George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Understand

Until its opening in 1969, William P. Hobby Airport was the main airport of the region, serving quite a bit of intercontinental service. While Intercontinental was meant to replace Hobby, it ended up supplementing it to the point that there was even planes flying between the two as "cross-town shuttles" in the 1970s and 1980s.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Continental Airlines established a dual hub system with IAH and Hobby, and United eventually inherited the Intercontinental hub when they merged. In fact, this airport is United's largest hub and also hosts the airline's (and one of the world's) longest flight (Houston - Sydney). Houston is also United's main hub for Latin America, so it has nonstop flights to most cities in Mexico, in addition to Central and South America.

If you're traveling with Southwest the majority of its flights land and take off at William P Hobby Airport (HOU), another airport (11 mi) south of and closer to downtown and midtown Houston. However, since 2021, Southwest also offers flights into or out of George Bush International Airport. American Eagle, Delta/Delta Connection, and Frontier offer flights to both airports while Allegiant serves only Houston Hobby.

Get around

There are two train services - the Skyway (post-security) and the Subway (pre-security). They stop at all the terminals (Terminals D and E are combined into one stop). The Subway makes an extra stop at the airport Marriott.

Eat and drink

• Agave Taqueria (Gate C33)
• Chik-fil-A (Gates A17, Terminal B Food Court)
• Cat Cora’s Kitchen (Gate E10)
• Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar (Gate A24)

• Hubcap Grill & Beer Yard (Gate A26)
• Hugo's Cocina (Gate D6)
• Jack In The Box (Gate A7)
• Landry's Seafood (Gate C42)
• Olio (Gate C14)
• Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (Gate E3)
• Pappasito's Cantina (Gate E1)
• Pink's Pizza (Gate C42)
• Ruby's Diner (Terminal E Security Checkpoint)
• Southern Belle (Gate C44)
• The Breakfast Klub (Gate A7)
• Tony's Wine Cellar & Bistro (Gate D9)
• Whataburger (Gate B1)
• Vida Taqueria (Gate C6)
• Yume (Gate E11)
• Zori Bistro (Gate E24)

Flights

There are five terminals at the airport - Terminals A-C for domestic flights, and Terminals D and E for international flights.

The airport is a hub for United and that airline operates flights out of almost in every terminal.

There are some interesting fifth-freedom flights here - Singapore Airlines operates a Houston-Manchester-Singapore flight, and Air China operates a Beijing-Houston-Panama City flight.

Customs

All international arrivals except preclearance flights must go through customs. While the building for that is techinally part of Terminal E, in practice it is shared by both international terminals D and E (terminals that are already quite interconnected, sharing a check-in area), which have bridges to the international arrivals processing area.

Arrive

For those arriving on international flights, Immigration and Customs process sometimes takes 15–30 minutes, but can take over two hours at peak times. The busiest times are in the afternoon and evening.

Transfer

Like all airports in the United States, there are no special transit facilities for international transfers. That means that if you are arriving from an international flight and have an immediate connection, you will still have to pass through Customs and Immigration. For details of entry and visa requirements see get in section of United States page.

Ground transportation

The light rail hasn't been extended to the airport yet, so car or bus travel are your best options.

By car

From Downtown Houston, the Hardy Toll Road is usually the easiest way to reach the airport; however, an EZ Tag is required, as all tolls are collected electronically. Alternatively, taking the Eastex Freeway (I-69/US 59) to Will Clayton Parkway is another good option, especially for visitors. Avoid taking the North Freeway (I-45) to the airport if possible, as it is prone to traffic congestion.

By rental car

Another option is to pick up a rental car at IAH. To do so, you will take the shared shuttle from the airport terminal to the IAH Rental Car Center at 17330 Palmetto Pines. Free shuttle buses frequently travel between terminals and the car rental facility, taking about 5 to 7 minutes to travel one way. The following companies are inside the facility:

By public transit

* 500 Downtown Direct operates from Terminal E with service every 30 minutes and connects to downtown and Houston Hobby (HOU) airport. One way ride costs $4.50 with Wi-Fi, USB ports and luggage space on the coach bus. * Metro operates the 102 Bush IAH Express bus between Terminal C and downtown via Greenspoint Mall. It makes local stops in downtown, near Greenspoint Mall, and near the airport, but otherwise travels on freeways for most of the route. Trips generally depart every 30 minutes through the day on all days, except it operates more frequently toward downtown during the weekday morning rush hours and more frequently toward the airport during the weekday afternoon rush hours. Travel time between downtown and the airport is 1 to 1.25 hours. * To continue towards Houston Hobby (HOU) from 102 Bush IAH Express bus, get off at Milam and McKinley stop and cross McKinley Street to the bus stop at at the corner of Milam and McKinley (bus stop along McKinley) to catch to catch the 40 Telephone/Heights bus going towards Monroe Park & Ride to get to Houston Hobby .

By shuttle bus

GroundShuttle operates shuttle buses between Bush-IAH airport and College Station. Buses depart every 90 minutes on weekdays, less often on weekends. Prices are $50 one way.

Parking

There are several different levels of pricing for parking at the airport, depending on proximity to the terminal and level of service. In addition, there are private parking services near the airport that will drop you off at a terminal like the Parking Spot, Fast Park & Relax, and Park 'N Fly.

Short-term

There are terminal garages at all five terminals at IAH, with self-parking as well as valet parking.

Terminal Garage Self-Parking Rates: 0-1 hr - $5.00 1-2 hrs - $6.00 2-3 hrs - $8.00 3-5 hrs - $10.00 5-24 hrs - $24.00

Long-term

If you are leaving your vehicle at the airport, there are many options.

• Leave it in the parking garage at any terminal for $24 a day.
• There are two economy long term parking lots offering covered and uncovered parking at 16152 John F. Kennedy Blvd and 5021 Will Clayton Parkway.
• Private parking facilities are on JFK Blvd. and on Will Clayton Parkway. All provide shuttle service to all terminals.

Wait

Lounges

Spas

Nearby

Businesses supporting the airport include chain hotels, private parking facilities, restaurants and gas stations. Many of these are along JFK Blvd., Beltway 8, and Will Clayton Parkway over to I-69/US-59. If you are returning a rental car to the airport, and need to fill the tank, there are 2 stations close to the airport on the corner of JFK Blvd. and Greens Road, an Exxon and a Shell: for some bizarre reason, Shell charges about $1 more per gallon than Exxon. Smart travelers check gas prices.