Fresno/ Health & Lifestyle
Published on May 13, 2019
Exploring the best of Austin, with cheap flights from FresnoPhoto: iStock

Looking for a trending new city to explore? Consider Austin, Texas, one of the fastest growing large cities in the country and U.S. News & World Report's #1 place to live in the U.S. for the past two years running.

The self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World" is home to many students, artists and musicians, along with a booming tech industry and a classic Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex food scene. Despite its growth, Austin seeks to maintain its eccentric local vibe, with plenty of independent businesses and a strong commitment to the local environment. Austin hosts numerous festivals throughout the year and boasts more music venues per capita than any other city in the U.S. The list of local attractions also includes extensive theaters, museums and outdoor spaces like parks, lakes and waterways.

Using travel site Skyscanner, we’ve sifted through the cheapest flights between Fresno and Austin in the next few months, including some standout hotel options and favorite local attractions.

(Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Flight deals to Austin

Currently, the cheapest flights between Fresno and Austin are if you leave on June 10 and return from Texas on June 13. Allegiant Air currently has tickets for $267, roundtrip.

There are also deals to be had in July. If you fly out of Fresno on July 31 and return from Austin on Aug. 4, Allegiant Air can get you there and back for $322 roundtrip.

Top Austin hotels

To plan your stay, here are some of Austin’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.

The Driskill — in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt (604 Brazos St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

For an all-around top recommendation, consider The Driskill — in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The hotel has a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $129.

A landmark in downtown Austin, this legendary hotel was built in 1886 as the showplace for cattle baron Jesse Lincoln Driskill and has since become synonymous with traditional Texas hospitality. 

The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center (1900 University Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

There's also the 4.8-star rated The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. Rooms are currently set at $129/night.

Expect luxury hotel amenities and full conference center facilities, including intimate meeting rooms with arena seating and smart classroom technology. 

The Hotel Ella (1900 Rio Grande)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're looking to treat yourself, try The Hotel Ella. The 4.8-star hotel has rooms for $199/night.

Top picks for dining and drinking

If you're looking for a popular spot to grab a bite, Austin has plenty of excellent eateries to choose from. Here are a few from Skyscanner's listings to help you get started.

Uchi (801 S. Lamar Blvd.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

One of Austin's most popular restaurants is Uchi, which has an average of 4.9 stars out of 104 reviews on Skyscanner.

Uchi invites diners to explore their gastro­nomic bound­aries by pairing tradi­tional Japanese offer­ings with new and refreshing flavors and textures.

"Amazing sushi!" wrote visitor Katie.  

Franklin Barbecue (900 E. 11th)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Another popular dining destination is Franklin Barbecue, with 4.9 stars from 100 reviews.

"All the hype for this all-American meal," wrote Helena. "It was the No. 1 thing to do while visiting Austin."

Hopdoddy Burger Bar (1400 S. Congress Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Also worth considering is the Hopdoddy Burger Bar, with 4.7 stars from 127 reviews.

"I highly recommend the ahi tuna burger here," wrote Wendy. 

Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Finally, there's Home Slice Pizza, with 4.7 stars from 122 reviews.

"Whether you're into spinach pizza or the traditional cheese pie, this place is funky and fun," wrote Tiffany. 

Featured local attractions

Not sure what to do in Austin, besides eat and drink? Here are a few recommendations, provided by Skyscanner.

Barton Springs Pool (2201 Barton Springs Road)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First up is the Barton Springs Pool, with 4.8 stars from 343 reviews.

As one of Austin's finest attractions, the Barton Springs Pool provides the perfect outing for those hot Texas days. It maintains a comfortable temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. The grassy hillsides and moss-covered rocks are perfect for sunbathing.  

Zilker Metropolitan Park (2100 Barton Springs Road)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Then, there's the Zilker Metropolitan Park. It checks in with 4.8 stars from 269 reviews on SkyScanner. 

"This is a great place to take a break from the bustling downtown scene," wrote visitor Tyson.  

Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail (Lady Bird Lake)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Finally, spend some time at the Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail, with 4.9 stars from 183 reviews.

"This is a wonderful body of water for paddleboarding and kayaking in the center of the city," wrote visitor Nici.  

This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.