Whether I am heading out for a weekend trip or leaving the city for a week, getting to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is always seamless, given that I have my parking plan ahead of time.
Over the years, I have realized that the best parking at Austin Airport depends on each traveler’s need, budget, and the duration of the stay. If I am running late, I am heading straight to the red garage. It sits directly across from the main terminal, and the security is just a few minutes away. Whereas Blue Garage is my first choice when I am looking for covered parking at an affordable rate.
However, if I am out for a week-long trip, I can count on Economy Lot, which costs around just $14/day, and the terminal is easily accessible via a shuttle. If you want to avoid the stress of finding a parking spot at Austin Airport, take a moment to explore your options before heading out. This guide will help you choose the right parking lot for you.
What Parking Options Does Austin Airport Offer?
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport parking provides several options to suit different budgets, convenience, and trip duration. The onsite parking option involves terminal parking, a cell phone waiting lot, and economy parking with a complimentary shuttle.
Red Garage: The closest Austin Airport parking option from the main terminal. It has two levels of public parking and sits directly across from the baggage claim and thus costs the highest among all the available options.
Blue Garage: The parking is located approximately 3 to 5 minutes from the main terminal. It is a fully covered parking space with ADA-accessible spaces and an EV charging station. Vehicles above 8 feet are restricted.
Economy Parking: The best Austin Airport long-term parking option with complimentary shuttle runs throughout the day. It is an open-air parking space with no height restrictions.
Cell Phone Lot: Located approximately 1 to 2 miles from the Barbara Jordan Terminal, the cell phone lot is a free, dedicated waiting area. The driver must remain with the vehicle throughout the time.
How Much Does Parking at Austin Airport Cost?
The Austin Airport parking rates apply on an hourly basis until you reach the daily maximum charges. Here are the charges for all three parking options.
| Facility | Hourly rate | Maximum daily rate | Distance to terminal | How to reach the terminal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Garage | $7 | $35 | Directly connected to the terminal departure and arrival levels | Use stairs or elevators |
| Bule Garage | $5 | $26 | It is roughly 0.2 miles from the main terminal | Use the main pedestrian walkway |
| Economy Parking | $5 | $14 | About 1 to 1.5 miles | Free shuttle available 24/7 |
The economy rate went up from $12 to $14 in May 2026, while the rate for the Red and Blue Garage was raised from $32 to $35 and $23 to $26 in May 2025.
On a longer journey, the gaps can mount up. With daily maxs all week, the cost for the week is approximately $98 in the economy, $182 in the Blue Garage, and $245 in the Red Garage. In the Red Garage, Austin airport travelers select for a week is $147 greater than airport parking Austin travelers select for economy for a week away.
The rate board is not all open at the airport: both the valet parking options are temporarily closed, and the H Lot overflow lot is closed.
How Tall Can Your Vehicle Be in the Austin Airport Garages?
It's the height that gets people. The height limits are 7'8" for the Red Garage and 8'0" for the Blue Garage. The economy is not limited in height, and all vehicles must be able to park in one space.
Measure the entire system, NOT the vehicle. A roof box, bike rack, or cargo carrier adds inches, and a truck or tall van can be near the load limit. If you are close to either of these numbers, the best Austin Airport parking is in the open-air economy lot at Austin airport.
What are the benefits of online parking space reservation?
Online reservations remove the uncertainties of the day of arrival and get you the best rate available. The highest rate you will ever pay is the drive-up rate. Therefore, it is best to book online parking in advance and enjoy the following benefits:
A guaranteed reservation for your dates even if a venue has "full" posted to encourage customers to pay.
A rate that is equal to or lower than the drive through rate.
Contactless entry/exit with QR code sent via email.
Flexibility with delays: you'll be able to arrive before your time, and if your return flight is delayed, you'll be able to leave and only pay for the time you spent there.
Free change (up to 4 hours prior to arrival), including vehicle change.
Which lots can you book? The Blue Garage, economy parking, and short-term parking can be pre-booked online. The Red Garage isn't on that list, so don't plan on driving to it. Austin Bergstrom Airport parking online booking is available to anyone 18 or older and is booked at booking.abiaparking.com.
Read the terms and conditions first:
There's a $1.99 booking fee.
The cancel charge is $7.50; bookings will not be refundable within 24 hours of arrival.
There will be no partial refund for untaken time if a student returns early.
There will be no assigned space, and if you do not use the facility that you have booked, then you will be charged the drive-up rate.
Availability may be limited during the busier travel months, so make sure to reserve early.
Why Does Choosing the Right Parking Option at Austin Airport Matter?
The price of on-site parking at Austin Airport ranges from $14 to $35 per day, and the best deal and hottest garage are two distinctly different locations.
Time matters too. The Red Garage is just steps from check-in and is across from baggage claim upon arrival. The economy adds a shuttle ride, which picks up every 10 to 15 minutes at any hour, which is helpful if returning at night but still a wait.
And the airport is transforming. The new Yellow Garage will be built north of the Blue Garage, and the Red Garage will be torn down to accommodate an enlarged terminal. This also means that Austin Airport car parking has changed and will continue to evolve, so consider the layout of each parking area or garage before traveling, not what it looked like last year.
How Can You Pay Less to Park at Austin Airport?
Match the lot with the trip length. The difference between the economy and the Red Garage parking rate at Austin airport is $21 per day, and the difference between the economy and the Blue Garage parking rate is $12 per day.
Select Blue if you wish to have a covered garage; select Red if you don't. The Red Garage is $9 more expensive per day, and for Austin Airport long-term parking, it shields your vehicle from the sun and weather.
Make advance bookings as much as possible. The maximum or drive-up rate is its limit, but there is a $1.99 charge.
Participate in the Frequent Parker Program. It's free; you’ll pick up a point for every dollar you spend in the airport lots and garages, and it never expires. According to the program's chart, a free day equals 84 points in the Economy, 156 points in the Blue Garage, and 210 points in the Red Garage, which is equivalent to 1 free day for every 5 paid days. There are two catches to the prepaid reservations, which are that they don't count toward points and the program card must be used at entry and exit.
Use a free cell phone lot. Take advantage of the free cell phone waiting lot instead of paying hourly rates.
Disabled veterans must review the free parking program. It cannot be used with online reservation and will be validated at entry with a ticket and at exit with the call button.
Conclusion
The selection is easier than it appears on the rate board for Austin Bergstrom International Airport parking. For short errands or quick parking, choose the Red Garage; for covered parking, choose the Blue Garage, and for the lowest daily parking cost or tall vehicle, park in the Economy lot.
Before heading off to the airport, once again review the rates page, as parking rates for Austin and garage availability may change due to the ongoing construction. Reserve the parking spot in advance, measure your vehicle, and leave time for a shuttle if you are parking in economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The maximum daily rates for parking at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are about $14 in Economy Parking, $26 in Blue Garage and $35 in Red Garage.
The best parking place depends on your needs. Budget-conscious travelers will prefer Economy Parking, while covered parking will be available at Blue Garage, and Red Garage will have the fastest terminal access.
The economy parking is the most affordable official parking available at Austin Airport at $14 per day. It offers free transfers to and from the terminal.
No, reservation is not mandatory, but booking online in advance guarantees a spot and discounted rate, especially during the peak and holiday times.
