George Bush Intercontinental Airport

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the primary international airport serving Houston and the greater Houston metropolitan area. As the largest hub for United Airlines, IAH handles over 45 million passengers annually and offers extensive international connections, particularly to Latin America.

The airport has five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) spread across a large campus:

• Terminal A: United Airlines domestic, Southwest (gates A1-A9)
• Terminal B: United Airlines domestic, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier
• Terminal C: United Airlines hub (domestic and some international)
• Terminal D: United Airlines international hub, major international carriers
• Terminal E: United Airlines international, additional international carriers

Important layout note: Terminals C, D, and E are connected airside and function as United's integrated hub complex. Terminals A and B are separate buildings—connections to or from A/B require taking the Skyway train and may require exiting security.

Houston has two airports: IAH handles most domestic mainline and all international flights, while William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), located closer to downtown, is Southwest Airlines' Houston hub. Verify which airport your flight uses before booking ground transportation.

IAH is located approximately 23 miles north of downtown Houston, near the suburb of Humble. Travel times vary significantly based on Houston's notorious traffic:

• Downtown Houston: 35-60 minutes by car (can exceed 90 minutes during rush hour)
• Galleria/Uptown: 30-45 minutes
• Texas Medical Center: 40-60 minutes
• The Woodlands: 20-30 minutes north

No rail connection currently exists to IAH. The city's METRO light rail serves Hobby Airport (HOU) but not Bush Intercontinental. Ground transportation options are limited to bus, rideshare, taxi, or private vehicle.

Uber and Lyft are readily available at IAH. All rideshare pickups are on the Arrivals level outside baggage claim at designated ride app pickup zones.

How to get picked up:

1. Exit to the Arrivals curb
2. Look for the "Ride App Pickup" signs
3. Request your ride in the app
4. Walk to the designated pickup area for your terminal

Typical fares:

• Downtown Houston: $45-70
• Galleria/Uptown: $35-55
• Texas Medical Center: $45-65
• The Woodlands: $30-50

Fares are dynamic and can surge significantly during peak hours and inclement weather. Houston traffic makes travel times unpredictable.

Taxis: Metered taxis are available at the taxi stands outside each terminal's baggage claim. Expect fares similar to or slightly higher than rideshare prices. There is no flat rate to downtown.

SuperShuttle and shared rides: Shared-ride van services offer lower per-person rates to common destinations. Book in advance for best availability.

Public transit options from IAH are limited but functional for budget-conscious travelers.

102 Bush IAH Express Bus

The most direct public transit option to downtown Houston.

Pickup location: Terminal C, lower level (door C112)

Fare: $1.25 (exact change or METRO Q Fare card)

Schedule:

• First bus from IAH: ~5:30 AM
• Last bus from IAH: ~10:30 PM
• Frequency: Every 30-40 minutes

To Downtown Houston:

1. Take the Skyway to Terminal C if needed
2. Exit to the lower level and follow signs to METRO bus stop
3. Board the 102 Bush IAH Express
4. Ride to Downtown Transit Center
5. Travel time: 45-60 minutes (traffic dependent)
6. Total cost: $1.25

The 102 connects to METRO's light rail (Red Line) and other bus routes at the Downtown Transit Center.

Shared Ride Vans

Several companies operate shared-ride services from IAH:

• SuperShuttle: Shared vans to hotels and residences
• Book in advance online for better rates and availability

IAH offers multiple parking options at various price points:

Parking Type	Daily Rate	Location	Notes
Terminal Garages	$27/day	Attached to each terminal	Walk directly to check-in
ecopark	$12/day	Off-site with shuttle	Budget-friendly, frequent shuttles
ecopark 2	$9/day	Off-site with shuttle	Most economical option
Valet	$35/day	Terminal curb	Premium convenience

Tips:

• Pre-book online at fly2houston.com for discounted rates
• ecopark shuttles run every 5-10 minutes
• Terminal parking fills up during peak travel periods—arrive early or pre-book
• For trips over a week, off-site private lots may offer better rates

IAH has improved its dining options significantly. Terminal E has the best food variety, followed by Terminal C.

Terminal A:

• Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen - Cajun/Creole favorites
• Panda Express, Wendy's, Subway

Terminal B:

• Hubcap Grill - local Houston burger joint
• Chick-fil-A, Starbucks

Terminal C:

• The Breakfast Klub - famous Houston soul food breakfast
• Pappasito's Cantina - Tex-Mex and margaritas
• Landry's Seafood - Gulf Coast seafood
• 8th Wonder Brewery - Houston craft beer

Terminal D:

• Cadillac Mexican Kitchen - Tex-Mex
• KO House Korean BBQ - Asian cuisine

Terminal E:

• Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen - Cajun/Creole (another location)
• Terlingua BBQ - authentic Texas barbecue
• The Breakfast Klub Express - Houston breakfast spot
• Hudsons on the Bend - upscale Texas cuisine
• Yia Yia Mary's - Mediterranean

Late night: Most restaurants close by 9-10 PM. Look for Starbucks and grab-and-go options for late-night arrivals. Some 24-hour news stands sell snacks.

IAH offers free WiFi throughout all terminals.

Network name: iah-free-wifi or Boingo Hotspot

To connect:

1. Select the network from your device
2. Open a browser if not automatically redirected
3. Accept terms and conditions (may require watching a brief ad)

Quality: Adequate for browsing, email, and basic video calls. Speeds vary by terminal and time of day. For faster, more reliable connections, use airline lounges or purchase premium Boingo access.

Purchase SIM cards and mobile phones at:

• InMotion Entertainment - Terminals A, B, C, D, E
• Best Buy Express kiosks - various locations
• Hudson News stores - basic prepaid options

Major US carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) have prepaid options available. Typical tourist SIM packages run $30-50 for 30 days with data.

Better value options: Order a SIM in advance or pick one up at carrier stores in Houston for better selection and pricing.

ATMs are located throughout all terminals, typically near food courts, baggage claim, and gate areas. Major banks represented include:

• Chase
• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo

Out-of-network withdrawal fees typically run $3-5 per transaction.

Currency exchange: Travelex operates locations in Terminals D and E (international arrivals area). As with most airports, exchange rates include significant markups—using a debit card abroad or services like Wise typically offers better value.

Duty-free: Available in Terminals D and E for international departures. Dufry operates the main duty-free shops with liquor, cosmetics, perfumes, and luxury goods.

Notable stores:

• Houston Texans/Astros shops - local sports merchandise
• InMotion Entertainment - electronics, headphones, chargers
• Hudson News - books, magazines, travel essentials (all terminals)
• Texas souvenirs - Western wear, local gifts

Terminal E has the best shopping selection for international travelers.

Priority Pass Lounges

The Club at IAH (Terminal E)

• Location: Near gate E11
• Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or day pass ($45)
• Amenities: Snacks, drinks, WiFi, business center

KLM Crown Lounge (Terminal D)

• Location: Near gate D6
• Hours: Varies by flight schedule
• Access: Priority Pass (check current access rules), SkyTeam Elite Plus, Business Class
• Amenities: Hot food, full bar, showers

United Club Lounges

United operates multiple United Club locations throughout IAH:

Terminal	Location	Hours
B	Gate B16 area	5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
C	Gate C25 area	5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
C	Gate C37 area	5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
D	Gate D7 area	5:30 AM - 10:00 PM
E	Gate E14 area	5:00 AM - 11:30 PM

Access: United Club membership, Chase United Club Infinite card, Star Alliance Gold, United Polaris/Business Class tickets, or day pass ($59).

United Polaris Lounge (Terminal E)

• Location: Between Terminals D and E
• Access: United Polaris Business Class passengers on long-haul international flights, Star Alliance Business/First Class on international itineraries
• Amenities: Premium dining, showers, day beds, à la carte menu
• One of the best United lounges in the network

Credit Card Lounges

• Amex Centurion Lounge: Not currently at IAH (nearest is DFW)
• Chase Sapphire Lounge: Not currently at IAH

At the Airport:

Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental - Located on airport property between Terminals B and C. Connected via covered walkway. Full-service hotel with restaurant and bar.

• Rates: ~$150-250/night
• Amenities: Pool, fitness center, 24-hour shuttle

Near the Airport:

• Hyatt Regency Houston Intercontinental Airport - Full-service hotel with free shuttle
• Hilton Garden Inn Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport - Mid-range option with shuttle
• Hampton Inn Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport - Budget-friendly with free breakfast
• La Quinta by Wyndham - Economy option with free shuttle

Hotels along JFK Boulevard and Greens Road offer the closest options with shuttle service. Budget chains cluster along the Hardy Toll Road corridor.

For long layovers: Consider the Marriott on-property for maximum convenience, as shuttle waits and Houston traffic can eat into rest time.

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States with world-class attractions:

Getting Around

Houston is a sprawling, car-dependent city. Public transit is limited outside downtown. For exploring:

• Rent a car for maximum flexibility
• Uber/Lyft for downtown and major attractions
• METRO light rail (Red Line) connects downtown to the Museum District and Texas Medical Center

Must-See Attractions

• Space Center Houston (30 min from IAH): NASA's official visitor center, see real spacecraft and astronaut artifacts
• Museum District: 19 museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Children's Museum
• Houston Zoo: Located in Hermann Park
• Galleria: Texas's largest shopping mall with ice skating rink

Food Scene

Houston is one of America's best food cities:

• Tex-Mex: The Original Ninfa's on Navigation (birthplace of fajitas)
• Barbecue: Truth BBQ, Killen's BBQ
• Vietnamese: Huge Vietnamese community in Midtown and Bellaire
• Gulf Coast Seafood: Fresh catches from the Gulf of Mexico

Day Trips

• Galveston Island (50 miles south): Beaches, historic Strand District, cruise port
• San Jacinto Monument (25 miles east): Texas independence history

Weather Note

Houston is hot and humid most of the year. Summers (June-September) regularly exceed 95°F with high humidity. Winter is mild but can have occasional cold fronts. Rain is common year-round—check forecasts before outdoor activities.