IAH → Houston

George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Houston

The quickest way from George Bush Intercontinental to Downtown Houston is usually the METRO 500 Downtown Direct (30–40 min). It is also the cheapest option at $4.50. Landing late, use METRO bus 102.

IAHArrivalsTerminal C (and Terminal E)
METRO 500 Downtown Direct · 30–40 min
George R. Brown Convention CenterMETRO Houston
Onward to the centre
Downtown HoustonHouston

Downtown Houston is 26 km (16 mi) from the terminal in a straight line.

Checked against sources:1 October 2026· How we verify

Markers only: George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Downtown Houston. Routes depend on the mode; see each option below.

Best option by situation

Cheapest: METRO 500 Downtown Direct
Fastest: METRO 500 Downtown Direct
Arriving late: METRO bus 102
With kids: Taxi
Heavy luggage: Taxi

Every option compared

Transport from George Bush Intercontinental to Houston
Option	From → to	Time	Price	Hours
METRO 500 Downtown Direct METRO Houston	Terminal C (and Terminal E) → George R. Brown Convention Center, downtown	30–40 min	$4.50 as of 1 October 2026	Every 30 minutes
Taxi Houston taxis	Taxi stands outside each terminal → Door to door	30–50 min	Varies	On demand
METRO bus 102 METRO Houston	Bus stop at Terminal C → Downtown Houston (local stops)	50 min–1h 30m	Varies	Regular

Step by step

METRO 500 Downtown Direct bus

Pick-up: Terminal C (and Terminal E)
Goes to: George R. Brown Convention Center, downtown
Time: 30–40 min
Price: $4.50 (1 October 2026)
Frequency: Every 30 minutes
Payment: Contactless, METRO Q fare card or app

Find the METRO 500 stop outside Terminal C.
Pay $4.50 (contactless, app or fare card).
Non-stop to downtown in about 30 minutes; first trips around 5–6 a.m., last around 8–9 p.m.

Taxi taxi

Pick-up: Taxi stands outside each terminal
Goes to: Door to door
Time: 30–50 min
Frequency: On demand
Payment: Meter or zone fare

Use the official taxi stands; Houston taxis charge zone-based or metered fares.

METRO bus 102 bus

Pick-up: Bus stop at Terminal C
Goes to: Downtown Houston (local stops)
Time: 50 min–1h 30m
Frequency: Regular
Payment: Fare card, app or exact cash

A slower local bus with many stops; useful outside the 500’s hours.

George Bush Intercontinental airport guide →

Sources

en.wikipedia.org — airport and airlines-and-destinations table, checked 2026-10-01
ridemetro.org — route, $4.50 fare, every 30 minutes, hours
fly2houston.com — stops at Terminal E too
fly2houston.com — taxi stands at IAH
houstontx.gov — Houston taxi fares
ridemetro.org — route 102 to downtown, 50–90 minutes

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