๐Ÿ ๐Ÿ“ž Call Now
Chat with us! ๐Ÿ’ฌ
โ† All service areas

New Braunfels Party Bus, Limo & Shuttle Rental

New Braunfels sits on I-35 between Austin and San Antonio. Groups book Austin Party Ride for Comal or Guadalupe floats, Schlitterbahn days, and Wurstfest nights. New Braunfels groups usually call when the plan involves Austin to New Braunfels Tubing on one timeline. One local planning detail that matters here: Gruene Hall does not have air conditioning -- embrace it in summer or visit during fall and spring

๐Ÿ“ 50 miles๐Ÿ•’ 50 min from Austin๐Ÿ‘ฅ 122,000+
22 Passenger Party Bus available for New Braunfels pickups

Quote for a New Braunfels pickup

Tell us where you're starting, where you're headed, and how many are coming.

We use what you send here only to get back to you about your ride.

New Braunfels at a glance

โœฆNew Braunfels was founded in 1845 by German immigrants and retains strong German-Texan heritage
โœฆSchlitterbahn New Braunfels is consistently rated one of the best waterparks in America
โœฆThe Comal River is the shortest navigable river in Texas at just 2.5 miles
โœฆGruene Hall, located in the Gruene district, is the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas (est. 1878)
โœฆNew Braunfels population has tripled since 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the US
โœฆWurstfest -- a ten-day German heritage festival each November -- draws 100,000+ visitors

How groups outside central Austin plan

From Austin Party Ride's own inquiry records: what pickups from places like New Braunfels look like in group size, timing, and where they go.

median planning window for Austin requests
32 daysmedian planning window for Austin requests
of Austin requests ask for a party bus
89%of Austin requests ask for a party bus
of Austin requests are 4-hour requests
46%of Austin requests are 4-hour requests
median wedding lead time
103 daysmedian wedding lead time

Source: Austin Party Ride inquiry records (2023โ€“2026) and our booking-data library. Percentages are rounded; historical quotes are references, not offers.

What Drives New Braunfels Bookings Month to Month

The New Braunfels calendar has a rhythm we can almost set our clocks by. Memorial Day through Labor Day is river season, with Saturday floats on the Comal and the Guadalupe accounting for most of the summer requests from Austin. Late July brings the Comal County Fair and Rodeo in September, then the first half of November is Wurstfest, ten days that draw six-figure crowds to Landa Park and turn the bus into the only sane way to arrive from Austin.

Gruene Hall shapes the rest of the year. Sunday afternoon shows are free, the weekend headliners are ticketed and sell out, and both kinds end with a crowd walking out onto Hunter Road at once. December stacks Wassailfest downtown and holiday shows at the Hall, and the Guadalupe River Road wedding venues run March through November. For any of these, count on 50 to 70 minutes each way on I-35, with the extra time coming from the construction zones between Buda and San Marcos rather than from New Braunfels itself.

22 Passenger Party Bus exterior, used for New Braunfels pickups

New Braunfels: German Heritage Meets Texas Hill Country

New Braunfels is one of the most charming cities in Texas. Founded in 1845 by German immigrants led by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, the city has maintained its German-Texan character through nearly two centuries of growth. The architecture, the food, the festivals, and the spirit of gemutlichkeit (cozy friendliness) that permeates the community all reflect this heritage. Walking down Gruene Road or through the historic district, you will find German bakeries next to Texas barbecue joints, polka music drifting from beer halls, and a community that takes its fun seriously. The city sits fifty miles south of Austin where the Balcones Escarpment meets the Texas Coastal Plain, creating a dramatic landscape where Hill Country limestone gives way to river valleys. The Comal River -- the shortest navigable river in Texas at just two and a half miles -- runs through the heart of town, while the Guadalupe River defines the city's western edge. Both rivers are fed by natural springs, producing crystal-clear water that stays refreshingly cool even during the brutal Texas summer. But New Braunfels is fifty minutes from Austin on I-35, and the traffic on summer weekends can add significantly to that drive time. Parking at river outfitters, Gruene Hall, and Schlitterbahn fills up fast. And after a day of floating, dancing, and enjoying the German beer that flows freely in this town, nobody should be driving home on the interstate. Therefore, a party bus from Austin Party Ride turns a New Braunfels day trip into a carefree celebration. The bus handles the I-35 drive, drops you at the river or venue or waterpark, and brings everyone home safely. The ride to New Braunfels sets the mood. The ride home lets you relive the highlights. And nobody worries about traffic, parking, or designated drivers.
26 Passenger Shuttle Bus exterior, used for New Braunfels pickups
German heritage, spring-fed rivers, and Gruene Hall -- New Braunfels is a Texas treasure

Gruene Historic District

Gruene (pronounced "green") is a historic Texas settlement within New Braunfels that has become one of the most beloved destinations in the Hill Country. At its heart is Gruene Hall -- the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas, built in 1878. The hall has hosted legends from George Strait and Willie Nelson to Lyle Lovett and Pat Green. Its weathered wooden walls, open-air design (no air conditioning -- this is Texas), and intimate atmosphere create a music experience that modern venues cannot replicate. Adjacent to Gruene Hall, the Gristmill River Restaurant sits in a restored 100-year-old cotton gin overlooking the Guadalupe River. The views from the multi-level deck are stunning, and the menu features Texas comfort food with Hill Country flair. It is one of the most popular restaurants in Central Texas, and the wait on weekends can exceed ninety minutes. The party bus advantage: your group arrives early, secures a table, and dines while the afternoon crowds are still en route. The Gruene Antique Company, Gruene General Store, and surrounding shops offer an afternoon of browsing through vintage finds, Texas souvenirs, and handmade crafts. The entire district spans just a few blocks, making it easily walkable while the bus waits at a nearby parking area. For groups doing a full New Braunfels day, the ideal itinerary is morning tubing on the Guadalupe or Comal River, afternoon lunch at the Gristmill, and evening live music at Gruene Hall. The bus connects all three activities seamlessly.
14 Passenger Limo Sprinter exterior, used for New Braunfels pickups
Gruene Hall has hosted legends since 1878 -- the oldest dance hall in Texas

River Tubing on the Comal and Guadalupe

New Braunfels is the river tubing capital of Texas. The city sits at the confluence of two incredible rivers, each offering a distinct floating experience. The Comal River is the shorter, gentler option. At just two and a half miles, it is the shortest navigable river in Texas, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in character. The Comal is spring-fed from the massive Comal Springs, and the water is impossibly clear. The float takes about ninety minutes, passing through Landa Park (a beautiful city park with spring-fed pools and walking trails) and along a stretch of bars and restaurants where you can pull your tube ashore for a drink. The river tube chute at Landa Park is free and marks the starting point for most Comal floats. The Guadalupe River offers a longer, more adventurous float. The horseshoe loop section -- the most popular stretch -- takes three to four hours and passes through scenic Hill Country terrain with some minor rapids, deep swimming holes, and rope swings. Outfitters like Rockin' R River Rides and TubeHaus provide tubes, cooler tubes, and shuttle service between put-in and take-out points. A party bus is the best way to do either river. The bus carries all your gear (coolers, towels, dry clothes, phones), eliminates the need for multiple cars, and handles the post-float drive home when the group is sun-drenched, tired, and potentially several beers deep. The bus picks you up at the take-out point, turns on the AC, and transports you to the next stop or home.
22 Passenger Party Bus interior
Two rivers, two experiences -- the Comal for easy floats, the Guadalupe for adventure

Ready to book from New Braunfels?

Call (512) 900-8324 or tell us where you're starting and where the night is headed, and we'll price it.

Local planning tips for New Braunfels

1

Gruene Hall does not have air conditioning -- embrace it in summer or visit during fall and spring

2

The Comal River is gentler and shorter than the Guadalupe -- better for families and casual floaters

3

Gristmill River Restaurant in Gruene has stunning river views but long weekend waits -- arrive before 11 AM

4

Schlitterbahn has two parks -- the original and the newer Blastenhoff section. One day is not enough for both

5

For river tubing, Landa Park tube chute on the Comal is free and easy for beginners

6

Wurstfest in November is like a Texas Oktoberfest -- book the bus early because it sells out

Best times to plan New Braunfels transportation

MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember

Popular New Braunfels destinations

Schlitterbahn Waterpark

Gruene Hall

Comal River

Guadalupe River

Landa Park

Austin to New Braunfels Tubing

Pickup timing, stops, and the return plan are built around this route.

Gruene Hall Concerts

Pickup timing, stops, and the return plan are built around this route.

Schlitterbahn Day Trip

Pickup timing, stops, and the return plan are built around this route.

Planning around local events or road closures? Check the official New Braunfels city website, then come back for the transportation plan.

Austin Party Ride polls

New Braunfels and Austin polls

Vote on local favorites and planning questions, then open more categories for events and vehicles.

New Braunfels

Tap an answer to vote. Results update as soon as you vote.

Which historic site in New Braunfels do you find most interesting?

0 votes

What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing New Braunfels today?

0 votes

Which festival in New Braunfels do you look forward to the most each year?

0 votes

What is your favorite outdoor activity in New Braunfels during the summer?

0 votes

Want the whole list? Visit the polls page or check the poll results.

New Braunfels party bus questions

What New Braunfels groups ask us before a night out or a day trip.

Either works, and it depends on the outfitter. Rockin R and the other River Road operators run their own shuttles from the take-out back to their lot, and that lot is the easiest place for a bus to stage. If you want the bus at the take-out itself, we confirm the exact bridge or park with the outfitter first, because River Road is narrow and pull-offs for a 30-foot vehicle are limited.
Coolers yes, and the bus has space for them under the seating. Inflated tubes are awkward; a stack of them takes up an aisle and they scuff. Most groups rent tubes and cooler floats at the river, which is simpler than hauling them from Austin. If you are bringing your own, keep them deflated in bags and we will inflate at the water.
Budget 70 minutes from central Austin instead of the 50 you would see at 7 AM. The slow segments are the construction around Kyle and the merge at the San Marcos outlets. Leaving Austin by 8:30 AM usually beats the worst of it and puts you at the river before the noon rush at the tube chutes. Coming home, 5 to 7 PM northbound is the heaviest stretch.
Wurstfest runs at the Wursthalle grounds beside Landa Park, and the streets around it close or fill by mid-afternoon. We drop on the Landa Street side at a spot we agree on with you, then stage outside the closure zone and return to the same corner for pickup. Set one pickup time and one meeting point; cell service inside the grounds is spotty when the crowd peaks.
Headliner shows at Gruene Hall usually finish between 11 and 11:30 PM, and the walk from the Hall to Hunter Road where the bus waits takes five minutes. That gets you back to central Austin around 12:45 AM on a quiet I-35. Sunday afternoon shows are easier: the free set ends around 4 PM and the drive home lands you at dinner.
Yes, and it is a growing share of our New Braunfels requests. We pick up in Gruene, downtown, or the neighborhoods off FM 306, run I-35 north for about an hour, and stage near the Moody Center for the show. A 6-hour booking covers a 7:30 PM concert with the return. The letout onto Red River is slow, so the driver sets a meeting corner a block away.
Frequently. The typical pattern is a shuttle bus from a hotel block near the I-35 and Loop 337 interchange out to the venue, a hold during the reception, and two return loops. River Road venues sit on a two-lane road with limited turnarounds, so we ask the venue about bus access before quoting. In our booking data wedding groups ask a median of 103 days ahead, which is about right for a River Road Saturday.
It is, and a shuttle bus is the better fit than a party bus for a family group. Forward-facing seats, overhead storage for the towel bags, and cold air for the ride home matter more than LED lighting. Schlitterbahn has a bus drop near the main entrance; we pick up at the same spot at closing, when the parking lot exit is at its slowest.

Ready to book in New Braunfels?

Call (512) 900-8324 or request a quote. We will help you choose the vehicle and build the route around your group.

Get a New Braunfels quote

A date, a rough plan, and how many people. We'll come back with a price.

We use what you send here only to get back to you about your ride.

๐Ÿ“ž Call NowGet Free Quote โ†’