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Austin Airport Guide

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sleeping in austin airport
(photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / August 2024)

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Austin Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Around midnight they kicked everyone sleeping out of our comfy Southwest Airlines chairs (leather, nice!) and I found the mezzanine the perfect sleeping spot! – defiant

AUS Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Austin-Bergstrom Airport.

What to Expect

Austin Airport (code: AUS) operates from a single passenger terminal, the Barbara Jordan Terminal. All airlines, including Allegiant and Frontier, now operate from this terminal following the closure of the South Terminal in April 2026. The terminal offers a good range of services and amenities, including live music performances, shopping, dining, mobile charging stations and free WiFi.

All shops and restaurants close overnight, so it’s worth purchasing drinks and snacks for later, as the vending machines leave something to be desired. For those looking for a little added comfort, there are airport lounges in the Barbara Jordan Terminal that economy-class passengers may be able to access for a fee.

Sleeping in Austin Airport

Austin Airport isn’t the most sleep-friendly place. In the Barbara Jordan Terminal, only travellers with a late flight connecting to an early morning departure may be permitted to sleep airside. Everyone else will be moved landside when the security checkpoints close. If you are permitted to sleep airside – or you’re just looking for a comfortable place to relax – the best spot seems to be all the way down the terminal at the last gates. According to a 2023 reviewer, you should find a few wide and comfy benches here. Another option is the Southwest and Delta area, featuring bluish chairs which may be very comfortable when pushed together. Several reviewers also mentioned the airside mezzanine.

For uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel directly connected to the airport and others nearby that are connected by shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.

Read some recent traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Austin Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.   

Airport Hours

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is open 24 hours a day.
TSA security checkpoints typically open around 3:00 AM and close after the last scheduled departures of the day. Overnight access is generally limited to ticketed passengers.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist; however, informal spots may exist around the terminal. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

Austin airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Austin Airport that provide free airport shuttles:

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program.

Admirals Club – Location: Airside, Barbara Jordan Terminal, near Gate 22. Hours: 4:00 AM – 7:15 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (day pass – USD 79) • Prepaid lounge passes (via American Airlines website/app) • Lounge membership programs (Admirals Club membership, Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® cardholders) • Access for American Airlines and oneworld premium cabin and elite status passengers.

Delta Sky Club – Location: Airside, Barbara Jordan Terminal, near Gate 1. Hours: 4:15 AM – 7:15 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs (Delta Sky Club membership, Delta Reserve Amex, Amex Platinum/Centurion) • Access for Delta and SkyTeam premium cabin and elite status passengers.

The Club at AUS – Location: Airside, Barbara Jordan Terminal, near Gate 13 (mezzanine level). Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (quiet zone with recliners). Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (USD 50) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs • Access for some airline-contracted passengers.

United Club – Location: Airside, Barbara Jordan Terminal, near Gate 22. Hours: 4:15 AM – 7:15 PM daily. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (day pass – USD 59) • Prepaid lounge passes (via United website/app) • Lounge membership programs (United Club membership, United Explorer / Infinite cards) • Access for United and Star Alliance premium cabin and elite status passengers.

Drinking Water

Free water bottle refill stations are available throughout the terminal.

Food & Drinks

Food outlets operate on varied schedules, with some opening as early as 4:30 AM. There are no 24-hour dining options. Vending machines are available in the Baggage Claim area near Carousels 1 and 5. A reader reports: “At the food court there is a 24/7 convenience self pay store for food and drinks.”

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage storage and lockers are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Charging stations and power outlets are available throughout the terminal.

Showers

A traveller reports that a shower may be available inside an accessible restroom near Gate 10.

WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Austin Airport for four hours through Boingo.  If you need more than four hours, choose the “AUS free Wi-Fi” option again.

Security & Safety

We do not have any reports of safety issues at AUS Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

  • Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
  • Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
  • Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
  • Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Art & Culture

  • Art in the Airport – Works by local artists are displayed throughout the terminal. Austin’s well-known live music scene is also represented, with rotating performances by local musicians on select weekdays.
  • Live Music – Live music performances take place in various areas of the terminal, typically Monday through Friday during the afternoon.

Money

  • ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs operated by Bank of America are available throughout the Barbara Jordan Terminal, both landside and airside. Fees may apply depending on your bank.
  • Currency Exchange – Currency exchange services are not available, based on traveller reports.

Family Services

  • Baby Care Facilities – A private Mamava Lactation Suite is available for nursing or pumping. The room includes seating, a fold-down table, power outlets, and a locking door. Access is free for parents.

Communication & Information

  • Courtesy Phones – Courtesy phones for local calls are available in the Baggage Claim area.
  • Information Desk – Visitor Information Centers provide maps, directions, and general travel assistance. Ambassador Volunteers are also available to help with questions about services and amenities.
  • Postal Services – A mailbox and a FedEx drop box are available for sending mail and packages.

Relaxation & Activities

  • Massages – Massage services are not available.
  • Observation Deck – The airport’s Family Viewing Area offers an outdoor space to watch planes take off and land. It includes parking and picnic tables and is especially popular in the morning hours.
  • Shopping – A variety of retail shops and kiosks sell books, snacks, electronics, souvenirs, and travel essentials, primarily in the Barbara Jordan Terminal.
Airlines
Austin Airport is served by the following airlines: Aeroméxico • Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • British Airways • Copa Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Hawaiian Airlines • Jetblue Airways • JSX Airline • Lufthansa • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • Sun Country Airlines • United Airlines • Vacation Express • Virgin Atlantic • WestJet.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Bus No 20, operated by CapMetro, connects the airport to downtown. A trip lasts about 50 minutes. For fares, routes and schedules, visit the Capmetro website.

Car Rentals

The following companies provide on-site car rentals: Advantage • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Fox • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty.

Compare car rental prices on Expedia

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service. Hotel shuttles pick up on the Upper Level (Ticketing/Departures). Contact your hotel of choice for shuttle service availability and information.

See Airport Hotels above.

Rideshare

Pick-ups can be booked via the Lyft, Uber, Earth Ride, Wridz and Wingz rideshare apps. Prices to downtown range from $25 to $30.

Shared-Ride Shuttle

Carter Transportation and Airport Transportation provide door-to-door shared-ride or private-ride service between the airport and the Austin metropolitan area.

Taxi

At the time of this update, ATX Co-Op, Central City Taxi, Z-Trip, and Homeland Austin Taxi provide taxi services. Prices range from $20 to $30.

Last updated: 2026-06-15

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.

Airport at a Glance

Overall Experience:

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