Taking on Texas

Travel Note

Flying In Like a Rock Star

Check fares on comparison sites like www.kayak.com for best deals. Our fave airline for cheap prices and two free checked bags is Southwest (note that Southwest will not show up on any fare comparison site- you have to go to www.southwest.com to check their fares) Frontier also regularly has cheap fares but you might want to travel light, as they charge for each piece of baggage and any extras...like air :) FOR AUSSIES: depending on your travel plans, it can sometimes be cheaper to book your international flight all the way through to Texas (or your first stop) rather than booking a separate domestic flight. United, Delta and Virgin will get you most anywhere in the US via LA or San Francisco; Qantas does a direct long-haul into Dallas (3hr drive to Austin); Air New Zealand will get ya to Houston via Auckland (2.75hr drive to Austin).

Flight

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Austin airport is 45min from the venue. Most domestic airlines fly there and United, Delta, Qantas, and American Airllines make the connection from Australia. Rental cars are onsite or there are many ride share companies- it's about 15min to downtown and there are also plenty of airport hotels.

Flight

San Antonio International Airport

San Antonio airport is 1hr15min from the venue, similar time to Austin. Most domestic airlines serve it, including connections from Oz on Delta and United- and compared to the hell of Sydney airport, it's an itty bitty easy-to-navigate dream. A short shuttle gets you to rental cars and it's about a 10min drive to downtown SA.

Flight

Dallas Airports

Dallas might suit ya if the oodles of flight options give you better prices or times, or if you feel like rolling down I-35 through Waco to visit Fixer Upper's Chip & Jo's Magnolia Market. There are 2 airports in the area (note that making a connection between the two airports might be more trouble than it's worth!) Dallas-Fort Worth is the major hub for Texas, served by pretty much every airline, including Qantas flying direct from Australia. It's a 3hr15min drive down to Austin, 3hr45min to the venue (note: the interstate has tolls in this corridor) Dallas Love Field is the little brother airport served by Alaska Airlines, Delta, Southwest and Virgin America. It's a 3hr drive to Austin, 3hr40min to the venue.

Flight

Houston Airports

Houston is a great gateway if you feel like a little roadtripping, picking a better flight time or price, or popping down to the coast for some beach time in the fun town of Galveston (note to Aussies- it ain't like our beaches, with tea-colored water). There are two airports: Houston International Airport is just under 3hrs drive from Austin, 3.5hrs to the wedding venue. Most domestic airlines fly in here, along with international stretches from Oz with Air New Zealand (via Auckland) and now direct from Sydney with United. Hobby Airport is on the southeast side of the city, just over 3hrs drive from Austin and just under 4hrs to the venue. It's a nice little user-friendly joint served by American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest.

Travel Note

Dripping Springs Digs

Dripping Springs is in the Hill Country region and is known as the wedding capital of Texas...which makes for a great setting and a trickier quest for a place to rest your head! There are two hotels nearby- the Sleep Inn and Holiday Inn Express listed here. We are working on a room block for guests, but feel free to get in early with a reservation as these hotels tend to book up very fast. However, there are also many vacation rental homes and B&Bs in the area, and the surrounding regions such as Lakeway, Marble Falls and Wimberley are a little further afield but also really lovely places to visit with more hotel and B&B options. Accommodation in Austin is another option, with many reasonably priced hotels on the south side and endless AirBnB listings. Further south on the interstate, Buda and Kyle are about the same distance from Dripping Springs and offer all the major hotel chains. Give us a shout if you want any help or suggestions on where to stay!

Hotel

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dripping Springs - Austin Area

The closest hotel to Stone House Ranch and highly rated- advise to book soon if this suits ya!

Hotel

Sleep Inn & Suites

Best to get in quick if proximity to the party is the priority! Rumour has it they offer a shuttle to venues in the area- please check with hotel.

Hotel

Best Western Plus Austin City Hotel

For a stay in Austin, this is a highly-rated, reasonably-priced hotel in a great spot, near the bars and shops of South Congress. Easy access to downtown and the interstate that will take you out west to Dripping Springs and hill country, or south to fun in New Braunfels and San Antonio.

House Or Rental

Homeaway/VRBO

Lots of great options for stays all around the hill country and Austin or down in San Antonio if that's more your thing!

House Or Rental

Air BnB

The mecca of room and home rentals- particularly great for apartments in the Austin downtown area.

Hotel

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Austin SW - Sunset Valley

The Google claims this is 33min from the venue, making it a good bet for a nice night's stay if you'd like to roll to Sunday breakfast in Austin.

Hotel

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Austin South

35min from Stone House Ranch. Located just south of downtown Austin with easy access to route 290 which takes you straight out to Dripping Springs. We have a room block which gives us a wee bit of a discounted rate- please use the link to book. US$140+tax for King room Please reserve by April 21 to get this rate.

Hotel

Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark

37min from Stone House Ranch. Also located just south of downtown Austin right by the 290 to shoot out to Dripping Springs, check in here for a little pampering- it has indoor/outdoor pools and a spaaaaaa. We have a room block here too, so a little bitty discount applies if you reserve directly with the hotel on 1­800­-THE-OMNI and mention the SAMS HALL WEDDING BLOCK or visit Omnihotels.com, click on More Options under the reservation tab and enter group code 051518samshallw US$199+tax for King or Double room Please reserve by April 20 for this rate

Discount Code - SAMS HALL WEDDING BLOCK