Austin Airport Parking Garage: 2026 Rates, Tips & Options

Back to Austin Airport Parking Short Term | Complete AUS Airport Parking Guide

Austin airport parking garage is covered self-park or open-deck parking located directly on the grounds of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), operated by the City of Austin Department of Aviation. The airport currently offers three named garage options: the Red Garage at $35/day ($7/hr), the Blue Garage at $26/day ($5/hr), and the Economy Lot at a flat $12/day — plus a fourth, the Yellow Garage, opening Phase 1 in 2026. All parking at Austin-Bergstrom serves the Barbara Jordan Terminal, Austin's only commercial airport terminal as of June 2026.

• Red Garage: Closest to the terminal. Best for short stays. Costs $7/hr, max $35/day.
• Blue Garage: Covered long-term parking plus rental car return. $5/hr, max $26/day.
• Economy Lot: Cheapest on-airport option at $12/day flat. Free 24/7 shuttle every 10-15 minutes.
• Yellow Garage: Seven-story smart garage north of Blue Garage. Phase 1 opening in 2026. Pricing TBD.
• Valet Parking: Available at the Red Garage departures level for $40/day.
• Off-site lots start at $13.99/day (FastPark & Relax) and include free 24/7 shuttles.
• Pre-booking through Triply or the official airport site locks in your rate and saves time on arrival.

What Are the Austin Airport Parking Garage Options at AUS?

AUS currently has two primary covered garages, one budget surface lot, and one garage opening in 2026 — all managed by the City of Austin. According to official airport data, the total current capacity is approximately 7,000 vehicles across all facilities. That number will nearly double to ~14,000 spaces once the Yellow Garage reaches full completion in 2027.

Here is a quick breakdown of each austin airport parking garage option on the property:

• Red Garage: Multi-level covered garage. Closest structure to the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Ideal for short-term parking and quick pickups. ADA-accessible spaces are on the ground level. Height restriction applies — check posted signage for clearance.
• Blue Garage: Covered long-term garage. Also houses the rental car return area. Located slightly farther from the terminal than the Red Garage but still walkable. ADA spaces available on the ground level. A smart parking guidance system helps you find open spots by level.
• Economy Lot: Surface lot. No cover, but the lowest flat daily rate on airport property. A free shuttle runs to the Barbara Jordan Terminal every 10-15 minutes, 24/7, with a ride time of roughly 5-7 minutes.
• Yellow Garage (opening 2026): A new seven-story smart garage being built north of the Blue Garage as part of the $4+ billion Journey With AUS expansion. Phase 1 adds 3,000 new spaces. Pricing has not yet been announced by the airport authority.
• Valet Parking: Offered at the Red Garage departures level for $40/day. Attendants park your car — you just drop off and go.

The Cell Phone Lot at 2901 Spirit of Texas Drive is free and designed for drivers waiting to pick up arriving passengers. It is not a long-term parking solution, but it saves money if you are circling while waiting for a text.

How Much Does Austin Airport Parking Cost? (2026 Rates for Every Option)

Based on current rates published by the City of Austin Department of Aviation (verified June 2026), here is the full pricing breakdown for every AUS parking option. Use this table to calculate your total cost before you book.

To put this in perspective: a 7-day trip in the Blue Garage costs $182 total, while the Economy Lot runs $84 total — a savings of $98 for the same week. Off-site at FastPark & Relax, that same week costs $97.93, with covered parking and a free shuttle included. For a full breakdown of total trip costs, see our guide to Austin airport parking prices for 2026.

Compare AUS parking rates from $12/day — search available spots at Austin-Bergstrom on Triply.

Blue Garage vs. Red Garage: Which Austin Airport Garage Should You Choose?

The right garage depends on how long you are staying and how close you want to be to the terminal. Here is a direct comparison based on official airport data (verified June 2026).

Red Garage

• Closest covered garage to the Barbara Jordan Terminal — direct walking access to departures
• Rate: $7/hr, max $35/day
• Best for stays of 1-2 days or quick drop-offs and pickups
• Valet available on the departures level at $40/day
• ADA spaces on the ground level
• For short-term scenarios, also see our deep-dive on Austin airport short-term parking rates and tips

Blue Garage

• Slightly farther from the terminal than Red Garage, but still a walkable distance
• Rate: $5/hr, max $26/day — that is $9/day cheaper than Red Garage at the daily max
• Includes rental car return lanes on the lower level
• Smart parking guidance system shows available spaces by floor
• Best for stays of 3-7+ days where the daily savings add up fast
• ADA spaces on the ground level
• Note: Blue Garage exit ramp modifications are ongoing through 2026 due to Yellow Garage construction — overnight exits may see brief delays

Quick verdict: Stay 1-2 days? Red Garage saves you the walk. Stay 3+ days? Blue Garage saves you real money. Stay 5+ days? The Economy Lot or an off-site lot saves even more.

How Does the Austin Airport Parking Shuttle Work?

The Economy Lot is the only on-airport option that requires a shuttle to the Barbara Jordan Terminal. The shuttle is free, runs 24/7, and departs every 10-15 minutes — with an average ride time of 5-7 minutes, per the airport's ground transportation information. Both the Red Garage and Blue Garage are walkable from the terminal, so no shuttle is needed for those options.

When you park in the Economy Lot, follow the clearly marked shuttle pickup signs near your parking area. During SXSW and ACL Festival weekends, shuttle and curbside traffic increases significantly. Build in an extra 15-20 minutes of buffer during those peak periods. The South Terminal permanently closed March 31, 2026, so all flights now depart from the Barbara Jordan Terminal — expect higher overall foot traffic and curbside congestion during holidays and events.

How Can You Save Money on Austin Airport Parking?

The single biggest lever is choosing the right lot for your trip length. But there are several other strategies that consistently work, based on our analysis of AUS parking options.

1. Book in advance online. Pre-booking at the official AUS parking page or through a comparison tool locks in your rate and guarantees a space during peak periods.
2. Use the Economy Lot for long trips. At $12/day flat, a 7-day stay costs $84. That's 76% less than the Red Garage for the same week.
3. Consider off-site covered lots. FastPark & Relax AUS at $13.99/day offers covered parking with a 3-minute shuttle ride — cheaper than any on-airport garage. Park & Zoom AUS ($14.95/day) is located on airport property, so its shuttle bypasses public road traffic entirely.
4. Enroll in loyalty programs. The Parking Spot East and West both offer loyalty rewards for frequent parkers. If you fly out of AUS regularly, points can add up to free parking days.
5. Check for coupon codes before booking. Our guide to Austin airport parking coupons and 2026 deals covers where to find current discount codes for both on-airport and off-site lots.
6. Avoid Thanksgiving, SXSW, and ACL Festival dates if possible — or book even further in advance. These are peak demand periods where space is limited and rates hold firm.

Also: if you use TSA PreCheck, you can cut your time at security significantly — which means you can arrive closer to departure and spend less time (and possibly less money) in short-term parking. The new Checkpoint 4, completed February 2026, and the renovated Checkpoint 3 have added more TSA screening lanes, helping reduce wait times across the terminal.

What Are the Best Off-Airport Parking Alternatives Near Austin-Bergstrom?

Off-site lots near AUS currently range from $13.99 to $18/day — all with free shuttle service to the Barbara Jordan Terminal. For most travelers staying 3 or more days, off-site parking costs less than either on-airport garage while still offering covered options and 24/7 security. For a full comparison, see our dedicated guide to Austin airport off-site parking lots and rates.

All six verified lots offer free cancellation. Check real-time traffic before you head out — the Waze live traffic map is especially useful during construction-related lane closures on Burleson Road and Emma Browning Avenue, which are expected through December 2026. AUS is 5 miles southeast of downtown Austin, roughly 15-20 minutes by car without traffic.

How Do You Reserve Austin Airport Parking in Advance?

Booking ahead is the best way to guarantee a space, especially during high-demand periods. Here is how to do it step by step.

1. Choose your lot. Decide between on-airport garages (Red, Blue, Economy) or an off-site lot based on your trip length and budget.
2. Select your platform. On-airport parking can be pre-booked at austintexas.gov/airport. Off-site lots can be compared and booked on Triply, which shows live availability across all major AUS lots.
3. Enter your dates. Input your departure and return dates. The system calculates your total cost before you confirm.
4. Pay and save your confirmation. All major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted. Cash is accepted at exit lanes for on-airport options. Save your booking confirmation — you'll need it at entry.
5. Follow entry instructions. On-airport garages use ticket-based entry at the gate. Keep your ticket with you — you'll pay at a pay station before returning to your car or at the exit lane. Off-site lots typically use a QR code or confirmation number on entry.

The 2026 construction program — including ongoing work for the Yellow Garage ramp and midfield taxiways — means roadway access near the garages may have intermittent changes. Allow extra buffer time when driving in, and check the official AUS construction updates page before your trip for current lane closure information.

For longer stays and budget-focused trips, also review our complete guide to Austin airport long-term parking options and rates — it includes cost calculations for common trip durations from 3 days to 2 weeks.

Is There EV Charging or Accessible Parking at AUS Garages?

EV charging is available at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Charging stations are located within the on-airport parking facilities. Check current charger availability and locations before your trip. ADA-accessible parking spaces are available on the ground level of both the Red Garage and Blue Garage, and in the Economy Lot near the shuttle pickup area. A valid disabled parking permit is required to use these spaces, per the City of Austin Department of Aviation.

If you drive a tall vehicle — a full-size van, lifted truck, or SUV with a roof rack — pay close attention to posted height clearance signs at each garage entrance before pulling in. Height restrictions vary between the Red and Blue garages. If your vehicle exceeds the clearance, the Economy Lot (surface lot, no height limit) or an off-site surface lot is your best alternative.

Ready to Book Your Austin Airport Parking Garage Spot?

The austin airport parking garage system at AUS offers something for every traveler. The Red Garage is the most convenient for short visits. The Blue Garage hits the sweet spot for multi-day covered parking. The Economy Lot is the cheapest on-airport option at just $12/day. And with the Yellow Garage adding 3,000 new spaces in 2026, availability is about to improve significantly across the board.

Prices, availability, and construction details are current as of June 2026. Always verify rates directly with the facility before you travel, as the ongoing Journey With AUS expansion may affect access routes and pricing.

Search and compare AUS airport parking garage options from $12/day on Triply — lock in your rate before peak-season spots fill up.