Best of Austin Small-Group Driving Tour with Local Guide
5
Best of Austin Small-Group Driving Tour with Local Guide
By Austin Detours
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About
Save yourself the stress of planning rides around Austin with this guided tour that includes round-trip transportation from Austin Visitor Center. Your guide shows you the highlights of the city by taking you to popular attractions, lesser-known hangouts, and even a dessert truck, while telling you about Austin's history and culture. Expect to discover insider secrets or fun facts that even locals don't know about the city.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 1-99, max of 10 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Explore Austin with a guide who knows the quickest ways around the city
- Go to off-the-beaten-path spots, including a dessert food truck
- Tour the Texas State Capitol building with a guide
- Choose from multiple tour times to best fit your schedule
- Driver/guide
- A 'bucket list tour' of Austin gives you a city overview
- Texas State Capitol
What's not included- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Parking fee is $10.00 for up to 8 hours
- Your Austin guided tour starts with convenient pickup at the Austin Visitor Center, and multiple departure options at booking make this tour easy to fit into a busy sightseeing schedule. Once you meet up with your guide and group, board the luxury van and prepare to see the city's best sights. Take off through the city with a guide who knows the best ways to get around Austin while avoiding traffic. Learn fun facts about Austin’s art and music culture, as well as the state capital's storied history, as you ride. Some of the main attractions this tour visits includes the Texas State Capitol building. Your guide also takes you to some spots only locals really know about including a stop at a food truck for a sweet treat. Once your tour ends, get dropped back off at Austin Visitor Center with plenty of time to revisit your favorite stops or continue your discovery of the state's quirky capital city.
- Start:
- 602 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701, USAMeet inside the AUSTIN VISITOR CENTER
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 10428P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Tour departs from the AUSTIN VISITOR CENTER located at 602 E. 4th Street, Austin, TX 78701.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time for check in. We are unable to delay the tour for guests who arrive late.
- Guests with young children must provide their own car seats and arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the tour to install them in the van as our guides are not permitted to handle car seats.
- Most travelers can participate
- Parking is available in the Austin Convention Center Garage which is connected to the Austin Visitor Center. Enter the garage on E 5th St between Red River and Sabine.
- The tour runs rain or shine, however we reserve the right to cancel the tour in the event of extreme weather and/or hazardous road conditions that would potentially affect the safety of our guides and guests.
- Guests with limited mobility are welcome to bring a wheelchair or portable scooter on board to be folded and placed in the rear of the van. The vans are not equipped with a ramp or wheelchair lift however, so all guests must be able to step up into the vehicle (about 12 inches).
- We do not permit animals or pets of any kind. Guests with a service dog MUST contact the tour operator in advance to request approval.
- If you have cold or flu-like symptoms or if you are feeling ill in any way, please do not join the tour.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 10428P1
From
$45.00
per adult
Select date and travelers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 602 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701, USAMeet inside the AUSTIN VISITOR CENTER
- Pass byRainey Street Historic District6th Street
- 1Pass byUniversity of Texas at Austin
- 2Pass bySouth Congress AvenueCongress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Paudie26100 contributionsWine, Hills and CowsIke was the best. Made it fun all the way. The winners had surprising great wine, great premises and views. The rolling hills of Texas are not a myth after allWritten February 15, 2025
- 734kirkb0 contributionsSunday with Jax in Austin Hill CountryJax curated an amazing bbq and wine experience in the Austin Hill Country. She was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone who loves good bbq and wineWritten February 10, 2025
- jamiemO8980II0 contributionsExceeded expectations!My best friend and I visited Austin for the first time for a short girls trip in February. We weren’t at all familiar with the area so we wanted to pick a couple fun things to do where we’d get to get out and see the city while also doing something we enjoy (wine). We weren’t really sure what to expect, but the half day wine country tour vastly exceeded our expectations. We met at the visitors center at 1:30 and were greeted by our guide, Ike. Our tour only had a total of 7 people, so it was fairly intimate and easy to get to know everyone aboard. Ike made sure to keep us talking by asking questions as he drove and kept everyone involved in the conversation. We went to three winery stops. Each one had a different vibe, but all of them were super nice and very enjoyable. If you don’t want to do the tasting you can just buy a glass or snacks or skip out entirely, which is great to have the option. Someone in our group wanted to see some Texas longhorns, so Ike took a small detour to show us some, which was very cool of him. Oh, and Ike is an excellent photographer, offering to take photos of our groups at the stops. He knew the cutest photo opp spots and really went out of his way to capture a variety of great photos for us. The third leg of the trip was spent rocking out to music that we all chose earlier in the trip and Ike used to curate a playlist. Super fun. And to close out the day, we got a fun little birthday musical surprise from Ike personally for myself, my best friend, and another passenger who was celebrating a birthday soon. Super thoughtful. Overall, very fun, very enjoyable. We finished up about 6pm, so it does take up pretty much the bulk of a full day. Honestly not sure if we would have enjoyed ourselves nearly as much with any other guide, but Ike was absolutely superb! Great guide and great human! Highly recommend!Written February 8, 2025
- 394theresaj0 contributionsFun Tour- MUST DO!!We are so thankful that we got to take advantage of this tour! Ike, our guide and driver, along with his colleague Jay, were so informative about Austin’s history of wines and BBQ. They made the ride to all the stops so fun. As Ike said- you come to the tour as strangers and leave as friends, and that’s exactly how we felt afterwards. Ike and Jay brought amazing positive energy and I left feeling so happy and uplifted. Oh!!! The best part is that Ike curates a music playlist on the way home that everyone in the group gets to help create- SO FUN!!! Salt Lick BBQ was very tasty and the wineries were good as well. If you go to Fall Creek Vineyards, I highly recommend the GSM Reserve wine! The winery was beautiful as well! Thank you for a fun day…we take with us great memories of Austin because of Ike and Jay!!!Written February 5, 2025
- Y6453QZashleys0 contributionsExcellent wine tour!Excellent tour with a friendly and knowledgeable guide! Highly recommend! The wineries we toured were so fun and offered many choices!Written February 2, 2025
- erinem20130 contributionsWine and bbq in the morning!Perfect combination of wonderful wines and amazing bbq. Brent was great and had lots of great information and stories for the drives there and back. Fun girls trip activity!Written January 28, 2025
- Road511121338480 contributionsBBQ & Wine Tasting 10/10Ike and Wallace were amazing guides. Recommended great places in Austin, told many jokes and created our “guess whos song” playlist! Made the drive very memorable and treated us like family! - Estrada Flores GroupWritten January 25, 2025
- yoselinf4230 contributionsAmazing Wine and BBQ TourThe tour guides Ike and Wallace were amazing! Cheery, knowledgeable and outgoing. On our way to the wine tour we learned about the history of Texas’ wines and on the drive back we had a playlist with a twist; we had to guess who chose the song. It was so easy to get along and interact with other people. Shuttle bus was also clean and spacious. Highly recommended all the way from HOUSTON, TX!!!Written January 25, 2025
- K9606MJtriciab0 contributionsSo fun!Such a fun time! Great BBQ in such a unique venue. The wineries were beautiful and all the wine was great…which isn’t always the case when wine tasting. Ike was a great tour guide and gave a lot of great information and kept the fun flowing!Written January 25, 2025
- Mobile639241297750 contributionsTrace needs a raise - he was awesome!Trace was an awesome tour guide!!!! With 10 being excellent - he was a 20!!! Very personable, funny, very knowledgeable & just plain fun!!! Trace made it a fantastic tour, which the 4 Iowans strongly recommend!Written January 24, 2025
- Trip385661383960 contributionsAfternoon day plans were great!David was the best entertainer and driver. Very knowledgeable and a really great person to drive us around to the 3 wineries! He made it so fun!Written January 17, 2025
- E7236BVmonikap0 contributionsTouring with IkeHad the best winery tour trip with Ike, what a funny and insightful and kind man. Me and my friend had a blast and felt very comfortable thru out all trip, honestly didn’t want it to end. Ask for Ike, this guy has connections and knowledge like no other! And who knew that Austin have such amazing tasty wines! Can’t wait to go back! ❤️Written January 12, 2025
- 580irvingd0 contributionsGreat ExperienceWe took the BBQ and Wine tour, and it was great! Our first stop was at the Salt Lick, and the food was delicious. We visited both Fall Creek and Duchman winery, and both were awesome! Our tour guide, Kelty, was super fun and made the drive so smooth!Written January 12, 2025
- Poss520 contributionsFun Day for our group in the Texas Hill CountryWe were an eclectic group consisting of two families, one American and one Canadian, who are in business together. Also along were an American board member and trustee of the business, plus his wife. There were eleven of us. We enjoyed lunch at Salt Lick Barbecue in Driftwood. Afterwards we went to Driftwood Estates Winery and tried six of their award winning wines. We then visited Fall Creek Winery and had a wine tasting in a private room. The wines were all very good. There were three teenagers along. They had to stay in the van while we were at the Driftwood Estates winery, but were allowed in the private room at Fall Creek. At the latter they were offered soft drinks, water, etc. I mention this because teens aren’t allowed to have alcohol at the wineries even if their parents are present. I’d like to give a shout out to Ike, our driver and guide. He is fun and interesting, giving us lots of ideas for things to do in Austin. He also has a cool activity for the drive back to the city. Everyone picks a song they like, to be played over the radio, and the rest of the group guesses who picked that song.Written January 11, 2025
- cheddarTom0 contributionsBBQ and wine get ya feelin fineKelty was an excellent tour guide. Tons of laughs, local knowledge, and good times. Salt Lick and the two wineries were great.Written January 4, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,496 reviews
Excellent
1,443
Very good
41
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Melanie H
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Solo
I had the extraordinary opportunity of having this tour all to myself. Nick was amazing, teaching Rich the ropes along the way. Firstly, what an amazing city Austin is - I will be back. But this tour was so much better than expected, because I was the only participant I was spoilt for choice. I had a specially curated guided tour - I was interested in Austin's Murals so mural hunting we went! Nick knew exactly where to go, knew the story behind each one. Nick's knowledge, wit, friendliness (and let's not forget the special surprise treat of a fresh, warm, melting choc chip cookie from Nuha's Sinful Desserts!!) really made this tour memorable. I highly recommend this tour to anybody thinking of taking it - and if they include a special mural tour that includes sites along the way, next time I come back to Austin I will be booking it.
I honestly can't speak highly enough of this tour and Nick and Rich as well. As well as the super-friendly staff at the Austin Visitor's Ctr, where this tour left from.
I honestly can't speak highly enough of this tour and Nick and Rich as well. As well as the super-friendly staff at the Austin Visitor's Ctr, where this tour left from.
Written September 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea C
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Family
I decided to do an Austin theme day for my daughters as part of our holiday time together. Maybe strange becuase we have always lived just outside of Austin. It was a very enoyable trip with Kelty, and wow, we learned so much that we didn't know even as "locals". Kelty was just beautiful, getting to know everyone in our van, and I appreciated her fun and upbeat attitude, especially her getting the children involved and truly seen. The two hours went fast, and there wasn't a moment where we weren't engaged . The Austin Visitor Center where we boarded the van was full of the nicest people working the gift shop and helping us get checked in. I would recommend this tour to everyone, especially locals, who will definitely learn where to take their own visitors. Would tour again with this outfit in a heartbeat! When you go, please tip your guide. Our gave so much of herself, making the value of the trip exceptional.
Written December 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mara B
Warminster, PA21 contributions
My fiancé and I were on a three day trip to Austin before visiting cousins in Houston. We always like to get an overview of the city when we travel and that is why we booked the two hour bus trip. Jaz was a great tour guide. Her knowledge and experience went far beyond our expectations. The van was very comfortable with only seven people in our group. The stop at the Capital building proved to be one of the highlights of the tour. I would highly recommend this tour as it was informative, but not too lengthy.
Written December 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqueline M
2 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
Kelty was warm and knowledgeable of the city. We came from San Antonio hoping to learn a little more about Austin than we’ve gotten from our visits in the past. Kelty was welcoming to each visitor in our group (from different states and countries) with the history of the city and very good recommendations of where to go to eat and listen to live music. We highly recommend this tour, and we’d take other tours with Kelty if we have the chance.
Written January 2, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George T
Knoxville, TN438 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
I Took The small Group tour of Austin With Trace and Max and was Not Disappointed. I have been to Texas on Several Occasions but never have been able to get to Austin. Trace and Max gave a Great Tour of Austin Highlighting its History and Culture while also showcasing the Local Sights and Music Scenes that Keep Austin Weird. From the State Capitol to the Greetings from Austin Sign and a very good Macaroon from La Patisserie and Great Recommendations from Trace, I Highly Recommend Austin Detours Small Day tour of the City and look forward to a future tour.
Written February 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil G
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • Couples
We found the tour to be extremely interesting and enjoyable. We were picked up by a brand new, super clean, extremely comfortable Sprinter Mercedes van. Our tour guide Nick was absolutely spot on. My wife and I have gone on many tours like this and never before have we experienced a guide that knew his stuff so well, took the time to learn all of our names, and presented everything with amazing humor. I would 110% recommend this tour and I would definitely request Nick as he was the best ever.
Written November 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chantene K
1 contribution
Ike was wonderful. He had so much knowledge and love for the city. We are so glad we took this tour and feel like the city completely opened up for us. We had never been to Austin so we were not sure where to start, and Ike gave us a ton of awesome recommendations for the rest of our stay while showing us around. The Capitol was also a highlight- it’s a gorgeous building!
I highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Austin, or even, frankly locals who want to learn more about the city.
I highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Austin, or even, frankly locals who want to learn more about the city.
Written May 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen A
San Bernardino, CA33 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Meh - wanted to take a drive around town to see the major sites of interest, such as the capitol (which we did see) but also museums, university of Texas, etc. The double decker bus tour supposedly took you to these areas. This small van tour was mostly the guide driving around uninteresting parts of town that HE likes, talking mostly about food. He was congenial enough. If the guide introduced himself, neither my husband nor I caught his name.
Know before you go: there is a parking lot across 4th street from the visitor’s center where you meet the guide …..DO NOT park there. Park in the building where the visitor’s center is located (which you access from a Side street). We’ll know next time, although I doubt I’ll be in Austin again.
I wish we had taken the double decker bus, especially HOHO but this city was jam packed for some inexplicable reason and we couldn’t get a ticket.
Know before you go: there is a parking lot across 4th street from the visitor’s center where you meet the guide …..DO NOT park there. Park in the building where the visitor’s center is located (which you access from a Side street). We’ll know next time, although I doubt I’ll be in Austin again.
I wish we had taken the double decker bus, especially HOHO but this city was jam packed for some inexplicable reason and we couldn’t get a ticket.
Written April 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meghan E
7 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
I really can’t imagine there is a better way to be introduced to this big, weird city than this small group tour! Joey took time at the start to get to know us and our personal interests in the city, which he then incorporated into the tour— giving us a very personal, customized experience, as well as a thorough overview of the city’s history, lore, and cultural and culinary hotspots. Do not hesitate to book this tour, and consider yourself lucky if you also end up getting Joey for your guide!
Written July 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventures Of K
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
Usually "trace" means a small quality but Trace was a star..! Just thought I would try and make a catchy start to the review. Trace and the new guy he was training (sorry blanked on his name) both were very knowledgeable and cool to have as our guides. Seats were a little squishy as we were a full tour but still had ample leg room, aircon and comfortability. Just feel bad for the tall guy who only had the back row to go to! Had 2 birthdays on the trip so that was fun. Capital building was very cool and we got lucky to be able to stand in the middle and hear the acoustics of the rotunda. Overall, great little tour and Trace even treated us, no spoilers on that but definitely a tour to go on! Thanks for an amazing trip and overview of Austin!
Written September 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Several. Maybe 3 or 4, including a request to stop at the statue if Willy Nelson and a stop for ice cream!
Written March 15, 2022
Jonette
Ontario, California
Ill be checking out of hotel the morning of, I have 2 carry on luggages with me..will I be able to store it in the van?
Written December 18, 2021
The tour begins and ends at the Tourist Center. i am sure they can hold your bags. They are very friendly and accommodating
Written December 19, 2021
Are there photo opportunities available on this tour?
Written November 14, 2021
Yes. There are stops and you can request a stop as well, if traffic allows.
I hope you get Trace for your guide.
Written November 15, 2021
shroomSouthFlorida
Davie, Florida
we are a group of 10 possibly 11 Can you accomodate all of us. This is for either 4-1 or preferably 4-2
Written October 25, 2021
Plenty of room for a large group.
Written November 1, 2021
Roving03574868174
Seattle, Washington
Are there barhroom stops available during tour? Also is there room on board to stow a walker?
Written September 10, 2021
We are traveling Christmas week. Will you be operating then?
Written September 15, 2019
My husband is in a transport chair. Would this be a problem?
Written September 9, 2019
Yes, please do call the company and check on this. I am not sure, and as noted by another person, you do get on and off the bus a few times. Good luck, and I hope it works out for you!
Written September 10, 2019
We land at the airport at noon given our flights on time can we make the 1:30pm tour? No rent a car Uber or public transportation whatever's faster
Written August 30, 2019
Yes - especially if you don’t have to wait for checked luggage. Take an Uber.
Written August 30, 2019
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