Houston's Dual Airport System: A Unique Travel Experience

Houston, Texas, is home to several airports, with two major airports serving the city and its surrounding areas. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) are the two primary airports in Houston, offering both domestic and international flights. IAH, located 23 miles north of downtown Houston, is known for its extensive flight network and international travel options. On the other hand, HOU, situated just 7 to 11 miles from the city centre, is considered a more convenient option for those travelling domestically, with Southwest Airlines as its primary carrier.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

IAH offers scheduled flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations covering five continents. It is the busiest airport in Texas for international passenger traffic and ranked as the second-best airport in North America at the World Airport Awards.

The airport has five terminals and 121 total gates. Terminal A is primarily used by non-United domestic carriers, Terminal B is for United Express flights, Terminal C for United domestic flights, Terminal D for non-United international flights, and Terminal E for United international flights. All terminals are connected by the Skyway automated people mover system and the Subway, which provides landside connections.

IAH provides various ground transportation options, including rental car agencies, ride apps, and public bus services. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, or METRO, operates the 102 Bush IAH Express bus service, connecting the airport to downtown Houston locations.

The airport also features an on-site Marriott hotel, accessible via the landside inter-terminal train. Art installations and sculptures adorn the airport, including "Light Wings" by Ed Carpenter and "Countree Music" by Terry Allen.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

William P. Hobby Airport is generally considered more conveniently located than Houston's other major airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), which is 23 miles north of downtown. Hobby Airport serves domestic destinations and has seen significant increases in passenger numbers in recent years, reaching 14.5 million travellers in 2018. The airport is served by seven airlines, including Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, and Frontier Airlines.

The airport has a single terminal with two concourses (one domestic and one international) and 30 gates overall. The domestic concourse opened in 2003 and features various retail shops and restaurants. The international concourse opened in October 2015, allowing Southwest Airlines to fly to foreign cities. Hobby Airport also offers a variety of transportation options, including taxi, ride-sharing services, and public bus services.

Transport options to/from the airports

Houston, Texas, has multiple airports to choose from, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD). Here are some transport options to and from these airports:

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

• Taxi: The taxi is a convenient option, especially if you have a lot of luggage. The fare to downtown Houston is approximately $57, and you can get there within 40 minutes.
• Ride Apps: Ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber offer a more affordable alternative to taxis. The estimated cost from IAH to downtown is between $26 and $30.
• Public Bus: The Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) operates the public bus service, with the "Bush IAH Express" (route 102) connecting the airport to downtown Houston. The fare is $1.25 one-way, and the trip can take between 60 to 90 minutes.
• Shuttle: Shared shuttle services like SuperShuttle provide door-to-door transportation. The cost is around $23 one-way or $44 round trip, and it is recommended to book in advance.
• Rental Car: You can rent a car from major companies like Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Thrifty at the Consolidated Rental Car Facility.
• Hotel Courtesy Vans: Various hotels and lodgings offer courtesy vans for their guests. You can use the courtesy telephones in the baggage claim area to request a pick-up.
• Underground Train and Skyway: Within the airport, passengers can use the underground train or the Skyway (elevated train) to move between different terminals.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

• Taxi: Taxis are available outside the baggage claim area. The approximate fare to downtown Houston is $30, including the airport departure fee.
• Ride Apps: Lyft and Uber offer a more affordable alternative to taxis, with estimated fares from HOU to downtown ranging from $16 to $18.
• Public Bus: The Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) operates the public bus service, with route 40 connecting the airport to downtown Houston. The fare is $1.25 one-way, and the trip can take around 20 minutes.
• Shuttle: SuperShuttle provides door-to-door shuttle service from HOU, with similar pricing to IAH ($23 one-way or $44 round trip).
• Rental Car: Similar to IAH, HOU also has counters for major rental car agencies.
• Hotel Courtesy Vans: Various hotels and motels offer courtesy vans, which can be requested using the courtesy telephones in the baggage claim area.

Ellington Airport (EFD)

Ellington Airport, located in Houston, serves the U.S. military, NASA, and general aviation. While there may be transport options available, specific information about transportation to and from this airport was not readily available.

Pros and cons of each airport

Houston, Texas, is home to two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Here are the pros and cons of each airport:

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Pros:

• It is the largest airport in Houston, with more than 700 daily departures and over 43 million domestic passengers in 2015.
• It serves as a hub for United Airlines, offering a wide range of flight options.
• It has a superior flight network, with about 185 nonstop destinations spread across 27 airlines.
• It is ideal for travellers looking for international flights, especially to Asian and Central/South American destinations.
• It is located 22-23 miles north of downtown Houston, making it convenient for those travelling to the northern areas of the city.
• It offers various amenities, including Wi-Fi, retail stores, and over 50 food and beverage outlets.
• It provides multiple transport options, such as rental cars, ride apps, and public bus services.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Cons:

• Taxi fares to downtown Houston can be expensive, often costing more than a one-way airfare.
• United Airlines' basic economy fare fees and baggage policies can be costly for travellers with large luggage.
• Transportation options to downtown can be either expensive or time-consuming.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) Pros:

• It is a convenient and quick option for travellers, located just 7-11 miles from downtown Houston.
• It is a hub for Southwest Airlines, offering competitive fares and a generous baggage policy.
• It is ideal for domestic travel within the US and has nonstop service to over 60 destinations.
• It offers various amenities, including Wi-Fi, retail stores, and food and beverage outlets.
• It provides multiple transport options, such as taxis, ride apps, rental cars, and public bus services.
• It is generally more affordable for transfers to downtown Houston compared to IAH.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) Cons:

• The choice of airlines is limited, with Southwest Airlines dominating most of the flight traffic.
• International flight options are limited compared to IAH, with only a handful of international destinations served.
• For travellers heading to the northern areas of Houston, the location may not be as convenient as IAH.

Comparison of hotel prices near the airports

Houston, Texas, is served by two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). I have compared hotel prices near these two airports below.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located 23 miles north of downtown Houston. The following hotels are located near the airport:

• SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Humble: Price not listed
• TownePlace Suites by Marriott Houston Intercontinental Arpt: Price not listed
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Houston Intercontinental Airport: Price not listed
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Houston Intercontinental Airport: Price not listed
• Hampton Inn & Suites Houston-Bush Intercontinental Airport: Price not listed
• Courtyard by Marriott Houston Intercontinental Airport: Price not listed
• Winchester Inn & Suites Humble / IAH / Houston Northeast: Price not listed
• DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Intercontinental Airport: Price not listed
• Holiday Inn Houston Ne - Bush Airport Area: Price not listed
• Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental: Price not listed
• Americas Best Value Inn And Suites Iah Airport North: Price not listed
• Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental: Price not listed
• Scottish Inn & Suites - IAH Airport: $55 per night
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston Bush Intl Airpt E: Price not listed
• Ramada by Wyndham Houston Intercontinental Airport East: $61 per night

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

William P. Hobby Airport is located about 7 miles south of downtown Houston. The following hotels are located near the airport:

• Club Quarters Hotel Downtown, Houston: $104 per night
• Ramada by Wyndham Houston Intercontinental Airport East: $61 per night
• GreenTree Inn Houston IAH Airport: $52 per night
• Airway Inn - IAH Airport: $47 per night
• Comfort Inn & Suites Southwest Fwy at Westpark: $56 per night
• Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Houston NW - CY - Fair: $65 per night
• Haven Inn & Suites Downtown Houston: $61 per night
• Comfort Suites Houston IAH Airport - Beltway 8: $58 per night

Comparison

The hotels near George Bush Intercontinental Airport range in price from $55 to $104 per night, while the hotels near William P. Hobby Airport range in price from $47 to $65 per night. Overall, the hotels near William P. Hobby Airport tend to be more affordable, which is consistent with the fact that this airport is generally more conveniently located in terms of transport to downtown Houston.

Frequently asked questions