Update (April 3): The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is open and operating, with several changes in place, both long- and short-term. Here are some of the notable ones.

Pro tips (from the Transportation Security Administration of the Department of Homeland Security):

• Hand sanitizers are an exception to the 3.4 ounce or less carry-on rule. Up to 12 ounces are allowed but may be subjected to additional screening.
• Facilitate social distancing and efficient travel through security checkpoints.

• Leave home without prohibited items.

• Place everything that is in your pockets or clipped to your waistband—including belts, wallets, coins, and phones—in your own carry-on bag before getting to checkpoints.

• Unless you are in the TSA Precheck program, any electronics larger than a mobile phone will have to be removed from bags to be checked at security.

Gates 1-4 and 6 have been disinfected and temporarily closed.

Security Checkpoints 1 and 3 are closed. All passengers will be screened through Checkpoint 2 until further notice.

As outlined in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 26 executive order (updated March 29) travelers who arrive at airport from the following locations must self-quarantine for 14 days from the time of entry into Texas or the duration of the person’s presence in Texas, whichever is shorter.

• State of California
• State of Connecticut
• State of Louisiana
• State of New Jersey
• State of New York
• State of Washington
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Chicago, Illinois
• Detroit, Michigan
• Miami, Florida

The order will be implemented and enforced by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Valet parking operations are suspended.

Parking: The third floor of the Red Garage/Garage 1 is closed to the to the public. The remaining floors of Red Garage will remain open.

The Blue Garage and the economy parking lots will remain open for now. Economy parking is $8 per day and the Blue Garage is $15 per day day.

Shuttle service from the economy lot to the Barbara Jordan Terminal and service to the South Terminal will remain at a level commensurate with demand.

ABIA has a webpage devoted to updates related to the novel coronavirus.

Update (Monday, March 23): The airport is considered “critical infrastructure” and does not fall under current city and county restrictions regarding gatherings of 10 or more people, made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport remains open and is operating.

Shuttle and parking teams at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as of March 18 are cleaning shuttles are cleaned with disinfectant and contact areas such as handrails are wiped down multiple times a day. To adhere to social distancing protocol, the team is limiting the number of shuttle passengers on board at one time and has increased number of shuttles being deployed. Airport officials ask that you exit through credit card express lanes to avoid person-to-person contact.

The airport has its work schedules to include teleworking for some nonessential employees but continues to have essential staff onsite to support airport operations. All scheduled live-music music performances at the airport have been canceled through April 30.

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As far as we know, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has never been called one of the most beautiful in the world, but it’s no slouch, either.

Opened at the turn of the 21st century (May 1999) on the decommissioned Bergstrom Air Force Base, ABIA replaced the city’s stylish but overcrowded and a little bit frightening Robert Mueller Municipal Airport (it was smack in the middle of major road intersections and neighborhoods, and landing planes flew freakishly low over IH-35).

Architects who designed ABIA include century-old local firm Page Southerland Page (architect of record, now called simply Page), Gensler (project design architect), and Leigh Fisher Associates. Though often crowded, the terminals are all glass walls, terrazzo floors, and blond wood, so it rarely feels cramped or gloomy.

Gensler also oversaw a recent expansion of the terminal, which added nine gates and more flights. In 2019, its 20th anniversary year, the airport saw 17,343,729 travelers—a new annual passenger record: and its 10th record-breaking year in a row.

All of which is to say that Austin’s airport has more people traveling to or through it than ever before, and sometimes they need a little guidance. ABIA is only major commercial airport serving the Austin metro area right now, so chances are if you’re reading this, you’ve experienced it already—or you’re about to.

The good news is that if you show up early or have a layover, ABIA is not the worst airport to spend a little time in. This guide is designed to help brand-new ABIA travelers get their bearings, let experienced travelers know about some updates, and maybe provide a tip or two for new and seasoned travelers alike. It covers both the main terminal and the fairly new South Terminal, where Frontier, ViaAir, and Allegiant airlines operate.

Before you go

• You can check flight status online.
• You can call (512) 530-3300 for up-to-the-minute parking updates.
• You can check live wait times for security lines here. (More security intel below.)
• ABIA is a partner with the Good Traveler, where you can calculate the carbon impact of your trip and buy carbon offsets (basically, make contributions to projects meant to reduce carbon emissions or restore atmosphere, detailed on its site).

Getting to and from the Barbara Jordan Terminal

Public transportation

Austin’s sole commuter train does not travel to the airport, but Capital Metro high-frequency bus route 20—Manor/East Riverside connects the airport and downtown and runs at 15-minute intervals. You can catch it at the bright blue, guitar-shaped stop right outside the terminal.

Car and taxi service

The ABIA website has a long list of taxi, ride-hailing, limo, and car rental services listed, including SuperShuttle van service, which drops you off and picks you up at your destination and has nonstop, black car/upscale, and SUV options.

Cabs and ride-hailing services have recently been moved and operate on the ground level of the Rental Car Facility, which is just beyond the close-in parking garage.

Walkways to reach the new area and color coding have been installed.

Passengers departing from the airport can still be picked up and dropped off curbside on the upper level of Presidential Boulevard in front of the terminal

The four Austin cab companies are ATX Co Op, Austin Cab, Lone Star Cab, and Yellow Cab. Fares can range from $25-30 to downtown locations, and up to $60 for longer distances. Minimum fare is $12.30, with a $1 surcharge. Most can be scheduled for pickup to the airport ahead of time.

Ride-hailing companies

The following companies currently operate in Austin and include airport service.

• RideAustin (a locally owned, nonprofit business)
• Lyft
• Uber
• Wingz

All ride-hailing companies, as well as people in private cars waiting to pick up arriving passengers can park in the Cell Phone Lot (yes, that’s its name) while waiting for a call or pickup assignment. Hey, beats circling the airport repeatedly—and, in addition to being free, it has a convenience store and fuel station that includes electric vehicle charging.

The renovated lot now features ABIA Food & Fuel, which is it is available to the public and features a convenience store, a gas station, a Subway sandwich shop, and a variety of tacos from TacoN’ Mama.

Car rental

The airport has the usual array of car-rental services, but SXSW partners with Enterprise. Attendees should use the code L65SXSW to book over the phone (855) 266-9289 or can book online.

Driving and parking

ABIA has several tiers of parking, with costs ranging from $29 (Executive Valet) to $8 per day (Economy), with discounts for weeklong parking. There is also a Frequent Parker program if that’s how you roll.

When driving to/dropping off at the airport, remember that Austin’s significant traffic congestion is especially high and almost constant on Highways 71 and 183/Airport Boulevard, the two most popular routes from Austin to ABIA. Check traffic ahead of time and plan accordingly.

Inside the Barbara Jordan Terminal

The most important thing to know about ABIA’s main terminal is that it is named after Barbara Jordan, the first African-American person to serve in the Texas Senate after Reconstruction (1966-72), the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress from the South (1972-78), and the first woman to deliver the keynote address at a national party convention (Democratic Convention 1976, and again in 1992). She also made a compelling speaker at the Watergate trials and later taught at the University of Texas. You can pay homage on the bottom floor of the terminal, where there’s a character-capturing statue of her.

While Jordan was a woman of many talents, we don’t think guitar-playing was one of them. The oversized guitars you see behind her in the above photo are part set of eight decorated by local artists and installed in the baggage claim area to greet visitors to the "Live Music Capital of the World."

ABIA/Facebook

Good to know

• Smoking areas are outside the terminal, and the ends of the upper and lower levels of the passenger pick-up and drop-off areas. Look for the signs.

• Complimentary wifi is available throughout the terminal via Boingo Wireless.

Getting through security

There are three checkpoints in the Barbara Jordan Terminal, and you can check live wait times for all three here.

• Checkpoint 1 is on the east end of ticketing and enters the concourse at Gate 14
• Checkpoint 2 is at the center of the terminal and enters the concourse at Gate 20
• Checkpoint 3 is on the west end of ticketing, past the ticket counters, and enters the concourse at Gate 24.

A separate lane for TSA Pre-Check passengers and a separate lane for Premium Passengers are available at Checkpoints 1 and 2 only.

Peak departure times are 5-8 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and 3:30-5:30 p.m. During these times passengers may encounter longer waits at security checkpoints. The first TSA checkpoint opens at 3:30 a.m.

Where to eat

So you’ve gotten through security and have your shoes back on. If you’re flying domestically and have some time before your flight, ABIA is not the hugest airport in the world—you can take some time to explore. And eat, as it turns out, some seriously delicious food—most outposts of some of the best local restaurants and cafes.

Our sister site Eater Austin has a thorough rundown of local comestibles available in its guide to eating at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, but there are a few new spots to point out (not to mention the robots with coffee).

• Heart of Austin is a reconfigured area near the center of the terminal that includes the Saxon Pub (with its Asleep at the Wheel Stage), the Saxon Pub Bar, Jo’s Coffee, and the Earl Campbell Food Truck
• Salt Lick will more than satisfy any last-minute barbecue cravings.
• Amy’s Ice Cream, a longtime local favorite, was absent from the airport for a while but has returned.
• Eastside Pies hasn’t been around quite as long as Amy’s, but its pies are just as popular, and with good reason.
• Hut’s Hamburgers, an Austin favorite since 1939, serves up its drive-in-style fare near Gate 14. Its longtime location outside the airport (on Sixth Street) is closing soon, so ABIA is your one shot at experiencing the legend.
• FlyRite Chicken: Another homegrown favorite, Flyrite is miles above that unmentionable national chain in every way.
• Briggo Coffee Haus features an app-based, robotic barista near Gate 17. What could go wrong?
• Ruta Maya Coffee, a longtime Austin establishment with delicious brews, is your go-to if you aren’t into robot coffee.

Where to be entertained

In addition to eating, buying stuff, and people-watching, waiting passengers can catch live-music acts at several of the terminal’s venues (gates and food courts) throughout the week. The airport’s “Music in the Air” program features sponsored local acts, with an emphasis on singer-songwriters, country, folk, and indie pop. Full schedule here.

New and near the center of the terminal is Heart of Austin: a remodeled area that features the Saxon Pub, with live music on its Asleep at the Wheel Stage (along with the Saxon Pub Bar, Jo’s Coffee, and the Earl Campbell Food Truck).

The Art in the Airport program features permanent installations and changing exhibits throughout the airport—again, with an emphasis on local artists, designers, and makers.

The art and design work on display includes everything from “Texas Rivers” by local architectural luminary Lawrence Speck—mapped into the terrazzo floor near baggage claim—to local artists’ multimedia, sculptural, graphic, photographic, and painted works throughout both floors of the terminal.

Text for experiences

In order to maximize your airport experience (or at least add some variety to a long layover or delay), ABIA now has a texting buddy to fill you in on live music schedules and performance locations, as well as offering airport art tours, games and activities, maps, parking information, and travel rewards. Text “Austin” to 56512.

Where to buy stuff

If you want to go local (and who doesn’t?), the Barbara Jordan Terminal offers a number of excellent, homegrown gift shops and newsstands.

Austin City Limits/Waterloo Records and Video, Gate 27, is another outlet of two local legends and has scads of CDs and DVDs from both Austin City Limits (ACL)’s and Waterloo Record’s collections are available. Waterloo gear and clothing are also sold.

Austin Chronicle News, Gate 24, is a highly local twist on your standard, newstand/gift shop, You can pick up a copy of the city’s stalwart weekly, The Austin Chronicle, on newsprint!, there. The paper is still one of the most comprehensive event guides and will provide plenty of fodder for things to do during your visit. It also has loads of Austin-centric gifts.

Barton Springs, Gate 28, specializes in Western apparel, accessories, and jewelry it describes as “Hill Country style” as well as salsas, barbecue sauces, books, magazines, and newspapers.

Book People, Gate 20, is a branch of one the largest and very popular local indie bookstore of the same name. In addition to a large selection of books of all types, it stocks plenty of work by Austin and Texas authors, as well as all kinds of gift-worthy Texana.

ABIA also recently added a CNBC News store, InMotion electronics, and XpresSpa to its concession areas.

South Terminal at ABIA

Frontier, Allegiant, ViaAir airlines currently operate out of the South Terminal. It has a separate entrance on the south side of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and is not accessible from inside the Barbara Jordan Terminal or from the airport entrance at State Highway 71.

Located on the southern boundary of the airport, it can be accessed by taking highways 183 or 130 to Burleson Road and turning on to and following Emma Browning Avenue, which leads to the terminal at 10000 Logistics Lane.

Using a mapping app? Waze is recommended for this journey.

Transportation

Parking

The ABIA South Terminal has a cashless parking lot with plenty of space. Current rates are $16/day for short-term parking and $10/day for long-term.

Drivers who are using the South Terminal must use its parking lots. Parking at the Barbara Jordan Terminal lots for South Terminal flights is not supported.

Parking shuttles not operated by ABIA do not service the South Terminal.

ABIA shuttles do operate between the two terminals, with a one-way trip lasting approximately 20 minutes. They will drop passengers off at the upper level of the Barbara Jordan (main) terminal.

Taxis and ride-hailing services

Taxis and ride-hailing services also service the South Terminal.

Rental cars

Rental-car customers pick up and drop off vehicles at the airport’s Rental Car Facility, then hop a shuttle that runs between that facility and the South Terminal.

Amenities

The South Terminal isn’t quite as luxurious as the Barbara Jordan one, but it’s stylish and has all of the amenities you need: wifi, bathrooms (of course), and charging stations.

Food and drink options include the new Jet Set concessions and bar, where you can get grab-and-go food, cocktails, and local beer, and De Nada Tacos: a specialty food truck on the South Terminal’s outdoor patio. (Also: There’s a patio!)