How to make the most out of your layover in Austin

Austin is one of the biggest cities in Texas, and so if you're thinking it's a great place to explore the unique culture of the Lone Star State, you'd be absolutely right. However, Austin also has a reputation for being weird - a reputation it happily celebrates, every chance it gets. You can even see this quirkiness without leaving the airport itself by visiting BookPeople, an independent bookstore in the South terminal of the airport that offers books by authors you would never expect to find on sale in an airport and have probably never heard of before.

Austin calls itself the live music capital of the world - although Nashville might have something to say about that - and it's also home to some great annual events, including the Austin Film Festival and SXSW music festival.

Like any big city, Austin has its complement of luxury shopping outlets, restaurants, and museums. But despite the size of the city, Austin is also a perfect place to explore the great outdoors. If you want to stay active on your Austin layover, you can paddle a kayak right through downtown or climb Mount Bonnell for impressive views of the city. In other words, whatever you like to do, you can do it here.

If you find yourself with a layover at Austin Bergstrom International Airport, it's worth considering heading into the city from the airport grounds. CapMetro runs a fast and frequent bus service from Guadalupe and 8th which connects the city to the airport. Alternatively, if you're in a hurry, a taxi ride takes only 11 minutes without traffic.

Make your trip to downtown Austin even easier by leaving your bags behind with Bounce. We partner with local businesses to provide baggage storage close to Austin Bergstrom Airport and in multiple locations throughout the city. Leave your bags behind with us and enjoy what makes Austin weird – and memorable.

Things to keep in mind before leaving the airport on an Austin layover

Navigating Austin Airport

AUS airport is a mid-sized, easy-to-navigate airport with plenty of local food and live music venues, even inside the terminal. If you’re on a shorter layover, you can enjoy local cuisine at The Salt Lick BBQ or grab breakfast tacos at Tacodeli without leaving the airport. You can enjoy the art exhibits in the Barbara Jordan terminal, and you can even stay at the Hilton Austin Airport if you have an overnight layover. Still, if you have that much time on your hands, it's worth at least thinking about going into the city and seeing what it has to offer.

Of course, it's not always that simple. To enter the US, you'll need to have your immigration paperwork in order. Citizens of many countries can visit the US for a limited time without needing a visa, including Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia, and New Zealand. If you're not from one of those countries, though, it's a good idea to check out visa requirements and make sure that you can legally visit. US border officials take their jobs extremely seriously, so if you want to go any further than the baggage claim area, make sure to follow all the rules.

Minimum layover times in Austin

The airport’s proximity to downtown makes it possible to explore the city even on a short Austin layover. Hop in a taxi or on a bus downtown, and you can enjoy local musicians, abundant food trucks, or hiking trails in the city while you wait for your next flight. You don't want to be rushed, though, so make sure you leave yourself enough time to fully enjoy the city and still make it back to the airport in time to get on the next plane. Here are some time guidelines:

• Short layover (2-3 hours): Stay at the airport and enjoy its food and live music offerings while killing time.
• 4-6 hour layover: Take a quick trip downtown to explore key landmarks and grab a meal.
• 8+ hour layover: Experience Austin’s music scene, visit cultural sites, and enjoy some outdoor attractions.

Getting to Downtown Austin

The city center is about 15 minutes from the airport by car. Rideshares, taxis, and rental cars are readily available. Public transit options include CapMetro’s Route 20, which connects the airport to downtown.

To make things even easier, leave the bags behind with a Bounce luggage storage. Download our handy app, and you can find your nearest luggage storage location and book in advance. You can leave any size of bag for as long as you like, whether it's a few hours, an entire day, or even longer. We carefully vet all our partners to make sure they can provide safe and secure luggage storage for your things, so you won't need to worry about your belongings while you have fun. Then, just grab your bags on the way back to the airport to make your connecting flight.

What to do in Austin during a layover

Austin’s unique mix of culture, music, and outdoor spaces offers something for every traveler. From music to scenic parks, here’s how to make the most of your time.

Short layover (2-3 Hours): Relax and refuel at AUS

If your layover is brief, stay at the airport and enjoy some local flavors and live music.

• Activities: Listen to live music at one of the airport’s performance spots. AUS is known for its live music stages featuring local artists.
• Dining: Enjoy a casual burger or salad at 24 Diner or a tasty pizza at East Side Pies, both of which are after security.

Half-day layover (4-6 hours): Downtown highlights

With a few hours to spare, head downtown for a quick exploration of Austin’s most famous spots.

• Activities: First, plan a visit to South Congress Avenue (SoCo), known for its quirky shops, street art, and local eateries. Then, take a short stroll around Lady Bird Lake, a serene spot offering walking trails with skyline views. Leave your bags behind with us, and you can soak up the tranquil atmosphere and stretch your legs between flights. If you still have time to spare, stop by the Texas State Capitol, a historic landmark that’s free to visit. You'll learn more about the rich history of this fiercely independent state and get a real grounding in Texas culture before you head back to the airport.
• Dining options: Try Terry Black’s BBQ for classic Texas barbecue or head to Jo’s Coffee on South Congress for their famous iced coffee and photo-op with the “I Love You So Much” mural.

Long layover (8+ hours): Dive deeper into Austin

A longer layover in Austin gives you the chance to fully experience Austin’s food, music, and outdoor attractions.

• Activities: Start with a visit to the Blanton Museum of Art, which showcases a wide range of works, including contemporary art and Latin American collections. Next, explore the outdoor trails around Barton Springs or enjoy a swim in the natural spring-fed pool, one of Austin’s most famous attractions. You can grab your swimsuit and leave the rest of your bags behind with Bounce, knowing they will be safely looked after until you're ready to pick them up. Next on the itinerary is a stop at Rainey Street, a historic district filled with converted bungalows that now house lively bars and restaurants. It's not very convenient dragging heavy bags around with you in this popular area, so leave them behind with Bounce so that you can fully immerse yourself in the local culture. Lastly, to cap the day off nicely, catch live music at Antone’s or The Continental Club, two of Austin’s legendary music venues.
• Dining options: Stop by Franklin Barbecue if you’re up for a classic Austin experience (note: there’s often a line). For Tex-Mex, Torchy’s Tacos or Matt’s El Rancho are great choices. You can also try a local brewery like Lazarus Brewing Co. for a craft beer experience.

Tips for a smooth layover in Austin

• Check traffic: Austin’s traffic can be unpredictable, so allow extra time to return to the airport, especially during rush hour.
• Weather: Austin can get hot, so dress comfortably and bring water if you plan to explore outdoor areas.
• Live music: Keep an eye out for impromptu performances, whether at the airport or downtown. Music is everywhere in this city, and many bars will have a live music stage for local performers to provide entertainment.
• Transportation: Rideshares and taxis are the most efficient way to travel between the airport and downtown, but CapMetro’s Route 20 is an economical alternative.
• Payments: Austin uses the US dollar and luckily, credit cards are widely accepted for added convenience.

Austin is a city that thrives on creativity, with its mix of music, food, and outdoor beauty. There's plenty to do here, whether you only have a few hours in the city or multiple days. Leave your bags behind with Bounce, and you can enjoy the food, the music, and the overall countercultural vibe of this legendary Texas City while we look after your things. Who knows? You may enjoy your layover so much that you'll soon find yourself planning another trip to enjoy more of Austin as soon as you can.