Austin-Bergstrom International Airport now runs every airline through one building, the Barbara Jordan Terminal. That makes arriving simpler, but the rental car routine is the same as it has always been: walk from baggage claim to the rental car facility, find your company, wait in line, then find the car in the garage.
We skip all of it. You send us your flight number, we watch the arrival time, and a recent automatic car is waiting for you at the arrivals curb. About ten minutes later you're on SH 71 heading into town. Prices start at $98 a day, with no airport concession fee and no facility charge.
Our economy fleet in Austin Airport (AUS)
Eight categories, all recent models, all automatic. You reserve the category and we deliver that model or a similar one. Prices per day before multi-day and weekly discounts.
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Toyota Corolla or similar — compact sedan, 5 seats, from $98/day
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Honda Civic or similar — compact sedan, 5 seats, from $98/day
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Honda Accord or similar — mid-size sedan, 5 seats, from $114/day
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Mazda CX-5 or similar — compact SUV, 5 seats, from $114/day
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Hyundai Santa Fe or similar — mid-size SUV, 5 seats, from $131/day
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Jeep Wrangler Sport or similar — 4x4 SUV, 5 seats, from $164/day
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Jeep Grand Cherokee or similar — full-size SUV, 5 seats, from $147/day
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Ford Transit Van or similar — 12-passenger van, 12 seats, from $296/day
See every car in Austin and check availability →
How AUS is laid out, and where we meet you
The Barbara Jordan Terminal has departures on the upper level and arrivals, with baggage claim, on the lower level. Since April 2026, when the last carriers moved over from the old South Terminal, every airline at AUS flies from this one terminal, so there's no question about which building you land in.
The airport's consolidated rental car facility sits behind the garage across from the terminal. That's where counter companies send you. Our cars don't live there. Instead:
- When you book, send your airline and flight number.
- We track the flight, so an early landing or a two-hour delay doesn't cost you anything.
- Once you have your bags, call or text 512-851-0490 and tell us which door you're at.
- We pull up at the arrivals curb. License, card, a walk-around, keys. About ten minutes.
The full walk-through, with tips for the curb, is in our guide AUS without the counter.
Returning your rental car at Austin airport (AUS)
There are two ways a rental car gets returned at Austin-Bergstrom. With a counter company, the car goes back to the consolidated rental car facility on the way into the airport: you follow the Rental Car Return signs, wait in your company's lane for the inspection, unload the bags and ride the shuttle to the terminal. On a quiet weekday that takes about twenty minutes; on a Sunday afternoon or the Monday after a festival weekend it can take close to an hour, which is why counter companies tell you to arrive well ahead of a domestic flight.
With us there is no return facility and no shuttle. The car is collected where you are, the same way it was delivered. Our guide returning a rental car at Austin airport, the counter way and the curbside way walks through both, step by step.
Curbside return at departures
On your way out, we meet you at the departures curb on the upper level. Tell us your flight time and airline when you book and we'll agree on a meeting time that leaves you room for bag drop and security. AUS security lines can run long on Sunday afternoons and on the Monday after a big event weekend, so build in extra time.
Bring the car back with roughly the fuel or charge it came with; we confirm the exact expectation in writing before you pay. The cars most often returned at AUS are the Toyota Corolla or similar and the Honda Civic or similar at $98 a day for a business week, and the Hyundai Santa Fe or similar for families. Running late or the flight changed? Call or text 512-851-0490 and we move the meeting time.
If you'd rather not drive to the airport at all, we can also collect the car at your hotel or home and you can take a rideshare to your flight. Collection is free anywhere in Greater Austin.
Drive times from AUS
The airport sits southeast of the city, between SH 71 and US 183, with SH 130 running just to the east. Approximate times without traffic:
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Downtown and Rainey Street: about 15 minutes via SH 71 and I-35 or US 183.
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South Congress: about 15 minutes.
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UT Austin and West Campus: about 20 minutes.
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The Domain: about 30 minutes via US 183.
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Round Rock: about 35 minutes via SH 130. See Round Rock.
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Kyle and Buda: about 25 to 30 minutes. See Kyle and Buda.
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San Marcos: about 35 to 40 minutes via SH 130 or I-35. See San Marcos.
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Circuit of the Americas: about 15 minutes, which is why race weekend books out early.
At weekday rush hour, double the in-town times. SH 130 and SH 45 are toll roads that often bypass I-35 traffic; ask us how tolls work on our cars.
Late-night and early-morning flights
Plenty of flights land at AUS after 10 p.m., and that's exactly when counter lines are slow and the rideshare wait can stretch. Because we track your flight, a late arrival is handled the same way as a midday one: the car is at the curb when you come out. Book ahead so the late handover is confirmed. We confirm every booking by phone within the hour.
Early departures work the same way in reverse. A 6 a.m. flight means a departures curb return around 4:30 or 5, or a collection at your hotel the evening before if that suits you better.
What to have ready at the curb
The handover is quick when everything is in hand before you step outside. Keep your driver's license and the major credit or debit card you booked with in a pocket, not in a checked bag. The name on both should match the booking. If someone else will drive too, ask us about it when you book. We'll walk around the car with you and note anything already on it, then show you the basics: fuel type, CarPlay or Android Auto pairing, and how to reach us during the rental. The refundable deposit and coverage options are explained before you pay, so there are no surprises at the curb.
Picking the right car at the curb
For one or two travelers with carry-ons, a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic at $98 a day is plenty. Two large checked bags and a stroller fit better in a Mazda CX-5 or Hyundai Santa Fe. Arriving with a group, a bridal party or a team? The 12-seat Ford Transit takes 10 bags, and we meet it at the curb like any other car.
Coming for a week or longer, maybe for a project or a hospital contract? See monthly car rental in Austin. Everything else about renting in the city is on the Austin economy car rental page.
How airport delivery works
- Book online and send us your flight number
- We track the flight and have the car waiting at the AUS arrivals curb
- About ten minutes at the curb: license, card, walk-around, keys
- On the way home we meet you at departures, or collect anywhere in Greater Austin
Where we deliver from AUS
Free delivery across Greater Austin, including:
- AUS arrivals curb, Barbara Jordan Terminal
- AUS departures curb (returns)
- Hotels near the airport on SH 71
- Circuit of the Americas area
- Downtown Austin
- South Congress
- East Riverside
- Del Valle
We meet every flight at the Barbara Jordan Terminal arrivals curb at AUS, about 15 minutes from downtown Austin without traffic.
Daily, weekly and monthly rates
A Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic is $98 a day, a Honda Accord or Mazda CX-5 $114, the Hyundai Santa Fe $131, the Jeep Grand Cherokee $147, the Jeep Wrangler Sport $164 and the 12-seat Ford Transit $296. Delivery is included, and there is no airport concession fee and no facility charge. Three days or more cost less per day and a week less still; for a month or longer call or text 512-851-0490 and we quote the monthly rate directly.
Also serving Greater Austin
We also cover Dallas-Fort Worth and Greater Houston with the same categories and the same prices.
Common questions
Where do I pick up the car at Austin airport?
At the arrivals curb outside baggage claim on the lower level of the Barbara Jordan Terminal. You don't go to the rental car facility. Call or text 512-851-0490 when you have your bags and we pull up.
What happens if my flight to AUS is delayed?
Nothing changes on your end. We track the flight number you give us and adjust the handover to your actual landing time.
Is renting at the AUS curb cheaper than the airport counters?
Airport counters typically add concession recovery and facility charges to the daily rate. We charge neither. Our cars start at $98 a day, and there are no hidden fees: we confirm your exact rate before you pay.
Can I rent a car at Austin airport if I'm under 25?
Yes, from age 21, with no young-driver surcharge. Bring a valid driver's license and a major credit or debit card.
How do I return the car at AUS?
We meet you at the departures curb on the upper level at a time agreed in advance, or we collect it free at your hotel or home in Greater Austin before you head to the airport.
How far is AUS from downtown Austin?
About 8 miles, roughly 15 minutes without traffic. The Domain is about 30 minutes and Round Rock about 35.
Book your car in Austin Airport (AUS)
Pick your vehicle and dates online, or call or text 512-851-0490 and we will sort it out in a couple of minutes. Browse the Austin fleet →
