Questions? We Have Answers!

Q: I absolutely loved my tour guide! How can I let them know?

A: You could write us a review and mention your guide on Google reviews, TripAdvisor, Facebook, or Yelp. Our guides always love to hear about our customers’ experiences, so please share!

Q: Where can I park for the tour?

A: There is no customer parking directly in front of the Visitor Center. However, metered street parking is available on 5th Street, alongside the Mexic-Arte Museum and across the street (north side of 5th Street). Additional street parking can be found along other nearby blocks, including Congress Avenue, at a rate of $2.40 per hour.

To better accommodate our guests, we have partnered with Frost Bank to offer parking in the Frost Bank Parking Garage at: 401 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 (Garage entrance at either 406 Brazos or 112 E. 4th St.)

Visitors to the Austin Visitor Center can receive 1 hour and 10 minutes of free parking by scanning a QR code inside the Visitor Center. After the free period, the following rates apply:

• Monday–Friday: $3 per additional 20 minutes.
• Saturday & Sunday: $9.00 for up to 12 hours.

Q: Do you pick up from hotels?

A: Our standard scheduled tours do not pick up from hotels. Private tours may be planned to pick up from hotels.

Q: Will there be a bathroom break on the tour?

A: This depends on which tour you’re going on. Or shorter Austin + the Hill Country 90 minute tour is non-stop without a bathroom break, but or other longer tours do include a bathroom break at one of the scheduled stops.

Q: Are children allowed on the tours?

A: Yes, all of our tours with the exception of the Austin Walkabout Tour (21+) are area welcome to visitors of all ages. We do require that there must be at least one adult over the age of 18 with each party that includes a child.

Q: My child requires a child safety seat (car seat), do we need to bring ours?

A: Child safety seats must be provided by parents whose children legally require them. Please see the laws at the follow link: Texas Department of Safety. We also require that there must be at least one adult over the age of 18 with each party that includes a child.

Q: I will need a special accommodation for the tour, who can I talk to about this?

A: Requests for special accommodations will be addressed by management. Special arrangements may require as long as 72 hours’ notice to secure. Please call 512-659-9478 to discuss your exact needs.

Q: I have a service dog, can I bring them on the tour?

A: Yes, we do allow service animals. We ask that you give us prior notice to allow for us to accommodate you safely.

Q: I would like to bring my dog (or other pet on the tour), is this allowed?

A: Non-service animals are not allowed without prior authorization by Mary Davidson – AO Tours Austin Owner. Please call 512-659-9478 to see what we can arrange.

Q: Do I need a reservation to come on a tour?

A: Yes. Until further notice all of our tours will be by reservation only. This is because we’ve had to make some changes to our health and safety procedures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Additionally, all guests will be asked to sign a waiver before coming on our tour which needs to be done ahead of time. Please check our tour calendars to see which tour best fits your visit to Austin.

Q: Do I have to purchase a ticket before the tour?

A: Yes. We require all of our guests to purchase a ticket before taking our tour. If you’re running short on time and don’t think you’ll make it in time to purchase a ticket in person, please call us and we can process your payment online.

Q: I booked a tour through AO Tours Austin and there are still a lot of seats available in my time slot. Is my tour going to be cancelled?

A: Unlike other tour companies, AO Tours Austin will never cancel a reserved tour*. We believe in honoring our commitments to our customers, so we always follow through for them.

Q: Can I request a refund/cancel my ticket purchase? (online tickets purchased through this site)

A:  Online ticket purchases are refundable up to 24 hours before tour time, and reservations may be changed to another date and/or time (subject to availability).

Q: Do you offer group discounts?

A: Yes. If purchased through this site, groups of 6+ will get a 15% discount.

Q: What should I do if I’m late or won’t be able to make it on time?

A: Call 512-659-9478 immediately to sort things out.

Q: I booked my tour through a 3rd party (Tripadvisor or Viator for example), can you help me reschedule?

A: Yes! Please call us at 512-659-9478 and we’ll be happy to help you with that or any other questions on your bookings.

*The only reason we ever cancel tours is due to city mandated closure or life threatening situations. In these cases, we will work with those who had reserved seats on our tour to reschedule them at a time when it is safe to be operating and enjoying tours.

Q: I took a tour and I got my pink luggage tag, but I don’t remember where I could use it to get discounts. Where can I go?

A: Check out all our pink tag partners by following the link. We are always adding more, so keep an eye out for new opportunities to use your pink luggage tag throughout your time in Austin.

Q: I own a local business that would like to be included in the program, who do I contact?

A: Please reach out to Mary Davidson. Look forward to hearing from you.