Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) isn't just a place you pass through—it's where your Austin experience begins. Located just 7.5 miles from downtown, AUS serves as the gateway to the Live Music Capital of the World®, and the airport leans into that identity at every turn. With over 200 daily flights and nonstop service to 75+ domestic and international destinations, getting here is the easy part. Once you're through the door, expect free Wi-Fi, more than 1,350 live music performances a year, breakfast tacos, local craft beer, and Austin-made retail all before you step outside. The airport is also equipped with TSA PreCheck and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry program for international travelers. For official flight info, terminal maps, parking, and real-time updates, visit the official AUS website at flyaustin.com.
Credit Tim Griffith.
Getting To & From the Airport
Getting to and from AUS is straightforward. The airport is just 7.5 miles (roughly 15 minutes) from downtown Austin, making it one of the most conveniently located major airports in the country. Most major rental car companies are available on-site, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft pick up at designated zones on the lower level curbside. Capital Metro Bus service also connects AUS to downtown and other parts of the city for those who prefer public transit.
Once you're in the city, Austin's entertainment districts—from Sixth Street to South Congress—are all within easy reach.
Restaurants & Dining
AUS has made a real commitment to keeping things local, and the food scene inside the terminal reflects the Austin dining culture visitors come here for in the first place. Once you're through security, Tacodeli between gates 23 and 24 serves the breakfast tacos Austin is famous for. Order the Otto, smothered in their award-winning salsa. JuiceLand near Gate 16 offers fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, and grab-and-go vegan options. If you've got more time, Second Bar + Kitchen between Gates 15 and 16 delivers sit-down table service with inventive cocktails and seasonal small plates. And Salt Lick between Gates 20 and 21 is right there for one last plate of Hill Country barbecue before you board.
Asleep at the Wheel Stage. Credit Austin Pro Photo.
Live Music
Live music has been a defining feature of AUS since its Music in the Air program launched in June 1999. What began as two performances a week has grown into more than 1,350 live shows annually, spread across multiple stages throughout the terminal. The main Asleep at the Wheel Stage is near Gate 19, and a second stage sits right next to Tacodeli between Gates 23 and 24, making it easy to grab a taco and catch a set before you board. All performances are free and open to any ticketed passenger. It's the kind of send-off or welcome that you won't get anywhere else.
Shopping
The Barbara Jordan Terminal's retail lineup skews decidedly Austin. Pick up Austin-themed gear at Austin Article (Gate 18), browse Yeti coolers and drinkware at Tyler's Austin Warehouse (Gate 19), find your next read—from bestsellers to local authors—at BookPeople (Gate 20), or treat yourself to leather goods and designer accessories at Fifth & Congress (Gate 28). A new Kendra Scott storefront is also coming to the terminal, a nod to the Austin-founded jewelry brand that's become a Texas staple.
Hotels
AUS is just 7.5 miles from downtown and offers more than 15 hotels located within a 10 minute drive. If proximity to the airport is important, you'll find plenty of lodging options in the area. Explore hotels near the Austin airport and find the best accommodations and the amenities that fit your interests and price point. Get to know the area, then explore our many options and book your stay!
Airport Accessibility
For passengers who require wheelchair assistance, please contact your airline prior to your travel date to set up the service. AUS also offers a Mobility Lounge for passengers using wheelchairs and other mobility assistive devices located on the ticketing/departures level.
Passengers with any kind of non-visible disability, such as autism, anxiety disorders, dementia, and more can request a sunflower lanyard to wear during their time at the AUS. The lanyard acts as a discrete indicator to AUS staff and workers that the passenger, or someone with them, has a non-visible disability and might need extra time or assistance. This program is a part of a wider initiative called Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program, an internationally known program launched in 2016. Passengers can request a lanyard for pickup in person at AUS or be mailed to them prior to their trip, to do so email AUS.GuestServices@flyaustin.com or call (512)-530-2414.
For arriving passengers needing Taxi service, or using a ride hailing app such as Uber or Lyft, you can visit the Mobility Assistance Zone (MAZ). The MAZ provides priority access for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), taxis and rideshares to reduce travel time and provide a convenient pick-up area for passengers with limited mobility. It is free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.; located on the lower level curbside, one lane across from the G and H pick-up areas.
To use the MAZ upon arrival, please submit a request by doing one of the following:
- Request assistance from your wheelchair attendant
- Visit the Airport Information Desk in front of baggage claim #3
- Call the airport at (512) 530-2242
- Use a white paging phone located throughout the terminal
TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. TSA Cares can be reached at (855) 787-2227. Click here for more information about TSA Cares Assistance.
What's New at AUS
AUS is in the middle of its most ambitious transformation ever. The Journey With AUS expansion program will nearly double the airport's gate capacity by the mid-2030s, growing from its current footprint to more than 60 gates across new concourses. Here's what's recently changed and what's coming:
- One terminal for everyone (as of April 1, 2026): Allegiant and Frontier flights have moved from the South Terminal to the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. All airlines now depart from and arrive at one unified terminal, making connections and pickups simpler than ever.
- New TSA Checkpoint 4 (open February 2026): The completed West Infill expansion added 75,000 square feet to the Barbara Jordan Terminal, including a brand-new TSA Checkpoint with up to eight screening lanes and updated CT scanner technology for faster, more efficient security.
- Smarter baggage handling: A new 1.5-mile Outbound Baggage Handling System, operational since December 2025, processes up to 4,000 bags per hour — meaning fewer delays and more reliable connections.
- A new parking garage on the way: The Yellow Garage broke ground in early 2025 and will add approximately 3,000 new parking spaces in 2026, with the full 7,000-space facility completed by 2027.
AUS is growing fast, and so is the Austin experience waiting on the other side of those doors. This page is a quick introduction to what you can expect at the airport — for official terminal maps, parking rates, construction updates, and airline-specific information, the AUS website is your authoritative source. Looking for industry news about AUS? Visit our Press Kit.