San Antonio, November 29, 2025
San Antonio has been ranked as the sixth-worst city for holiday travel in the U.S. due to high costs, flight delays, and hazardous driving conditions. This ranking highlights the challenges faced by local travelers, impacting families and entrepreneurs during the busy season. With average airfare at $417 and significant delays at San Antonio International Airport, travelers are advised to plan ahead and consider alternative transportation options. The report reflects broader trends affecting travelers nationwide, suggesting potential areas for improvement in local travel services.
Holiday Travel Woes: San Antonio Ranks Sixth-Worst in U.S.
High Costs and Delays Plague Local Travelers
San Antonio, Texas has recently been highlighted in a Forbes Advisor report as the sixth-worst city in the United States for holiday travel. This ranking sheds light on the city’s challenges, influenced by high costs, significant flight delays, and hazardous driving conditions, all of which can impact local entrepreneurs and families alike during this busy travel season.
While San Antonio’s ranking may seem discouraging, it reflects broader trends that challenge travelers across the country. Issues such as rising travel costs and operational inefficiencies present opportunities for local businesses to innovate and improve services in the travel and hospitality sectors. Reduced regulation could potentially bolster small businesses and enhance the overall travel experience for visitors and residents alike.
Key Factors Contributing to San Antonio’s Ranking
- Air Travel Experience: At San Antonio International Airport (SAT), around 23% of flights faced delays, cancellations, or diversions from 2018 to 2022, indicating a significant reliability issue. This is compounded by property loss and damage claims that ranked SAT as having the ninth-highest occurrences, with only about 21% reimbursed fully.
- Driving Conditions: The city reported 212 weather-related car accidents during the holidays from 2017 to 2021, making it the sixth-highest in the nation. These figures highlight the potential hazards travelers might face on the roads during winter months.
- Cost of Travel: With the average airfare during the holiday season at $417, San Antonio ranks as having the third-highest fares in the country. Additionally, rental car prices average nearly $59 per day, ranking it fourth nationally.
Comparison with Other Texas Cities
San Antonio faces stiff competition from other cities in Texas that also rank poorly in holiday travel. Notably, Dallas tops the list as the worst city for holiday travel, with high crime rates and severe traffic congestion contributing to its low score. Houston follows closely at third, plagued by overcrowded airports and frequent flight delays despite more affordable hotel and meal options.
Implications for Travelers
As travelers plan their holiday visits to San Antonio, it’s essential to remain proactive about potential delays and higher travel expenses. Monitoring flight statuses, reserving accommodations well in advance, and exploring alternate transportation options may lead to smoother travel experiences.
Background Context
The Forbes Advisor report scrutinizes various cities based on a comprehensive set of factors such as hotel costs, meal prices, flight delays, traffic congestion, and overall safety. San Antonio’s ranking paints a clear picture of the challenges at hand while shedding light on areas ripe for improvement.
Weather Forecast for San Antonio
As of Friday, November 28, 2025, here’s the expected weather in San Antonio:
## Weather for San Antonio, TX: Current Conditions: Cloudy, 63°F (17°C) Daily Forecast: * Friday, November 28: Low: 62°F (16°C), High: 67°F (20°C), Description: Mostly cloudy with a brief shower or two in the afternoon * Saturday, November 29: Low: 46°F (8°C), High: 77°F (25°C), Description: A couple of showers and a thunderstorm this morning; otherwise, mostly cloudy and humid * Sunday, November 30: Low: 41°F (5°C), High: 54°F (12°C), Description: Windy and less humid with times of clouds and sun * Monday, December 1: Low: 42°F (5°C), High: 51°F (11°C), Description: Low clouds and cool with a couple of showers * Tuesday, December 2: Low: 41°F (5°C), High: 59°F (15°C), Description: Sunshine * Wednesday, December 3: Low: 54°F (12°C), High: 65°F (18°C), Description: Rather cloudy * Thursday, December 4: Low: 51°F (11°C), High: 58°F (15°C), Description: Cloudy and cooler with rain possible
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What factors contribute to San Antonio’s low ranking for holiday travel?
San Antonio’s low ranking is due to high airfare costs, significant flight delays and cancellations, and hazardous driving conditions caused by weather-related accidents.
How does San Antonio’s ranking compare to other Texas cities?
San Antonio ranks sixth, with Dallas and Houston also ranking poorly, indicating that several Texas cities face challenges during the holiday travel season.
What can travelers do to mitigate these challenges?
Travelers should plan ahead, monitor flight statuses, and consider alternative transportation options to ensure a smoother travel experience.
Key Features of San Antonio’s Holiday Travel Challenges
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Airfare Costs | Average of $417, ranking third-highest in the nation. |
| Flight Delays and Cancellations | Approximately 23% of flights delayed, canceled, or diverted between 2018 and 2022. |
| Rental Car Costs | Average nearly $59 per day, placing the city fourth in this category. |
| Weather-Related Car Accidents | 212 incidents recorded during the 2017-2021 holiday seasons, the sixth-highest in the nation. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Thanksgiving Spirit Shines in San Antonio TX with Community Events
San Antonio’s Festive Celebration: Christmas At The Alamo
Austin Residents Seek Top Holiday Tech and Gadget Gifts
San Antonio’s Thanksgiving Weekend: Events and Travel Updates
San Antonio Police Unit Involved in Crash on South Side
Spend Thanksgiving Day in San Antonio
San Antonio Volunteers Deliver 3,000 Thanksgiving Meals
San Antonio Woman Arrested for Creating Fake TikTok Profiles
San Antonio Celebrates Holiday Season with Parades and Lights
Spurs Triumph with De’Aaron Fox’s Season-High Performance
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
