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Know Before You Go, Get Home Safe

Release Date: Sep. 16, 2019

Plan ahead - The most responsible thing to do to keep yourself and others safe is to plan ahead before heading out. Volunteer to be the designated, sober driver, or give your keys to a responsible friend who will be your designated driver.  Plan when to use one of the below listed sources. Driving buzzed is the same as driving drunk.

The Austin Transportation Department encourages Austinites and visitors to know how they are going to get home before they leave the house for a night on the town, so they can get home safe. From leaving your car downtown to transportation options, here are some resources to help you get home safe.

Public Transit (Bus) - Capital Metro

  • Night Owl
    Capital Metro’s Night Owl bus routes run from midnight to 3 a.m. with service from the 6th Street entertainment district to the City's most popular late night destinations.  $1.25 gets you on board and $2.50 will get you  a day pass. UT students ride free with valid school ID and ACC students ride with the Green Pass. 
  • E-bus
    The E-Bus is a late night service that picks up passengers from University of Texas, West Campus, and Riverside areas and provides a safe alternative to driving to and from Austin's entertainment district during weekend evenings (Thursday - Saturday from 8:30 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.). UT students, faculty, and staff may ride the E-Bus at no charge.  If you are not a UT student, you may ride the E-Bus by paying a $1.25 fare. It is recommended you purchase a day pass to account for round trips for $2.50 upon boarding.
     
  • View Capital Metro's full schedule and service maps online. Capital Metro also offers a Guaranteed Ride Home Program. The program is based on an annual membership, where members can rely on Capital Metro for a guaranteed ride home if they have an emergency that causes the member to miss their bus or train.

Designated Driving Service

Electric Low-Speed Vehicles

Limos/Charter Services (there are many—click to view full list)

Park Downtown Overnight

The City has more than 3,000 parking spaces on the street in Downtown Austin (I-35 to Lamar Boulevard, and Lady Bird Lake to 10th Street) where people can leave their cars parked overnight.  The parking meters in Downtown Austin have yellow “Next Day” buttons that allow people to buy meter time for the next day. What happens if you forget to buy time for the next day and leave your car overnight? The Austin Transportation Department will not tow vehicles for being left overnight, within a legal parking space. 

The City's Transportation team coordinated with our Downtown parking management groups (both private and public) to provide you this map of overnight parking options.

I-35 Parking Lot
Austin residents and visitors have another weekend overnight parking option in the parking lot under I-35 between 6th and 8th Streets. Parking meters at the I-35 lot are enforced Monday through Saturday, 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.  Parking is $7 a night Monday through Thursday and $8 a night Friday and Saturday.  Parking is free on Sunday. Cars that are left in the lot from 3 to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday morning may be towed due to routine cleaning.  

6th Street Parking
*There is no parking on 6th Street between Red River and Brazos streets between the hours of 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., Thursday through Sunday.  The Austin Police Department will tow vehicles from this area.

Responsible Ride Home - Parking Ticket Waiver Program

If you get a parking ticket but made the responsible decision of taking a taxi or bus home, we’ll waive the ticket! Bring your ticket and receipt from your ride with a taxi, bus, or transportation network company (or "ride-hailing service"), into our office with a completed Ticket Waiver Form (PDF).  Meters are not enforced on Sundays.

Pedicabs (there are many—click to view full list) 

Taxis

Transportation Network Companies (TNCs, also known as "ride-hail apps")

Phone a friend or designate a sober driver before going out.

Remember, the best and responsible thing you can do to keep yourself and others safe is to plan ahead before heading out for the night. You can also plan a sober ride at SoberRides.org.

Do you know of another resource that should be added to this list? Email austinmobility@austintexas.gov.

This website is not an endorsement on behalf of the listed companies, but a resource for visitors.

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Communications and Public Information Office 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701