🇺🇸 Austin, United States
Howard Johnson Austin
📍 11055, North Interstate Highway 35 Service Road, Austin
Your stay — Howard Johnson Austin
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The Property — Howard Johnson Austin
The Howard Johnson Austin is a no-nonsense budget stop on South I-35, offering clean but dated rooms and a free continental breakfast. It feels like a reliable road-trip pitstop: fluorescent-lit lobby, tile floors, a vending machine humming by the check-in desk. Best for travellers who need a cheap base near downtown and the airport, and who won’t spend much time indoors.
Chronicles of Austin
Austin was founded in 1839 as the capital of the Republic of Texas, chosen for its hilltop position above the Colorado River. It grew slowly as a political and educational centre, anchored by the University of Texas (1883). The 20th-century tech boom and the rise of the South by Southwest festival (1987) transformed it into a liberal, music-obsessed city nicknamed 'Silicon Hills'. Today its low-slung skyline, bungalow neighbourhoods and live-music venues along Sixth Street define its independent, slightly scruffy charm.
Best Time to Visit
Full Austin guide →Best months
March–April and October–November: warm days (20–26°C), low humidity, bluebonnets in spring or golden oaks in autumn, and lighter crowds outside summer and major festivals.
Peak / festival surge
June–August: peak heat (35°C+), plus June’s ATX Television Festival and July 4th celebrations. Hotel prices jump 40–60% above shoulder rates. South by Southwest (March) also drives extreme demand and high prices.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: still warm (30–34°C) but fewer tourists and hotel rates 25–35% cheaper than midsummer. Occasional thunderstorms keep the city green.
Weather & packing
Austin summers are relentlessly hot and humid, with afternoon downpours common from May to October. Pack a breathable rain jacket and water shoes; leave the umbrella at home.
Live City Briefing — Austin
- South Congress Avenue’s new pedestrian scramble at Annie Street started in April 2025, improving cross-traffic flow but causing temporary lane closures through summer.
- The Austin FC women’s team (USL Super League) kicked off its first season in August 2025 at Q2 Stadium; home matches draw big crowds on weekends.
- I-35 widening between Ben White and US 290 continues through 2026, with overnight lane closures and periodic detours near the hotel's South I-35 exit.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Howard Johnson Austin, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor, away from the lift and ice machine, to minimise foot traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the lift lobby, stairwells, or ground-floor common areas (breakfast room, pool) tend to be noisier. Also skip rooms adjoining cleaning cupboards if the hotel has them.
Best views
If available, ask for a room facing away from the main road or parking lot – a rear or side aspect often gives a quieter, more private outlook.
Quietest floors
In a 3-star chain, top floors are usually quietest – less ceiling noise from above and less lobby/street sound.
🔊 Noise notes
Internal walls in this category can be thin – pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper. Also check if the hotel has an outdoor pool or bar; ground-floor rooms near those can be loud until closing.
Insider tips
1. Book directly with the hotel or via a chain website – you’re more likely to get a room request honoured and avoid booking fees. 2. Call a day ahead to confirm a specific floor/side request; front desk staff are often more flexible than automated systems.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Howard Johnson Austin
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) included for all guests; no premium tier, no login or password required.
Single lift serves all three floors.
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical newspapers; TV in lobby tuned to news channels.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed if room not ready; late check-out $25 until 14:00, $50 after (subject to availability).
Free storage at front desk during your stay; no fee for same-day drop-off.
Step-free main entrance and lift to all floors; accessible parking spots marked; no pool or spa limitations.
Free on-site surface parking; no valet; nearest public car park at 1200 Barbara Jordan Blvd ($10/night); no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Credit card hold of $50 for incidentals at check-in; no advance deposit unless booking a prepaid rate.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Praise Jesus Church (959 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Austin Chinese Church (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: St Mark United Methodist Church (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Market Place Austin — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
North Oaks Neighborhood Park — 981 m · ~12 min walk
Brownie Playground — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Vina Pharmacy — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Shell Food Mart — 424 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →US Dollar, USD
ATMs at banks offer the best rates; avoid airport currency exchange counters and tourist bureaux which charge high fees.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay are common in most shops and restaurants.
Restaurants: 15-20% of bill. Taxis: 10-15% of fare. Hotel staff: $1-2 per bag for porters, $2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a supermarket or bodega costs about $2.
A taco from a taqueria or a deli sandwich costs around $8-10.
A main from a casual diner or Tex-Mex joint runs about $12-15.
Food trucks and taco stands are common along North Lamar and nearby side streets for cheap eats.
HEB and Walmart are the main budget supermarkets in this area.
Target and Walmart on the service road offer affordable basics; thrift stores are limited but exist further south.
A single Capital Metro bus ride costs $1.25; an all-day pass is $2.50. From Austin-Bergstrom Airport, take the #20 bus for $1.25.
Cook meals from HEB rather than eating out; buy a day pass for multiple bus trips; fill up water at free refill stations to avoid buying bottled.
Good to know — Austin
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Austin, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Howard Johnson Austin
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk — pharmacy · Vina Pharmacy — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Omni Hotel & Resorts (via 5th/Downtown stop)
💡 Get a day pass for $2.50 if you plan more bus rides. The stop at 5th and Guadalupe is a 5-minute walk to the Omni.
Omni Hotel & Resorts (Downtown) → South Congress or University of Texas
💡 Use the CapMetro app for real-time arrivals. The Omni is on the 1 bus route which runs along Congress Avenue.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Omni Hotel & Resorts
💡 Peak hours add surge pricing—walk to the ride-share lot on the airport's ground level to avoid delays.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Omni Hotel & Resorts
💡 Flat rate to downtown is around $30 plus tip. Avoid queue by pre-booking with a local company like Austin Cab.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Ground Transportation Level → South Lamar Transit Center
💡 Get off at South Lamar & Barton Springs, then walk 0.3 miles north. Buy a day pass for $2.50 and use it for local buses all day.
South Lamar Transit Center → Baymont Inn and Suites (Lamar Blvd & Treadwell Blvd)
💡 This bus runs north along Lamar and stops directly across the street from the hotel. Tap your card on board—no cash accepted.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Baymont Inn and Suites Austin
💡 Pickup is on the ground floor of the garage—follow signs for 'Rideshare'. During SXSW or ACL, prices triple; walk to the cell phone lot and order from there to save.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Baymont Inn and Suites Austin
💡 Skip the queue by booking a flat-rate cab online through Ground Transportation at the airport. Metered rides can surge after 11pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Howard Johnson Austin?
Request a room on a higher floor, away from the lift and ice machine, to minimise foot traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Howard Johnson Austin?
Rooms near the lift lobby, stairwells, or ground-floor common areas (breakfast room, pool) tend to be noisier. Also skip rooms adjoining cleaning cupboards if the hotel has them.
Is Howard Johnson Austin noisy?
Internal walls in this category can be thin – pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper. Also check if the hotel has an outdoor pool or bar; ground-floor rooms near those can be loud until closing.
Which rooms have the best views at Howard Johnson Austin?
If available, ask for a room facing away from the main road or parking lot – a rear or side aspect often gives a quieter, more private outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Howard Johnson Austin?
1. Book directly with the hotel or via a chain website – you’re more likely to get a room request honoured and avoid booking fees. 2. Call a day ahead to confirm a specific floor/side request; front desk staff are often more flexible than automated systems.
What time is check-in at Howard Johnson Austin?
Check-in at Howard Johnson Austin is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Howard Johnson Austin have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) included for all guests; no premium tier, no login or password required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Howard Johnson Austin?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Howard Johnson Austin?
A taco from a taqueria or a deli sandwich costs around $8-10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Howard Johnson Austin?
A single Capital Metro bus ride costs $1.25; an all-day pass is $2.50. From Austin-Bergstrom Airport, take the #20 bus for $1.25.
When is the best time to visit Austin?
March–April and October–November: warm days (20–26°C), low humidity, bluebonnets in spring or golden oaks in autumn, and lighter crowds outside summer and major festivals.
Top Attractions in Austin
💡 Join a 30-minute free tour at the north entrance. Skip the paid parking; use metered street spots on Congress Avenue or the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage on 12th St (first hour free).
💡 Book a free tour online to skip the queue. The grounds have good spots for photos of the building without crowds.
💡 Free admission every Tuesday. Arrive before 11am to avoid school groups. The outdoor Ellsworth Kelly chapel is a must-see.
💡 Skip the tour queue by entering the ground floor rotunda doors. Check the Senate and House gallery schedules online before you go.
💡 Free entry before 8am and after 9pm from May to September. Bring a towel and lock if you bring valuables.
💡 Park on the north side off Barton Springs Road near the tennis courts to avoid the weekend crowds near the pool. Bring a picnic blanket.
💡 Free every Thursday. The grounds close 30 minutes before the building; arrive early to walk the full loop. No food trucks on site, but you can bring your own snacks.
💡 Go at sunset for the best light, but expect crowds. Park on Mount Bonnell Road, not the shoulder. The steps are uneven; wear decent shoes.