- Must visit
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
One of America’s top fine arts museums, spanning antiquity to modern works. A must for major collections, architecture, and rotating exhibitions.
Cheapest price on Sep 15
$68
Average ticket price on Sep 15
$72
Fastest journey on Sep 15
13 h 42 m
Average journey duration on Sep 15
14 h 35 m
Trains on Sep 15
3
Distance
249 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX will cost around $72 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $68.
On Tue, Sep 15, we found 3 trains from San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX, including 3 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 15 the direct trains cover the 249 km distance in an average of 14 h 35 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 13 h 42 m .
On Tue, Sep 15 the slowest trains will take 15 h 2 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $75 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 5h 35m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $75, while a flight costs an average of $583.
Distance: 154 miles (249 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$75 Average price Cheapest | $82 Average price | $583 Average price | $35 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 56m Average total duration 7h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 35m Average total duration Fastest 5h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 55m Average total duration 3h 55m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX:
A train is $6 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX costing on average $82.
A train is $508 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX costing on average $583.
Other travel options to Houston, TX take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 5m.
Train takes on average 7h 26m.
Tickets start at around $75 compared to roughly $35 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-40.11. The journey takes 7h 26m versus 2h 41m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX trains for today, Sunday, September 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:33 PM San Marcos, TX | 15h37 | 11:10 AM Houston, TX | 1 transfer | |
| Monday, September 14 | |||||
![]() | 1:08 AM San Marcos, TX | 15h02 | 4:10 PM Houston, TX | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:08 AM San Marcos, TX | 15h02 | 5:10 PM Houston, TX | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:28 AM San Marcos, TX | 13h42 | 4:10 PM Houston, TX | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $63 but you can travel from only $37 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 19:33, the last at 20:53. The fastest train covers the 154 miles (249 km) distance in 7h 23m.
Distance 154 miles (249 km) |
Average train duration 7h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 7h 23m |
First train 7:33 PM |
Last train 8:53 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Discover the best of Houston, TX — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Houston, TX trip today.
One of America’s top fine arts museums, spanning antiquity to modern works. A must for major collections, architecture, and rotating exhibitions.
Premier space museum with spacecraft, simulators, and NASA history. Essential for understanding Houston’s link to human spaceflight.
Large natural science museum known for dinosaurs, gems, and immersive displays. A family favorite with broad appeal and strong exhibits.
Houston’s signature urban park with skyline views, events, lawns, and public art. A central gathering place for visitors and locals.
Museum District green space with trails, gardens, and major attractions nearby. Ideal for a scenic walk between Houston’s top institutions.
Former rail corridor turned urban trail with art, landscaping, and skyline glimpses. A modern favorite for walking and casual exploration.
Slow-smoked beef brisket with a peppery bark. Central Texas barbecue is a Houston staple thanks to the city’s strong smokehouse culture.
Spiced beef or chicken fajitas served sizzling with onions and peppers. Houston helped popularize Tex-Mex restaurant fajitas nationwide.
Warm flour tortillas filled with breakfast staples like egg, potato, bacon, or chorizo. A daily Houston favorite shaped by Texas Mexican food culture.
Refined Gulf Coast fine dining with polished service and seasonal seafood. One of Houston’s most acclaimed upscale restaurants.
Highly regarded barbecue spot serving brisket, ribs, and sausage in a simple, old-school setting loved by locals and visitors.
Beloved casual Vietnamese restaurant famous for garlic noodles, shaken beef, and fusion dishes that reflect Houston’s diverse food scene.
Moderate for U.S. cities: hotels vary widely, dining is reasonable, and car-based transit can add costs for visitors.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, and 10-15% for taxis. Cafes often have tip jars or card prompts.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Houston, TX, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most San Marcos, TX to Houston, TX trains use the San Marcos Station to Houston Station station pair. Use this guide to compare San Marcos, TX and Houston, TX train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
San Marcos Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, and WC.
Food and drink options are available at San Marcos Station.
Available at San Marcos Station: Parking, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Marcos Station.
Houston Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Irma's Southwest Grill, The Moonshiners Southern Table + Bar
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Houston Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Houston Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Houston Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Houston Station: Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Houston Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include The Lancaster Hotel, Hotel ICON, Magnolia Hotel Houston.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need