Last Updated: June 20, 2026 | By Christopher Beal, U.S. Army Veteran & Realtor

Every year, thousands of service members receive TDY orders to Joint Base San Antonio -- whether for tech school at Lackland, medical training at Fort Sam Houston, or a course at Randolph. The first question most people ask is: "Where do I stay, and will my per diem actually cover it?"

As an Army veteran and San Antonio Realtor who has helped 293+ military families relocate to the Alamo City, I have seen just about every TDY scenario. Some of my clients arrive for a 6-week school and end up buying a home before the course is over -- in fact, 1 in 3 of my clients close on a home before they ever set foot in San Antonio, using remote closing tools and virtual tours. Whether your TDY is 30 days or 6 months, this guide covers everything you need to know about on-base lodging, off-base alternatives, per diem math, and how to make the most of your time here.

For a broader look at relocating to the San Antonio military community, start with our JBSA San Antonio guide.

What Are the 2026 TDY Per Diem Rates for San Antonio?

Per diem is the foundation of your TDY housing budget. For FY 2026, the General Services Administration (GSA) sets the CONUS lodging rate for Bexar County (San Antonio) as follows:

Taxes are reimbursed separately on TDY, so the lodging rate is your ceiling for the room itself. The M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses) rate for San Antonio is set independently and varies by travel day versus full duty day. Always confirm the latest rates with your finance office or on the GSA per diem lookup tool.

What On-Base Lodging Is Available at JBSA?

JBSA operates government lodging on all three major installations plus Camp Bullis. On-base lodging is almost always within per diem, but availability can be tight, especially during peak training cycles from January through May.

JBSA-Lackland (Inns of Lackland)

• Gateway Inn -- 1750 Femoyer St
• Gateway Villa -- 2435 Larson St
• Gateway Lodge -- 7426 Patrick St
• Kelly Inn -- 250 Donald Goodrich
• Patriot Inn -- JBSA-Camp Bullis

Phone: (210) 673-6930 | Lackland does NOT accept online reservations. You must call to book.

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston

• Candlewood Suites
• Holiday Inn Express Powless Guest House
• Holiday Inn Express (Bldg 592)
• Historic Sam Houston House
• Foulois House

Phone: (210) 357-2705 | Reservations: (877) 711-8326

JBSA-Randolph

• Randolph Inn -- 415 B St, Universal City, TX 78150

Phone: (210) 652-1844

How Long Should You Book Temporary Housing for a JBSA PCS or TDY?

The most expensive mistake military families make is booking temporary housing open-ended and letting it run for months. Working backward from your report date keeps the window tight:

1. 60 to 90 days out: Get VA loan preapproval and start your San Antonio home search remotely.
2. 30 to 45 days out: Go under contract so closing lines up with your arrival window.
3. Arrival: Move into short-term housing for the final stretch and close before the lease ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Work with Christopher Beal During Your TDY?

Call or text Christopher Beal: (210) 882-8583