Cheap Flights to Austin-Bergstrom Airport

The primary airport in Austin is the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), which is one of the most important aviation facilities in the state. There is one large terminal at Austin’s airport, and passengers will find that the amenities here are modern and comprehensive. Find ATMs, bureau de change services, WiFi access, Internet kiosks, and an information desk. You’ll also be able to find a great variety of restaurants and bars here, as well as a decent selection of shops. As a quirky extra, there are a few music venues dotted around the airport, and it is not uncommon to see live bands play as you transit through the terminal.

The airport is located 8km from Austin’s city centre, and you can find links between the two in the form of public buses, private shuttle companies, and taxi cabs. The downtown journey of this last option isn’t too expensive, with a taxi fare coming to around 25USD ($35).

Fly to this musical capital with airlines like Air New Zealand, Qantas, American Airlines, Delta, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, United and China Airlines.

Why visit Austin (AUS)?

Austin has for some time now been flying the flag as the trendiest city in The South, and easily the most popular tourist draw in Texas. Known for its up and coming music scene, its cutting edge cuisine, and its burgeoning film festivals, Austin has become an art house city to rival its coastal competitors. Find your way to this funky city, and you’ll love taking advantage of its cultural attractions, from its entertainment venues, its museums, and its parks.

Things to do in Austin

You can do it all in Austin, tour museums, enjoy the outdoors, see the local wildlife, hobnob in the best bars and restaurants, and attend some good ol’ Texan traditions.

Start with the first and step to the Bullock Texas State History Museum, where you can learn about the Lone Star State, including exhibitions on the ranchers and native population that established this city. Drop by the Texas Memorial Museum too, which is in fact a Science and History Museum with an extensive collection of dinosaur and meteorological artefacts. Then make a byline to the State Capitol and accompanying Visitors Centre.

For the outdoors and a chance at seeing some of the local fauna, there are some unique attractions to be seen in this city, such as hiking to Mount Bonnell, bathing in Barton Springs Pool whose waters stay at a consistent 20°C all year round, or see a million bats emerge at dusk from beneath Congress Bridge over Lady Bird Lake.

For dining and drinks, sat in the Bouldin Creek neighbourhood, or Crestview, where many of the town’s favourite restaurants cluster, and then hit up the nightlife in the rambunctious Sixth Street, the city’s party destination.

As for Texan traditions, this can be done by attending a Texas University football game, eating some local BBQ, or booking a horseback ride in the countryside just outside of the city.

Best time to visit Austin

·         Austin can boast a staggering 300 days of sunshine most years, meaning you won’t really need to worry about packing an emergency waterproof. The best time of year to go though, are the shoulder seasons (March to May, and September to October), when you can enjoy average highs of 22°C (with lows of around 12°C), and much cheaper room rates.

·         In summer (June-August) the temperature can become uncomfortably hot, with highs of 35-36°C, so pack some sunscreen.

·         Winters are mild, but in December and January, you can see the mercury sink to 6°C.

Arriving in Austin by plane

·         Austin is a very well connected city in the United States, so you shouldn’t be subject to more than one stop if you are flying from the east coast of Australia, and no more than two from the west coast. Expect these to be in Auckland (AKL), Los Angeles (LAX), and Dallas (DFW).

Currency

·         United States Dollar (USD).

Visa requirements

·         It is fairly easy to travel to the United States if you are Australian. All you need do is use their online visa waiver program, called the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). For more details, and links to this site, please visit Smart Traveller page on the USA run by the Australian Foreign Affairs Department.

Please note that information is correct as of December 2016