9 tips for navigating the lines, parking at Austin’s busy airport after ACL Fest, F1 races

If you thought the days around Thanksgiving or Christmas were the busiest at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, you would be checking in at the wrong gate, metaphorically speaking.

For several years, the airport’s busiest time annually for passenger traffic actually has been the period after the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which will end Sunday, and the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix, which is set for Oct. 22-24.

With the airport recording its fifth-busiest month ever in July — its best month since the coronavirus pandemic began last year — officials said in a statement last week that travelers should "expect a busier than usual terminal experience" and plan accordingly. So here are some things to keep in mind:

More:Austin airport welcomes 1.54 million travelers in July, marking its 5th busiest month ever

1. October historically breaks single-day passenger records each year. 

Pre-pandemic October 2019 was the third-busiest month for the airport, with about 1.57 million flyers passing through. Airport officials have estimated in previous years that as many as 30,000 travelers fly out on Formula One weekend, so prepare for long lines.

2. Save time by checking in online.

If you're bringing only carry-on luggage, save yourself from standing in another line by checking in online before you get to the airport. Many airlines will send you an email when it’s time to check in, or you can download your airline’s mobile app and your boarding pass will be synced to your phone.

ACL Fest safety tips: 7 things to know to keep you, your valuables secure for festival weekend

3. Give yourself plenty of time for everything.

Expect long lines and little room for parking, checking luggage, obtaining a boarding pass or passing through security.

Lines are likely to be particularly long in the morning for those traveling before 9 a.m., the airport said. Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday are the airport’s busiest days.

Airport officials said they expect Sunday afternoons and Monday mornings after the music festival and race weekends to be exceptionally busy. Peak hours for departures are 5 to 8 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

4. You can track security lines and flights in real time online.

Go to aus.tsa.iinside.com to see how fast lines are moving at the three Transportation Security Administration checkpoints. Security screening checkpoints open at 3:30 a.m., with TSA PreCheck and Clear screening available at Checkpoints 1 and 2.

For flight information, visit content.abia.org:8080/webfids to get real-time updates on arriving and departing flights.

The TSA recommends that international travelers arrive at least three hours early.

Domestic travelers should arrive two to 2½ hours early, regardless of departure time, during this busy festival and event season, airport officials said.

More:Austin health official offers last-minute tips on how to avoid COVID infection at ACL Fest

5. Beware of road traffic, and build in time for that.

Allow ample time to get to the airport because of possible highway construction, fender benders or hazardous weather. Austin residents know how fickle traffic conditions can be on Texas 71 and U.S. 183, the two major highways that flank the airport.

6. If you need to park, more options are available.

Departing travelers can use both the upper and lower curbsides at the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. Passengers dropped off on the lower level can use escalators and elevators to get upstairs to ticketing and security. Arriving passengers who don’t need to stop by baggage claim can use either curbside level.  

Space in the Blue and Red garages, for hourly ($5 an hour) and long-term parking, can be reserved online at abiaparking.com. Economy parking for $10 per day is available, but travelers should allow extra time for the shuttle service to the terminal, which runs about every 15 to 20 minutes.

7. Afraid of getting lost in the airport? There's a map for that. 

Travelers can use a new digital map of the main terminal that provides real-time information on parking garages, shops and restaurants — including operating hours, menus and options for in-airport food deliveries. The map is viewable on mobile and desktop devices at airportmaps.austintexas.gov.  

8. Don't forget about COVID-19 safety — wear a mask.

Face coverings to protect against the coronavirus are required at all U.S. airports, while on all commercial aircraft, on airport shuttle buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems until Jan. 18. According to the TSA, passengers who don't comply with the mask rules might be denied entry or boarding and face civil penalties.  

9. Carry-on rules still apply.

Carry-ons are restricted to one bag and one personal item, such as a purse or backpack. The TSA says think “3-1-1” for liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on bags: 3 ounces per container, in one clear 1-quart bag for each passenger, and it goes in an X-ray bin.