Ultimate Guide to Airports in Houston

More than 52 million passengers flew in and out of Houston in 2017. The larger of the two airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, sees more than 40 million passengers each year alone, while the smaller William P. Hobby Airport is growing rapidly as well. Locals often exhibit a strong preference for one airport over the other; however, George Bush Intercontinental boasts more amenities and airlines, whereas Hobby offers a simpler navigation experience. Below is a comprehensive overview of what to expect while traveling through either airport in Houston.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Approximately 75 percent of air traffic in Houston travels through George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located on the north side of town. With tens of thousands of passengers passing through its terminals daily, it is ranked as the 8th busiest airport in the United States and serves as a significant hub for United Airlines.

Terminals

The airport is organized into five distinct terminals, labeled A through E. Terminals A to D mainly cater to domestic flights, whereas Terminal E primarily handles international travel, although this can vary.

To transfer between terminals prior to security, utilize the underground subway train, which takes approximately three minutes for each trip, with new trains running frequently. Post-security transfers can be quickly made via the above-ground Skyway, which is more efficient and arrives at shorter intervals.

Getting to and From Houston

Driving is considered the most convenient way to access George Bush Intercontinental; the airport is only a 25-minute drive from downtown Houston without heavy traffic. It is worth noting, however, that travel times could exceed an hour during peak hours. If you are not driving, numerous alternatives are available:

• Taxis: Available at designated locations on the south side of terminals A-C and the west side of terminal E. Cab fares to central Houston generally range around $55, while rides to the Johnson Space Center area might exceed $100 without gratuity.
• Ride-shares: Services such as Lyft and Uber are operational and accessible via signs leading to designated pickup areas at each terminal.
• Public Transit: Although Houston offers a light-rail, it does not reach the airport. Your best option is METRO bus 102, costing only $1.25. Ensure to bring exact change or procure a Q card for payment. This bus departs from the baggage claim area at terminal C’s south side.
• Getting to Hobby: To reach Hobby via bus, ride METRO bus 102 downtown, disembarking at Milam and McKinney intersections. After retrieving your luggage, walk to McKinney and Main to board METRO bus 40 to Hobby.

Facilities In and Around the Airport

George Bush Intercontinental, being the larger airport, presents a more extensive range of options for dining and entertainment than Hobby. Should you find yourself with some free time, consider the following opportunities:

• Restaurants: Dine at various popular establishments, featuring culinary delights from James Beard Award-winning chefs Hugo Ortega and Chris Shepherd, among others.
• Shopping: George Bush Intercontinental offers a multitude of shopping options including souvenir shops, clothing retailers, and Duty Free stores.
• Airport Lounges: Travelers can access several lounges within different terminals, encompassing options like the Amex Centurion Lounge and United Clubs.

Popular Routes and Airlines

A substantial majority of passengers—three out of four—travel with United Airlines, which conducts nearly 500 daily flights to numerous destinations, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Airlines operating at George Bush Intercontinental consist of:

• AeroMexico
• Air Canada
• Air China
• Air France
• Air New Zealand
• Alaska
• American Airlines
• ANA
• Avianca
• Bahamasair
• British Airways
• Delta
• Emirates
• Evaair
• Frontier
• Interjet
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Spirit
• Turkish Airlines
• United
• VivaAerobus
• Volaris
• WestJet

Parking

A wide selection of parking options is available, catering to the vast number of drivers frequenting George Bush Intercontinental. These include:

• Terminal Garage Self-Parking: Five garages are available at each terminal, with daily rates ranging between $5 (under one hour) to $22.
• Valet Parking: Each terminal offers valet services at $13 for two hours or $26 daily.
• SurePark: A members-only service ensures guaranteed parking spots in terminal C’s garage for $24 a day.
• Ecopark and Ecopark2: Less expensive than terminal parking, both lots charge around $6-$7 per day and offer shuttle services to terminals.
• Off-site Lots: Discount parking options include PreFlight, the Parking Spot, and Park ‘N Fly.

Car Rentals

Located approximately a five-minute shuttle ride away from the main terminal, George Bush Intercontinental’s dedicated Rental Car Center caters to numerous rental companies, including:

• Advantage
• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Dollar
• Enterprise
• Hertz
• National
• Payless Car Rental
• Thrifty Car Rental
• Zipcar

William P. Hobby Airport

Hobby’s main advantage—its compact size—also serves as its downside; navigating through its small terminal is effortless, and security is typically brisk. Nevertheless, it lacks the extensive amenities available at George Bush Intercontinental.

Getting to and From Houston (Hobby)

While Hobby is geographically nearer to downtown Houston, constant traffic often results in comparable travel times to George Bush Intercontinental. Alternatives for getting to and from the airport include:

• Taxis: Easily accessible just outside the baggage claim area.
• Ride-shares: Services can be found outside baggage claim near carousel 4, marked by signage.
• Public Transit: Use METRO Bus 40 for downtown access, located outside baggage claim at Curb Zone 3.
• Getting to George Bush Intercontinental: For public transportation between airports, take METRO Bus 40 to downtown; from the Lamar and Milam intersection, walk to McKinney and Travis for METRO bus 102.

Facilities In and Around the Airport (Hobby)

While not as extensive as its larger counterpart, Hobby offers sufficient amenities to satisfy travelers waiting for their flights:

• Restaurants: Featuring a selection of about a dozen dining options, including local favorites such as Pappas Bar-B-Q and Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen.
• Shopping: Offers a few newsstands, a Duty Free outlet, and several specialty stores.
• Airport Lounges: The only lounge available is the USO lounge, designed for military personnel and their families located near gate 44.

Popular Routes and Airlines (Hobby)

A notable percentage (93%) of flights operating through Hobby is managed by Southwest Airlines, which ranks Hobby as its seventh busiest airport, facilitating 174 daily flights to 64 destinations, primarily in the Southern U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

In addition to Southwest, the following airlines also operate at Hobby:

• American Airlines
• Delta
• JetBlue
• Southwest

Parking (Hobby)

Parking facilities around Hobby are easily accessible. Your options include:

• Garage Terminal Self-Parking: A parking garage adjacent to the terminal, charging from $5 for under an hour to $22 for a full day.
• Valet Parking: Available for $13 (for less than two hours) or $26 for daily service.
• Ecopark: An uncovered lot, charging about $10 daily with free shuttle service included.
• Off-site Lots: Includes several off-site options such as PreFlight and Fast Park & Relax, with shuttles facilitating access to Hobby.

Car Rentals (Hobby)

While several car rental companies serve Hobby, counters are typically found at baggage claim, requiring travelers to take a shuttle for vehicle pickup, available outside baggage claim at Curb Zone 1.

Rental car companies operating at Hobby include:

• Advantage
• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Dollar
• Enterprise
• Hertz
• National
• Payless Car Rental
• Thrifty Car Rental