Houston Airport FAQ
We've been getting a lot of common questions, so I figure this would be a good start in getting the answers for people.
Overview
We have two main airports, Bush Intercontinental (IAH) in the far northeast, and Hobby (HOU) in the south. IAH is generally the international flight hub and is larger and busier. HOU generally is for Southwest flights, but other carriers use it as well, albeit less frequently.
Layovers
Will I have time to catch my connecting flight?
If it's a flight with the same carrier on the same ticket, you should be fine. They set you up on this route because it was realistic for you to catch the connecting flight.
If it's a flight with a different carrier in the same airport, you want to give yourself 2-3 hours, especially if it's international to domestic. Next time consider not doing that and buying everything under one ticket.
If it's a flight with a different carrier and different airport, you fucked up. Give yourself at least four hours of transfer time with the understanding that up to two of those hours could be on the road between the two airports during commute rush hour. Transport to the other airport could run you $100.
I have a layover. Will I have time to see the city?
Unless you have an over 12 hour layover, the general advice is to stay in the airport. Both airports practically require a long rideshare to places of interest, and the there and back plus security will eat all of the potential sightseeing time. Public transportation is generally poor and unreliable.
Where can I eat inside the airport?
https://houston.eater.com/2017/6/2/15732166/houston-hobby-airport-restaurants-dining-options
IF you decide to sightsee during your layover, consider this:
NASA is up to 2 hours from IAH and up to 1 hour from Hobby depending on traffic.
Downtown is 30 minutes to an hour from both airports and has a rail that could take you to the museum district or zoo.
The closest good barbecue from IAH is Corkscrew in Spring, 20 minute rideshare from the terminals. There will be a line during prime eating times.
The closest good barbecue from Hobby is Killen's in Pearland, 20 minute rideshare from the terminals. There will be a line during prime eating times.
Security and Customs/Immigration
You can find TSA wait times and customs and immigration line lengths here:
https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/depart/
https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/depart/
If you are flying in from another country and Houston is your gateway to the USA, generally you will have to get your luggage from baggage claim and go through customs and immigration and then through security again before connecting on to your domestic flight.
Transportation
How do I get to the city via public transport?
From IAH there is a bus that goes direct to downtown: https://www.ridemetro.org/MetroPDFs/Schedules/BusSchedules/n102-Bush-IAH-Express.pdf
From Hobby there are several local lines that connect to the airport, but they will take you almost 2 hours to get anywhere of import. Use Google Maps public transport to plan your route. Consider rideshare options.
What rideshare options do I have?
Uber and Lyft. About $30 from IAH to downtown, and about $20 from Hobby to downtown. Super Shuttle is another service, around $20, but you will be sharing with other people, and if you're last on the dropoff, you could be in that van for a couple hours.
How about parking at the airport?
That's $24 a day if you're going to park in the airport's direct lot, or $11 a day if you want to park in an outside lot and shuttle in.
Posted Aug 16, 2019, 3:08 PM UTC