Welcome to the fair city of San Antonio: A place filled with good food, rich culture and a bustling downtown scene. If you have been here for any time at all, you have probably gotten the sense that you can’t enjoy any of these wonders without a car. Indeed, San Antonio is not known for its well-kept streets or pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Still, options like the VIA bus system, rideshare apps and walking routes offer other ways around the city if you do not have a vehicle.
VIA Metropolitan Transit
The VIA Metropolitan Transit system is the primary form of public transportation available in San Antonio. VIA offers bus routes to get across most of the city, and there are multiple bus stops around campus along lines 5, 8, 11 and 509. These routes take you around the city to almost anything you could need, including access to H-E-B, pharmacies, restaurants and more. To get from point A to B, VIA offers resources that describe every step of the process on the “Rider Tools” tab of their website (viainfo.net). The free VIA goMobile+ app lets you map out your trip and buy tickets in advance, and it has various pass options available from a 2.5-hour pass ideal for quick errands to a 31-Day pass for more consistent commuters. If you prefer to pay onboard, VIA accepts cash or card, excluding American Express. Regardless of your payment, be sure to bring your Tiger Card to take advantage of VIA’s half-off student discount.
With your route planned and paid for, the next step is to find your bus stop by matching the five-digit stop ID with the one on your route plan. From there, you can use the app to track your bus’s location. Then, to ensure that you board the correct bus, match the route number on the digital sign at the top of the bus to the route number on your plan. When you see the right bus, give the driver a wave to let them know you would like to board and show them your ticket and Tiger Card once on board. One notable downside of riding the bus is that there are multiple stops on each route, so your travel time can be substantially longer than driving directly to your location. Be prepared for a longer commute, practice patience and settle in for the ride. When your stop is next up, pull the yellow cord located on the sides of the bus to alert the driver to stop the bus, and arrive at your destination!
Rideshare Services
Another, though slightly more expensive, option is using rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft. If you cannot get a ride from friends, these services allow you to pay for a driver to take you directly to your destination. Uber and Lyft offer nearly identical services, so either app will do. You can download both to compare prices and choose the more affordable option when you need a ride. Once you have downloaded the app, you can request a ride and choose a pickup time and destination. The app will provide you with basic information about your driver, such as their first name, estimated cost, time of arrival, license plate number and vehicle type. Once you arrive at your destination, you will be charged using the payment method linked to your account on the app. Be mindful that the prices of rideshare services can vary widely depending on the demand for rides at the given time and your desired destination Beware of weekend nights and traveling into downtown San Antonio, because things will get pricey. Regardless, expect to pay significantly more than you would for public transportation options like VIA. To save money, try to employ friends to ride with you and split the cost.
Walking (and biking, if you dare!)
If traveling by vehicle isn’t your speed, there are plenty of places to visit within walking distance of campus. Most of the streets around Trinity have sidewalks and walking paths, a feature that is unfortunately not consistent across most of San Antonio. However, many of these paths are in some disrepair or are only wide enough to accommodate one person, so if you travel in a group, get ready to walk in single-file and dodge branches. On the positive side, though, because Trinity is located in the Monte Vista Historic District and is surrounded by residential neighborhoods, walking is relatively safe. However, you should always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions, especially when walking at night. Carry self-defense tools and travel with others.
As for spots near campus, Broadway and St Mary’s Street are packed with fun places to visit. St Mary’s St. is the go-to street if you are looking for a quick bite or a night on the town. Tycoon Flats, 12 minutes from campus on 2926 N St Mary’s St., has burgers, wings, tacos and all the fried shareables you can dream of. For coffee, Summer Moon Coffee, located at 3233 N St Mary’s St. #102, is a nine-minute walk that offers a good study spot if you’re tired of the on-campus options. Finally, for a fun day activity, the Witte Museum, located 18 minutes from campus at 3801 Broadway via a scenic route through Brackenridge Park, features exhibits on science and culture. You can reach each of these locations more quickly by using a bike, scooter or other wheeled device — though it’s worth noting that San Antonio has very few bike lanes, and many roads are poorly maintained and challenging to navigate.
Now, you may be wondering, which way to get around San Antonio is the best? Well, it depends on whether you value time, money or distance from campus more. Overall, walking is the cheapest option since it is entirely free, but it’s limited in the general scope of options since it is the slowest form of transportation. The VIA bus system offers a cheap way to get around San Antonio at the expense of travel time. Rideshare options like Uber and Lyft are convenient and fast with the downside of a higher cost. The best option, in my opinion, is to find a friend with a car, but if you’ve phoned every friend, one of these methods might help you get where you need to go.
