Austin has become one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Tech companies, musicians, students, food lovers and remote workers all come to this city for some reason. Austin Bergstrom International Airport handles tens of millions of passengers every year and that number is increasing. Whether you are coming for the Formula 1 race, a University of Texas game, or to explore one of America’s most talked-about cities, your trip starts and ends at this airport.
First-time visitors have many questions about this airport, such as: How early do you need to arrive? Where do you park and how much does it cost? What time does security open? Does the airport have CLEAR? What terminal does Southwest use? Knowing the answers to these questions makes your travel experience less stressful because you already know what to expect and what you need to do.
This guide answers common questions you might have about Austin airport before you fly. It covers the location, the terminals, parking options and costs, TSA hours, how early to arrive and everything related to it.
Where Is Austin Airport Located?
Austin Bergstrom International Airport is located in southeast Austin, Texas. The official address is 3600 Presidential Boulevard, Austin, TX 78719.
This airport was replaced by the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport and opened in 1999. It was built on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base which is where it gets its name. It sits in the city limits of Austin as well which makes it convenient to approach as compared to other major airports in Texas.
How Far Is Austin Airport from Downtown Austin?
Austin Bergstrom International Airport is approximately 5 miles from downtown Austin. This makes it one of the closest major airports to a downtown area in the entire United States. This short distance is an advantage for Austin travelers. A drive from the airport to the central district typically takes 10 to 20 minutes off-peak. During rush hour or busy event weekends the same trip can take 25 to 40 minutes.
| Destination | Distance from Airport | Drive Time Off-Peak |
| Downtown Austin | 5 to 6 miles | 10 to 20 minutes |
| South Congress | 4 miles | 8 to 15 minutes |
| University of Texas | 7 miles | 15 to 25 minutes |
| Cedar Park | 22 miles | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Round Rock | 20 miles | 28 to 38 minutes |
| The Domain | 16 miles | 22 to 32 minutes |
How Many Airports in Austin?
Austin has one commercial airport which is Austin Bergstrom International Airport, known by the IATA code AUS. There are many small general aviation airports in the Austin area that serve private aircraft, charter flights and smaller regional operations. These include Austin Executive Airport in Pflugerville and Georgetown Municipal Airport. Austin Bergstrom is the only airport for commercial travel in the city.
Unlike Houston and Dallas, which have two major commercial airports, Austin has only one commercial airport. This actually works in travelers’ favor because there is never any confusion about which airport your flight departs from.
How Many Terminals at Austin Airport?
Austin Bergstrom International Airport has two passenger terminals:
- Barbara Jordan Terminal
- South Terminal
But almost all flights are handled by Barbara Jordan Terminal because the separate South Terminal was permanently closed on March 31, 2026. There are two main concourses inside the main terminal. This terminal handles all departures and arrivals. Check-in, security, baggage claim and ground transportation are all handled in this single building. This makes the navigation straightforward compared to larger multi-terminal airports.
The airport has been expanding steadily to keep it able to manage Austin’s rapid population growth. A new South Terminal was added several years ago for lower-cost carriers. Further expansion projects have been underway or planned to increase gate capacity.
What Terminal Is Southwest at Austin Airport?
Southwest Airlines operates from the main Barbara Jordan Terminal at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Southwest is one of the busiest carriers at AUS and handles a large volume of the airport’s domestic traffic. All Southwest check-in, baggage, and gates are within the main terminal.
AUS has only one primary terminal so there is generally less confusion about where to go as compared to airports with multiple separate terminal buildings. Always compare your specific gate information on your southwest boarding pass or in the southwest app before arriving, as gates can change based on daily operations.
Does Austin Airport Have Clear?
Yes, Austin Bergstrom International Airport has CLEAR lanes available. Clear is a biometric identity verification service that allows enrolled members to use fingerprint or iris scanning to verify their identity at security. This helps frequent travelers to skip the document check line and move faster to the TSA screening belt.
Clear at AUS is available at the main security checkpoint, members present their biometric data to a Clear staff member, bypass the standard ID verification screening queue and proceed directly to the TSA screening lanes.
What Time Does Austin Bergstrom Airport Open?
Austin Bergstrom International Airport is technically open 24 hours a day for arriving flights. The practical question most travelers are asking is what time does the main terminal open for departures and what time does TSA open at Austin Bergstrom Airport.
The main terminal and check-in areas at AUS start operating around 3:30 AM to 4:00 AM to accommodate early morning departures. Airlines begin their check in counters at varying times depending on their first departures of the day.
TSA security checkpoints at Austin Bergstrom Airport begin opening around 4:00 AM or the time may slightly vary. During peak travel periods like South by Southwest, Formula 1 races and major University of Texas events, security checkpoints may open earlier to handle the higher volume.
How Early to Arrive at Austin Airport?
How early to get to Austin airport depends on the time of day you are flying and the current level of activity at the airport. Austin Airport has only one terminal therefore security lines build up quickly during peak periods like South by Southwest in March and the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in October.
If you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, you can save 20 to 30 minutes. If you are checking bags without these programs during a busy event week, arriving earlier is strongly recommended.
How Big Is Austin Airport?
Austin Bergstrom International Airport covers approximately 4,242 acres of land. It is a medium sized airport by national standards. It is smaller than DFW and Houston’s IAH but larger than many regional airports.
| Airport Feature | Detail |
| Total land area | Approximately 4,242 acres |
| Main terminal | Barbara Jordan Terminal |
| Concourses | Two main concourses plus expansion gates |
| Gates | Approximately 50 to 60 active gates |
| Annual passengers | Approximately 17 to 20 million per year |
| Runways | 2 runways |
How Busy Is Austin Airport?
Austin Bergstrom International Airport has become one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. Austin’s tech industry increased its reputation as a cultural destination and its increasing population growth have made it even busier. This airport ranks among the busiest airports in Texas for domestic passengers. It handles approximately 17 to 20 million passengers annually.
The busiest periods at AUS include South by Southwest in March, the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in October, University of Texas football weekends, spring break periods in March and the holiday travel days like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Where to Park at Austin Airport and How Much Does Parking Cost?
| Parking Option | Approximate Daily Rate |
| Garage 1 (closest to terminal) | $25 to $32 per day |
| Garage 2 | $20 to $28 per day |
| Express Surface Lot | $18 to $22 per day |
| Economy Parking | $10 to $14 per day |
| Long Term Parking | $9 to $12 per day |
The economy and long term lots are located far from the terminal and require a shuttle ride. The shuttle runs regularly but increases 10 to 15 minutes to your journey. During travel periods the shuttle wait time can extend even more.
AUS Airport Transportation with AA Limousine and Sedan
Airport schedules are usually tight and need reliable, professional and on-time transportation. There is no chance of taking risk and this kind of stress free transportation is only given by private chauffeur car services.
AA Limousine and Sedan provides professional airport transportation throughout Austin and nearby Texas communities. We have been working in this area for over 25 years and know about every route and traffic pattern here. Airport transportation needs dedication and no chance of late arrival. We ensure that our chauffeurs will take you to your destination not only on time but also provide you a comfortable and smooth travel experience.
We offer luxury sedans, executive SUVs, stretch limousines, and executive buses for airport transportation. They are all well-maintained and inspected before every pickup. Once you book airport transportation with us, our team starts monitoring your flight in real time. A dedicated chauffeur and vehicle are assigned to your ride and the best route is planned by monitoring current traffic conditions and patterns. This is how we make sure every trip gets a smooth, timely and stress-free airport transfer from pickup to drop-off.
Reserve your Austin Airport transportation with AA Limousine and Sedan for reliable service and peace of mind.
FAQs
Where is Austin Bergstrom International Airport?
Austin Bergstrom International Airport is located at 3600 Presidential Boulevard in southeast Austin, Texas, approximately 5 to 6 miles from downtown Austin.
How far is the Austin airport from downtown Austin?
The airport is approximately 5 to 6 miles from downtown Austin. The drive takes 10 to 20 minutes off-peak and 25 to 40 minutes during rush hour or busy event periods.
How many terminals does Austin airport have?
Austin airport has one main terminal building called the Barbara Jordan Terminal. This handles all departures, arrivals, check-in, and baggage claim in one centralized facility.
What time does the TSA open at Austin Bergstrom Airport?
TSA security checkpoints at AUS generally begin opening around 4 AM. During peak travel events, checkpoints may open earlier.
How much is long-term parking at Austin airport?
Long-term parking at AUS costs approximately $9 to $12 per day. For a five-day trip this totals roughly $45 to $60.
Does Austin airport have CLEAR?
Yes. CLEAR biometric identity lanes are available at the main security checkpoint at Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
How early should I arrive at Austin airport?
For standard domestic flights, arrive 90 minutes before flight at off peak time.. During busy event periods like SXSW or Formula 1, plan for 2 to 2.5 hours before your departure time.
What terminal is Southwest at Austin airport?
Southwest Airlines operates from the main Barbara Jordan Terminal at AUS. All Southwest check-in, security and gates are within this single terminal building.
