because of the big rigs speeding up from Mexico -- is mined with tricky on-and-off ramps and, around downtown, a confusing complex of upper and lower levels; it's easy to miss your exit or find yourself exiting when you don't want to. The rapidly developing area to the northwest, where Highway 183 connects I-35 with Mo-Pac and the Capital of Texas Highway, requires particular vigilance, as the connections occur very rapidly. There are regular lane mergers and sudden, precipitous turnoffs.

Nervous? Good. Better a bit edgy than lost or injured. Consult maps in advance and, when driving around the university or downtown, try to gauge the number of blocks before turns so you won't have to be completely dependent on street signs. You can also check the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) website, www.dot.state.tx.us, for the latest information on road conditions, including highway diversions, construction, and closures.

Car Rentals -- If you're planning to travel at a popular time, it's a good idea to book as far in advance as you can, both to secure the quoted rates and to ensure that you get a car.

Advantage (tel. 800/777-5500; www.arac.com), Alamo (tel. 800/327-9633; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel. 800/831-2847; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel. 800/800-4000; www.dollarcar.com), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131; www.hertz.com), National (tel. 800/227-7368; www.nationalcar.com), and Thrifty (tel. 800/367-2277; www.thrifty.com) all have representatives at the airport.

Lower prices are usually available for those who are flexible about dates of travel or who are members of frequent-flyer or frequent-hotel-stay programs or of organizations such as AAA or AARP. Car-rental companies are eager to get your business, so they're as likely as not to ask whether you belong to any group that will snag you a discount, but if the clerk doesn't inquire, it can't hurt to mention every travel-related program you're a member of -- you'd be surprised at the bargains you might turn up.

Parking -- Unless you have congressional plates, you're likely to find the selection of parking spots downtown extremely limited during the week (construction isn't making the situation any better); as a result, lots of downtown restaurants offer valet parking (with hourly rates ranging $4-$6). There are a number of lots around the area, costing anywhere from $5 to $7 per hour, but the most convenient ones tend to fill up quickly. If you're lucky enough to find a metered spot, it'll run you 75¢ per hour, with a 2-hour limit, so bring change. Although there's virtually no street parking available near the capitol before 5pm during the week, there is a free visitor garage on 15th and San Jacinto (2-hr. time limit). Tip: If you're willing to forgo your own wheels for a bit, park in one of the free Park & Ride lots serviced by the Red, Gold, and Silver 'Dillo lines and take advantage of Austin's excellent free public transport.

In the university area, trying to find a spot near the shopping strip known as "the Drag" can be just that. However, cruise the side streets and you're eventually bound to find a pay lot that's not filled. The two most convenient on-campus parking garages are located near San Jacinto and East 26th streets and off 25th Street between San Antonio and Nueces. There's also a (free!) parking lot near the LBJ Library, but it's far from the central campus. Log on to www.utexas.edu/business/parking/resources for additional places to drop off your car.

Driving Rules -- Unless indicated, right turns are permitted on red after coming to a full stop. Seat belts and child-restraint seats are mandatory in Texas.

By Taxi

The major cab companies in Austin are Austin Cab (tel. 512/478-2222) and American Yellow Checker Cab (tel. 512/452-9999). The flag-drop charge is $2.05, and it's $2.05 for each mile after that.

By Bike

Although an increase in traffic has rendered Austin's streets less bicycle-friendly than they once were, the city is still pretty good for two-wheelers. Many city streets have separate bicycle lanes, and lots of scenic areas have been set aside for hiking and biking.

On Foot

Downtown Austin is pedestrian-friendly, with traffic lights at nearly every intersection. The city is also dotted with lovely, tree-shaded spots for everything from strolling to in-line skating. The city's jaywalking laws are not usually enforced, except occasionally downtown.