Guides β€Ί Texas β€Ί Waco, Texas
City guide

Waco, Texas

Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin.

Type CityPopulation 147,788Metro Area Population 295,782

Why go

  • City in Texas, United States.
  • Served by TSTC Waco Airport (CNW).

History

Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin. The city had a U.S. census estimated 2025 population of 147,788, making it the 24th-most populous city in the state. The Waco metropolitan area consists of McLennan, Falls, and Bosque counties, which had a 2020 population of 295,782. Bosque County was added to the Waco metropolitan area in 2023. The 2025 U.S. census population estimate for the Waco metropolitan area was 308,807 residents.

Airports

Waco Regional Airport (ACT) 6.7 mi to the centre
7909 Karl May Dr, Waco, TX 76708 β€” Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron β€” plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (American Airlines, US Airways) Β· direct flights to 1 destination incl. Dallas-Fort Worth (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths β€” 2 airlines, 1 direct destination

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data β€” they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
TSTC Waco Airport (CNW) 7.3 mi to the centre
Waco, TX, US β€” Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board β€” bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
McGregor Executive Airport 11 mi to the centre
Waco, TX, US
Outdoor
Hillsboro Municipal Airport 37 mi to the centre
Hillsboro, TX, US
Outdoor
Mexia Limestone County Airport 37 mi to the centre
Mexia, TX, US
Outdoor
Three Ninety-Eighth Airport 5.5 mi to the centre
Waco, TX, US
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping β†’
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map Β© OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather β€” check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is TSTC Waco Airport (CNW); 70 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: ACT has direct flights to 1 destination on 2 airlines (incl. Dallas-Fort Worth).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Waco, Texas. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing
Sightseeing