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ENGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport
IAH to Downtown Houston: METRO Bus, Taxi and Ride Apps
The easiest way to Downtown Houston is METRO Bus 500, a nonstop to the George R. Brown Convention Center for $4.50 one way. It leaves Terminal E every 30 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to Houston Airports. Bus 102 is cheaper at $1.25 but takes 50 to 90 minutes. Taxis and ride apps pick up at all main terminals.
Your options at a glance
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Free above-ground people mover between Terminals A, C and D/E, inside security. Departs every 2 minutes.
- Time
- 4 min 15 sec from A to D/E
- Hours
- Every day
-
Free underground train between Terminals A, C, D/E and the Airport Marriott, before security. Departs every 3 minutes.
- Time
- About 3 minutes between stations
- Hours
- 3:15 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. daily
-
Optional United shuttle buses between Terminal C and Terminal B, as an alternative to the Skyway during the Terminal B project. Allow at least 20 minutes between terminals.
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Runs 24 hours a day, about every 10 minutes. Departs 10 minutes after the first passenger boards; about 10 minutes to a terminal. One shuttle serves Terminal A, another serves C, D and E.
- Hours
- 24 hours, about every 10 minutes
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Blue and white Rental Car Shuttle, south side of Terminal A, Door A-115.
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- Hours
- Every 5 min 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, every 10 min 11:00 pm to 7:00 am
-
South side of Terminal C, Door C-105 or C-106.
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- Hours
- Every 5 min 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, every 10 min 11:00 pm to 7:00 am
-
Houston Airports lists Door E-101 (west side) on one page and Door E-203 (Level 2 Departures) on another. Follow the signs. Terminal D arrivals use this stop.
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- Hours
- Every 5 min 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, every 10 min 11:00 pm to 7:00 am
-
Nonstop METRO bus to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Stop at Terminal E, Level 2, Door E201, between signs 6A and 6B.
- Price
- $4.50 one way checked Oct. 9, 2026
- Hours
- Daily 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., every 30 minutes
-
Local METRO bus to the Downtown Transit Center, with a stop at Greenspoint Transit Center. Stop outside Door C-105 on the Baggage Claim Level, south side of Terminal C.
- Price
- $1.25 (airport page: cash only, no change given; METRO also lists cards) checked Oct. 9, 2026
- Time
- 50 to 90 minutes to downtown
- Hours
- Every 15 to 30 minutes (METRO)
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South side, Door A-115, outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals.
- Hours
- Airport staff on duty 24/7
-
South side, Door C-105, outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals.
- Hours
- Airport staff on duty 24/7
-
West side, Door E-103, outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals.
- Hours
- Airport staff on duty 24/7
-
West side, Door A-114, marked with Ride App signs.
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South side, Door C-103 and Door C-104.
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West side, Level 2, Zone 5.
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Request at the phones or kiosks in Baggage Claim, Terminals A and C. Terminal A south side Door A-115, Terminal C south side Door C-105, Terminal E Door E-203.
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Meet your driver in Baggage Claim at Terminals A and C, or at Door 103 at Terminal E. Drivers for Terminal E passengers must use the Terminal C limousine parking area during construction: confirm the meeting point.
-
Prearranged regional shuttles. Galveston needs a booking two days ahead.
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Free underground train linking Terminals A, C, D/E and the hotel, outside security.
- Time
- About 3 minutes between stations
- Hours
- 3:15 a.m. to 12:15 a.m., every 3 min
-
South side, Door A-115, outside baggage claim on the arrivals level. Request shuttles from the phones or kiosks in baggage claim.
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South side, Door C-105, outside baggage claim on the arrivals level. Request shuttles from the phones or kiosks in baggage claim.
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Level 2 Departures, west side. Door E-203 is pick-up and Door E-201 is drop-off. Terminal D arrivals use this door after Customs.
Which way to Downtown Houston is best?
For most travelers, METRO Bus 500 is the simplest. It is nonstop to the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) and costs $4.50 one way.
Bus 102 costs $1.25 but stops often and takes 50 to 90 minutes. A taxi or ride app is the door to door option. Houston Airports puts IAH 23 miles north of Downtown Houston. An OpenStreetMap routing estimate gives about 28 minutes by road without traffic, and rush hour will add to that.
Several international airlines, including Air France, KLM and Lufthansa, now check in at Terminal E, which is also where Bus 500 stops. If you arrive in Terminal D, you clear Customs in the Terminal E arrivals hall.
Fares change, so check the official pages linked below.
METRO Bus 500 Downtown Direct
Bus 500 runs between IAH and the George R. Brown Convention Center.
- Where: Terminal E, Level 2, exit door E201, between signs 6A and 6B, near the ride app pick up.
- Fare: $4.50 one way.
- Schedule: every day, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Houston Airports says buses leave every 30 minutes, while METRO's airport page says every 15 to 30 minutes, so plan for up to 30.
- Onboard: luggage friendly, accessible, free Wi-Fi.
To reach Hobby Airport (HOU) by bus, Houston Airports' IAH page suggests Bus 102 downtown, then Bus 40 to Hobby ($2.50 total, two $1.25 fares). Its Hobby page suggests two Bus 500 rides via the GRB. Bus 500 trip time is not posted, so open the METRO schedule before you go.
METRO Bus 102
Bus 102 serves the airport and several stops nearby, then goes on to the METRO station downtown. METRO says it also stops at the Greenspoint Transit Center and the Downtown Transit Center.
- Where: Baggage Claim Level, south side of Terminal C, outside Door C-105.
- Fare: $1.25. The airport page says cash only and that the driver does not make change, so bring exact dollars and coins. METRO's own airport page also lists cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and fare cards, so check before you travel.
- Schedule: METRO's airport page says every 15 to 30 minutes. It does not post first and last departures, so check ridemetro.org or call METRO at 1-713-635-4000.
- Trip time to downtown: 50 to 90 minutes.
- Bags: stow them in the compartment reached from outside the bus. Drivers do not help with luggage.
Bus 102 keeps serving Terminal C even though Bus 500 uses Terminal E. METRO says transfers are free for up to three hours between METRO services of equal or lesser value when you pay with a fare card, a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or a 3-Hour Pass, using the same method for each leg. Cash fares get no free transfers.
Taxis
Taxis wait outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals:
- Terminal A: south side, Door A-115
- Terminal C: south side, Door C-105
- Terminal E: west side, Door E-103
Follow the signs to Ground Transportation and the exits marked Taxis. Airport staff are on duty 24/7 and will help you get a cab. You can also use the courtesy phones and dial 23-4198.
The airport charges a $2.75 departure fee, plus $1.00 more for trips between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Seniors get a 10% discount. Zone Fare Maps are posted near the pick up areas. Houston Airports does not post a flat fare to Downtown Houston. Look for the Zone Fare Maps and ask the driver for an estimate before you get in. For drop off, every terminal has a Departures Level curb.
Uber, Lyft and other ride apps
Ride app pick up is outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals, marked with Ride App signs:
- Terminal A: west side, Door A-114
- Terminal C: south side, Door C-103 or C-104
- Terminal E: west side, Level 2, Zone 5
- Terminal B South: take the Skyway to Terminal A or C
Open your app for a price and wait time. Drop off is at the Departures Level of every terminal.
Shuttles, hotel shuttles and limos
Hotel shuttles: use the direct dial phones and the Interactive Visitor Kiosks in Baggage Claim at Terminals A and C to request one. Pick up is south side Door A-115 at Terminal A, south side Door C-105 at Terminal C, and Door E-203 at Terminal E. Drop off at Terminal E is Door E-201.
Limousines and sedans: Houston Airports lists the Limo Reception Area in Baggage Claim at Terminal A, Baggage Claim at Terminal C, and west side Door 103 at Terminal E. Drivers must be badged and cannot solicit fares, so only get in with a prearranged reservation. The airport says limo drivers collecting Terminal E passengers must use the Terminal C limousine parking area because of construction, so confirm the meeting point with your driver.
Cruise and charter buses depart from the south side of Terminals A and C. Cruise lines have desks in Baggage Claim.
Buses to Galveston, Beaumont and College Station
- Galveston: Galveston Limousine Service runs daily shuttles. Book at least two days ahead, call 1-409-744-5466. Pick up is at Terminal A west side A-114, Terminal C south side C-105, and Terminal E doors E-201 or E-202.
- Beaumont/Port Arthur (BPT): United Airlines 1-800-864-8331 and Sun Travel Airport Shuttle 1-409-721-9636, from Terminal C Door C-105.
- College Station (CLL): GroundShuttle.com 1-855-303-4415, daily, from Terminal C Door C-105.
Travel times to neighborhoods
Houston Airports does not post trip times to neighborhoods such as the Galleria, Midtown or the Texas Medical Center. For Downtown Houston, the airport says IAH is 23 miles north, and an OpenStreetMap routing estimate gives about 28 minutes by road without traffic. Use your ride app or a maps app for the live time to your neighborhood, and allow for rush hour.
Accessible options
METRO buses are accessible. Taxis serving IAH are required to be accessible. For paratransit, Houston Airports points to METROLift on the METRO website.
Questions travelers ask
How do I get from IAH to Downtown Houston?
METRO Bus 500 is nonstop to the George R. Brown Convention Center for $4.50 one way. You can also take Bus 102 for $1.25, a taxi or a ride app.
How much is the bus from IAH to Downtown Houston?
Bus 500 is $4.50 one way. Bus 102 is $1.25. The airport page says cash only with no change given, while METRO's page also lists card payments.
Where do I catch the 500 Downtown Direct at IAH?
At Terminal E, Level 2, exit door E201, between signs 6A and 6B, near the ride app pick up. Houston Airports says every 30 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
How long does it take to get from IAH to Downtown Houston?
Bus 102 takes 50 to 90 minutes, according to Houston Airports. Downtown is 23 miles from IAH, and an OpenStreetMap estimate is about 28 minutes by road without traffic, not counting rush hour.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at IAH?
Outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals at the Ride App signs. That is Door A-114 at Terminal A, Door C-103 or C-104 at Terminal C, and Zone 5 on Level 2 at Terminal E.
Are there extra fees for taxis at IAH?
Yes. The airport lists a $2.75 departure fee and $1.00 more for trips between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Seniors get a 10% discount.
Can I take the bus from IAH to Hobby Airport?
Yes, with a transfer. Houston Airports' IAH page says to ride Bus 102 downtown, get off at Milam and McKinney, walk two blocks east to McKinney and Main, and take Bus 40 to Hobby, $2.50 total. Its Hobby page suggests two Bus 500 rides via the GRB.
Is there a train from IAH to downtown?
No. METRO's IAH page lists two bus routes to the airport, 500 and 102, and mentions no rail service there. METRORail runs in town, and with the same card, app or fare card for each leg, METRO says transfers between its services are free for three hours.
Where does Bus 102 pick up at IAH?
Outside Door C-105 at Terminal C, on the Baggage Claim Level. METRO says it leaves every 15 to 30 minutes. The fare is $1.25. The airport page says cash only, METRO's page also lists cards.
More at IAH
Sources and last check
Checked by our team on Oct. 9, 2026 against these official sources:
- 500 IAH Downtown Direct, Houston Airports
- Public Bus Transportation, Houston Airports
- Taxi and Ride Apps, Houston Airports
- Limousines and Sedans, Houston Airports
- Hotel Shuttles, Houston Airports
- Additional Bus Transportation, Houston Airports
- IAH Ground Transportation, Houston Airports
- IAH Accessible Transportation, Houston Airports
- IAH, METRO (ridemetro.org)
- About Houston Airports