Your Complete Guide to Houston Airport Transportation
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Your Complete Guide to Houston Airport Transportation
Houston's airport transportation involves getting to and from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) or William P. Hobby (HOU). Like traveling to any other location, there are many choices to streamline your airport transfer if you take the time to learn about them.
In this blog, we will discuss all these factors in detail and how AAdmirals can help you plan your perfect airport transportation. When you're done reading it, you will be able to save time and money with your travel choices.
An Overview of Houston Airports
The following is some basic information about these airports:
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Address: 2800 North Terminal Road, Houston, Texas 77032, USA
It is located 23 miles north of downtown Houston.
Phone: +1 281-230-3100
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the largest airport in Houston and focuses on international flights.
Terminal Details:
This massive airport has five passenger terminals, including:
- Terminal A is used by non-United domestic carriers.
- Terminal B serves United Express flights.
- Terminal C handles United domestic flights.
- Terminal D caters to non-United international arrivals and departures.
- Terminal E is primarily used for United international flights.
William P. Hobby Airport
Address: 7800 Airport Blvd, Houston, TX 77061, USA
Located just 7 to 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston.
Phone: +1 281-230-3100
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is Houston’s second-largest airport. It is smaller than IAH and mostly serves domestic flights.
Terminal Details:
HOU has one main terminal building divided into two West and East concourses.
Transportation Options to Get to Houston Airports
Now that you have a basic understanding of the airports, let's discuss the methods for your Houston IAH airport car service and HOU transfer:
Rideshare Services
Rideshare companies, like Uber and Lyft, generally have transparent rates and easy payment methods. You just need to open the app of your preferred company, select the destination, and choose the ride type. The estimated cost and time to and from downtown Houston are:
Fare:
- IAH: $40 - $65+
- HOU: $25 - $40+
Can surge during high demand.
Time:
- IAH: 30 to 50 minutes
- HOU: 20 to 35 minutes
Taxis
Getting a taxi in Houston is no big deal, whether you're travelling to or from the airports. There are designated taxi stands outside all HOU and IAH terminals, and you can easily hail one when you need to get to the airport.
Furthermore, taxi companies also offer pre-booked airport car services Houston to guarantee timely pickups. Some also have smartphone apps like Yellow Cab's Hail A Cab app or Lone Star Cab's Curb app, so you can effortlessly book and track your ride. Considering Downtown Houston, here are the estimated flat rates and time:
- Fare and time are the same as rideshare services.
Public Transportation
Houston's METRO public transit system includes the METRO Bus & METRORail. It is an affordable option and can be used for transportation between the airports and downtown:
George Bush Airport:
Choose any of the following two routes from Terminal C to travel between IAH and Downtown Houston:
- METRO Bus Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct ($4.50 one way)
- METRO Bus: Route 102 Bush IAH Express ($1.25 one way)
METRORail: If your destination is further away than these bus stops, you can take this train. The stations are a short walk from there, and trains run frequently all week.
- Fare: $1.25 one way.
- Total Time: 45 - 90 minutes
Hobby Airport:
Take the METRO Bus Route 40 at Curb Zone 3. It will also take you to multiple areas in downtown Houston.
And if your final destination isn't directly on the Route 40 bus line, you can always take the METRORail.
- Fare: $1.25 one way.
- Time: 30 - 60 minutes
Here's a quick tip: If you choose this option, we recommend you use the METRO website or Google Maps to plan your trip beforehand.
Airport Shuttles
If you like your transportation pre-booked and convenient, this is the option for you. You can reserve a budget-friendly shared ride or private shuttle for an exclusive experience.
Companies like AAdmirals are a great choice for private and reliable Houston airport shuttle and car services. They have professional drivers and a vehicle fleet that you can count on for a luxurious ride that won’t break the bank. Booking a ride is very easy on our website, or you can contact us for more information anytime.
Fare: (varies with company and vehicle)
- Shared Shuttles (limited availability): Start from $25 - $40+ per person
- Private Shuttles: Range from $90 - $150+
Time:
- Shared Shuttles: 45 - 90+ minutes
- Private Shuttles: 25 - 50 minutes
Hotel Shuttles
Many hotels near IAH and HOU offer complimentary transportation services to their guests. This is a fantastic amenity as it conveniently connects the two places.
Another quick tip: Just confirm this with your particular hotel by contacting them before booking.
Here is a list of hotels that offer these services:
Hotels near George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH):
- Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental
- DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Intercontinental Airport
- Hyatt Regency Houston Intercontinental Airport
Hotels near Houston Hobby Airport (HOU):
- Holiday Inn Houston-Hobby Airport
- Four Points by Sheraton Houston Hobby Airport
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston Hobby Airport
Time: Usually pretty quick, but the exact time depends on your hotel's proximity to the airport.
Choosing the Right Option for You
Your individual needs will decide the best transportation services from Houston IAH and HOU, as they vary with everyone. Look at the following tips to understand how to book Houston airport transportation:
Budget:
You have financial flexibility and range with all these options. Public transport is the cheapest route, while shuttles and taxis will charge you based on how far you go and how many people are in your group.
Time:
Taking the bus can take a while as there are lots of stops and Houston's traffic can be a pain sometimes.
Luggage:
Suitcase size restrictions on public transport mean that a considerable amount of luggage cannot be accommodated. Other options, like airport shuttle services, tend to cater to various luggage needs with larger vehicles specifically meant for such purposes.
Group Size:
When considering options, the number of travelers is very important. Solo travelers, a pair of travelers, families, or large groups will all have different requirements for vehicle selection as well as cost per head.
Destination:
Your position in Houston and its distance from the airports will greatly affect your decision. If you are traveling from a Houston airport to downtown or the other way around, public transit is a good choice.
Time of Day:
Traffic for shuttles, rideshares, and taxis is lower in the early morning and late at night. However, these are not public transport operating times.
Comfort/Convenience:
A private shuttle service can provide better comfort compared to other forms of transportation. However, you may use shared or public transport if comfort is not a concern.
Parking in Houston Airports
It's a smart idea to book your parking spot online ahead of time. It’ll save you some stress during those busy times.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Terminal Parking (Garages A, B, C, D, and E):
These garages are closest to the terminals with a maximum daily rate of $25. Ideal for short stays like quick pick-ups and drop-offs.
If you need to park for hours rather than days, the rates are:
- $1 for 10 minutes
- $5 for the first hour
- $6 for up to 2 hours
Economy Parking:
Being more affordable (around $6.49 to $8.31 a day), this is a better option for longer stays. As these are farther from the terminals, complimentary shuttle services to and from all terminals operate 24/7.\
Valet Parking:
This is the most effortless and convenient option as an attendant will do the parking for you from the valet drop-off spots (Terminal A street level, Terminal C level 4 Blue Garage, Terminal E Purple Garage). This comes with naturally higher prices:
- 0-2 hrs: $15.00
- 2-24 hrs: $30.00
Being the premium service it is, it comes with perks like covered parking spaces and car wash services.
Cell Phone Lot:
These are free waiting spots where drivers stay with their vehicles and pick up arriving passengers. They are located on John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Will Clayton Parkway and operate 24/7.
William P. Hobby Airport
Terminal Garages (Red, Blue, Green):
These are covered garages located close to the HPU terminal. The maximum daily rate is $24, and the hourly prices are as follows:
- $1 for 10 minutes
- $5 for the first hour
- $6 for up to 2 hours
Economy Parking:
This is a cheaper option with a rate of $10 per day. Therefore, it is ideal for longer stays.
Valet Parking:
This is available at the HOU Airport Valet Parking Red Garage at prices:
- 0-2 hrs: $15.00
- 2-24 hrs: $29.00
Cell Phone Lot:
It is located south of Airport Boulevard and operates all day.
Amenities in Houston Airports
Houston's airports provide more than transportation; they offer a whole travel experience with these fun amenities:
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Eating spots like Whataburger, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito's Cantina, and more.
Shops at Sunglass Hut, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and Tumi.
Lounges include:
- United Clubs (Terminal B, C-North, C-South, E)
- American Airlines Admirals Club (Terminal A)
- Centurion Lounge by American Express (Terminal D)
- USO Lounge (Terminal D) for military personnel
- Air France Lounge (Terminal D)
Other services include free WiFi, interconnected terminals by the Skyway (automated people mover), and an underground train.
William P. Hobby Airport
Dining options include Chick-fil-A, Dunkin', Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, and more.
Shops like Dufry Duty Free and CNBC Smartshop for a variety of items.
Lounges include Gameway and XpresSpa.
Conclusion
As you can see, numerous options exist for Houston airport transportation, including shuttles, buses, and taxis. You can now choose the best for you depending on your personal tastes and needs.
And if you're looking for fuss-free travel, AAdmirals’ private airport shuttle is here to fulfil all your travel requests. You can fill out the simple form on our website or contact us for more info, and we’ll handle the rest of the process!
