How to find cheap flights from Austin

The airport code for Austin–Bergstrom International Airport is AUS.

There is no hotel that’s actually connected to the Austin airport, but there are many hotel options near the airport property. The two that are closest to the terminal are located on the opposite side of the lettered parking lots—Hilton Austin Airport and Hyatt Place Austin Airport. Both are a short shuttle ride from the main entrance.

Both hotels have on-site restaurants, fitness centers, and outdoor pools. Hilton rooms start at around $245 per night, and Hyatt rooms at around $167 per night.

All of the lounges at AUS are located in the Barbara Jordan Terminal.

The American Airlines Admirals Club is across from Gate 22 (open Sun-Fri 4:15am-9:15pm and Sat 4:15am-7:15pm). Amenities include free food, drinks, and WiFi, and a full-service bar. Access to the lounge is free for Admirals Club members, American Airlines travelers flying first or business class, Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard cardholders with an AA boarding pass, ConciergeKey members with an AA boarding pass, and AirPass members with Admirals Club privileges. Day passes are also available for $59.

The Delta Sky Club is near Gate 4 (open 4:15am-8:30pm) and offers guests free snacks, beverages, and WiFi. Sky Club access is free for Sky Club members, Delta’s and Air France’s first-class or business-class ticketholders, SkyMiles Reserve cardholders, and AmEx Platinum cardholders with a Delta boarding pass.

The Chase Sapphire Terrace is on the mezzanine level between Gates 1 and 2 (open 10am-8pm). It features free drinks, WiFi, games, and “grab-and-go” food. Access to the Sapphire Terrace is free for Sapphire Reserve and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardmembers, plus two guests, provided everyone is a ticketholder for a flight departing from the terminal that day.

The United Club is opposite Gate 22 (open 4:30am-7pm). It offers free snacks, beverages, and WiFi. Access is free for United Club members, travelers flying first or business class on United or its Star Alliance partners, United Club Infinite cardholders, and some elite-status United or Star Alliance frequent flyers. Day Passes are also available for $59.

While inside Austin–Bergstrom, all service animals must be leashed at all times. Pets must be contained in a carrier when they’re not using a pet relief area. There are two pre-security pet relief areas on Level One of the Red Garage, which is near the Barbara Jordan Terminal. The Barbara Jordan Terminal itself has one post-security pet relief area near Gate A9. The South Terminal has one post-security pet relief area as well, near Gate S1.

Austin–Bergstrom has two terminals: the Barbara Jordan Terminal and the South Terminal. There is a shuttle bus that connects the two terminals.

Barbara Jordan Terminal: This is the main terminal and the terminal from which all but two airlines at Austin–Bergstrom operate. Restaurants include 24 Diner, Parkside, Earl Campbell’s Taco Truck, Haymaker, The Peached Tortilla, Hut’s Hamburgers, Mad Greens, Komé Sushi A-Go-Go, Second Bar and Kitchen, and The Salt Lick BBQ. Shops include Austin Mercantile, Austin Chronicle, Barton Springs, Book People, TasteATX, and Ruta Maya Cafe & Books. There are two mother’s rooms—one near Gate 11 and one near Gate 23.

South Terminal: The South Terminal is much smaller than the Barbara Jordan Terminal, with service from only Allegiant and Frontier. While there is a shuttle that runs between the two terminals, passengers flying from the South Terminal are advised to use the South Terminal’s parking areas. Dining and shopping options are extremely limited—there is one food truck (De Nada Tacos), one shop (The Get Set), and a couple of vending machines.

Yes, CLEAR is available at Austin–Bergstrom in the Barbara Jordan Terminal’s security checkpoints. There are separate CLEAR lanes at the 1 and 2 West checkpoints. The Enrollment Center is at checkpoint 1.

Yes, TSA Precheck is available at Austin–Bergstrom in the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Separate PreCheck lanes are at the 1 and 2 West checkpoints.

Global Entry is available at Austin–Bergstrom for international arrivals. The Enrollment Center is in the baggage claim area near Carousel 7.

The rule of thumb for when to get to the airport is two hours ahead for a domestic flight and three hours ahead for an international one. The Austin–Bergstrom website, however, advises travelers with flights leaving from the Barbara Jordan Terminal to arrive 2.5 hours before a domestic flight. Travelers with flights departing from the South Terminal, on the other hand, are advised to arrive 1.5 hours before departure. And, as is the case with every airport and travel scenario, the best time for you to get to the airport may depend on your specific trip’s details.

How big is the airport, and where is your gate? The Austin airport isn’t very big at all, and once you get through security, it’s unlikely to take more than 10-15 minutes to reach the gates at the farthest ends of the Barbara Jordan Terminal. At the South Terminal, the walking times are usually in the single digits. This doesn’t include getting through the security checkpoint itself, however, or any delays caused by airport construction projects. Estimated wait times at AUS security checkpoints can now be found on the myTSA mobile app.

Do you need to check in at the airport? Airlines set cutoff times for passengers checking in, usually about 30-60 minutes before departure. After this point, you won’t be able to check in or get on the plane. If you’re unable to check in at home beforehand, be sure to allow enough time to do it at the airport.

Do you have bags to check? Traveling with only a carry-on can make things easier, but if you need to check a bag at the airport, you’ll need extra time for that. Again, there’s a cutoff time set by the airlines (usually 45-60 minutes before departure), after which your luggage won’t get on the plane with you.

How busy might the airport be? All the estimates of how long it takes to get through security or walk from the check-in counter to your gate reflect the airport when it’s not at its most busy. If you’re flying during peak season or over a major holiday, you can expect longer lines at security.

In most cases, it’s probably best to follow the Austin airport’s advice about when to arrive before a flight—especially for the South Terminal, given how small it is. If you’re flying from the Barbara Jordan Terminal, have only a carry-on bag, and have already checked in at home, though, you may be able to shave a bit of time off the suggested 2.5-hour buffer.

Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is about 7.5 miles from downtown via the most direct route, which is roughly a 15-minute drive, depending on traffic.

There are several options for traveling from downtown Austin to the Austin airport.

By taxi or ride share: Depending on the specific pickup location, the drive from downtown to the airport may take 15-40 minutes. There’s no flat rate taxi fare from downtown to the airport, but you can expect a fare in the $30-40 range, depending on traffic. The cost of a rideshare trip usually ranges from $18-35, depending on traffic and demand.

By public transportation: There is one bus line that connects downtown with the airport, and it has frequent service: Route 20. The trip from Capitol Station downtown to the airport takes about 40 minutes, and a single-ride ticket costs $1.25.