Austin is the capital city of the State of Texas. Located in the very heart of Texas, it is easily accessible by highway from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and other major cities across the state and nation.

Just 8 miles from Austin’s city center, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is a modern and efficient facility, which is often praised for its great selection of almost-exclusively local dining options!

More than a dozen airlines fly to and from AUS daily, including non-stops to 50 cities and one-stop connections to hundreds more. AUS offers service to all parts of the United States and connection service to the rest of the world. Once you have arrived in Austin, airport transportation is available by taxi, charter, and public transportation, including CapMetro’s Airport Flyer.

Don’t care to fly? Amtrak provides train service to Austin via the Texas Eagle. MegaBus and Greyhound are also an alternative to flying.

Each year, thousands of people travel to SXSW EDU from outside the United States. We know international travel can be tricky, so we’ve gathered some helpful information and links for you.

Flight Information

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport now offers non-stop international service to Amsterdam, Calgary, Cancun, Cozumel, Frankfurt, Liberia Costa Rica, London Heathrow, Mexico City, Montego Bay, Monterrey, Nassau Bahamas, Ontario, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, San José del Cabo, Toronto, and Vancouver. Several carriers have domestic flights directly into Austin but most international travelers will need to catch a connecting flight from the larger hubs around the U.S.

Visa Information

It is important to make sure that you’ll be allowed into the U.S. when you arrive for SXSW. For many attendees, simply registering for The VISA Waiver Program (VWP) through the ESTA website will be sufficient, but some travelers may need or want to have U.S. visas issued prior to travel to the U.S. Check out the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs for the most up-to-date information on how to apply for your U.S. VISA.

The Visa Waiver Program enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less, without first obtaining a visa. Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel.

The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival, March 3-6, 2025, takes place in Austin, Texas. Stay tuned for more information and programming announcements throughout the season. Subscribe to SXSW EDU Event Updates for the latest information. For any additional questions, please visit our FAQ page, or email our Housing & Travel team at housing@sxswedu.com.

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