Festival season changes everything in Austin. During SXSW in March and ACL in the fall, hotel rates jump, flights fill, and vehicle demand surges from Riverside Drive to Congress Avenue. Should you pick up at AUS or ride into the city for a downtown counter? Here’s how to choose.
Start by comparing the deepest inventory at AUS. Booking car rental with Hola Car Rentals shows live availability at the airport and in town with a single search, so you can weigh transfer time and total price.
When AUS wins
Late arrivals and early flights: Airport desks keep longer hours, a big help when conference agendas run long.
Broader fleet: You’ll usually find more sedans, compact crossovers, and people‑movers at the airport, which can lower prices when downtown stock is tight.
When downtown wins
Staying car‑free for a few days: If most sessions are walkable, collecting the vehicle later in the week from a city branch can trim costs.
Hotel parking: Some downtown hotels add daily parking fees. If you won’t drive much on performance days, a later pickup is smarter.
How to compare fairly in peak weeks
- Search identical times and classes for both locations.
- Add the cost of airport‑to‑hotel transport to the downtown quote.
- Watch for minimum‑day requirements that sometimes appear during events.
Families can browse minivan choices near AUS for easy loading, while road‑trippers heading for Hill Country wineries often prefer higher clearance—check SUV availability in Austin before you finalize.
Whichever you pick, Hola Car Rentals keeps the festival frenzy manageable: Free Cancellation up to 48 hours, All‑Inclusive+ coverage with maximum protection, and cashback on tolls so drives on SH‑130 or Mopac don’t sting. Prefer UK‑style displays? Compare the same inventory under car hire and lock the best total.
Bottom line: AUS excels for late flights and widest selection; downtown is better when you’ll walk most days and only need wheels for Hill Country day trips. Price both with Hola Car Rentals and book the option that matches your schedule.
