Austin, the capital of Texas, is a vibrant city with a young population, beautiful outdoor spaces, famous barbecue, and a historic Capitol building. If you’re planning to visit this southern city, prepare for your trip with the ultimate Austin packing list.
Year-round, Austin runs warm, but summer is exceptionally so. Winter brings cold days, but nothing to stop you from exploring outside. Packing the right clothes and essentials for your Austin trip will help you be the most comfortable, so you can enjoy your urban getaway as much as possible.
Generally, Austin is a casual city. There are many professionals living here, but there is also a large college population thanks to the University of Texas. Dress in the style you wish to here, as Austin is known for being weird. Let’s get into what to wear in Austin, Texas!
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Best Hotels in Austin:
- South Congress Hotel | Best location, 9.1/10 rating, $$$ (Click here to check availability)
- The Otis Hotel Austin | Chic hotel with great staff, 9.1/10 rating, $$$ (Click here to check availability)
- Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol | Best budget-friendly option, 8.9/10 rating, $$ (Click here to check availability)
Weather in Austin
Austin, Texas, is always hot, especially in the summer. With temperatures getting comfortable in the mid to high 90s range, just expect to get hot if you’re visiting Austin in the summer months. And don’t be surprised to experience triple-digit days.
Despite the heat, Austin is a very lively city with so much to offer (read the ultimate one day Austin itinerary to see for yourself). And thankfully, one of the most famous places in Austin is Barton Springs, where you can jump into the refreshing water to cool off all summer long.
Austin hosts two very popular events every year, the South by Southwest conference in mid March and the Austin City Limits music festival in early October. These two events bring in huge crowds, so unless you’re specifically in town for either of those, I suggest avoiding going to Austin during these times.
The rest of spring and fall are great times to visit as the weather isn’t too overbearing, but it’s still warm enough to get out on Lady Bird Lake or hike in McKinney Falls State Park. And while winter can get chilly, it doesn’t often drop below 40°F.
What to Wear in Austin, Texas
If you’re wondering what to pack for Austin, Texas, I recommend packing the following items for a two to three-day trip. For colder months, pack long pants and a warm jacket or coat. I suggest packing shorts, sandals, and possibly a dress for the summer months.
- Tank Tops / Short-Sleeve Shirts x 2
- Sweater or Long-Sleeve x 1 (winter only)
- Dress or Skirt x 1 (summer only)
- Shorts x 1
- Long Pants x 1
- Cardigan or Light Jacket x 1
- Warm Jacket x 1 (winter only)
- Comfortable Sneakers x 1
- Sandals x 1 (summer only)
- Socks x 3
- Underwear x 3
- Bra x 1
Austin Texas Outfits
Here are seasonal Austin, Texas outfits to inspire your packing and help you prepare for your trip.
Spring
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Summer
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Fall
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Winter
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Non-Clothing Essentials to Pack for Austin
If you’re wondering what to pack for Austin, Texas, beyond clothing, take a look at these travel essentials I highly recommend bringing with you to this Texas city.
Day Bag or Purse: Pack a day bag, like a small backpack, to make exploring Austin easier. This way, you can bring a water bottle, extra sunblock, a sweater, etc., with you.
Toiletries: Do not forget to bring your toiletries with you. Austin is a large city with many pharmacies and grocery stores in case you do need to buy anything.
Sunblock: I recommend wearing sunscreen year-round in Austin, but especially in the summer months. My favorites are Sun Bum body sunblock and Cetaphil SPF face moisturizer.
Portable Charger: Throw a portable charger (shop here) into your day bag to keep your phone charged all day long for unlimited photo ops as well as for directions.
Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while exploring Austin. I bring my reusable water bottle on every trip, city or nature!
Kindle or Book: A necessity for any plane ride or road trip. Pack a Kindle or your current book.
Headphones: Another travel day necessity is a pair of headphones. They make plane rides and public transportation adventures much more fun.
In Conclusion: What to Wear in Austin
Get your urban adventure on in Austin with this ultimate packing list. Now you know what to wear in Austin, you can get ready for a fun city getaway.
Save this Austin packing list for your own trip or send it to a friend who looks like they need to escape to this lively Southern city. Texas isn’t just cow pastures and wind farms after all!
