Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
I landed at Austin-Bergstrom for the first time during South by Southwest a few years ago, and my immediate thought stepping off the jet bridge was, “Is that live music?” It was. A guy with an acoustic guitar was playing right there past security, and I just stood there for a minute soaking it in. That pretty much set the tone for every visit since. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, or AUS, sits about five miles southeast of downtown Austin, and it does something most airports don’t even attempt — it actually feels like the city it serves.
A Little Background
AUS opened in May 1999, replacing the old Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. It’s named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, an Austin native who died during World War II. The location was a former Air Force base, and converting it into a civilian airport was a massive project that paid off. Being so close to downtown means you can be in the heart of Austin within fifteen or twenty minutes of leaving the terminal, traffic permitting. And in Austin, that “traffic permitting” part is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
Layout and Facilities
Probably should have led with this since it’s what you’ll want to know before your trip. AUS has two runways, three helipads, and two terminals.
The main one is the Barbara Jordan Terminal, named after the first Black woman from the Southern United States elected to the U.S. Congress. It has 34 gates and a really solid selection of food and shops. The second is the South Terminal, which handles ultra-low-cost carriers. The South Terminal has this laid-back, almost retro vibe — like flying used to feel before everything got so complicated. I kind of love it.
Parking covers all the bases. Short-term close-in lots, covered garages, budget-friendly long-term options. There’s valet service if you’re feeling fancy and even electric vehicle charging stations. The rental car facility is built right into the parking garage, which cuts out that annoying shuttle-to-the-rental-lot step you deal with at other airports.
Getting To and From AUS
Options here are genuinely good. Capital Metro runs bus routes including the Airport Flyer, which connects AUS to downtown Austin and UT Austin. It runs frequently enough to be practical if you’re not hauling a mountain of luggage.
Uber and Lyft are everywhere — designated pickup and drop-off areas keep things moving. Taxis line up right outside the terminal. Private shuttles and coach services are available for groups or anyone with a lot of bags. And here’s something I didn’t expect: Austin being the bike-friendly city it is, there are bike racks outside the terminal and actual biking paths from nearby neighborhoods. I haven’t personally biked to the airport, but I respect the commitment.
Sustainability Efforts
AUS takes the environmental side of things seriously, and from what I’ve seen, the effort goes beyond just marketing. Energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems are in place throughout the facility. Water conservation includes low-flow fixtures and greywater reuse. Recycling programs are available for passengers and on-site businesses. Even the landscaping uses native plants that don’t need much water or upkeep.
None of this makes an airport carbon-neutral or anything, but the cumulative effect matters. And in a city that cares about sustainability as much as Austin does, it would be noticeable if the airport weren’t at least trying.
The Austin Factor
This is where AUS really separates itself from other airports I’ve been through. That’s what makes Austin-Bergstrom endearing — it doubles as a cultural venue.
Live music is happening throughout the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Local bands and solo artists perform regularly, and the quality is surprisingly high. Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, and the airport backs that up in a way that could easily feel gimmicky but somehow doesn’t. It just feels natural.
Art exhibits rotate through the terminal as well. Local and regional artists get display space, which turns the waiting areas into something you’d actually want to look at rather than just endure. During one layover, I spent twenty minutes looking at a photography series by a local artist and genuinely enjoyed it. That’s not something I’d say about most airports.
What’s Being Built and Planned
AUS has been growing fast, which makes sense given how much Austin itself has exploded in population. Expansion projects include more baggage claim space and additional gates to reduce congestion. Enhanced Wi-Fi and digital kiosks for self-service check-in are part of the tech upgrades. Future plans also include better integration with public transit, which would be a huge deal for a city where traffic is a daily topic of conversation.
The airport is clearly planning for a much bigger Austin than the one that exists today, and given the growth trajectory, that seems like a smart bet.
Final Thoughts
Austin-Bergstrom is one of those airports that makes you think maybe flying doesn’t have to be miserable. It’s convenient to downtown, it has real food and real music, and it reflects the personality of the city rather than trying to be some generic travel portal. Not every flight experience is going to be perfect — delays happen, security lines get long, the parking garage fills up during big events — but AUS handles the basics well and adds enough character to make the experience genuinely pleasant.
If you’re passing through Austin, give yourself a little extra time at the airport. Grab some food, listen to whoever’s playing near your gate, and enjoy the fact that at least one airport in this country feels like it was designed by people who actually like being there.
