Houston's Main Airport: A Comprehensive Guide To George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Houston, Texas, is served by two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). IAH is the larger of the two, located 23 miles north of downtown Houston, and is the primary airport for international flights. HOU, located just 11 miles from downtown, is considered a city airport and is more convenient for domestic flights.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

George Bush Intercontinental Airport offers a superior flight network, with more than 700 daily departures and 43 million domestic passengers passing through in 2015. The airport covers 10,000 acres of land and has five runways and five terminals, all interconnected by the Skyway and the Subway. Terminals A, B, and C are used for domestic flights, while Terminals D and E are for international flights.

The airport is a hub for United Airlines, with the airline holding a significant market share. Other airlines serving the airport include AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and many more.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport provides various transportation options to and from the airport, including bus services, shuttles, taxis, rental cars, and ride-sharing apps. The airport also offers a range of services and amenities for passengers, including Wi-Fi, retail stores, food and beverage outlets, visitor information centres, and currency exchange booths.

The airport has undergone improvements and expansions over the years, including the addition of new terminals and the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal, which is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

William P. Hobby Airport is considered a city airport and is much smaller than Houston's other major airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Hobby Airport is a hub for Southwest Airlines and is best for domestic flights. It also offers a handful of international flights, with Southwest opening its first international terminal at the airport in 2015.

The airport has a variety of transportation options, including taxis, ride-share apps, and shuttle services. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, or METRO, also provides bus services to and from the airport, with several bus lines serving Hobby Airport.

William P. Hobby Airport has a single terminal with two concourses (one domestic and one international) and 30 gates overall. The airport features retail stores, restaurants, and Wi-Fi internet access. It also showcases artworks throughout the airport, including sculptures and photographs.

In 2022, Hobby Airport became the first 5-Star Airport in North America by Skytrax and the first airport in Texas to have full biometric entry and exit for international passengers.

Transport options to and from the airports

Houston, Texas, is served by two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). IAH is the larger of the two, offering international and domestic flights, while HOU is considered a city airport, offering mostly domestic flights.

Transport to and from George Bush Intercontinental Airport

George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located 23 miles north of downtown Houston. It is accessible via Interstate 45, US Highway 59 (Interstate 69), the Hardy Toll Road, and the Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8).

Public Transport

The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) offers a local bus service to and from the airport. The METRO Bus 102 runs from the airport to downtown Houston, with multiple stops along the way. The bus departs from Terminal C every 15 minutes during peak times and roughly every 30 minutes off-peak. The fare is $1.25 one-way (cash only), and the trip can take between 50 and 90 minutes.

Taxi

A taxi from IAH to downtown Houston can cost around $57, excluding the late-night surcharge of $1 for trips between 8 pm and 6 am. The trip takes around 40 minutes.

Ride Apps

Ride apps such as Lyft and Uber are available from the airport. A ride to downtown Houston is estimated to cost between $26 and $30.

Shuttle

SuperShuttle offers a shared ride service to and from the airport. A one-way trip costs $23, and a round trip is $44. Advanced reservations are recommended.

Car Rental

Major car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Thrifty have counters at the Consolidated Rental Car Facility at the airport.

Transport to and from William P. Hobby Airport

William P. Hobby Airport is located just 7 miles southeast of downtown Houston.

Public Transport

The METRO Bus 40 connects the airport to downtown Houston. The fare is $1.25 one-way (cash only).

Taxi

A taxi from HOU to downtown Houston costs around $30, excluding the late-night surcharge of $1 for trips between 8 pm and 6 am.

Ride Apps

Ride apps such as Lyft and Uber are available from the airport. A ride to downtown Houston is estimated to cost between $16 and $18.

Shuttle

SuperShuttle offers a shared ride service to and from HOU, with the same rates as IAH: $23 one-way or $44 round trip.

Car Rental

Major car rental companies have counters at HOU, and some hotels and motels offer courtesy vans to their properties.

Terminals and facilities

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) and 121 gates in total. All terminals are connected by the Skyway, an elevated automated people-mover system, and the Subway, an underground train system. Terminals D and E have access to an international arrivals facility. The Skyway provides airside connections, while the Subway provides landside connections between the terminals and the airport hotel.

Terminal A is used for non-United domestic and Canadian flights, international departures, and some United Express flights. It has 20 gates, from A1 to A30, located in two groups: A1-A15 and A17-A30.

Terminal B is dedicated to United Express flights, except for international arrivals. It has 30 gates, from B1 to B88, spread across different concourses.

Terminal C serves as the main base for United Airlines' domestic operations. It has 29 gates, from C1 to C45, divided between the South and North concourses.

Terminal D is used for non-United international flights. It does not currently handle international arrivals, which are served in Terminal E. Terminal D has 18 gates, from D7 to D18B.

Terminal E is the newest terminal and is used for United international flights and some domestic operations. It has 24 gates, from E1 to E24.

The airport offers a range of services and amenities, including restaurants, cafeterias, duty-free shops, ATMs, currency exchange booths, baggage carts, defibrillators, power charging stations, pet relief areas, and telephones.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), on the other hand, has a more compact layout with a single central concourse terminal and 25 gates. Hobby Airport serves domestic destinations and has seen significant increases in passenger numbers in recent years. It offers similar amenities to IAH, including Wi-Fi, retail stores, and food and beverage outlets.

Nearby attractions

Houston's main airport is George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), located 23 miles north of downtown Houston. The airport is served by 27 airlines and offers more than 700 daily departures.

Downtown Houston

Downtown Houston is home to a range of local restaurants, parks, and sports venues. Discovery Green, Market Square Park, and Sam Houston Park are all within walking distance of each other and offer a chance to get some fresh air. The Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets, and Minute Maid Park, where the Houston Astros play, are also located downtown.

Museum District

South of downtown, the Museum District is home to several notable museums, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Rothko Chapel. The Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1900, boasts a collection of over 56,000 works of art, while the Rothko Chapel is both an artistic masterpiece and an ecumenical gathering place for people of all faiths.

Space Center Houston

The official visitor centre for NASA's Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston is a short drive from downtown and offers a unique, out-of-this-world experience.

Buffalo Bayou Park

This 52-mile slow-moving waterway is the site of Houston's founding in 1836 and has become a popular destination for outdoor recreation.

Downtown Aquarium

Part attraction, part restaurant, the Downtown Aquarium complex features a Ferris wheel, an aquatic carousel, a white tiger exhibit, and a shark voyage.

Heritage Society

Nestled in 10 acres of parkland in downtown Houston, the Heritage Society is the city's only outdoor, interactive historic museum. It boasts nine historic structures dating from 1823 to 1905.

Menil Collection

One of the most significant collections of the twentieth century, the Menil Collection consists of nearly 15,000 works of art dating from the Paleolithic era to the present day.

National Museum of Funeral History

Located just 5.6 miles from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, this unique museum offers a different take on the traditional art museum.

Cypress Trails Ranch

For a taste of the Texas countryside, visitors can head to Cypress Trails Ranch, located 2.9 miles from the airport.

Houston Zoo

Founded in 1922, the Houston Zoo is home to a variety of live animals and serves as an educational and conservation resource for over 1.9 million visitors annually.

Kemah Boardwalk

Overlooking Galveston Bay, the Kemah Boardwalk offers themed restaurants, retail shops, and amusements for all ages.

San Jacinto Monument and Museum

The San Jacinto Monument and Museum hold one of the largest collections of Texas history, art, and artefacts. The monument is located next to the historic Battleship Texas in La Porte.

Sylvan Beach Park

This 32-acre park offers a peaceful escape from city life, with a nice beach and refreshing ocean breeze.

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