From Runway to Downtown: Getting Around Houston’s Airports

Houston, Texas, is one of the largest and most vibrant cities in the United States. So it’s no wonder the city sees millions flying in and out yearly, and the city’s two airports do an excellent job connecting this wonderful city with the rest of the world. From the bustling hub of George Bush Intercontinental Airport to the easily accessible William P. Hobby Airport, the airports in Houston, Texas, offer top-notch services to its endless passengers.

Whether you are visiting Houston or merely in the city for business, this blog will take you through everything you need to know about the airports in Houston, Texas.

Location: The airport is located 37 kilometers north of Downtown Houston.

Number of Terminals: There are five terminals in the airport.

IATA Code: IAH

Contact: +1 281 230 3100

One of the second busiest airports in Texas, around Houston, and the 12th busiest in the United States, the George Bush Intercontinental Airport sees tens of thousands of passengers every day. The huge airport has five terminals and over 50 retail options to keep its passengers occupied.

Previously called the Houston Intercontinental Airport, the airport was renamed in 1997 after George H.W. Bush. The airport has flights to many major cities, including Amsterdam, Toronto, Tokyo, Moscow, London, and Paris.

There are five terminals at the Houston Airport. These terminals combined have 161 gates.

• Terminal A: Terminal A has 20 gates and is used for non-united domestic carriers.

• Terminal B: This terminal consists of 40 gates and is used for United Express flights.

• Terminal C: Terminal C has 29 gates and is used for United domestic flights.

• Terminal D: This terminal has 12 gates and is used for non-United international flights.

• Terminal E: With 30 gates, this terminal caters to United international flights.

The terminals are connected by an above-ground TermaLink train. The passengers can travel within the airport easily using this service without going through the security check again and again. An underground inter-terminal train is also available for travel between the terminals and the airport hotel.

The airport is currently undergoing a capital improvement program, following which Terminal D and Terminal E will be consolidated to form one centralized terminal.

There are several ways to travel around airports in Houston, Texas. Of course, the most convenient way is to take a car. However, there are many other ways of traveling into the city. These include the following:

• Taxis: You can easily find taxis outside all the terminals. While fares vary according to your destination, traveling downtown can cost around $45-55.

• Bus: Bus stops are located outside Terminal C, and you can easily find a bus to different parts of the city.

• Ride Shares: You can also use ride-share apps to find a ride to and from the airport.

The airport offers several parking options to make it more convenient for people. The parking is located next to all terminals. You can reserve a spot beforehand and use the valet services. The parking area also has EV charging stations.

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport offers plenty of facilities and things to do. Here are the things you can do while waiting for your flight.

• Shopping: If you have time to kill before your flight, the George Bush International Airport has plenty to offer. There are many shops that will keep you occupied. Some of them include Allen’s Landing, Chanel, Corsa Collections, iShoppes Duty-Free, James Avery, Pandora, etc.

• Restaurants: Featuring several restaurants to provide various dining options to its passengers, the George Bush Intercontinental Airport has something to cater to everyone’s taste. These include American Craft Tavern, Blaze Pizza, Ember, El Premio, Gavi, Pala, and Panda Express.

• Lounges: The airport has several lounges spread throughout the terminals to offer relaxation space to the passengers.

• Information Desks: Airport Information Booths near baggage claim in Terminals A and C. The booth is at the connector between Terminal D and Terminal E for Terminal D and the International Arrivals Level for Terminal E.

• Baggage carts, ATMs, battery charging stations, service animal relief areas, currency exchange services, and lactation rooms are also available at the airport. The airport also provides free Wi-Fi.

Location: The airport is located 11 kilometers southeast of Downtown Houston.
Number of Terminals: There is only 1 terminal in the airport.
IATA Code: HOU
Contact: +1 713 640 3000

William P. Hobby Airport is the first 5-star airport in North America. It is also one of the oldest commercial airports in Houston, Texas. The airport is quieter and smaller than George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The airport primarily serves domestic flights. Since the airport is small, the security process is much faster. However, the number of facilities available is also limited due to its small size.

There is only one terminal at the William P. Hobby Airport. There are 30 gates and two concourses- one domestic and one international.

Hobby Airport is much closer to the city than the Houston Airport. There are several ways to travel in and from the city.

• Taxis: You can easily find taxis at Zone 3 at the Hobby Airport. The wait time is not long due to less traffic.

• Bus: You can take METRO Bus 40 from outside baggage claim at Curb Zone 3.

• Ride Shares: Follow signs for Ride App to find the ride shares at the Hobby Airport.

There are multiple parking options available in and around the Hobby Airport. The parking garage is located right outside the terminal. Valet parking and Ecopark are also available at the airport.

While smaller than the Houston Airport, the Hobby Airport offers a fair share of facilities to keep the passengers occupied. Here are the things you can enjoy at this airport.

• Shopping: There are several shops at the Hobby Airport. These include Rodeo Houston Store, Discover Houston Space City, Houston Chronicle, iStore, and Shady Lane Marketplace.

• Restaurants: The airport has some great choices for food and drinks. The most popular ones include Subway, Wendy’s, Pappas Bar-B-Q, Pappas Burger, Starbucks, and Peet’s Coffee and Tea.

• Lounges: The airport has only one lounge, the USO lounge. The lounge is primarily for military personnel and their families. Xpresspa and massage chairs are also available at the airport for the comfort of the passengers.

• Information Desks: The information desk is located in the main terminal building.

• ATMs, a currency exchange facility, baggage carts, a service animal relief center, a chapel, wheelchairs, and a free library are also available at the airport. The airport also provides free Wi-Fi.

Just like the city, the airports in Houston, Texas, also cater to visitors of all ages and tastes. While the two airports are vastly different, there’s no denying that they offer the best facilities to make travel as comfortable as possible for travelers. Here, we have covered everything about these airports and their facilities. Therefore, the next time you travel to Houston, keep this guide handy and make your travel convenient.