Air/Train/Ground Transportation
AIR
The airport serving Austin is the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). It is approximately 8 miles from the Austin Convention Center.
TRAIN
The Austin Amtrak Station is located at 250 North Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX.
Amtrak offers a 10% discount off the best available rail fare to Austin from May 1, 2018, until May 19, 2018. To book your reservation call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 or contact your local travel agent. Reservations cannot be booked via Internet. This offer is not valid on the Auto Train and Acela Service. Fare is valid on Amtrak Regional for all departures seven days a week, except for holiday blackouts. Offer valid with Sleepers, Business Class, or First Class seats with payment of the full applicable accommodation charges.
AIRPORT SHUTTLE
Super Shuttle offers airport shuttle services between Austin area locations and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. They are offering a 10% discount to IMMUNOLOGY 2018™ attendees, enter code MH6FA when you check out.
AIRPORT TAXIS
Minimum fare for taxi customers is $12.30, this includes a $1.00 airport surcharge. All taxis have a four passenger maximum, excluding children 12-years and under. All taxis accept major credit cards.
- ATX Co Op: 512-333-5555
- Austin Cab: 512-478-2222
- Lone Star Cab: 512-452-9999
- Yellow Cab: 512-452-9999
GETTING AROUND IN AUSTIN
Capital Metro is Austin’s regional public transportation provider.
512-474-1200 https://www.capmetro.org
MetroAirport Route 100 will take you to the downtown, in approximately 30 minutes, for $1.25.
Download the CapMetro App and Get Going
The CapMetro app allows you to purchase passes for all your public transit needs in Austin conveniently on your smartphone. Visit the app store for your Apple, Android, or Windows smartphone or mobile device and be on your way.
***Capital Metro ticket vending machines are now CASH ONLY. To pay with a credit or debit card, download the CapMetro app.
Capital Metro Bus Line
Austin’s public bus system is part of a 535 square-mile Central Texas system and has an estimated 2,700 bus stops and 53 routes. Austin is serviced by 19 local bus routes, 13 limited stop/flyer routes, 8 express routes, and 20 University of Texas shuttle routes. The fleet of approximately 400 buses services 130,000 riders each day. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is serviced by the Route 100 Airport Flyer route, which connects the downtown area to the airport lower level for only $1.75 each way. The Austin Convention Center is serviced by the 17 Cesar Chavez Route, which stops just a few blocks from the center. All express buses offer free wireless internet service, while the entire bus fleet is widely known for being clean and efficient. In June 2014, Capital Metro was selected to receive the Best Mobile/Wireless Project award by the Center for Digital Government’s 2014 Best in Texas. The CapMetro App costs $1.99 to download in the Apple, Android, and Windows app stores.
Capital MetroRail
Austin’s Capital MetroRail service runs on 32 miles of existing freight tracks between Leander and downtown Austin. The Red Line services nine stations, including a stop in front of the Austin Convention Center. Each of the six vehicles holds 200 passengers and offers free wireless internet service. MetroRail runs weekdays every 30 minutes during morning and evening rush hours, with expanded service times on weekends. MetroRail fares are $1 for one zone and $1.50 for two zones. In 2013, Capital Metro was awarded a $11.3 million federal TIGER grant. The grant is set to improve the existing red line which currently runs from downtown Austin to Leander. The improvements are to increase ridership capacity by over 15% and reduce commute times to extended areas.
Rental Cars
Several rental car agencies, including ACE Car Rental of Austin, Advantage, Alamo, National, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Silvercar, and Thrifty, are represented at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Agency counters are located outside the baggage claim area on the terminal ground floor. On October 1, 2015, CONRAC (Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility) opened its doors, providing a single complex for 11 car rental agencies.
Shuttles
SuperShuttle is one of the leading airport shuttle services in the U.S., serving over eight million passengers a year. For a VIP experience, try their private black car service ExecuCar. Go to SuperShuttle website to learn more about additional shuttle, limousine, and charter services.
Taxis
In the city, taxis can be hailed on the street throughout the downtown region or found at hotel taxi stands. Taxis are also readily available outside the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s baggage claim area on the ground floor. Visitors should expect to pay about $25-30 in taxi fare from the airport to downtown Austin.
- Austin Cab
- ATX Coop Taxi
- LoneStar Cab Co.
- Yellow Cab (Hail a Cab Austin App can be download to your mobile phone.)
Car2Go
Car2go is another transportation rental option. Users pay a one-time membership fee and have access to 350 vehicles around town at rates ranging from $0.41- $0.47 per minute. Reserve a car ahead of time using the mobile app, or pick one up spontaneously at dozens of convenient locations all over Austin, then just drop it off at the nearest Car2Go parking spot when you’re finished.
Pedicabs
Austin is home to several pedicab companies. These bike chauffeurs can be seen cycling all over downtown, transporting visitors and locals alike to their destinations. Most drivers work for tips only.
Bike Rentals
With dozens of bike shops, rental companies, and tour facilities to choose from Austinites and visitors can get from point A to B while staying fit at the same time. The Austin B-Cycle Program set a North American bikeshare record during SXSW 2014, with 2,158 total checkouts and 7.8 checkouts per bike. Please see our bike rental listings for more information and availabilities:
- Barton Springs Bike Rental
- Rocket Electrics
- Austin Bike Tours & Rentals
- Austin B-Cycle Program
Bicycle Racks
There are 124 bicycle racks secured to the sidewalks or pavements around the exterior of the Austin Convention Center building. Most racks are located along 4th Street, between Red River and Trinity. Along 4th Street, there are 52 individual stands with cables and another 33 u-shaped steel tubes for 66 bikes. A tire stand rack for six bikes is located near the Administrative Offices along Cesar Chavez. There are no racks at the parking garages.
Chariot
The Chariot is a San Francisco-based company that is revitalizing public transportation for businesses, tourists, and commuters by providing affordable charter services. For $7 per person (which includes 2 rides), you can enjoy a comfortable journey through the city. Relatively new to Austin, the Chariot is also offering a new shuttle service between West Sixth Street and Rainey Street that is to take place during the month of February. This 14 passenger shuttle is expected to run every 30 minutes between 10:00 pm and 1:00 am for only $3.50 per person.
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs):
Uber and Lyft are back as of May 29th, 2017 and fully operating in Austin. Payment is automatic through the app and fares are evaluated based on local demand.
Fare
Fare recently made its debut in Austin. The consumer can request rides up to seven days in advance, request preferred drivers, and no surge pricing.
Fasten
Originating in Boston, Fasten announced its Austin arrival in June 2016. Fasten provides a ride-share experience that’s at a low cost to the rider, and drivers can earn more. Riders can “boost” the arrival of a ride for faster service and can rely on no surge pricing. Riders will also be able to know their fare before ever stepping in the vehicle.
Get Me
The Get Me app locates you via GPS as soon as you open it. Just tap to request a ride and a driver will accept your request. You also have the freedom to select the vehicle type that you need. At the end of your ride, you’ll get an in-app receipt as well as an emailed receipt.
Ride Austin
Ride Austin is a community driven, nonprofit ride-hailing service app for IOS devices. Starting with downtown Austin and the airport, coverage will be expanded as they grow passenger and driver base.
Tride
Tride Technology LLC is a new ride sharing company that comes with no surge pricing, a user friendly app, and an expanding market across Texas.
Wingz
Download the Wingz app to pre-book a ride to/from the airport – or around town (WingzAround) – to be sure your driver is waiting for you. Know the flat-rate cost before you book so there are no surprises. This low-cost private car service also tells you exactly who your driver will be in advance (and you can request a favorite driver on future rides).
zTrip
zTrip is a smartphone app that lets you book a black car or taxi in seconds. You can book for now, for later today, or for later this week. The service is backed by over 25 years of trusted customer support and professionally-licensed and insured drivers. zTrip is owned and operated by Transdev, the leading provider of passenger ground transportation services in North America.
PARKING
Where may I park?
https://www.austinconventioncenter.com/visiting/directions-and-parking/
SpotHero is the nation’s leading parking reservation app for booking convenient and affordable parking, whether it’s for an event, commute to work, or even airport parking.
Parking Garages
201 EAST 2ND STREET
10-story, 1,000-space garage just two blocks west of the facility
Entrances on Brazos and San Jacinto
Clearance Height: 6’9”
601 EAST 5TH STREET
5-story, 685-space garage just north of the facility
Entrance on 5th Street
Clearance Height: 6’11”
Garage hours:
- Sunday – Thursday 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM
- Friday – Saturday 6:30 AM – 2:00 AM
Rates:
- 0 – 15 minutes: Free
- 15 – 60 minutes: $4
- 1 – 2 hours: $6
- 2 – 7 hours: $8
- 7 – 9 hours: $12
- 9 – 12 hours: $18
- 24 hours maximum charge: $36
- Lost ticket: $35
- Rates reset after 12 hours.
On weekends (Fridays & Saturdays 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM) and during special events, rates will be as posted. “Pay on entry” method will be used during this timeframe. The flat rate is applicable from time of entry until 11:00 AM the following morning. At 11:00 AM, the regular rates will apply.
Street Parking
Streets within a three-block radius of the Center allow for additional spaces of on-street parking.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Parking
The Austin Convention Center’s 2nd Street Parking Garage offers 30 preferred parking spaces for Alternative Fuel Vehicles. The 30 spaces are spread throughout the garage, and in close proximity to the elevators located in the southwest corner. Alternative Fuel Vehicles include hybrid, electric, bio-diesel, and flex fuel.
Accessibility
Mobility Impaired Parking is available in both Austin Convention Center garages, and located on all levels near the elevators.