Austin Airport Made Easy

Everything You Need to Know
About Austin Bergstrom Internation Airport

If you've been to the Austin airport, there's a good chance it was the best part of your air travel. Clean, convenient and new. Easy to get around. Big enough to handle nonstop service to 40 plus cities (including international). Small enough to remain friendly, personal and efficient. With surprisingly good airport hotel options nearby.

It doesn't happen often, but when Austin gets any kind of frozen precipitation you have to take a picture of it before it melts. Photo

J.D. Powers and Associates Global Airport Satisfaction Study scored Austin Bergstrom International Airport #1 airport in the U.S. And #2 worldwide. Austin airport was named Best Domestic Airport by Airports Council International Airport Quality Awards.

The Austin airport is conveniently located seven miles from downtown Austin on Texas Highway 71, near U.S. Highway 183 intersection and only four miles from IH-35. You're 10-20 minutes from most of downtown. Click here (opens in new window) for a PDF map to see how easy it is to get downtown from the Austin airport.

A multi-use facility, ABIA serves commercial aviation, general aviation, State Aircraft Pooling Board and The Texas Army National Guard. ABIA served more than 8.2 million passengers last year with 302 commercial passenger flights per day reaching a whopping 46 nonstop destinations. Click here (opens a new window) for a PDF map of ABIA.

The Barbara Jordan Terminal. Photo

Austin Airport Hotels

Hotels surrounding the Austin airport are new or recently updated to accommodate the new location. Most are surprisingly quiet because flights usually take off and land in the other direction and we're not as busy as larger airports.

I recommend hotels near the airport if you have an early morning flight. Turn in your car rental the day before and use the hotel shuttle to get to your flight in the morning. Or for people that don't want to stay downtown. You are a short 10-15 minute drive to many attractions, events and restaurants in Austin.

If your Austin vacation plans include sight seeing in surrounding areas, the airport location offers easy access to major highways making it a snap to get up and go.

• The only full service hotel on airport grounds is the Hilton Austin Airport, (512) 385-6767, 800-HILTONS. The old cold war flight tower was renovated for the new airport and has several distinctive architectural elements. Outdoor pool and hot tub, full-service restaurant and great staff. The downside – they charge for parking. Complete review here.
• Best Western Austin Airport, phone (512) 385-1000, 800-WESTERN, is about ¼ mile from the airport. No charge to park, free airport shuttle, breakfast, local calls, Internet access, pool and workout facility. Complete review here.
• Comfort Suites Austin Airport, phone (512) 386-6000, (800) 424-6423, is an all suite property. Free airport shuttle, and hot breakfast buffet. In-room refrigerator, coffeemaker, hair dryer and iron/board. Swimming pool and spa, fitness center, guest business center, wireless Internet. Located less than a mile from the airport. Complete review here.
• Courtyard by Marriott Austin Airport, (512) 386-7464, (800) 321-2211, is a mile from the airport. They provide free airport shuttle, plush bed packages, wired and wireless Internet, and a full hot breakfast buffet. Complete review here.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Austin Airport, (512) 389-1616, (800) 426-7866, one mile from ABIA. Monday through Thursday they offer free hot breakfast and dinner, high speed Internet, fitness room, business center, pool, basketball and tennis courts. Complete review here.
• Hawthorn Suites Ltd. Bergstrom Airport, (512) 247-6166, (800) 527-1133, suites with kitchenettes or full kitchens and separate living area. Free full breakfast buffet daily and evening social hour Monday through Thursday. Complete review here.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Austin Airport, (512) 386-7600, (800) 833-1516, has all suites with in-room microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, hair dryer and iron/board. Free high-speed Internet. Complete review here.

All these hotels are within a mile or so of the Austin airport. Most include free parking and airport shuttle service, breakfast, Internet, and have helpful, friendly staff. Some have honeymoon packages and are pet friendly.

Airlines & Austin Airfare

Personally I look at the connecting airports when making airline arrangements. If you don't have a nonstop flight, avoid flights with connections in large, busy airports.

For example, when I fly to Chicago I look for a flight that connects in Memphis (rather than St. Louis, Dallas or Houston). The odds are better you will avoid a delay or cancellation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has a list of ten steps that reduce the likelihood of your flight being delayed and canceled. They call it 'defensive planning.' This link will open in a new window and take you to this highly recommended reading. Air travelers really can improve their flying experience with some or all of these steps.

I also highly recommend shopping around for airfare. There a lots of travel deals available but they change almost daily. Try Kayak.com. They are not a travel agent, they search 140+ travel sites for the cheapest airfares. It's a great way to evaluate the best Austin airfare options, and it's free.

Security Checkpoint Wait Times at Austin Airport

Peak wait times for security checkpoint vary by day and time. In general, the busiest checkpoint times are 5-7 am, 11 am to 1 pm, 5-7 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. And Sunday is usually busy all day. Checkpoint 1 averages 14.5 minutes, Checkpoint 3 averages 13.4 minutes. Check 2 seems to be the best bet at 11.3 minutes (according to the Transportation Security Administration). I've never waited more than five minutes.

Check the latest carry-on rules to save time. They still advise arriving 90 minutes before your flight departs. I always find that excessive, but better safe than sorry. Anyway, what a great airport to hang out in.

Of course when flying into ABIA, you just depart the plane and collect your baggage. Step out of the airport and enjoy the fresh air and abundant sunshine. I suggest skipping the airline meal and grabbing a chopped brisket sandwich at the Salt Lick before leaving the airport.

If you're traveling here in March, Austin has four major events in town then. SXSW (music and film!), spring break, the rodeo and basketball tournaments. Hotels, restaurants, the airport, everything is bustling with excitement and people. Expect more activity around town than usual, and make your reservations early.

Austin Airport Parking

Austin airport boasts 10,152 public parking spaces. I recommend the covered parking garage. It costs more than the outdoor lots (under 30 minutes is free; 31-60 minutes $2; each additional hour $2; all day maximum is $18.48 plus tax), but you're directly across from the terminal. Parking Garage and Lot A are the only two lots with hourly rates. You can get a map here.

The outdoor lots provide 24/7 shuttle service. The first 30 minutes are free, all day maximum is $6.47 plus tax.

Or you may want to use an off-site parking facility. Airport Fast Park (512)385-8877, offers 24/7 shuttle service and circles baggage claim area every two or three minutes. They pick you up at your car door and deliver you to the airport terminal. They will even provide you with bottled water and a newspaper (while supplies last), air if your tires deflate, complimentary jump start and luggage service. Make sure you understand their all day and partial day fees.

If you use Airport Fast Park, look
around their property for the longhorns. Photo

Airport Fast Park is using some of its undeveloped land to educate local Del Valle High School students how to raise and breed Texas longhorn cattle. There are six longhorns ranging in age from 18 months to 15 years.

Ground Transportation at Austin Airport

ABIA is served by Super Shuttle door to door service, taxi and limousine services. You can make reservations with Super Shuttle for yourself or your group. Hail a cab outside the terminal or reserve cab service in advance. Yellow Cab has the most cars in town, but you'll also find Lone Star Cab and Austin Cab.

The city of Austin regulates cab rates. Currently it is $2.05 for the first 2/7 mile, 30 cents each additional 1/7 mile, plus a gas surcharge of 10 cents per mile, $25 per hour for waiting time. Trips originating from the airport have a $1 surcharge, and as many as four passengers can ride for the price of one.

Limousine services include a long list of companies serving the Austin area. Rental cars are plentiful with easy pick-up and drop-off service. Including: Advantage, Alamo/National, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, Thrifty.

We also have a great bus service. The Airport Flyer Route 100 is a limited-stop service. Quick way to get to UT, State offices, downtown. Buses are free for UT students with valid student ID, otherwise it's 50 cents for local buses and $1 for express buses. To see a map of routes and schedules, this link opens in a new window.

By the way, if your downtown, the Dillo trolley buses are free, all day, everyday. Just look for the bus stop signs with a picture of an armadillo. For routes and schedules, a new window will open, click here.

Business & Personal Services

The United Heritage Credit Union provides travelers with banking and financial services;

• foreign currency exchange
• American Express Travelers Checks
• money orders
• Travelers Express pre-paid cards
• Visa gift cards
• cash passport cards

An ATM is located on the second floor center concourse at the United Heritage Credit Union location.

Power Port computer stations offer access to a computer and phone charger. Power Port computer stations are located on the concourse at Gate 6 and between Gate 15 and 17. Power Port services include laptop rentals, batter and cell phone chargers. Internet access, USB ports, download music and free printing.

There is also a one acre Family Viewing Area near the east runway at the Austin airport. Sit at a picnic table and watch planes take off and land. Recommended times 6 to 11 am, 1:30 to 3 pm, and about 7 pm.

Click here (opens a new window) for a PDF map.

Food, Music & Fun

Condi Nast's Portfolio.com listed Austin airport as one of the best spots for airport dining in the U.S. Tex Mex, barbecue, pizza, hamburgers, Chinese, breakfast, coffee shops, and a couple sports bars just for fun. I wouldn't visit Austin just to eat at the airport. However, I always leave ample time to eat before my flight.

Live music venue in an airport? Believe it or not, Austin's airport has great, world class live music featured in a central courtyard stage in the Barbara Jordan Terminal.

Art Display

Art exhibits and art galleries at ABIA include Airport Pylons, East Airside Gallery, West Airside Gallery, Austin Past & Present Exhibit, Bergstrom Air Force Base History Exhibit plus Austin Sister Cities International Exhibit.

Artisan craftwork and artworks by know artists are dispersed through out the entire airport. This is real art, so take your time and enjoy.

Gift Shops - News Stands - Concessions

Like Austin itself, the Austin airport is eclectic and friendly. The unusual array of Airport shops include;

• The Longhorn Store, for official University of Texas gear.
• Austin Chronicle, have your coffee while browsing a vast selection of titles and Austin style gifts.
• Austin City Limits/Waterloo Records & Video, thousands of CDs and DVDs from both Austin City Limits and Waterloo Record’s broad collection. Also, ACL and Waterloo gear and clothing are sold.
• BookPeople, offers travelers the largest possible selection of books. From travel books to self-help, motivational to mystery and romance novels. An Austin favorite for years.
• Gadgets to Go, travel gadgets and games. Pillows to plugs and cords, a variety of accessories for travel may be found here.
• Austin Artifacts, gift and souvenir shop loaded with “Typically Texas Treasures.”
• Austin Attitudes, apparel shop featuring T-shirts, nightshirts, sweatshirts, ball caps, and tote bags with a Texas attitude!
• Austin Market, Texas foods with unique flavors from the very spicy, to mouth-watering sweets.
• Barton Springs Dry Goods,unique gifts that say "Austin," including Western apparel and accessories, salsas, barbecue sauces, art and jewelry.
• Sierra News, pick up some reading material or Texas gifts to take home.
• In Celebration of Golf, offers a large assortment of golf related gifts. From picture frames and paper weights to men's and women's clothing and baby apparel. Ben Hogan and Bobby Jones products.

Best Looking People

Travel + Leisure says Austin has the Best Looking People. We have less wrinkles because “airport stress” is virtually non existent at the Austin airport. Well…

Like all airports we have delays, lost luggage and an occasional act of technical idiocy. However, it's been my experience that foul ups and inconveniences are less frequent at the Austin airport and are handled with a level of empathy and professionalism not found at many airports.

Traffic

Traffic can get real sportin' during the rush hours; 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. If you plan on renting a car and you're not familiar with the city, make sure your arrival time allows you to avoid rush hour traffic. Grab a map and orientate yourself to our major roads ahead of time. Click here, a new window will open with a map of the airport and downtown.

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