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San Marcos Texas
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San Marcos Party Bus, Limo & Coach Bus Rental

You're planning an unforgettable celebration in San Marcos, but coordinating rides, parking, and designated drivers can ruin the fun. Therefore, Austin Party Ride provides luxury party bus, limousine, and coach bus transportation so your group stays together, safe, and celebrating from start to finish.

32 miles35 min from Austin70,000+

Quote for San Marcos

Tell us about your event and we'll find the perfect vehicle!

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Did You Know? Texas has more miles of road than any other state β€” over 679,000 miles!

Quick Facts About San Marcos

✦San Marcos is home to Texas State University, the fourth-largest university in Texas with 38,000+ students
✦The San Marcos River is fed by over 200 springs and maintains a constant 72 degrees year-round
✦San Marcos was named the fastest-growing city in the US by the Census Bureau in 2014-2015
✦Tanger Outlets San Marcos is one of the largest outlet shopping centers in Texas with 140+ stores
✦Wonder World Cave is the only cave in the US formed by an earthquake (the Balcones Fault)
✦The Meadows Center at Spring Lake sits atop the San Marcos Springs -- some of the largest in the Southwest

San Marcos: Where Spring-Fed Rivers Meet Texas State Energy

San Marcos occupies a unique position in the Central Texas landscape. Sitting exactly halfway between Austin and San Antonio on the I-35 corridor, this city of seventy thousand has the youthful energy of a major university town (Texas State University enrolls thirty-eight thousand students), the natural beauty of one of America's most pristine spring-fed rivers, and the commercial draw of one of the state's largest outlet shopping centers. It is a place where college students float down the San Marcos River on Tuesday afternoons, families explore Wonder World Cave on Saturday mornings, and bargain hunters fill their trunks at Tanger Outlets on holiday weekends. The San Marcos River is the city's crown jewel. Fed by over two hundred springs from the San Marcos Springs -- some of the largest springs in the American Southwest -- the river maintains a constant seventy-two degrees year-round. The water is crystal clear, the current is gentle, and the banks are shaded by ancient cypress trees. Float trips take ninety minutes to two hours and pass through some of the most beautiful river scenery in Texas. But here is the challenge that every San Marcos visitor faces: the city is thirty-five minutes from Austin, and the I-35 drive is notoriously congested. After a day of river tubing, outlet shopping, or Texas State tailgating, the last thing anyone wants is to navigate freeway traffic -- especially if the day involved cold beverages on the river or tailgate drinks before the game. Therefore, a party bus from Austin Party Ride handles the San Marcos commute in comfort. The bus picks up your group in Austin (or anywhere in the metro), drives to San Marcos, drops you at the river outfitter or outlet mall or stadium, waits during your activity, and drives you home. The ride itself is part of the fun -- music, drinks, and the anticipation of a great day ahead.
Crystal clear river scene

The San Marcos River stays 72 degrees year-round -- perfect for tubing

River Tubing: The Ultimate San Marcos Experience

River tubing on the San Marcos River is the single most popular reason groups book party buses to San Marcos. From May through September, the river draws hundreds of thousands of tubers who float the gentle current through downtown San Marcos and into the countryside beyond. The typical river tubing day with a party bus: Depart Austin at 9:00 AM. Arrive at Lions Club tube rental or Texas State Tubes by 9:45 AM. Rent tubes (ten to fifteen dollars per person), secure valuables on the bus (phones, wallets, keys), and hit the water by 10:30 AM. The float takes ninety minutes to two hours depending on the route and current. Exit at the take-out point, shuttle back to the rental shop (or have the bus meet you at the take-out), and board the bus by 1:00 PM. From there, the group has options. Many head to downtown San Marcos for lunch -- the square has excellent Tex-Mex, craft burgers, and barbecue at prices significantly lower than Austin. Others add a shopping stop at Tanger Outlets. Some groups extend the day into an evening at the San Marcos bars near campus. The bus is essential because of the logistics. Parking at river outfitters fills up by 10 AM on summer weekends. The I-35 drive home after six hours of sun and drinks is dangerous. And coordinating multiple cars for a group of fifteen to twenty people is chaotic. The bus solves every one of these problems while adding fun to the transit time.
Outdoor fun with friends

Lions Club, Texas State Tubes, and more -- the bus handles every river outfitter

Texas State Tailgating and Campus Events

Texas State University has experienced a dramatic rise in athletic prominence, with the football team joining the Sun Belt Conference and drawing increasingly large crowds to Bobcat Stadium. Tailgating before Bobcat games has become a major social event, especially for Austin-area alumni who make the thirty-five-minute trip south for home games. A party bus turns Texas State tailgating into a premium experience. The bus arrives at a designated parking area near the stadium three to four hours before kickoff. The group sets up their tailgate next to the bus -- grills, coolers, cornhole boards, and the bus's sound system providing the soundtrack. When it is time to enter the stadium, the group walks to the gate. After the game, the bus is waiting -- no traffic, no parking lot gridlock. Beyond football, Texas State hosts homecoming celebrations, Greek life events, parent weekends, and graduation ceremonies that all draw Austin-area visitors. The bus is equally valuable for these events -- it handles the I-35 drive, the campus parking challenges, and the post-event return trip. For Texas State students, party buses are popular for bar crawls on the Square, birthday celebrations, and end-of-semester parties. The student discount culture in San Marcos makes it an affordable destination, and the bus keeps the cost per person low when split among a group.
University campus scene

Bobcat football, tailgating, and campus events draw thousands from Austin

Ready to Book Your San Marcos Party Bus?

Call (512) 900-8324 or get a free quote online.

Shopping, Dining, and Beyond

Tanger Outlets San Marcos is one of the largest outlet shopping centers in Texas, with over 140 stores spread across two massive complexes. A party bus shopping trip is perfect for girls' day out, birthday celebrations, or holiday shopping excursions. The bus drops the group at the outlet entrance and picks them up when the credit cards are exhausted. The luggage area holds bags of purchases for the ride home. Wonder World Cave offers a unique underground experience -- it is the only cave in the United States formed by an earthquake along the Balcones Fault rather than by water dissolution. The cave tour takes visitors through earthquake-formed passages that illustrate the geological forces that shaped the Texas Hill Country. It is an excellent add-on for groups spending a full day in San Marcos. The Meadows Center at Spring Lake, located on the Texas State campus, sits atop the San Marcos Springs. Glass-bottom boat tours allow visitors to see the crystal-clear spring vents that feed the San Marcos River. The center also offers kayaking, snorkeling, and educational programs about the Edwards Aquifer. Downtown San Marcos has experienced a dining renaissance. Root Cellar Cafe, Industry, and Grins serve food that would hold up in any Austin restaurant at significantly lower prices. The bar scene near campus offers cheap drinks and a lively atmosphere that rivals 6th Street on a good night. Call 512-900-8324 to book your San Marcos party bus. River tubing season runs May through September, but San Marcos is a year-round destination for shopping, dining, tailgating, and exploration.
Shopping and retail

Tanger Outlets, Wonder World Cave, and downtown dining -- San Marcos has it all

Local Tips for San Marcos

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The San Marcos River is best enjoyed on weekday mornings -- weekend crowds can be intense from May through August

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Lions Club tube rental is the most affordable option at $10-15 per person

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Texas State students host major events during homecoming (October) and spring break (March) -- plan around or join in

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The square in downtown San Marcos has excellent restaurants and bars -- a hidden gem compared to Austin prices

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Tanger Outlets sales are best during holiday weekends and back-to-school season (August)

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I-35 between Austin and San Marcos is heavily patrolled -- the party bus eliminates speed-trap and DUI concerns

Best Time to Visit San Marcos

MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember

San Marcos Photo Gallery

Crystal clear river scene

The San Marcos River stays 72 degrees year-round -- perfect for tubing

Outdoor fun with friends

Lions Club, Texas State Tubes, and more -- the bus handles every river outfitter

University campus scene

Bobcat football, tailgating, and campus events draw thousands from Austin

Shopping and retail

Tanger Outlets, Wonder World Cave, and downtown dining -- San Marcos has it all

Top Hotspots to Visit in San Marcos

  • San Marcos River
  • Tanger Outlets
  • Wonder World Cave
  • Meadows Center
  • Texas State University

Common Trips & Time Frames

  • San Marcos to Austin
  • San Marcos River Float
  • San Marcos to San Antonio
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Austin Trivia

Austin was named the "Live Music Capital of the World" by the Texas Legislature in 1991.

What Austin Says About Us

Don't just take our word for it β€” here's what our customers have to say about their Austin Party Ride experience.

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β€œDefinitely lives up to their name! We used them for our bachelorette/bachelor parties and our wedding and will be using them again. They were absolutely great! Even let me extend an hour when I decided my bachelorette party was too much fun and I wasn't ready to go yet!! :) I would absolutely recommend them and do to everyone!!”

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Dee C.
Austin, TX β€’ Bachelorette Party
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β€œAmazing experience, awesome people and very customer friendly.”

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Natalie R.
Austin, TX β€’ Party Bus
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β€œWE HAD A BLAST!! Can't say enough about the service and also the quality of limo!! The night couldn't have gone better.”

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Mayson M.
Austin, TX β€’ Limo Service
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Did You Know? Austin's food truck scene features over 1,300 mobile food vendors.

How to Book Your Austin Party Bus

Getting the party started is easier than you think. Three simple steps stand between you and the ride of a lifetime.

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Step 1

Tell Us About Your Event

Call, email, or fill out our quick form. Share your event date, group size, and pick-up details.

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Step 2

Get Your Free Quote

An Austin Party Ride specialist will find the perfect vehicle and the best price for your event.

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Step 3

Confirm & Celebrate

Lock in your ride, and leave the rest to us. We handle everything so you can focus on having fun.

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San Marcos Party Bus FAQs

Common questions about renting a party bus in San Marcos.

Yes! Austin Party Ride provides party bus, limousine, and coach bus service to and from San Marcos. We pick up anywhere in the area and can take you to Austin, San Antonio, or other destinations. Call (512) 900-8324 for a quote.
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Fun Fact: The University of Texas at Austin has the largest student body of any university in Texas with over 51,000 students.

Ready to Book Your San Marcos Party Bus?

You've found the perfect service area, but the party won't start until you reserve your ride. Therefore, call us or fill out the form β€” your free quote is just minutes away!