Traveling around Texas

RedCoach luxury bus service fires up flash sale with $1.50 fares from Dallas

Ride to Austin for $3.

Courtesy of RedCoach

Luxury bus operator RedCoach, already known for its affordable $15 fares, is slashing tickets to rock-bottom prices for a limited time.

From February 24 to March 8, RedCoach is offering a 90 percent discount to the Dallas market for university students and the general population, according to a release.

That makes a $15 ride to Austin or Houston just $1.50 one-way or $3 round-trip. Less than a gallon of gas, the company notes.

"Travel and gas prices continue to rise, which is putting a damper on travel plans," the release says. "RedCoach is offering this promotion as part of its commitment to providing luxury travel at an affordable rate, for everyone."

The discount is available for all routes to and from both Dallas-area departure points — in downtown Dallas and a newly opened stop in Richardson (five minutes from University of Texas at Dallas).

Eligible routes are:

Dallas to Houston / Houston to Dallas
Dallas to Waco / Waco to Dallas
Dallas to Austin / Austin to Dallas
Richardson to Houston / Houston to Richardson
Richardson to Waco / Waco to Richardson
Richardson to Austin / Austin to Richardson

The only route that is not eligible for the promotion is College Station.

Travelers to and from Dallas and Richardson can use the following discount codes when booking online to get the discount:

UTD90 – University of Texas at Dallas students
UTA90 – University of Texas at Arlington students
SMU90 – Southern Methodist University students
DALLAS90 – All Dallas travelers

RedCoach, which launched in Texas in 2021, bills itself as an affordable option for luxury transportation and offers first class (27 seats), business class (38 seats), and economy class (56 seats). Perks for first and business class include extra legroom (always a plus) and the ability to recline seats up to 140 degrees.

Amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets, onboard entertainment, complimentary snacks and water, and no baggage fees.

RedCoach competes against Dallas-based Vonlane, which serves Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. RedCoach bills itself as an affordable option for luxury transportation.

Everyday prices start as low as $15 for one-way trips (Houston to Dallas and Houston to Austin, for example). A RedRider program allows users to rack up travel points and earn free tickets.

RedCoach’s current pickup and drop-off points in Texas are:

Dallas — Curbside adjacent to Café Herrera and Omni Dallas Hotel entrance, 593 S. Lamar St.
Richardson — 170 W. Campbell Rd.
Austin — Embassy Suites by Hilton, 300 S. Congress Ave.
College Station — Texas A&M University’s Wisenbaker Engineering Building, 188 Bizzell St.
Waco — 249 Daughtrey Ave. (new address)
Houston — Residence Inn Houston Downtown/Convention Center, 904 Dallas St.
Katy — Buc-ee's, 27700 Katy Fwy.

transportation

lets go camping

Llama ranch near Dallas roams onto America's 50 favorite camping spots

Courtesy of Hipcamp

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A family-owned, llama roaming ranch just an hour outside Dallas was just declared one of America's 50 favorite camping spots in 2026.

The field guide was compiled by online marketplace Hipcamp following a review of campsite ratings from users, regional trends, cultural relevance, and a "spirited debate" of Hipcamp experts. Campgrounds were chosen from 35 different states and organized into seven regions: the Pacific Northwest; California and Hawaii; the Southwest; the Mountain West; the Great Plains and Midwest; the Northeast; and the Southeast.

Llama Land Ranch in Tool, Texas was one of nine total campgrounds featured in the Southwest region. The ranch is the perfect place for families to go on core memory-making excursions like meeting the free roaming llamas or watching out for other wildlife like wild boars. The ranch spans 101 acres, and a 50-foot deep creek also flows along the property lines for fishing and swimming.

"The llamas will come to greet you and so will many more things in this wonderful place," the ranch's listing says. "We are conveniently located in a secluded area, but just a short drive from many local conveniences."

The listing also specifies that the pastures are only mowed three times a year and some of the property is on rough terrain, so campers are welcome to bring their own machetes if they want to explore the area thoroughly.

There are 14 sites available for guests to set up camp, with a mix of tent-only, RV/tent, and RV-only sites. The ranch is also very affordable; sites can be booked for as little as $15 per night.

Many reviewers enjoy getting out into the country to reconnect with nature, and many also praise the ranch's owner, Judy, who says the ranch has been in her family since 1987.

"I went with a group of women for an overnight camp at the pond," one reviewer wrote. "It was so beautiful and a much needed break from city life. The host was wonderful and kind. She was also very accommodating to our group."

A second Dallas-Fort Worth-area campground tucked away in Texas' newest state park was also highlighted in the report. Warbler Ridge Campground, located in Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, was the only other Texas representative on the list.

The pet-friendly campground's listing doesn't offer many details, but it says there are 22 RV and tent campsites for visitors, as well as showers, toilets, potable water, and picnic tables. There are activities galore for visitors, including a 68-acre lake for swimming, fishing, and boating, and over 16 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says campsites at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park start at $13 per night (plus a daily entrance fee) for hike-in primitive sites. Walk-in campsites with water are $15 per night and campsites with electricity are $30 per night.

camping travel vacations ranches campgrounds