Do you need cash at Barton Springs Pool?
Three ways to pay at the gate
Card at the kiosk, cash at the cashier window, or the ATXSwims app on your phone. That’s the entire system. Entry runs $2–$9 depending on age and residency, and is free from November through spring break — the full table is in what it costs.
Buying entry online
No tour site sells pool entry; the only online seller is the city’s own app, and entry is $9 at most at the door.
What you do book online
The experiences around the springs — kayak and paddleboard rentals starting around $28, the sunset bat kayak tour at around $50, the e-bike and driving tours, the Lake Austin cruise. Those sell out on summer weekends and are compared on the tours page.
One card habit worth knowing: the kayak rental wants a driver’s license per kayak at check-in, so bring the wallet even on a cash-free day.
The booking to make ahead
Pool entry doesn’t need reserving — the sunset bat kayak tour does. Around $50, two hours, highly rated across hundreds of reviews, free cancellation to 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Can you pay for Barton Springs in advance?
Only through the city’s ATXSwims app — that’s the sole legitimate online seller of entry. Prices, passes and the free window are on the prices page.
Do the Barton Springs kiosks take cash?
No — the kiosks at both entrances are card-only. Cash works at the cashier windows, so a cash-only visitor just uses a different line.
Do the kayak and bat tours take cash?
They’re booked online through GetYourGuide, card up front, with free cancellation to 24 hours on all six — see the tours page.