- 1. Rideshare With Uber or Lyft<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Hop on the CapMetro<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Avoid Places on Eater, Thrillist, or Other Foodie Blogs<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Find a Food Truck Instead<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Download the OpenTable App<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Find Something Else to Do<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Enjoy a Concert or Two<\/a><\/li>
- SXSW FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
A few of the things I found on my first SXSW adventure:<\/p>
- It\u2019s hard to get a beer at some of my favorite bars or food at my go-to restaurants with all the crowds. <\/li>
- It\u2019s also hard to get a decently priced Uber, and it\u2019s simply impossible to drive to many places. Pedicabs? Those are more for your Instagram diary than actually getting around.<\/li> <\/ul>
I\u2019ve seen a few lists about avoiding the crowds entirely and staying home or leaving Austin during South By. I\u2019m sure this is a viable option for many (especially if you throw your place on Airbnb\/Vrbo). But I still want to enjoy Austin during this annual tech, media, and education fest. <\/p>
Here\u2019s a short guide for those, like me, who want to avoid the insanity of SXSW while still enjoying this beautiful city.<\/p>
1. Rideshare With Uber or Lyft<\/strong><\/h2>
A super simple way to save time and money while getting around downtown Austin is to grab a friend or use the rideshare option for Uber. If someone happens to be traveling on the same route as you, you\u2019re allowing the driver to pick them up, too. <\/p>
Uber:<\/strong> With the UberX Share<\/a> rideshare option, you allow the driver to pick up other passengers traveling along your route. It can save you up to 20% on your fare, plus you might even make a friend or two. <\/p>
Note:<\/strong> UberX Share allows you to reserve only one seat, so if you\u2019re riding with a friend or as a group, you\u2019ll have to request UberX or UberXL.<\/p>
Lyft:<\/strong> While Lyft has discontinued its rideshare program, you can still split the cost with a pal or opt to ride alone. You will get a guaranteed price before booking a Lyft in Austin<\/a>, and you can also set preferences for music, driver, and even the car\u2019s temperature. <\/p>
2. Hop on the CapMetro<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Austin](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/metro-train-austin.jpg\")
MetroRail Austin at night. Photo Credit: Steve<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Buy passes and plan your trip via the CapMetro<\/a> app. Daytime fares for local bus service, including MetroRapid, are $2.50<\/strong>. During the festival, busy bus routes operate later, plus there are the Night Owl buses that run until 3 a.m. <\/p>
You can also opt to take Austin\u2019s MetroRail<\/a> train from the suburbs right to the city center and out from the city afterward for around $7<\/strong>. Using the MetroRail means you won\u2019t pay sky-high parking fees ($60 per day<\/strong> in some cases).<\/p>
You can also rent a bike<\/a> from one of the city\u2019s bike-share stations or through the CapMetro app to get around. Plus, there are plenty of kiosks where you can rent scooters from Lime or Bird. Not only is it an environmentally friendly option, but bikes and scooters also give you access to areas of Austin that other modes of public transportation can\u2019t reach. Just watch out for traffic.<\/p>
3. Avoid Places on Eater, Thrillist, or Other Foodie Blogs<\/strong><\/h2>
Not only do I \u2013 completely subjectively \u2013 think that the majority of the restaurants on these lists of where to eat at SXSW<\/a> are overrated, but there are thousands of other tourists reading and acting upon these lists. My expert advice is to use these lists as \u201cnot-to-do lists.\u201d<\/p>
Often (though not always), the authors of these lists either don\u2019t live in Austin or they\u2019ve been here for less than one year. I\u2019m certainly not proclaiming to be any more of an insider to Austin\u2019s restaurant scene, but then again, I\u2019m not writing articles like \u201c30 of the Best Bloody Marys in Town.\u201d (Eater<\/a> did make a pretty great list of underrated spots, though.) <\/p>
4. Find a Food Truck Instead<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Crowd](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/food-truck-sxsw.jpg\")
Food truck at SXSW. Photo Credit: Jeremy Keith<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Food trucks combine the taste of a top-notch eatery with the convenience of a fast food joint. And if you\u2019re looking for the best city for food trucks<\/a>, Austin is No. 1. So, skip the dining room and opt for an al fresco dining experience instead. There are several food truck parks<\/a> dotting downtown and the city.<\/p>
5. Download the OpenTable App<\/strong><\/h2>
When looking for a restaurant, check OpenTable<\/a> first to see what\u2019s available. It is simple to use and lets you make bookings even when the Austin restaurants are closed. Make reservations ahead of time to beat the crowd.
When browsing different restaurants, OpenTable lets you search by area, event, and price. But not every restaurant is a member, so you can\u2019t make reservations or browse through every available restaurant.<\/p>Note<\/strong>:<\/strong> Some popular Austin eateries may not be open during SXSW, as their space may have been converted for special company events.<\/p>
6. Find Something Else to Do<\/strong><\/h2>
Instead of fighting to find a restaurant, bar, or concert that is worth going to, just give up and find something else to do. This is Austin; there are unlimited activities. Especially because it\u2019s spring and the weather is finally nice, you can undoubtedly find some activities to fill your time. <\/p>
Here are some ideas.<\/p>
- Sailing:<\/strong> Lake Austin and Lake Travis are beautiful sailing spots this time of year. I went this Saturday, and there weren\u2019t actually too many people out. You can also rent kayaks, SUP boards, or canoes<\/a>.<\/li>
- Hiking:<\/strong> I\u2019ve never regretted a trip to the greenbelt<\/a>. And this time of year, what better place to get away from the noise and escape into nature?<\/li>
- Breweries<\/strong>:<\/strong> Austin is becoming quite the craft beer mecca, and SXSW is a good time to explore these breweries.<\/li>
- Haunted tour:<\/strong> There isn\u2019t much walking because they drive you everywhere, and you visit paranormal or haunted historical sites in Austin<\/a>.<\/li>
- K1 Speedway:<\/strong> Because Austin is the American Formula One racing capital, we have the goods. That means we\u2019ve got go-karts for grown-ups<\/a>, but you can bring the kids.<\/li>
- Blazer Tag:<\/strong> Everything\u2019s bigger in Texas, especially in Austin. We have the biggest laser tag complex<\/a> in the state!<\/li> <\/ul>
7. Enjoy a Concert or Two<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"person](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/26088497046_52ed90bc91_k-1.jpg\")
Concert at SXSW. Photo Credit: nrkbeta<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> South By happens once a year and brings an influx of people, arts, and culture to Austin. Suck it up and enjoy a concert or two. <\/p>
The Austin Chronicle puts out a list of free events and parties around the festival that don\u2019t require a badge. Once you stop complaining about all the tourists, you might realize you\u2019re actually having fun.<\/p>
SXSW FAQ<\/strong><\/h2>
Is SXSW 2026 Free to Attend?<\/strong><\/strong>No, the festival itself runs Thursday, March 12, 2026 \u2013 Wednesday, March 18, 2026<\/strong>, covering music, film, tech, and more. While the badges are expensive<\/a>, you can purchase Music Festival Wristbands<\/a> for a much lower price. There are many free events and music also.<\/p> <\/div>
Can I Drive Downtown During SXSW 2026?<\/strong><\/strong>Yes, but it\u2019s not recommended. Austinites know that finding parking can be challenging even on a good day, but throw in blocked streets, tons of traffic, and huge crowds, and it gets worse. The city usually asks people to avoid driving in the area.\u00a0
What is South By Southwest?<\/strong><\/strong>South By Southwest, running since 1987, is an annual Austin festival\/conference in March featuring lectures, music and comedy showcases, film screenings, and exhibitions from around the world.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
SXSW, LawnStarter, and You<\/strong><\/h2>
Many Austin residents rent out rooms or their homes to friends, family, and out-of-town guests in town for South By. As a host, you want to put your best foot forward for SXSW guests but also throughout the year. <\/p>
Need help tending to your lawn? Let one of our vetted Austin lawn care pros<\/a> take care of the lawn before your guests arrive. Oh, and in addition to Austin, we also provide lawn care services in the following cities (and many more throughout Texas): <\/p>
- Round Rock<\/a> <\/li>
- Cedar Park<\/a> <\/li>
- Pflugerville<\/a><\/li>
- Leander<\/a> <\/li>
- Georgetown<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Why is LawnStarter writing about South By? LawnStarter\u2019s home base is Austin, so we\u2019ve been to our share of SXSWs.<\/p>
LawnStarter writer <\/em>Raven Wisdom<\/em><\/a> contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>
Main Image: Dancers perform as SXSW crowd watches downtown. Image Credit: Bonnielou2013<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you live in Austin, learn how to avoid the chaos of SXSW and still enjoy your town with these tips on transportation, other things to do, and food.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":85593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[2046],"class_list":["post-769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-austin-tx","tag-austin-tx"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/1280px-Crayon_Pop_filming_at_SXSW_Austin_Texas_2015_-2.jpg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Alex Birkett","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/alexbirkett\/"},"yoast_head":"\n
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While the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/sxsw-on-a-budget\/#5-badges-costs-and-how-to-save\">badges are expensive<\/a>, you can purchase <a href=\"https:\/\/sxsw.com\/music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Music Festival Wristbands<\/a> for a much lower price. There are many free events and music also.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/avoid-chaos-sxsw-still-enjoying-austin\/#faq-question-1771282408929","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/avoid-chaos-sxsw-still-enjoying-austin\/#faq-question-1771282408929","name":"Can I Drive Downtown During SXSW 2026?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, but it\u2019s not recommended. Austinites know that finding parking can be challenging even on a good day, but throw in blocked streets, tons of traffic, and huge crowds, and it gets worse. The city usually asks people to avoid driving in the area.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>However, you can use apps like <a href=\"https:\/\/spothero.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SpotHero<\/a> to find the best rates, reserve your spot, and pay in advance to save time and stress when you have to drive.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/avoid-chaos-sxsw-still-enjoying-austin\/#faq-question-1771282420495","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/avoid-chaos-sxsw-still-enjoying-austin\/#faq-question-1771282420495","name":"What is South By Southwest?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"South By Southwest, running since 1987, is an annual Austin festival\/conference in March featuring lectures, music and comedy showcases, film screenings, and exhibitions from around the world.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} - Cedar Park<\/a> <\/li>
- Hiking:<\/strong> I\u2019ve never regretted a trip to the greenbelt<\/a>. And this time of year, what better place to get away from the noise and escape into nature?<\/li>
- Sailing:<\/strong> Lake Austin and Lake Travis are beautiful sailing spots this time of year. I went this Saturday, and there weren\u2019t actually too many people out. You can also rent kayaks, SUP boards, or canoes<\/a>.<\/li>
- 2. Hop on the CapMetro<\/a><\/li>