Houston, Texas is home to two major airports which serve the city and its surrounding areas. Deciding which to fly into is a relatively simple decision which can be based on factors including your budget, the time of year you are flying, what you are flying into Houston to attend (or to leave the city for) and the type of flight you are booking. Here’s our summary for the airports and the pros of each as well as some general information about Houston and traveling there:
George Bush International Airport
Located 23 miles north of the city of Houston, George Bush International Airport (IAH) sees millions of passengers pass through its doors each year. If you are booking an international flight, this is your best bet. Not only will it have hundreds of flight options each week, but you can also use Global Entry to enter the U.S., which will limit your time waiting in customs lines. It is advised to check out ticket prices on United Airlines, which has one of its major hubs at Bush International – plenty of price and time options for the intrepid traveler.
William P. Hobby Airport
Considered more of a city airport, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is much smaller as compared to Bush International and is located just 11 miles from Houston’s bustling downtown. A hub for Southwest Airlines, Hobby Airport is your best bet for domestic flights and is much more convenient and quicker to get to and from the city.
When and how to go?
In general, the cheapest time to travel to Houston is the summer. The weather is delightfully hot and muggy and therefore, not the most frequently visited destination. Winter will provide higher prices while spring and fall offer a medium of the road prices.
Another tip is to avoid traveling to and from Houston when there are sporting events, such as when the city’s MLB team, the Houston Astros, are in town. Visitors flock to home games and drive the prices of airline tickets up.
There is no public transportation system that is available to take travelers to either airport. It is suggested that people take public transportation such as buses, private ground transportation services such as Dav El | BostonCoach, taxis or rental cars.
Regardless of the reason for your travels to Houston, take advantage of both airport options so you can get the best deal for your trip and enjoy your visit.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH IATA) is the main international airport of Houston and a major gateway into Texas.
Understand[edit]
Until its opening in 1969, William P. Hobby Airport was the main airport of the region, serving quite a bit of intercontinental service. While Intercontinental was meant to replace Hobby, it ended up supplementing it to the point that there was even planes flying between the two as "cross-town shuttles" in the 1970s and 1980s.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Continental Airlines established a dual hub system with IAH and Hobby, and United eventually inherited the Intercontinental hub when they merged. In fact, this airport is United's largest hub and also hosts the airline's (and one of the world's) longest flight (Houston - Sydney). Houston is also United's main hub for Latin America, so it has nonstop flights to most cities in Mexico, in addition to Central and South America.
If you're traveling with Southwest they only land and take off at the William P Hobby Airport (HOU IATA), another airport south of and closer to downtown and midtown Houston. Southwest does not offer flights into or out of George Bush International Airport. American Airlines and Delta/Delta Connection offer flights to both airports.
Flights[edit]
Map of George Bush Intercontinental Airport
There are five terminals at the airport - Terminals A-C for domestic flights, and Terminals D and E for international flights.
United is almost in every terminal, speaking to the size of the hub.
| Terminal A Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, United (check in at Terminal B), WestJet |
| Terminal D Aeromexico, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Avianca, Bahamasair, British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Interjet, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, VivaAerobus, Volaris |
There are some interesting fifth-freedom flights here - Singapore Airlines operates a Houston-Manchester-Singapore flight, and Air China operates a Beijing-Houston-Panama City flight.
Customs[edit]
All international arrivals except preclearance flights must go through customs. While the building for that is techinally part of Terminal E, in practice it is shared by both international terminals D and E (terminals that are already quite interconnected, sharing a check-in area), which have bridges to the international arrivals processing area.
Arrive[edit]
For those arriving on international flights, Immigration and Customs process usually takes 15–30 minutes, but can take over an hour at peak times. The busiest times are in the afternoon and evening.
Transfer[edit]
Like all airports in the United States, there are no special transit facilities for international transfers. That means that if you are arriving from an international flight and have an immediate connection, you will still have to pass through Customs and Immigration. For details of entry and visa requirements see get in section of United States page.
Ground transportation[edit]
The light rail hasn't been extended to the airport yet, so car travel is probably your best option
By car[edit]
From Downtown Houston, the Hardy Toll Road is usually the easiest way to reach the airport; however, an EZ Tag is required, as all tolls are collected electronically. Alternatively, taking the Eastex Freeway (I-69/US 59) to Will Clayton Parkway is another good option, especially for visitors. Avoid taking the North Freeway (I-45) to the airport if possible, as it is prone to traffic congestion.
By rental car[edit]
Another option is to pick up a rental car at IAH. To do so, you will take the shared shuttle from the airport terminal to the consolidated car rental facility at 17330 Palmetto Pines. The following companies are inside the facility:
- Advantage Rent A Car, toll-free: +1-800-777-5500.
- Alamo, toll-free: +1-888-233-8749.
- Avis Rent a Car, ☏ +1 972-574-4130. Daily 24 hours. (updated Aug 2018)
- Budget Car Rental, ☏ +1 972-615-4400. Daily open 24 hrs. (updated Aug 2018)
- Dollar, toll-free: +1-800-800-4000.
- Enterprise, toll-free: +1-800-261-7331.
- E-Z Rent-A-Car, toll-free: +1-800-277-5171, .
- Hertz.
- National, toll-free: +1-877-222-9058.
- Thrifty, toll-free: +1-800-847-4389.
- Payless, toll-free: +1-800-847-4389.
By bus[edit]
The METRO (Houston's public transit authority) operates the 102 Bush IAH Express to the south side of terminal C.
EVA Air operates shuttles for its passengers between the Richardson Tapioca House in Dallas Chinatown and the airport, as well as a service to and from Austin (only available for Laurel class passengers).
Parking[edit]
There are several different levels of pricing for parking at the airport, depending on proximity to the terminal and level of service. In addition, there are private parking services near the airport that will drop you off at a terminal like the Parking Spot, Fast Park & Relax, and Park 'N Fly.
Short-term[edit]
There are terminal garages at all five terminals at IAH, with self-parking as well as valet parking.
Terminal Garage Self-Parking Rates: 0-1 hr - $5.00 1-2 hrs - $6.00 2-3 hrs - $8.00 3-5 hrs - $10.00 5-24 hrs - $24.00
Long-term[edit]
If you are leaving your vehicle at the airport, there are many options.
- Leave it in the parking garage at any terminal for $24 a day.
- There are two economy long term parking lots offering covered and uncovered parking at 16152 John F. Kennedy Blvd and 5021 Will Clayton Parkway.
- Private parking facilities are on JFK Blvd. and on Will Clayton Parkway. All provide shuttle service to all terminals.
Get around[edit]
There are two train services - the Skyway (post-security) and the Subway (pre-security) They stop at all the terminals (Terminals D and E are combined into one stop) while the Subway makes an extra stop at the airport Mariott.
Wait[edit]
Lounges[edit]
- Air China. (updated Aug 2018)
- Air France. (updated Aug 2018)
- American Airlines Admirals Club. (updated Aug 2018)
- British Airways. (updated Aug 2018)
- American Express Centurion Lounge. (updated Aug 2018)
- Emirates. (updated Aug 2018)
- EVA Air. (updated Aug 2018)
- KLM. (updated Aug 2018)
- Lufthansa. (updated Aug 2018)
- Qatar Airways. Opens 4 hours before departure. (updated Aug 2018)
- United Lounges. (updated Aug 2018)
- United Club. (updated Aug 2018)
- Terminal E, between Gates E11 and E12. (updated Aug 2018)
- Terminal C, South Concourse, toward Gate C33. (updated Aug 2018)
- Terminal B, South Mezzanine, above the United Express ticket counter. (updated Aug 2018)
- Terminal A, across from Gate A9. (updated Aug 2018)
- Terminal C, near Gate C1. 5:30AM-10:30PM. (updated Aug 2018)
- United Polaris Lounge, Terminal E, between the United Club location and Gate E12. (updated Aug 2018)
- United Club. (updated Aug 2018)
- USO Lounge. (updated Aug 2018)
Spas[edit]
- XpresSpa. Manicure $20, 10-minute massage $25.
- (Near Gate A17), ☏ +1 281 233-7660. Daily 5AM-9:30PM. (updated Feb 2020)
Eat and drink[edit]
- Agave Taqueria (Gate C33)
- Chik-fil-A (Gates A17, Terminal B Food Court)
- Cat Cora’s Kitchen (Gate E10)
- Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar (Gate A24)
- Hard Rock Cafe (Gate B85). (updated Jan 2020)
- Hubcap Grill & Beer Yard [dead link] (Gate A26)
- Hugo's Cocina (Gate D6)
- Jack In The Box (Gate A7)
- Landry's Seafood (Gate C42)
- Olio (Gate C14)
- Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (Gate E3)
- Pappasito's Cantina (Gate E1)
- Pink's Pizza (Gate C42)
- Ruby's Diner [dead link] (Terminal E Security Checkpoint)
- Southern Belle (Gate C44)
- The Breakfast Klub (Gate A7)
- Tony's Wine Cellar & Bistro (Gate D9)
- Whataburger (Gate B1)
- Vida Taqueria (Gate C6)
- Yume (Gate E11)
- Zori Bistro (Gate E24)
Buy[edit]
IAH has several retail stores, including several magazine stands and bookstores. Other retail stores include Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Corsa Collections, Pandora, Sunglass Hut, Swarovski, The Body Shop, Johnston & Murphy, and Victoria's Secret. There is a large duty free store in Terminal D near gate D7, it is ATU’s largest store in the U.S. and uniquely designed as the airport’s only walkthrough store. There are also duty free stores at seven other locations at Bush Airport, two locations in Terminal E, two kiosks in Terminal A and a shop in Terminal B.
Connect[edit]
The airport has free Wi-Fi - connect to "Free Airport WIFI" and agree to the terms to get connected. Power outlets have been added in many seating areas in most terminals.
Cope[edit]
- U.S.O., ☏ +1-773-686-7396. The U.S.O. has a center and a lounge located in Terminal D for active, reserve, and retired military personnel. (updated Feb 2020)
Sleep[edit]
- 1 Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental is the only hotel that is directly attached to the airport with on-site restaurant, lounge, fitness, and conference facilities.
Most airport hotels are either several miles to the south along John F. Kennedy Boulevard or just east of the airport along Will Clayton Parkway. Virtually all of them run shuttle buses to the airport. For more information on hotels close to the airport, see North Houston.
Nearby[edit]
Businesses supporting the airport include chain hotels, private parking facilities, restaurants and gas stations. Many of these are along JFK Blvd., Beltway 8, and Will Clayton Parkway over to I-69/US-59. If you are returning a rental car to the airport, and need to fill the tank, there are 2 stations close to the airport on the corner of JFK Blvd. and Greens Road, an Exxon and a Shell: for some bizarre reason, Shell charges about 75 cents more per gallon than Exxon. Smart travelers check gas prices.