Honestly, if you haven’t been through Austin lately, the Austin Bergstrom International Airport map probably looks nothing like you remember. I’m not just talking about a new coffee shop or a fresh coat of paint. This place is basically a giant, high-stakes game of Tetris right now.
Between the massive "Journey With AUS" expansion and the weirdly disconnected South Terminal, showing up twenty minutes before boarding is a recipe for a meltdown. You've got to know where you're going.
The Two-Terminal Trap
Here is the first thing everyone misses: there are two terminals, and they are not friends. They don't touch. They aren't even on the same road.
If you’re flying a major carrier like Delta, United, or American, you’re heading to the Barbara Jordan Terminal (BJT) on Presidential Blvd. But if you’re booked on Allegiant or Frontier, you might be looking for the South Terminal, which is tucked away off Burleson Road.
Expert Tip: Do not trust your GPS to just say "Austin Airport." Type in the specific terminal. If you end up at the wrong one, you’re looking at a 15-minute shuttle ride or an 8-mile drive to get back to the right side of the fence.
Navigating the Barbara Jordan Terminal Map (BJT)
The main terminal is shaped like a giant crescent moon. It’s actually pretty intuitive once you’re through security, but the "through security" part is where things get dicey in 2026.
Security Checkpoint Chaos
As of early 2026, TSA Checkpoint 3 is closed. It's being gutted and rebuilt to handle more people, which means everyone is funneled into Checkpoints 1 and 2.
- Checkpoint 1: Usually where you find the CLEAR lanes and the general riff-raff.
- Checkpoint 2 West: This is the "secret" MVP. It’s where TSA PreCheck and CLEAR + PreCheck folks live. It also stays open the longest—basically until the last flight leaves.
Once you’re past the scanners, the gates are laid out in a long line. Gates 1–13 are to your left (East), and Gates 24–34 are to your right (West). The "center" of the airport, around Gate 15-23, is where the best food and live music usually happen.
The New West Gate Expansion
If your gate is in the 30s, you’re in the newest part of the airport. This section just opened with an extra 80,000 square feet of space. The coolest part? There’s a third-level mezzanine and an outdoor balcony near Gate 34. If you have a long layover, go there. The air is better, and the plane-spotting is top-tier.
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The South Terminal: A Different World
The South Terminal is basically a "boutique" experience, which is airport-speak for "it’s small and feels like a bus station." But it has a food truck park and an outdoor patio, which kind of makes it the most "Austin" part of the whole trip.
Getting there is the tricky part. In 2026, you can't just drive down Emma Browning Avenue like you used to. You have to turn left onto Metal Road via Burleson Road. If you miss that turn, you’ll hit a bunch of "Authorized Personnel Only" signs and have to do a shameful U-turn in front of the Air Traffic Control tower.
Where to Eat (Without Missing Your Flight)
The Austin Bergstrom International Airport map is basically a food map with some planes attached. You shouldn’t eat at a chain here. It’s against the law of the land (not really, but it should be).
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- Salt Lick BBQ (Gate 21): It’s the classic. Yes, the line is long. Yes, your clothes will smell like brisket for the entire flight. It's worth it.
- Tacodeli (Gate 23): Grab an Otto taco for breakfast. Don't forget the Doña sauce, but be warned—it’s actually spicy.
- Second Bar + Kitchen (Gate 16): If you want a "real" meal with a cocktail and a seat that isn't at a gate.
- JuiceLand (Gate 17): Perfect for when you've had too much airport pizza and need to feel like a healthy human again.
Construction Updates You Can't Ignore
The airport is spending over $5 billion to get bigger. That means the map is a "living document."
The Red Garage is currently being phased out to make room for a massive new Arrivals and Departures Hall. If you’re looking for parking, the Yellow Garage is your best bet now, with the first 3,000 spots having opened recently.
Also, keep an eye out for Concourse B construction. They are literally digging a pedestrian tunnel under the tarmac. You can't see it yet, but it's why some of the taxiways look like a war zone.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check your boarding pass 24 hours out. If it says "South Terminal," change your Uber destination immediately.
- Aim for Checkpoint 2. If you have PreCheck, it’s almost always faster than the main mess at Checkpoint 1.
- Download the digital map. The physical signs can be confusing when walls are being moved overnight for construction.
- Arrive 2.5 hours early. I know, it sounds like overkill for a mid-sized airport. It isn't. The "Austin-Bergstrom shuffle" is real, and the roadway detours change weekly.
The layout is changing, the gates are growing, and the traffic on TX-71 is always a nightmare. But if you know where the tacos are and which checkpoint is open, you’ll make it through just fine.