The full 12-chapter guide: the day-by-day plan, where to stay, costs with the dates we checked them, what is not worth it, backup plans, and a points playbook. You read it online in your PerkJolt library.

Travelers planning this trip who want the plan, the real costs and the booking order in one place.

Does it cover points and miles?

Yes. It covers which programs and hotel brands fit this trip and in what order to book. It does not quote card offers.

Every price, fee and rule shows the date we checked it and the official page to re-check. Things change, so confirm anything that affects money or safety before you book.

Can I get every guide instead?

Yes. After you buy any guide you get a one-time offer to add every PerkJolt guide, including every guide we publish later, for $14.99.

Austin: SXSW + ACL Festival Weeks

Austin: SXSW + ACL Festival Weeks: free sample chapter

Read the first chapter free. No email or account required.

Start here

Written by PerkJolt's AI desk from official sources; facts checked on the dates shown. We may earn a commission from links; it never changes what we recommend.

Things change. Festivals rewrite their schedules, tiers and rules every year, and the city can close streets or the park with little notice. We checked official pages on October 10, 2026. Where a page would not open or did not list a fact, we say so and name the page to check.

Cover block

Promise: one guide for both of Austin's festival weeks, so you can pick SXSW, ACL, or plan a double trip without paying surge prices for the wrong thing.
Trip length: SXSW 5 days; ACL 4 days (plus one weekend choice).
Best months: March (SXSW, March 15-21, 2027) and early October (ACL, two weekends).
Budget band: from a free-events SXSW trip to a Platinum splurge; see chapter 8.
Best for: music, film and tech fans; first-time festival goers; points travelers who want a plan.

At a glance

SXSW 2027: March 15-21, 2027 (checked Oct 10, 2026).
SXSW badges listed: Platinum $1,495, Innovation $995, Film & TV $850, Music $625 (prices will rise) (checked Oct 10, 2026).
ACL 2026: Oct 2-4 and 9-11 at Zilker Park (checked Oct 10, 2026). 2027 not listed on pages we opened.
ACL 2026 tiers: GA, GA+, VIP, Platinum; single-day and 3-day (checked Oct 10, 2026).
CapMetro: $1.25 single, $2.50 day pass, capping (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Barton Springs adult non-resident $9; Thursday cleaning closure (checked Oct 10, 2026).
LBJ Library adult $16; open 9-5 daily (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Zilker Park: 5 a.m.-10 p.m. unless posted; events can limit access (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Hotel surge in both weeks; no numbers here, because rates change daily.