Rideshare & Ground Transport
Uber & Lyft Pickup at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport
Rideshare pickup at AUS is not always at the arrivals curb — most airports now route Uber and Lyft to a dedicated lot or garage. Here is exactly where to go, how to get there, and how to keep the fare reasonable.
Where to get picked up at AUS
UUber Pickup Zone
Barbara Jordan Terminal, Lower Level (Arrivals) — designated 'Ride App' zone at the curbside, east side of the terminal.
LLyft Pickup Zone
Same Lower Level curbside Ride App zone as Uber.
In the app
Enter 'AUS Austin-Bergstrom' in the app; pickup is at the Lower Level Arrivals curb, east side of the Barbara Jordan Terminal.
How to find the rideshare zone
From baggage claim, exit via the east side doors to the Lower Level (Arrivals) curb; the 'Ride App' pickup zone is clearly marked with painted lane markers and signage directly outside.
Cell Phone Lot
The Cell Phone Waiting Lot is off Presidential Blvd near the terminal loop — follow signs; 2–3 min drive to the Arrivals curb. Cell phone lot details →
Avoiding surge pricing at AUS
When surge peaks: Budget 2–4× normal fares during SXSW, ACL Festival, UT football Saturdays, and F1 COTA race weekend; even off-peak weekends see moderate surge as Austin's population growth outpaces driver supply.
Wait tip
Austin surges are severe during SXSW (March), Austin City Limits (October), UT home football Saturdays, and F1 COTA weekends (October/November) — consider waiting 20–30 min or using ground transportation alternatives.
Compare your options
Rideshare is usually the fastest door-to-door option, but it is not always the cheapest — especially during surge.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rideshare Uber / Lyft | Door-to-door convenience, groups with bags, no cash needed | Surge pricing on busy evenings & events; long walk to pickup lot |
| Taxi Metered cab | Predictable metered fare during surge, no app required | Often more expensive off-peak; cash sometimes required |
| Transit Train / bus | Lowest cost option, immune to surge pricing and traffic | Not available at every airport; less practical with luggage |
For full ground-transport options at AUS including rental cars and public transit, see the AUS Getting Around guide.
Know exactly when to leave for AUS
Add your rideshare pickup time to the Leave-By calculator — it factors in current TSA wait times, so you hit the zone with time to spare.
Calculate leave-by time →