Houston Airport Guide

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is Houston's principal international airport and a major United Airlines hub. Its passenger campus has five terminals: A, B, C, D, and E. The post-security Skyway connects all five; the pre-security Subway is the landside alternative.

Terminal assignments are changing during construction. Houston Airports says the Terminal B check-in area is closed until late 2026, while gates B3-B31 remain open. It also moved several international-airline check-in operations from D to E in March 2026. Confirm the check-in terminal with the operating airline and use the day's airport signs rather than a fixed carrier list.

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.

Key fact: The Skyway is the airport's post-security train and links all five terminals. The separate Subway is pre-security. A domestic passenger already inside security can therefore use Skyway for an A-E terminal change without leaving the secure area.

Terminal Layout

The terminals are separate buildings on a large campus. C, D, and E also have pedestrian connectors in parts of the central complex; for a longer terminal change, follow signs to Skyway. Construction can alter entrances and check-in routes, especially at Terminal B.

Skyway Automated Train

Houston Airports describes the Skyway as a post-security train serving all five terminals, with departures approximately every two minutes. The Subway serves the same terminal campus before security and operates on a published daily schedule. Check the official interterminal page for current hours and construction notices.

Minimum connection times depend on the airlines, ticket, arrival origin, and gate pair. Use the connection offered by the airline on a protected itinerary; for separate tickets, build in time for baggage claim, a terminal change, check-in deadlines, and security.

International Arrivals (Terminals D & E)

For an international arrival that is not from a U.S. preclearance airport:

1. Exit plane at Terminal D or E
2. Clear immigration at the Federal Inspection Services facility
3. Collect checked bags at carousel
4. Clear customs
5. Re-check bags if the airline has tagged and accepted them to the final destination
6. Clear TSA security again, then walk or take the post-security Skyway to the onward terminal

International processing is currently routed through Terminal E, and airline check-in locations continue to change during the international-terminal program. Follow the connection signs and airline instructions on arrival.

Connections Between A/B and C/D/E

Use Skyway when already post-security. Use Subway if you are landside—for example, after collecting bags or when traveling to a different check-in lobby. Terminal B's check-in closure may require an extra landside transfer even when the departure gate is in B.

IAH is north of central Houston. There is no passenger rail station at the airport; public transport is by METRO bus. Route 500 Downtown Direct serves Terminal E, while local Route 102 serves Terminal C. Taxis, app-based rides, shuttles, rental cars, and private vehicles use the terminal road system; road travel time varies sharply with traffic and construction.

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.

METRO's current airport overview lists two options:

• Route 500 Downtown Direct: nonstop airport-downtown service from Terminal E
• Route 102: local service from Terminal C, with intermediate stops before downtown

If arriving at another terminal, use the landside Subway after baggage claim to reach the correct bus terminal. Check the exact stop, schedule, fare, and service alert in METRO's trip planner before travel; do not rely on an old Route 102-only timetable.

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.