Car rental is essential for most travel outside major cities. Interstate highways connect urban centers. Limited Amtrak service between major cities. Greyhound buses serve many towns. Major cities have public transit: Dallas DART light rail, Houston METRO, Austin CapMetro. Ride-sharing (Uber/Lyft) widely available. Texas is vast—allow ample driving time (e.g., El Paso to Houston is 12+ hours). Toll roads are common; get a TxTag or pay online. Domestic flights connect major cities.
March-May and September-November offer pleasant temperatures (60-85°F/15-29°C) and festivals like Austin's SXSW (March), San Antonio's Fiesta (April), and State Fair of Texas (September-October). Summer (June-August) is extremely hot but good for water activities. Winter is mild except in northern Panhandle where snow occurs. Wildflowers peak April-May.
Texans are famously friendly—smiles and greetings are common. Casual dress is acceptable most places, but upscale restaurants may require collared shirts. Tipping: 15-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, $2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping. Respect for Texas pride and history is appreciated. Remove hats during national anthem. "Y'all" is standard second-person plural. Rodeo and football (especially high school/college) are cultural touchstones. Don't criticize barbecue—regional styles are passionately defended.
Most tourist areas are safe, but use normal precautions in cities. Avoid isolated areas at night in downtown districts. Hurricane season (June-November) affects Gulf Coast—monitor weather. Tornadoes occur spring/fall in northern regions. Flash floods are dangerous—never drive through flooded roads. Border regions have increased law enforcement presence; carry ID. Common scams include fake parking tickets, overpriced tourist traps, and timeshare presentations. Lock vehicles and don't leave valuables visible. Wildlife encounters (snakes, coyotes) require caution but are rarely dangerous.
Texas has excellent medical facilities in major cities (Houston Medical Center is world-renowned). Rural areas may have limited services. No special vaccinations required beyond routine immunizations. Summer brings extreme heat (over 100°F/38°C)—stay hydrated and use sun protection. West Texas has rattlesnakes and scorpions; watch where you step. Tick-borne illnesses (Lyme, Rocky Mountain spotted fever) occur in wooded areas. Tap water is generally safe. Health insurance is essential as medical costs are high without it.
