We are officially a week out from one of the biggest weekends here in Austin: Austin City Limits Music Festival! We know how the Texas heat, dirt, and all-day festivities can have their challenge,s so we rounded up a few tips & tricks so you can tackle the festival this year!
Updated September 2025
TIPS & TRICKS FOR CONQUERING ACL LIKE A SEASONED PRO
GENERAL
- Keep your phone in a safe place & DO NOT put it in your back pocket!
- Write down the itinerary of who you want to see & what times to move to the next set!
- Designate a meeting spot with your group as cell service is spotty.
- Merch will sell out fast so grab yours on the 1st day of the festival to ensure you get what you want!
- Grab food outside of peak times (12 & 5) for shorter waits or eat before you go!
- Link your card to your wristband for quick tap-to-pay purchases! Just remember, if you end up re-selling your wristband, unlink your card first!
- Pre-register or look up entry requirements for the lounges (American Express, T-Mobile, etc) to ensure the fastest entry! The lounges typically have the nicest bathrooms and shorter bar lines!
WHAT TO WEAR & BRING
- Stay hydrated! Bring a water backpack to fill up at the free water stations
- Wear comfy shoes! There’s a lot of walking!
- Bring a battery powered fan & portable charger so you can keep going all day!
- Wear a bandana or mask to avoid the dusty air when walking from set to set!
- Layer up with some sunscreen & reapply!
TRANSPORTATION & ENTRY
- Utilize the free shuttles that pick up in downtown!
- The Barton Springs gate is the busiest! For faster entry/exit, pick a smaller exit away from Barton Springs, like the one across the bridge from the Austin High School!
- Avoid traffic for ride-shares, make a plan for where to walk & call your ride from a safe but far enough location from Zilker!
- Carpool with friends if you can!
- Head over early and grab food, coffee, etc. nearby, then walk the last little bit to avoid traffic!
- Pedi cabs will be roaming around to give rides to & from ACL! They can be pricey, but sometimes faster than waiting for a rideshare car!
MONEY SAVING
- Eat before the festival, or if you eat inside the festival, pizza is typically the cheapest!
- Grab a to-go drink on your way to ACL & skip a drink while inside the fest!
- Use free transportation or walk, if the distance permits!
