Service for SXSW 2026: March 12-18
Skip surge pricing, beat traffic and ride CapMetro to SXSW.
Whether you’re discovering new films, live music or tech, CapMetro is your easiest connection to downtown and East Austin! Why pay for parking when you've got to hop around to different venues? Skip the car rental and ride public transit.
Several bus routes serve Lady Bird Lake for free, family-friendly community concerts on March 15. Kids ride FREE!
NEW: Tap to Pay on Bus!
No account? No app? No problem!
Tap your contactless card, phone or watch to bus scanners. Each rider must use a different payment method. Tap to pay includes automatic daily fare capping. Pay just $2.50 (standard fare) for unlimited rides in a service day.
Riding Rail? Pay fare for all services using the Umo app.
CapMetro Service for SXSW
CapMetro Rail Service
Rail is running special extended service during SXSW. We are extending Rail service until 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday (March 13 and 14). Rail will also run until midnight every other night of the festival, including Sunday!
| First Southbound train | Trains run every | Last Northbound train | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays–Thursdays | 5:41 a.m. (from Leander) | 30–60 mins | 12:30 a.m. |
| First Southbound train | Trains run every | Last Northbound train | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | 5:41 a.m. (from Leander) | 30-60 mins | 2:30 a.m. |
| Saturday | 9:52 a.m. (from Lakeline) | 37 mins | 2:22 a.m. |
| Sunday | 9:52 a.m. (from Lakeline) | 37 mins | 12:31 a.m. |
CapMetro Rapid Service
Rapid 800, 801, 803 and 837 are bus lines that make limited stops and run until 12:30 a.m. from Monday to Friday, 12:00 a.m. Saturday and 11:30 p.m. Sundays.
| 801 N Lamar/S Congress 803 Burnet/S Lamar | From | Buses run every | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:00p | 15–20 mins | 12:30a |
| Saturday | 7:00p | 15–20 mins | 12:00a |
| Sunday | 7:00p | 15-20 mins | 11:30p |
| 800 Pleasant Valley Line 837 Expo Line | From | Buses anticipated to run every | Until |
| Mon-Fri | 5 a.m. | 20 mins | 10 p.m. |
| 10 p.m. | 30 mins | 12:30 a.m. | |
| Saturday | 6 a.m. | 20 mins | 8 p.m. |
| 8 p.m. | 30 mins | Midnight | |
| Sunday | 6 a.m. | 20 mins | 7 p.m. |
| 7 p.m. | 30 mins | 11:30 p.m. |
Downtown/East Austin Bus Routes
*High-frequency routes come as often as every 15 minutes
Bikeshare
You can rent and return a Bikeshare at over 80 bikeshare stations to get around downtown. Check the Bikeshare app to create an account and see where you can dock or grab bikes.
Airport Service
Get to and from the airport on Route 20 Manor Road/Riverside. Conveniently running every 15 minutes. Look for the neon guitar bus stop on the lower level. Our Night Owl Route 485 Riverside serves the airport between 12 a.m. to 3 p.m. for late night flights.
Night Owl Buses
Night Owl buses will operate regular service from midnight to 3 a.m. You can board the bus on Lavaca at 6th St. A single ride on the Night Owl costs $1.25.
| WEEKDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Buses Run Every | Until | |
| 481 North Lamar from Lavaca at 6th | 12:10a | 20 mins | 3:10a |
| 483 Riverside (& the airport) from Lavaca at 6th | 12:10a | 35 mins | 3:05a |
| 484 South Lamar from Lavaca at 6th | 12:10a | 35 mins | 3:05a |
| 485 Cameron from Lavaca at 6th | 12:10a | 35 mins | 3:05a |
| 486 South Congress from Lavaca at 6th | 12:10a | 30 mins | 3:10a |
Easy Trip Planning
For real-time route information, use the
Transit app or our online Trip Planner!