Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) had its busiest year on record in 2023 with over 22 million passengers flying in and out of Austin. AUS is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country. To meet the current and future demands of more passengers and airline activity, AUS is embarking on a multi-year expansion and development program. Journey With AUS will transform AUS from a medium-sized airport to a large one.
As the "World's Gateway to Central Texas," AUS offers Austinites and Central Texans plentiful options to fly nonstop to exciting domestic and international destinations. To view a full list and map of services, visit the Nonstop Flights out of AUS webpage.
Passenger Travel Tips
- Arrival Times
- Parking
- Pick-Up & Drop-Off
- Rideshare Pick-Up
- TSA & Flight Check-In
- Construction
- Accessibility
Arrival Tips
To help prepare passengers for a busier than ever AUS, the airport recommends:
- That travelers using general TSA screening should arrive at least 2.5 hours before their departure time for domestic flights
- Travelers flying internationally should check-in at their airline ticket counter at least 3 hours before departure.
- Travelers checking luggage, traveling with small children or in a large group, and those flying out of AUS for the first time in a while, should give themselves extra time in addition to the 2.5- and 3-hour recommendation to make it to their gate on time.
- Travelers using TSA Pre-Check and Clear can expect to wait less in line for TSA security than general screening travelers.
Parking Tips
Customers can choose from Economy Lot parking or one of our two parking garages. To see real-time parking availability, rates, and to book a parking spot ahead of time, visit ABIAParking.com. On-site parking at AUS is managed by ABIA Parking.
If you need parking customer assistance, please call 512-530-3300.
ABIA Parking offers services for customers, including:
- Shuttle service to/from Economy Lots to the Barbara Jordan Terminal
- Shuttle service to/from the Barbara Jordan Terminal to the South Terminal
- Pre-book and pre-pay options
- Free battery jumps
- Free tire inflation
- Disabled Veterans/Military Honors Parking
Parking can fill up quickly leading up to and during the holidays and other busy travel days! Please make sure you check before heading out to AUS that on-site parking is available for you.
Passenger Drop-Off & Pick-Up Tips
An increase in passengers means more vehicles are dropping off and picking up passengers.
Drivers and passengers are encouraged to “switch,” using whichever level has the least congestion. Drop off for departures on either the upper or lower level. Passengers can quickly get upstairs to ticketing and security using escalators and elevators from the lower arrivals level. If the lower level is congested, arriving passengers can use escalators and elevators to be picked up on the upper level.
Drivers picking up passengers can wait in the AUS Cell Phone Lot located at 2901 Spirit of Texas Drive.
Rideshare Pick-Up Tips
AUS rideshare pick-up is located on the ground level underneath the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, which is directly behind the Red Garage, the garage closest to the terminal. Click here to locate the rideshare pick-up on the AUS map.
Accessible rideshare pick-up
For passengers with mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, or crutches, or those who need additional mobility assistance, the Mobility Assistance Zone is free and open daily 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, taxis and rideshares. Please visit our Accessibility webpage to learn about the Mobility Assistance Zone.
Take the tram to rideshare pick-up
AUS has 2 tram services for passengers to easily get to the rental car facility and rideshare/tax pick-up areas:
- Red Garage First Floor to Rideshare Tram
- The rideshare tram picks travelers up from both entrances of the Red Garage on the first floor. The first floor of the Red Garage is easily accessible from Baggage Claim.
- Mobility Tram - Red Garage Third Floor to Rental Car Facility & Rideshare Tram
- The Mobility Tram is located on the third floor of the Red Garage – just across the pedestrian walkway from the departures/upper level of the terminal. This tram takes travelers across the Red Garage to the Rental Car Facility entrance and offers another easy way to access rideshare pick-up. From the Rental Car Facility front doors, take the elevator or stairwell to your left down to the second floor for rideshare pick-up.
- Hours of operation (subject to change): Every day (Mon–Sun) from 4 am–8:00 pm (CST)
- View the Mobility Tram pick-up location on the AUS digital map.
TSA Screening and Packing Tips
AUS has three TSA security checkpoints. All four checkpoints lead to all gates and the first checkpoints typically open at 3:00 a.m. daily.
Checkpoint 1
- General Screening
- Known Crew Member
- Priority/Premium Screening
- ADA Screening
Checkpoint 2 East
- General Screening
Checkpoint 2 West
- TSA PreCheck
- Clear
- Priority/Premium Screening
- ADA Screening
This Checkpoint remains open until the last flight and will accommodate all passengers after all other Checkpoints close.
Checkpoint 3
- Closed through 2026
Food, gifts, and other items should be packed properly. For more information about what can and cannot be brought through TSA security, visit TSA.gov.
The TSA has reported that AUS passengers continue to bring a record number of guns to security checkpoints this year. Bringing prohibited items will cause delays for passengers. Read more about how to legally travel with a firearm on our Know Before You Go webpage.
Flight Check-In Tips
Travelers without checked luggage can skip the airline ticket counters and head immediately to security screening checkpoints using these time-saving flight check-in options:
- Use the lower curbside and upper curbside for drop-off — from the lower level, passengers can quickly get upstairs to ticketing and security via escalators and elevators.
- Self-service flight check-in kiosks that allow travelers to print their boarding passes and bag tags are available inside the terminal, across from the airline ticket counters.
- In addition to traditional check-in procedures, select airlines offer outside curbside check-in.
- Travelers can also save time by checking in for their flight using their airlines’ mobile app and a mobile boarding pass.
Information for Allegiant and Frontier Travelers
Travelers flying with Allegiant and Frontier will check-in from and depart from The South Terminal. All other airlines operate out of the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. The two terminals are not connected and must be accessed separately. The South Terminal is located at 10000 Logistics Lane, near US 183 and Burleson Road. If dropped off at the Barbara Jordan Terminal, passengers can use a shuttle bus, which picks up from the curb-side departure level, to get to the South Terminal.
Navigating Construction at the Barbara Jordan Terminal
AUS is improving and modernizing to meet the needs of record-breaking passenger and airline activity through the Journey With AUS Airport Expansion and Development Program. Construction activities in the terminal may be visible to passengers as our teams work to expand facilities, improve systems and build new infrastructure.
- Visit AustinTexas.gov/AUSJourney to learn more about the Journey With AUS program
- Visit AustinTexas.gov/AUSConstructionUpdates for a list of scheduled and active construction activities that will be visible to passengers
Accessibility Services
All airlines provide wheelchair service from curb to aircraft. Please contact your airline prior to your flight to make arrangements for this service.
Visit our AUS for All: ADA and Accessibility Services webpage for more information about pick-up options for travelers with mobility assistive devices, TSA screening ADA procedures, services for travelers with hidden disabilities and other accessibility services at AUS.
AUS Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the airport addressing longer TSA wait times during peak travel periods?
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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is owned by the City of Austin and operated by the Department of Aviation. Security checkpoints at AUS are operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The Department of Aviation continues to partner with the TSA to address security checkpoint delays, including:
- Partnering with TSA to expand and improve security checkpoints by installing new screening equipment and technology and expanding Checkpoints 2 East, 2 West and 3.
- Opening a new TSA checkpoint in 2021 through the Journey With AUS airport improvement program.
- Requesting additional TSA staff and technology.
- On-going and regular conversations with local TSA leadership.
- Requesting congressional support through the airport's federal delegation.
- Assisting TSA with promoting job fairs, hiring events and TSA employment opportunities.
- Hiring additional Department of Aviation Guest Services staff to assist with passenger queuing so that TSA personnel can focus on security screening.
- Why is the airport so busy?
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After the devastating worldwide impacts on travel and aviation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AUS recovered from the pandemic faster and stronger than any other airport in the country based on airline seat increases between 2019 and 2022.
AUS experienced record-breaking volumes of travelers in 2023 and 2024, with 22 million and 21.7 million people flying in and out of AUS, respectively.
Central Texas continues to grow, and people and businesses are moving to Austin. This regional growth has led to strong demand for air service. Airlines continue to invest in Austin, bringing more jobs and economic opportunities alongside new nonstop destinations.
AUS airlines have launched more flights to existing destinations, launched new destinations, and sometimes use bigger aircraft than before. This means there are more seats for sale and more passengers traveling on a regular basis to fill those seats.
- What kind of new services has AUS launched to help passengers?
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To better assist passengers, AUS has launched a variety of new services, ranging from new food, beverage and travel essential shopping options to new services for differently-abled passengers and for those using mobility assistive devices. New services include:
- The Mobility Assistance Zone for passengers using mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, or crutches, or those who need additional mobility assistance. It 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. It is located on the lower level curbside, one lane across from the G and H pick-up areas.
- The Mobility Lounge for passengers using wheelchairs and other mobility assistive devices is located on the ticketing/departures level.
- New 24/7 snack, beverage and travel essential items are located for sale throughout the terminal. Visit AirportMaps.FlyAustin.com to see locations and options.
- New grab-&-go, self-service concessions are now open at Barton Springs Express on the pre-security side, next to the Mobility Lounge, and at Market [512] near Gate 12.
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program lanyards or pins are available for passengers with non-visible disabilities to wear at the airport. The lanyards discreetly notify airport staff and other passengers that you may need more time, patience and support. Order your free lanyard 48 hours ahead of your trip by contacting the AUS Guest Services team via email at AUS.GuestServices@FlyAustin.com or by calling them at (512) 530-2414. Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.
- Do I still need to show up early if I have TSA PreCheck or Clear? What if I am not checking luggage?
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Arrival time best practices depend on a variety of factors such as:
- If you're checking a bag and how many you're checking
- If you need to return a rental car
- If you're traveling with small children or a large group
- If you are or are not using general TSA screening
AUS recommends passengers using general TSA screening arrive at least 2.5 hours before boarding for domestic travel and 3 hours before boarding for international travel. If a passenger is completing pre-TSA activities like the ones listed above, they should make sure they have plenty of time to do so.
TSA PreCheck and Clear can both save passengers time with expedited TSA security screening options. An example of a passenger who may not need the full 2.5 hours to make it to their gate before boarding is a single traveler who has TSA PreCheck or Clear, is using a mobile boarding pass and is not checking any luggage.
An example of a passenger who may need more than the 2.5 hours is someone traveling in a large group of travelers who have not traveled in long time, are checking multiple bags and oversized items, and are returning a rental car before heading into the terminal.
- How can I sign up for TSA PreCheck or Clear?
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TSA PreCheck and Clear both offer expedited security screening.
Travelers can sign up for TSA-precheck at three locations in Austin:
- On-site at the Clear Enrollment Center, located at TSA Checkpoint 1
- On-site at the airport in Baggage Claim
- At 7010 W Highway 71 in Oak Hill.
To book an appointment, fill out pre-appointment paperwork and more, visit TSA.gov/precheck.
For Clear, you can enroll online at ClearMe.com or on-site at the airport.
- When is the airport busiest?
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The airport continues to see high passenger volumes regularly throughout the week. Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday continue to be the busiest days of the week, with 30,000+ passengers flying out on these days. Mornings are the busiest time of day.
Summer is the busiest prolonged period of travel while October brings in busy weekends with ACL, Formula 1 and other special events.
- Is the airport going to expand?
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Yes! AUS's Airport Expansion and Development Program is underway and will deliver near-term improvements, new infrastructure and modern facilities to support current and future generations of Austinite and Central Texan travelers.
- Where is the South Terminal?
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Frontier or Allegiant passengers will depart from the South Terminal, a separate terminal that is not accessible from the main Barbara Jordan Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). It is located at 10000 Logistics Ln., which is accessed by taking US 183 South to Burleson Rd.
Shuttles are available to take passengers from the Barbara Jordan Terminal to the South Terminal during flight operations. They pick up about every 20 minutes. It’s a 15- to 20-minute drive to the South Terminal depending on traffic. We recommend that passengers park on-site or get dropped off directly at the South Terminal ahead of their flight.
- What kind of food and retail options does AUS have?
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You can see a full list of AUS retail and dining options on our concessions webpage.
AUS now offers several new contactless and self-service kiosks and machines that are available to travelers 24/7 and offer snacks, beverages, travel essentials, and more.
- What else is the airport doing to respond to regional growth?
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In addition to the terminal improvements projects, the Department of Aviation recently constructed a new air cargo facility. This will have long-term benefits for Austin and Central Texas' manufacturing, tech, and business hubs, and support a growing region that prioritizes job creation and improving infrastructures.
The Department of Aviation is working with AUS Fuels, LLC, the consortium of AUS airlines that own and operate the jet fuel storage facility at the airport on the development of a new facility. The new facility will more than double the existing on-site fuel storage and be able to meet the airport's long-term fueling needs in the decades to come. Currently, AUS operates with a 2 - 3 day supply, while more airports operate with 5 - 7 days.
Both the new air cargo facility and the new jet fuel storage facility are AUS 2040 Master Plan projects that have been expedited ahead of the original timeline to address our growing region and increased demand for air and cargo service.