If you’re the type of person who enjoys road trips, then the scenery from San Antonio to Alpine TX is something worth checking out. It is the kind of trip that can be taken by car (if you like the idea of stopping whenever you want) or by train (if you like the idea of something more relaxed). Regardless of how you choose to travel, the excitement, the freedom, and the sights of this Texas getaway are ones you will never forget.
Traveling By Car From San Antonio to Alpine TX
The distance between San Antonio and Alpine is about 400 miles and can take six or more hours, depending on how often you stop to enjoy the different landmarks and landscapes the area has to offer. As such, it would be wise to plan a weekend getaway, especially if you plan to make multiple stops along the way.
It’s a retreat that offers a front-row seat for some of the beautiful things the state has to offer, all without breaking the bank. You’ll leave the busyness of the city and travel the countryside of Texas Hill County, which becomes the vast openness of West Texas. These desert sights will make you feel as if you traveled to another planet.
3 Must-See Stops Between San Antonio and Alpine TX
Ozona is the first stop along the journey between San Antonio and Alpine, and it has been dubbed the “Biggest Little Town in the World”. Stop the vehicle, stretch your legs, and walk the Ozona Town Square. If you love tacos (and who doesn’t if you live in Texas), then grab some grub from Bryan’s Poco Taco Restaurant. In the town center is the Davy Crockett statute – many calling him the kind of the wild frontier. If you’re into the history of Davy Crockett, Ozona offers the Crockett County Museum and the Crockett County Interpretive Trail.
Another stop to check out is Fort Lancaster, which was established in 1855 to protect supply wagons, mail coaches, and settlers from being attacked by Native American raiders that stalked the land between San Antonio and El Paso. It was just one of the many forts the military set up during this time. Although now in ruins, Fort Lancaster provides a look into what 19th-century military life was like. There have been efforts to restore some aspects of it that now allow people to explore various structures such as the hospital, barracks, and officers’ quarters. It’s a historical piece of beauty that is surrounded by the land’s natural beauty.
Right before you get to Alpine is the town of Sanderson, the “Cactus Capital of Texas”. If you love nature, Sanderson has some cool springs and rugged canyons to check out. In fact, the sights are entirely different from when you first ventured out from the San Antonio region. Before you leave to continue your travels, take a coffee break at Ferguson Motors and buy a few souvenirs to bring back with you. Also, it might be a good idea to take a picture of yourself with the Billy the Kid painting that hangs outside the shop.
Advantages of traveling by car
Traveling by car means you’re in control of when, where, and how often to stop along the way. You can spend the drive time singing along to your favorite songs or talking with those in the car. Plus, you don’t have to drive the same road the entire way; you can take a side road that piques your interest and take in the sights. Pack some food and enjoy a picnic among the Texas green fields, staying as long as you want.
The great thing about this adventure by car is that you’re in control over the whole budget-friendly adventure. Make your own kind of memories when you travel the highway between San Antonio and Alpine, Texas.
Traveling By Train From San Antonio and Alpine TX
A train ride to Alpine is another way to enjoy the scenery between San Antonio and Alpine. It begins by getting your train tickets from the San Antonio Amtrak Station, the Alpine Amtrak Station or the online Amtrack website.
There are direct and non-direct Alpine train services options to choose from, and if you want a direct train, you should be aware that these are not always available.
- If you want a direct route, be aware that reaching your destination takes eight hours.
- As for the non-direct route, you’ll begin your journey with a bus trip from San Antonio to the Houston area. From there, you’ll go to the Houston Amtrak Station to board an Alpine train. It can take 23 hours total (with a three-hour layover in Houston) to reach Alpine. Remember to consider both train ticket and bus ticket options when planning this scenic trip.
What to expect in your train journey to Alpine
Boarding the Alpine trains from San Antonio, you’ll be whizzing by the city and taken to the countryside – open skies, rolling hills, and desert scenes you never imagined. There is so much to see that you’ll want to take as many pictures as possible to remember all the landscape details.
As you get into Alpine, you will find that the Amtrak station is in the heart of the town, near all the action. And, if you have a reservation at the Hollan Hotel, it won’t take long for you to arrive.
When you don’t have to drive and focus on the road ahead of you, you can enjoy the scenery that much more. While driving allows you the opportunity to stop wherever you want, it does take away from enjoying the beauty you can see when you take a train where someone else is in charge of the ride.
Final Thoughts
If you decide to make the trek from San Antonio to Alpine, make it a weekend getaway between two cities filled with all kinds of memories and pictures. Take the rails to partake in the romantic aspect of the train ride or enjoy the various historical sites and Texas towns when you go by car.
No matter how you go, you’ll find that the entire experience is one you will never forget. So, take that picture with Billy the Kid, try the different Texas cuisines or sit amongst the flowers. However you decide to go, it’ll be an experience that you will remember for years down the road. Think of it like a picture book – each memory made is your mind’s visualization of this great Texas route.
