Ground transport at IAH
Houston, Texas
Getting to and from IAH
Most travelers arriving at George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport have four practical options: rideshare, taxi, public transit, or a pre-arranged hotel or rental shuttle. The right choice depends on traffic, time of day, and how much luggage you're hauling. Below is a breakdown of each, drawn from the standard transport patterns that apply at Houston's primary airport.
Rideshare (Uber & Lyft)
Rideshare is the most common ground transport choice at IAH. Pickups happen at Curbside at the designated rideshare zone, typically on the arrivals or ground transportation level. Watch for posted signage.. During off-peak hours, drivers are typically 3 to 8 minutes during off-peak hours; during peak arrival waves (early morning and early evening), match times can stretch significantly longer.
- Uber operates at all terminals; request your ride after you've collected your bag.
- Lyft operates at all terminals; request your ride after you've collected your bag.
- Both apps charge an airport surcharge of a few dollars on top of the metered fare.
- If your destination is downtown, expect surge pricing during weekday morning and Friday evening peaks.
Taxis
Taxi queue staffed at arrivals; flat-rate or metered fares depending on your destination zone. Cabs run on either a fixed flat rate to certain zones or a metered fare; ask the dispatcher before you get in. For groups of three or more with luggage, a taxi can be more economical than a rideshare during surge pricing.
Rail and metro
Regional commuter rail with an airport stop. The fare runs roughly $8 to $20 one-way depending on zone. Expect 25 to 45 minutes from the airport to a downtown station depending on time of day.
Rail is the most reliable option during rush hour. Traffic into and out of the airport can stretch a 20-minute drive into 60 minutes; the rail line bypasses all of it. Bring a contactless card or have the local transit app installed before you arrive.
Hotel and parking shuttles
Hotel and off-site parking shuttles operate continuously from designated curb islands. Shuttles are clearly branded with the operator's logo. Confirm pickup time with your hotel or off-site parking lot in advance — most run on 15- to 30-minute headways.
Bus and regional transit
City and regional bus routes connect to the airport. Check the local transit authority for schedules. Bus service is the most economical option from the airport but tends to be slower than rideshare or rail. Expect 45 to 75 minutes to most destinations and minimal luggage space.
Rental cars
Rental car counters are operated by all the major brands at IAH: Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Sixt, Dollar, Thrifty. Counters and lots are housed in a consolidated rental car facility a short shuttle ride from the terminal. See the car rentals page for details.