Where To Fly In: Airports Serving Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, is served by the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, located about 5 miles southeast of downtown Austin. The airport, owned and operated by the City of Austin, is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States and has been in operation since 1999. With roughly 260+ daily flights and nonstop service to numerous domestic and international destinations, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is a significant aviation hub for the region.

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

The airport was built on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in the early 1990s. The land was reverted to the city, which used it to replace the old Robert Mueller Municipal Airport as Austin's main airport in 1999. The main Air Force runway was retained, and a new tower was built to house air traffic controllers. The new tower enabled Air Force One to be granted clearance to land, making the then-current President Bill Clinton the first "passenger" to arrive at the new airport.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is a state-of-the-art airport with 34 gates and full customs facilities for international travellers. The airport offers TSA Pre-Check, Border Protection's Global Entry program, and exceptional customer service. Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, art exhibits, local food options, and live music performances. The airport also features a variety of amenities, including banks, currency exchanges, gift shops, and newsstands.

The airport is easily accessible, located just 7.5 miles from the Austin Convention Center, with various transportation options available, including rental cars, bus lines, and ride-hailing services. The airport also has a Mobility Lounge for passengers with disabilities and a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program for passengers with non-visible disabilities.

The airport's history

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA), located in Austin, Texas, is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. It is owned and operated by the City of Austin and serves the Greater Austin metropolitan area. The airport is named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, the first person from Austin to be killed in World War II.

The history of Austin's airport began with Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, the city's first civilian airport, which opened in 1930. As Austin grew, the city began considering options for a new airport as early as 1971. The Federal Aviation Administration initially proposed that Austin and San Antonio build a joint regional airport, but this idea was rejected by Austinites. Subsequently, the city proposed joint use of Bergstrom Air Force Base with the US Air Force, but this was also rejected due to operational concerns.

In the 1980s, political pressure from neighbourhoods around Mueller forced the city council to choose a new site for the airport, with voters approving a referendum for a location near Manor. However, these plans were abandoned when the Base Realignment and Closure Commission selected Bergstrom for closure, allowing the city to acquire the land and runways for conversion into a civilian airport.

The construction of the new airport began in November 1994, with a budget of $585 million. The project included building a new air traffic control tower, retaining the main Air Force runway, and constructing a new terminal and parking facilities. The new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with a 12,250-foot runway, one of the nation's longest commercial runways. The airport has since undergone several expansions to accommodate its rapid growth, including adding new gates, improving customs and immigration facilities, and expanding the security checkpoint.

Today, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is undergoing a major expansion program, "Journey With AUS", to meet the increasing demand for air travel in the region. The expansion includes the construction of a new arrivals and departures hall and a new concourse with 20-40 gates, connected to the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal.

Transport to and from the airport

Transport to and from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

By Car

If you're arriving at the airport by car, you can drop off passengers at either the upper or lower level. If you're picking up arriving passengers, the cell phone waiting lot is available 24/7 and is located at 2901 Spirit of Texas Drive.

For parking, customers can choose from Economy Lot parking or one of the two parking garages. To see real-time parking availability, rates, and to book a parking spot ahead of time, visit ABIAParking.com.

By Bus

CapMetro provides bus services to and from the airport. Route 20 runs every 15 minutes, 7 days a week, and costs $1.25 for a single ride. The route starts at the airport and heads to downtown, serving the University of Texas campus, before reaching its destination on Manor near U.S. 183.

By Rideshare or Taxi

Rideshare and taxi drop-off for departing passengers is located on the upper level, while pick-up for arriving passengers is located under the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, just north of the Red Garage.

By Tram

AUS has two tram services for passengers to easily get to the rental car facility and rideshare/taxi pick-up areas. The rideshare tram picks up travelers from both entrances of the Red Garage on the first floor, which is easily accessible from Baggage Claim. The Mobility Tram is located on the third floor of the Red Garage and takes travelers to the Rental Car Facility entrance, with another easy way to access rideshare pick-up.

By Rental Car

A consolidated rent-a-car center (ConRAC) is located in a parking garage northeast of the Barbara Jordan Terminal and connected to the Red Garage. Ten rental car companies have passenger service counters on the second floor of the ConRAC, which can service up to 5,000 vehicles per day. A shuttle bus travels between the South Terminal and the ConRAC.

Facilities and amenities

Terminals

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has two terminals: the Barbara Jordan Terminal and the South Terminal. The terminals are not connected and are located around 8 miles apart. A courtesy shuttle bus service is provided for passengers connecting between terminals, with pick-up and drop-off points at the upper level of the Barbara Jordan Terminal and outside the South Terminal. The journey between the terminals takes between 15 and 20 minutes.

Lounges

The airport has four lounges, including the Chase Sapphire Terrace. Day passes can be purchased for the Admirals Club and United Club.

Transportation

The airport offers various transportation options for passengers travelling to and from downtown Austin and the surrounding areas. These include rental cars, ride-sharing services such as Lyft, Uber, Wingz, and Ride Austin, shuttle services, and Capital Metro buses.

Parking

The Barbara Jordan Terminal has a red parking garage located directly in front of it, offering short- and long-term parking. The blue parking garage is within walking distance, and there is also an economy parking lot behind the red and blue garages. The South Terminal has separate parking lots, including a premium lot, a SpotHero close-in lot, and an economy lot.

Dining and Drinks

With 55 restaurants, cafes, and fast-food counters, passengers have a wide range of dining options at AUS. There are also a few cafes located pre-security for those who arrive too early to check in.

Wi-Fi and Charging Points

Passengers can access four hours of free Wi-Fi via Boingo. Charging stations with USB and standard power outlets are available throughout the departure areas.

Lost and Found

The airport has a Lost and Found department to help travellers reunite with their lost items. It is located in Baggage Claim, behind Carousel 1, and is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Additional Amenities

• Information services: Ambassador volunteers are available in the arrival areas to provide information on ground transportation and things to do in Austin.
• Children's amenities: While there are no dedicated play areas, there is a family viewing area for plane spotting, located at 10335 Golf Course Rd., Austin, TX 78719. This area has picnic tables.
• Nursing and pumping rooms: There are two private rooms/pods at the Barbara Jordan Terminal: a mother's lounge near Gate 11 in the East Concourse, and a Mamava Lactation Suite opposite the Second Bar + Kitchen in the central departure area.
• Pet relief areas: There are designated pet relief areas near Gate 9 of the Barbara Jordan Terminal and Gate 1 of the South Terminal.
• Smoking areas: Smoking is permitted outside the terminals, at least 25 feet from the entrance.
• ATMs: ATMs are located in the ticketing area and the departure concourses.

Live music and entertainment

Austin, Texas, is known as the 'Live Music Capital of the World®'. Music is everywhere in the city, from the airport terminal to grocery stores. So, it's no surprise that live music and entertainment play a big part in the Austin–Bergstrom International Airport experience.

The airport features a live music stage where local bands and musicians perform, keeping in line with the spirit of Austin's proclamation as the 'Live Music Capital of the World®'. The airport's music programme includes a variety of acts, from solo musicians to string quartets, playing a range of genres, including rock, blues, country, and hip-hop. Performances take place Monday through Friday, and overhead music is provided by the airport's partners at KUTX 98.9.

The Barbara Jordan Terminal, the airport's main terminal, has several restaurants and food concessions, almost all of which are located inside the secured gate areas. The terminal also has a live music stage, where local bands perform. The airport's secondary terminal, the South Terminal, has a retro look, with outdoor waiting areas and a food truck retail area.

The airport's rapid growth has led to the development of a major expansion programme, entitled "Journey with AUS", which includes the construction of a new arrivals and departures hall, and a new concourse with 20 to 40 gates. This expansion will help accommodate the growing demand for travel through Austin and enhance the airport's role as an economic engine in Central Texas.

Frequently asked questions