San Antonio · Backpacking
ON A BUDGET
Thin on hostels, rich in free history — four Spanish missions and the Alamo cost nothing.
Southtown and the river bend
Hostel stock is limited, so the cheap options are guesthouses in Southtown and King William, both a walk from the quiet end of the River Walk.
What a day costs
A bed or budget room runs 40–70 USD, food 15–30 if you eat puffy tacos and mercado plates, and VIA day passes cost under 3.
Getting around cheap
VIA buses sell a cheap day pass and route 5 reaches the missions. The Mission Reach trail runs fifteen paved miles along the river, ideal on a hire bike.
Free by day
The Alamo admits free with a timed ticket, the four outlying missions are a national park at no charge, and the cathedral projection show runs some evenings.
Where travellers meet
The Pearl, a converted brewery north of downtown, has a weekend farmers market and beer garden that mixes locals and visitors without effort.