How to travel from Philadelphia to Austin on the cheap

How to travel from Philadelphia to Austin on the cheapPhoto: iStock
Hoodline
Published on July 24, 2019

Looking for an up-and-coming city to explore? Consider Austin, Texas, one of the fastest-growing large cities in the country and U.S. News & World Report's number one place to live in the United States 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 nation. The list of local attractions also includes extensive theaters, museums and outdoor spaces like parks, lakes and waterways.

Luckily, there are ample relatively inexpensive flights between Philadelphia and Austin on a regular basis. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels, handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)

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Flight deals to Austin

Currently, the cheapest flights between Philadelphia and Austin are if you leave on Sept. 28 and return from Texas on Oct. 2. Frontier Airlines currently has roundtrip, nonstop tickets for $110.

There are also deals to be had in August. If you fly out of Philadelphia on Aug. 31 and return from Austin on Sept. 4, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $116 roundtrip.

Top Austin hotel

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

The Driskill, Unbound Collection by Hyatt (604 Brazos St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

For an all-around top recommendation, consider The Driskill, Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The hotel has a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner.

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. Enjoy convenient access to the best of Austin, from the Texas State Capitol and Austin Convention Center to the city’s world-famous Sixth Street nightlife scene.

Top picks for dining and drinking

If you're looking for a noteworthy 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's culi­nary philos­ophy is to combine local seasonal ingre­di­ents with an infinite spec­trum of seafood from around the globe.

"Amazing sushi," wrote visitor Katie. "It's up there against anything you'll have in San Francisco, NYC or elsewhere."

Hopdoddy Burger Bar (1400 S. Congress Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Also worth considering is Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

"This place is popular, so there may be a line, but it moves pretty fast and is totally worth it," wrote Wendy. 

Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Finally, there's Home Slice Pizza.

Home Slice Pizza is an independent neighborhood pizza joint serving authentic New York-style pizza — by the pie or by the slice.

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

What to see and do in Austin

Austin is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are some popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.

Barton Springs Pool (2201 Barton Springs Road)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First up is Barton Springs Pool.

Known as one of Austin's finest attractions, Barton Springs Pool is the perfect outing for those hot Texas days — or even the cool ones. Maintaining a comfortable 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, guests can enjoy a 100% natural swimming experience with no chlorine.

"A must-visit within Austin, especially in the summer," wrote visitor Nici. "You can swim laps, jump off a diving board, bring a float and just relax in the always-cool water. Then, lay out on the hill in the sun to warm up and repeat."

Zilker Metropolitan Park (2100 Barton Springs Road)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Then, there's Zilker Metropolitan Park.

There are a huge variety of activities to enjoy at Zilker Park. Patrons can check out the hike and bike trails, picnic facilities, Zilker Botanical Garden, canoe rentals, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, riverboat rides on Town Lake, concerts, festivals and even a miniature train.

"A great place to take a break from the bustling downtown," wrote visitor Tyson. "[The] large, open space make[s] this a great place to play soccer or frisbee."

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

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Finally, spend some time at Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail.

"A wonderful body of water in the center of the city," wrote visitor Nici. "I highly suggest biking around Lady Bird Lake. ... There are several city bikes nearby that you can rent for a really reasonable price."


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.