Cheap flights to San Antonio from £219

City overview

Deep in the heart of Texas is one of the US’s more unique cities. A distinctive blend of Native Americans, Spanish, Mexican and other immigrant cultures make San Antonio a must-visit destination. But for many travellers booking flights to San Antonio, there’s one essential must-see spot: the Alamo.

San Antonio came about in the 1700s when the King of Spain sent Spaniard families to settle in the area. The area prospered, but not without suffering. Texas and Mexico fought fierce battles to claim the land and independence. During this time was the famous siege of the Alamo, which today remains one of the most visited sites in America.  

In the 1920s, San Antonio hit a crossroads and was stuck between modernising the city and preserving the authenticity of its ancestors. This dispute resulted in the draining of the San Antonio River, an effort commissioned by the city to make room for more high-rise buildings and new city spaces. This caused uproar with San Antonio locals and soon a union was formed to save the river. The fight was successful and today’s Paseo del Rio, or River Walk, is the pride of San Antonio.  Today, San Antonio remains one of the biggest cultural conglomerates of the south. Flights to San Antonio continue to bring millions of travellers to the third largest city in Texas for a taste of the traditional Deep South.

San Antonio climate

High temperatures and high humidity are the norm in San Antonio from late May through September. The autumn (September to November) and spring (March to April) seasons, however, are the best times to visit and explore the city. The days are warm and the nights are cool but soothing. Temperate weather during November and December make trips to San Antonio a pleasant experience.

Getting around San Antonio

San Antonio’s public transportation system is cheap and easy to use. The buses run regularly at reasonable rates, but you’ll need exact change. The VIA Metropolitan Transit Service also has streetcars that stop at tourist stops. You can tell where they’re going by the colour-coded signs listing their routes and destinations. Avoid driving around the city centre and save yourself the hassle of getting lost in all the one-way streets. You can find cabs easily at the airport or major hotels, but you’ll have to call ahead elsewhere.   

Local Airport

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is around 8 miles (13 km) north of the centre of San Antonio.

San Antonio airport overview

San Antonio International Airport serves an average of eight million passengers per year and is located approximately 13km (8 miles) from downtown San Antonio, Texas. Flights to San Antonio International Airport come from a number of destinations, including Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Newark, Memphis, New York, Denver, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Charlotte, Baltimore, Denver, Orlando, Mexico City, Cancun, and Monterrey.

Recent building work has improved the handling capacity of the airport, as well as its accessibility. In 2010, Terminal 2 was closed and the newly built Terminal B was opened; the old terminal was then aptly named Terminal A and Terminal 2 was demolished in early 2011. A third terminal, Terminal C, is to be built by 2015. Furthermore, the construction of major roads – Interstate 410 and U.S. Highway 281 – has significantly improved transport flow and driving time to and from San Antonio International.

Although fairly limited in terms of shopping and dining options, amenities are sufficient and service is warm and friendly, much like the charming city of San Antonio.