Texas, United States - Travel Guide

Texas is its own country in spirit - a vast state with distinct regions and cultures. Austin brings live music and tech innovation, Houston offers space exploration and incredible diversity, San Antonio preserves Spanish colonial heritage, and Big Bend provides desert wilderness. World-famous BBQ, Tex-Mex cuisine, and genuine cowboy culture make Texas unforgettable.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay10 days

Budget$80/day

Mid-range$150/day

Luxury$400/day

Known For

texasaustinhoustondallassan_antoniobig_bendbbqlive_musiccowboysrodeohill_countrytex_mexcraft_beerspace_centeralamofoodnightliferoad_tripnational_parkmarfafort_worthriver_walksxswacl

🇺🇸 Country Information: United States

CapitalWashington

CurrencyUnited States dollar ($)

LanguageEnglish , Spanish,Chinese,French,Tagalog,Vietnamese,Korean,German,Arabic,Russian

Phone Code+1

Electricity120V (Type A, B)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is customary for services (restaurants, bars, taxis, hair salons, etc
)
Restaurant waitstaff: 15
20% of the bill
Bar staff: $1
2 per drink or 15
20% of the bill
Taxi drivers: 15
20% of the fare
Hotel housekeepers: $2
5 per day

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available
Credit cards are widely accepted
Bringing cash is a personal preference, but credit/debit cards are sufficient for most transactions
No black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Casual dress is common, but smart casual is appreciated in upscale settings
Politeness and direct communication are generally valued
Punctuality for appointments is expected
Personal space is generally respected
Shaking hands is a common greeting
Eating customs are diverse, but typically involve using forks, knives, and spoons
It is common to make small talk with strangers
"Bless you" is said when someone sneezes

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. LGBTQ+ rights vary by state, but federal protections are in place for marriage equality and some anti-discrimination laws. Public opinion is increasingly supportive.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 21
Marijuana laws vary by state (some states allow recreational or medicinal use, others do not)
Federal law prohibits marijuana use
Drug laws are strict, particularly for illicit substances

Special Laws

It is illegal to jaywalk in many areas
Open container laws for alcohol vary by state and city
Driving laws vary by state

Common Phrases

NoNo (NOH)

YesYes (YES)

HelloHello (huh-LOH)

PleasePlease (PLEEZ)

Excuse meExcuse me (eks-KYOOS mee)

Thank youThank you (THANk yoo)

Climate

Climate varies dramatically across the state. South Texas is subtropical, Panhandle has cold winters, Big Bend is desert. Summers are hot everywhere (95-105°F/35-40°C). Spring and fall most pleasant. Gulf coast has hurricane risk June-November.

Best Time to Visit

Best Season: March
May, October
November
Summer: June
August (extremely hot)
Hurricane Season: June
November (Gulf coast)
Big Bend: October
April (summer too hot)

Getting There

Major international airports at Dallas
Fort Worth (DFW), Houston George Bush (IAH), Austin (AUS), and San Antonio (SAT)
Texas is enormous
domestic flights between cities are common and often necessary
All airports have extensive US and international connections

Getting Around

Car rental essential
Texas is massive and built for driving
Dallas
Austin is 3 hours, Austin
Big Bend is 6+ hours
Cities have limited public transit (except some Austin areas)
Uber/Lyft available everywhere
The Texas road trip is iconic

Health & Vaccinations

No special vaccinations required
Stay hydrated in summer heat
Sun protection essential
Excellent medical facilities
Watch for extreme heat warnings

Staying Connected

Excellent 4G/5G coverage throughout
All major US carriers
eSIM works perfectly
WiFi everywhere
Big Bend has limited coverage

Local Cuisine

Texas Brisket must_try

The king of Texas BBQ - beef brisket smoked for 12-18 hours over post oak until perfectly tender with a dark bark crust. Central Texas style uses just

Tex-Mex must_try

The beloved Texas-Mexican fusion - cheese enchiladas, sizzling fajitas, queso, breakfast tacos, and puffy tacos. Born in Texas, perfected in San Anton

Breakfast Tacos must_try

Austin's breakfast staple - flour tortillas stuffed with eggs, bacon, potato, cheese, and salsa. Every taqueria has their version. Debate over best sp

Chicken Fried Steak must_try

Tenderized beef steak breaded and fried like fried chicken, smothered in cream gravy. The ultimate Texas comfort food.

Kolaches local_favorite

Czech pastries adopted by Texas - soft dough filled with fruit, cream cheese, or (Texas twist) sausage and jalapeño. Essential road trip fuel.

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Franklin Barbecue Dining

Order online 1-4 weeks ahead

World-famous BBQ with multi-hour lines. Online preorders available.

Big Bend Lodging Accommodation

Book 2-6 months in advance

Chisos Mountains Lodge is only in-park lodging. Books months ahead.

SXSW or ACL Festival event

Book 3-6 months in advance

Major festivals sell out quickly. Hotels during SXSW are extremely limited.

Fun Facts

1. Texas is the only state that was an independent nation - the Republic of Texas existed from 1836-1846.
2. King Ranch in South Texas is larger than the state of Rhode Island.
3. The state has three of the top 10 largest cities in the US - Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas.
4. Texas has its own power grid, independent from the rest of the United States.

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