Avis Car Hire
Austin

After collecting your luggage at baggage reclaim, look for the prominent overhead signs directing you to the "Rental Car Center". You will exit the terminal on the lower level to a designated shuttle bus pick-up area. These complimentary shuttles run continuously and will take you on a short ride to a separate facility where the Avis counter and vehicles are located. The whole process is well signed and designed to be straightforward for arriving travellers.

Getting to the Avis pick-up area late at night follows the same simple process as during the day. Once you have your bags, follow the airport signs for the "Rental Car Center". These will lead you to the shuttle bus stop outside the terminal. The shuttles run frequently, even for late-arriving flights, so you have a reliable, direct ride to the rental facility where the Avis counter is located. The route is well lit and clearly marked, making it easy to find your way.

On a typical weekday afternoon, plan for the whole process to take roughly 45 to 75 minutes from the time you get off the plane. This estimate includes walking to baggage reclaim, waiting for your luggage, catching the shuttle to the Rental Car Center, and completing the paperwork at the Avis counter. Timing can vary depending on how busy the airport is, but this gives a sensible window for setting expectations as you start your Austin trip.

A practical meet-up spot is the baggage reclaim carousel for the last flight to arrive, so everyone can gather their luggage in one place. Another good option is the lower-level area where the rental car shuttles collect passengers. Meeting there means your whole group can board the shuttle together once the designated driver is ready to head to the Avis facility.

The most practical place for the group to wait with luggage is near the rental car shuttle pick-up zone on the lower level of the terminal. It’s away from the main foot traffic in arrivals and keeps everyone together with the bags. It’s a convenient spot, allowing the group to board the shuttle to the Rental Car Center as soon as the driver returns with the rental agreement.

After you complete the rental process at the Avis counter, your rental agreement will specify your vehicle’s location, usually with a zone and bay number. The rental garage is organised with clear, colour-coded or numbered signage for each row and section. Follow the overhead signs to go straight to the correct area. The system is designed to be intuitive, so you can find your car quickly and get on your way.

A convenient and safe place to get organised is the airport’s cell phone lot, about a minute or two from the rental facility exit. It’s designed for waiting vehicles, so there’s very little traffic and you can park safely. You can set up your GPS, connect your phone to the car’s Bluetooth, adjust mirrors, and make sure luggage is secure before merging onto a busy road.

The key junction immediately after leaving the airport is the split for TX-71. You’ll need to decide quickly whether you’re heading east or west. To get to Austin, you’ll want the correct lane for TX-71 West. The ramp comes up fast, so it helps to have navigation running before you leave the rental lot to get early guidance on which lane you need.

For a low-stress drive to Downtown Austin, take TX-71 West from the airport. Continue on TX-71 West until it merges with I-35 North. Once on I-35, stay in the middle or right-hand lanes and look for exits for Cesar Chavez Street or 6th–12th Streets. These exits provide direct, well signed access to the downtown grid and usually feel more straightforward for visitors than more complex interchanges.

The simplest drive to South Congress is to take TX-71 West from the airport. Stay on TX-71 as it becomes Ben White Boulevard, then take the exit for South Congress Avenue. Head north on South Congress and you’ll drive straight into the heart of the SoCo district. Parking in this popular area is mainly on-street parking and small paid lots behind the shops, so expect to hunt for a space, especially at weekends.

The most straightforward route to The Domain in North Austin is via the major motorways. From the airport, take TX-71 West to I-35 North. After several miles, take the exit for US-183 North. Continue on US-183 for about 10 miles and you’ll see well signed exits for The Domain. This route keeps you on large, well maintained roads, which are often easier for visitors to navigate than city surface streets.

To reach Austin’s East Side, take TX-71 West from the airport, then briefly take US-183 North before exiting for East 7th Street. This brings you straight into the area. To avoid circling for parking, look for on-street spaces on the numbered side streets that cross East 6th or East 7th. Arriving in the afternoon before the evening crowds can significantly improve your chances of finding a convenient spot.

When visiting Barton Springs or Zilker Park, especially on a busy weekend, plan to arrive early to secure parking. There are several large dedicated paid car parks right next to the park off Barton Springs Road, and these are the most convenient options. If they’re full, you may find on-street parking in nearby neighbourhoods, but check signs carefully for any residential permit restrictions.

For easy access to bat viewing, the most convenient option is the paid car park at the Austin American-Statesman building next to the bridge. Another popular choice is one of the public parking garages in the downtown area, such as those near City Hall or along Cesar Chavez Street. Parking in a garage and taking a short five-minute walk to the bridge is often a low-stress plan.

Visitor-friendly parking for the Lady Bird Lake trail is plentiful around Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores on the south side of the lake. These areas have large car parks with direct trail access. On the north side, the area under the MoPac Expressway bridge (Loop 1) also has a convenient car park. These spots are well known and easy to find with any navigation app, making them great starting points for a walk or run.

The best ‘park once’ strategy for an evening on East 6th Street is to use a public parking garage or a large surface lot. Look for garages near I-35 or within the downtown core, just a few blocks west of the main entertainment strip. By parking in a secure, well lit location, you can leave your car for the whole evening and explore venues and restaurants on foot.

Downtown Austin’s grid has many one-way streets, which can be tricky for first-time visitors. It helps to keep your navigation map slightly zoomed out so you can anticipate street directions. If your GPS gives a last-second instruction and you miss a turn, don’t worry—the grid makes it easy to continue to the next block and loop back around to your destination.

The most convenient parking for the Texas State Capitol is the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage at 1201 San Jacinto Blvd. It’s intended specifically for visitors and is just a short two-minute walk across the street to the Capitol grounds. Its proximity and clear signage make it an ideal, low-stress choice for anyone arriving in a hire car.

For a simple visit to UT Austin and the Blanton Museum, park at the Brazos Garage (BRG) at 210 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. It’s directly next to the museum and offers public parking. You can park once and easily walk to the Blanton, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, and the central UT campus, including the iconic UT Tower, without needing to move your car.

A low-stress plan for a show at ACL Live is to park in the official City Hall garage across the street. Arriving about 45–60 minutes before the show helps you avoid the worst of the traffic. After the performance, rather than rushing to your car, consider grabbing a drink or dessert nearby. Waiting just 20–30 minutes lets the initial wave of traffic clear for a smoother exit.

Austin’s weekday rush hour typically runs from about 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and again from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. During these periods, both I-35 and MoPac (Loop 1) can be heavily congested and travel times can easily double. For a calmer drive, plan trips between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., or wait until after 7:00 p.m. in the evening.

The most common mistake at the complex interchanges where I-35, US-290 and TX-71 meet is failing to get into the correct lane early enough. These interchanges have multiple levels and splits that can be confusing. Pay close attention to your navigation app and the large overhead signs well before the exit. Last-second lane changes can be difficult and unsafe, so early preparation is key.

A practical approach is to check a real-time traffic app such as Google Maps or Waze just before leaving the airport rental lot. If traffic is heavy and your schedule is flexible, consider waiting at a nearby coffee shop for a bit. As a general rule, if you must drive between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., it’s sensible to add at least 50% to the no-traffic time estimate.

Before driving in Austin, it helps to know that major roads like I-35 and MoPac have parallel frontage roads. You’ll often exit onto these to reach businesses and make turns. Also, get comfortable using the designated U-turn lanes under flyovers—they’re very common and an efficient way to change direction. Be aware that some slip roads can be shorter than you may be used to, so merging may require confidence.

Austin’s heavy rain can sharply reduce visibility and cause water to pool quickly on roads. Lower-lying routes such as Lamar Boulevard, Shoal Creek Boulevard and parts of Cesar Chavez Street are known for potential flooding. On motorways, spray from other vehicles can be intense. It’s best to slow down, increase your following distance, and avoid driving through any standing water, as it can be deeper than it looks.

An excellent and easy first stop for a Hill Country day trip is Dripping Springs. It’s a straight drive west from Austin on US-290, making navigation very simple. The town is a great introduction to the area’s charm, with accessible wineries, breweries and the well-known Hamilton Pool Preserve nearby. It’s a relaxing drive that eases you into Hill Country scenery.

The simplest plan to Fredericksburg is to take US-290 West directly from Austin. This scenic route gets you there in about 90 minutes. Once you arrive, Main Street has plenty of on-street parking. For an even easier option on busy days, use the large public car parks located just one block north or south of Main Street, which often have available spaces.

A great loop is to take US-290 West from Austin, the main artery of the Texas Wine Trail, and visit wineries and breweries along the way towards Fredericksburg. For the return, rather than backtracking, take US-87 South from Fredericksburg to Comfort, then follow TX-46 East towards Boerne and I-10. This creates a scenic loop with different views and stops on the way back to Austin.

Driving to popular natural sites like Hamilton Pool Preserve requires advance planning. You must book online weeks or even months in advance, and your reservation includes a parking pass for a specific time slot. The drive uses scenic rural two-lane roads that require attention. It’s critical to arrive within your reserved time, as entry is strictly enforced and parking is only guaranteed for reservation holders.

For an easy day trip to Lake Travis, consider a public park managed by Travis County, such as Pace Bend Park or Mansfield Dam Park. These parks are well signed, easy to reach by car, and have large designated parking areas. They offer great lake access for swimming, picnics and views without the complexity of navigating private marinas or residential areas.

For a relaxed drive to San Antonio, take I-35 South. Consider a midway break in Gruene or New Braunfels to stretch your legs and explore their charming historic districts. Once in San Antonio, the easiest parking for the River Walk is in one of the large public garages, such as the Riverbend Garage or the Houston Street Garage. They’re centrally located so you can park once and explore the Alamo and River Walk on foot.

The most straightforward route to Waco is to drive north on I-35 for about 90 minutes. It’s an easy, well maintained motorway. For Magnolia Market at the Silos, there’s a large free dedicated car park right next to the complex. For other downtown Waco stops, you’ll find plenty of metered on-street parking and several affordable public lots, which is very convenient for visitors.

A compact or mid-size saloon is often the best choice for Austin. It’s comfortable and efficient for motorway day trips to the Hill Country, yet still nimble enough for city driving. Crucially, it’s easier to manoeuvre and park in tighter downtown garages and competitive on-street spaces. A smaller car generally means more options and less stress in urban areas.

The most practical and safest place to fit car seats is in your assigned parking bay at the Avis rental facility. It’s out of the traffic flow, well lit, and gives you space to work. You can take the time needed to secure the seats properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions before loading luggage and setting off, rather than trying to do it somewhere less convenient.

Before loading, take a moment to assess the vehicle’s luggage space. If you have an SUV, make sure any third-row seats are folded fully flat to maximise the area. A good approach is to place the largest, heaviest suitcases on the boot floor first, then fit smaller bags, rucksacks and softer items into the gaps, creating a stable, organised layout for your trip.

Before driving away, it’s wise to do a quick two-minute check. Switch the headlights on and off, test the windscreen wipers, and glance at the dashboard to confirm there are no warning lights, such as low tyre pressure. It’s also a good time to locate the USB ports to ensure you can charge devices, and to pair your phone with the car’s Bluetooth for hands-free calls and navigation.

There are several convenient petrol stations along TX-71, the main road leading directly to the airport entrance. Multiple well-known brands are within about a five-minute drive of the rental return turn-off. Their easy access from the motorway makes it simple to refuel right before drop-off, helping ensure a smooth return.

As you get close to the airport, watch for the large overhead road signs. You’ll need to be in the left-hand lanes to follow the specific signs for "Rental Car Return". AUS has a dedicated entrance road for rental returns that separates you from the main terminal drop-off and pick-up traffic. Following these clearly marked signs will guide you straight to the Avis return area.

The simplest sequence is to follow the airport signs for "Departures" first. This takes you to the upper-level roadway where you can pull up to the kerb and unload passengers and luggage. After they head into the terminal, loop around the airport again. On your second approach, follow the signs for "Rental Car Return" to go to the Avis drop-off facility.

It’s very straightforward. After you complete the vehicle return with Avis staff, follow the clear signs inside the rental facility to the airport shuttle stop. These complimentary shuttles run every few minutes and take you directly from the rental centre to the main terminal building. The shuttle drops you outside the departures level, just steps from the airline check-in desks.