Austin Airport Hotels

Situated 5 miles away from downtown Austin, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) offers 11 commercial airlines and their regional partners that serve 44 destinations in the U.S., Mexico and the U.K. In 2013, there were a record of more than 10 million passengers. Airports Council International North America (ACI-NA) awarded Austin-Bergstrom its 2012 Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communication Award and first Place in "Customer Service Initiatives" for its Texas-sized welcome and send-off for Formula 1 race fans. The airport was named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, an officer who served for the 19th Bombardentment Group.

AUS features all types of cuisines, from barbecue to Tex-Mex to coffee and tea. The airport even has Music in the Air, which is live music held at several venues inside the terminals from Monday through Friday. After all, Austin is billed as the "Music Capital of the World." Keep the groove going at the hotels near Austin-Bergstrom Airport. As a customer-preferred hotel, Holiday Inn Express Austin Airport offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. Plus, the downtown Austin train station is nearby, providing access to many attractions. Staybridge Suites Austin airport is another popular hotel, featuring Wi-Fi throughout all rooms in addition to an outdoor pool, fitness center and complimentary breakfast.

Welcome to Austin

Besides being the capital of the Lone Star State, Austin is bursting with live music, a fantastic restaurant scene and dynamic culture. About 885,000 residents call this city home, making it the second-largest state capital in the U.S. Good news for travelers: The FBI ranked it as the second safest major city in the U.S. in 2012. Austin's climate is characterized by warm summers and mild winters. So, visitors who make their way here in the warmer months should pack light clothing while winter travelers might want to include a few warm sweaters or light jacket.

To get around Austin, many of the locals prefer biking. The major downtown bike routes worth noting are Lance Armstrong Bikeway, a 4.6-mile path along the river, Rio Grande, which runs from Martin Luther King Drive to 24th Street, and Pfluger Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge, spanning Lady Bird Lake. But if you need to traverse longer distances, Capital Metro's MetroRail Red Line is a 26-mile line offering service from downtown through the city of Leander. Single trip tickets cost $2. MetroBus routes connect the city center with all parts of Austin. You can go multimodal by bringing your bike on board. Single rides start at $1.

Things to Do in Austin

Austin is no stranger to eclectic attractions. With music as its centerpiece, the city hosts a few of the country's most renowned festivals - Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. Throughout the year, you can hear music spilling from the walls of venues such as The White Horse, Sahara Lounge, Elephant Room and Paramount Theatre, to list a few. Besides exploring the diverse music scene, visitors might like to walk around the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, a 10-mile path bordering the lake on its flow through downtown. Get your shopping fix at South Congress Avenue where eclectic shops, popular music venues and hip restaurants line the street. Before you leave, be sure to try a rack of barbecue ribs or Tex-Mex feasts.

Political buffs and architecture lovers should swing by the pink granite Texas State Capitol, which - in true Texas fashion - stands taller than our nation's capitol. You can relive Texas history at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, admire European paintings and modern Latin American art at Blanton Museum of Art on the University of Texas campus, or soak up the natural beauty of Texas Hill Country at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. For those who like a little outdoor adventure, the Congress Avenue bats make up the largest urban bat colony in North America. The Barton Springs Pool, an artisan spring-fed swimming hole, welcomes visitors to cool off in the 68-degree waters.