AUSTIN, Texas – Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is preparing for a bustling October with the return of the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL). This event has attracted hundreds of thousands of people to the city in years past, and AUS expects this year to be no different. Following a busy summer travel season, passengers flying in and out of AUS should know what to expect this October.

High passenger days at AUS are days with 30,000+ departing passengers. High passenger days are expected on:

• Friday, October 4; Sunday, October 6; Monday, October 7; and Tuesday, October 8 for ACL weekend one
• Friday, October 11; Sunday, October 13; Monday, October 14; and Tuesday, October 15 for ACL weekend two

When arriving at AUS

• Passengers using general Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening should arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure for domestic flights and 3 hours before departure for international flights.
• Passengers who need to check luggage, return a rental car, or complete other activities before joining the TSA security line should give themselves plenty of time to complete these activities before arriving at the security checkpoints.
• Airline ticket counters are expected to be busy, especially for airlines that offer free or discounted checked luggage.
• Highways near the airport are expected to be busy during the days surrounding the festival, and passengers are encouraged to plan their route and travel time to the airport accordingly.

Security screening and packing correctly

• AUS has 3 security screening checkpoints, which lead to all gates. The first checkpoints open at 3:00 a.m., with TSA PreCheck and Clear available at Checkpoint 2 West.
• TSA has reported that AUS passengers continue to bring a record number of guns to the security checkpoints this year. Use the TSA guidelines to learn how to travel properly with a firearm and avoid a penalty. You can also visit TSA.gov for guidance on how to pack and to check what items are allowed in carry-on luggage.
• Event promotional items, bulky souvenirs, and giveaways should be packed in checked luggage to prevent delays in the security screening process.

Parking and dropping off/picking up passengers

• Visit ABIAParking.com if you're planning to park at AUS. Parking spaces can be reserved on the Blue Garage, Red Garage, or Economy Lots. You can also check for real-time availability on the website before arriving at the airport.
• Passengers should account for extra arrival time if using a shuttle service to the terminal, as the shuttle tends to run about every 15-20 minutes.
• You can use the upper level for departures or the lower level for arrivals to drop off passengers and vice versa.

For arriving passengers

• Trams are available to transport passengers from the terminal to the rideshare pick-up area and Rental Car Facility.
• ADA-compliant shuttles are available for passengers from the terminal to the Economy Lots.

AUS For All: ADA accessibility services and programs

• Passengers needing wheelchair assistance should contact their airline to coordinate this service.
• TSA offers a passenger assistance program, TSA Cares, for travelers who may want more help during the security screening process at AUS. Contact TSA 72 hours before your trip to set this up.
• Arriving passengers with mobility assistive devices can be picked up by rideshares, taxis, and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) at the Mobility Assistance Zone on the lower Arrivals level.
• Mobility Trams are available to transport passengers from the garages and terminal to the general public rideshare pick-up area and Rental Car Facility.
• AUS’s Mobility Lounge is located by the Southwest Airlines ticket counters for departing passengers with mobility assistive devices or mobility limitations who need a place to rest or wait ahead of their flight.
• AUS participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program; passengers with non-visible disabilities can request a lanyard ahead of their trip for additional support and time while at AUS.

Checking into your flight

• Passengers without checked luggage can bypass the busy ticket counters and head immediately to TSA screening checkpoints using the following time-saving flight check-in options:
• Use a mobile boarding pass to skip the airline ticket counters.
• Use a self-service kiosk located inside the terminal to print boarding passes.
• In addition to traditional check-in procedures, some airlines offer outside curbside check-in on the upper level.

Getting the most out of your AUS experience

• Once inside the Barbara Jordan Terminal, enjoy food from various local Austin restaurants, discover new art installations, listen to live music at one of our stages, and more. You can find step-by-step directions to any location within the airport using the AUS interactive map.

Information for travelers using Allegiant and Frontier: Know your terminal

• Passengers flying with Allegiant or Frontier will depart from The South Terminal, which is a separate terminal located near US 183 and Burleson Road, at 10000 Logistics Lane.
• This terminal is not accessible from the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. Allegiant and Frontier passengers are encouraged to park onsite at the South Terminal to save time.

Construction activities

• Journey With AUS airport improvement construction projects may be noticeable to passengers in the terminal. Visit AustinTexas.gov/AUSConstructionUpdates for a list of scheduled and active construction activities.

Passengers needing assistance at any point during their journey at AUS are encouraged to call the Airport Operations Center at (512) 530-2242 or to ask any Department of Aviation staff member for assistance.