Key Highlights
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The Houston Airport System is the fourth largest airport system in the United States. It serves more than 180 cities all over the world.
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George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the main international airport in Houston. It is a big hub for United Airlines.
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William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) takes care of lots of domestic flights. It is a main hub for Southwest Airlines.
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Both bush intercontinental airport and hobby airport give you many ground transportation choices. You can find ways to get to your last stop from either airport.
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The airport system is the main gateway for travelers going to Latin America.
Introduction
Welcome to Houston! Getting to this city is easy now. The Houston Airport System makes your travel simple. This airport system is one of the biggest in North America. The airport serves millions of people every year. It connects the City of Houston to places all over the world. The airport is ready for you, whether you come for work or fun. If you know the airport choices, your trip will start well. This guide will help you know about the airport system in Houston.
Comprehensive List of Houston Airports for Travelers
The Houston Airport System has three main airports. These are George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Field. They cover big international flights, many domestic flights, and all kinds of general aviation trips.
There are more choices for flying in the Houston area, too. You can use other general aviation airports like Sugar Land Regional and David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport. All these places work together in the airport system to help commercial travelers, private pilots, and even the operations of the United States military. So you can see Houston is a big place for flying, people, and planes. Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airport are both key spots for travel in and out of the city.
1. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the biggest airport in the Houston airport system. If you plan to fly out of the country, this is the main choice. The airport is a key place for United Airlines. It has flights to more than 180 places around the world. Bush Intercontinental Airport is very large, with five terminals—Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, Terminal D, and Terminal E. There is an automated people-mover and an underground train that helps people get from one terminal to another.
The airport sits about 22 miles to the north of Downtown Houston. It is set up well to make your trip comfortable. After you arrive from another country and pick up your bags at baggage claim, you will find many things to do and many ways to get around.
When you compare it to Hobby Airport, Bush Intercontinental is far bigger. It takes care of most of the region’s international flights. The airport handles the most flights for Houston and is the main international airport for the area. Its big size and all of the services there make George Bush Intercontinental Airport a global travel hub.
2. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
If you are traveling within the United States, Hobby Airport is often the best choice. The airport is a big hub for Southwest Airlines and handles mostly domestic flights. It now has international flights too, going to the Caribbean and Latin America. Over 14 million people have used the airport in one year, so it is a busy place and part of the Houston airport system.
The Houston City Council took control of the airport in 1937. Since then, Hobby Airport has played a big part in serving the area. The airport now has modern features. You will find visitor information centers. It is also easy to get a taxi from the curb zone, right outside the baggage claim.
The airport is only about seven miles south of downtown, so it is very close. Because it is smaller and easier to move around in than Bush Intercontinental, many people pick Hobby for domestic flights. Its location and how it focuses on these routes make it a top pick in the Houston airport system.
3. Ellington Field (EFD)
Yes, Houston has some smaller airports. One special one is Ellington Field. The city got the airport in 1984. The airport is used by both people and the military. The airport is an important place for the operations of the United States military. The Texas Air National Guard and the Texas Army National Guard use the airport.
Ellington Field was once called Ellington Air Force Base. Now, it is known as Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base. The airport helps the Johnson Space Center a lot. A lot of astronauts go there to get their aviation training.
The airport is not for big groups of regular travelers like IAH or HOU. The airport is for general aviation and has a lot of military and space work. It is also the place for the big Wings Over Houston Airshow each year. This makes the airport an important mark for people in the community.
4. David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH)
Another smaller airport near Houston is David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH). It sits in northwest Houston. The airport mainly supports general aviation, so it helps private pilots and corporate jets, not large public airlines. If you need detailed information about what the airport provides, you can check with Gill Aviation, the main FBO there.
The airport has a variety of general aviation tenants. This makes the airport a busy place for both private and business air travel. Its location is good, since it is just five minutes away from The Woodlands when you take the Grand Parkway. So, people can get to business areas and homes very fast.
The Houston Business Journal says the airport is important to the regional transportation system. For those who do not want to use Houston’s bigger airports, the airport gives a solid option. It supports the general aviation community with much needed services.
5. Sugar Land Regional Airport (SGR)
Sugar Land Regional Airport is in Sugar Land, just southwest of Houston. The airport plays a big role in non-commercial flights. The airport has a good name for being one of the top places for general aviation. Many companies, private pilots, and government flights use the airport.
The airport is built to give all its users a high-quality visit. Every detail at the airport shows focus on quick service and top quality. By letting general aviation flights use the airport, the bigger commercial airports do not get as crowded. Both small private planes and bigger business jets can fly in and out of the airport.
If you need to get to Sugar Land or the west side of Houston, the airport gives a fast and easy way in. It shows how a smaller airport like this can still meet the wide air travel needs of people in and around Houston.
Key Differences Between Houston’s Major Airports
The Houston airport system has two main airports—George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport. These two airports have different main jobs. Bush Intercontinental is a large international airport. It is a hub for United Airlines. This airport brings people from all over the world. Bush Intercontinental gets very busy. Each year, over 43 million people fly in and out of it.
Hobby Airport is smaller. It mainly helps people fly within the United States. This airport is a key spot for Southwest Airlines. Both airports give you good ground transportation options. But, because bush intercontinental and hobby airport are not the same size and serve different airlines, the travel you get there can be very different. You can tell this by the flights each one has, and by how each airport handles their jobs.
Terminal layouts and facilities
The layout of Houston’s two main airports reflects their different scales of operation. George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is much larger, featuring five distinct terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, Terminal D, and Terminal E. These are connected by both an above-ground people-mover and an underground train, making transfers between terminals manageable. Terminals D and E are the primary points for international arrivals and baggage claim for those flights.
Hobby Airport (HOU) has a more centralized terminal layout, making it simpler to navigate. This is a key reason many travelers prefer it for quick domestic trips. For detailed maps of either airport, you can visit the official Houston Airport System website or look for visitor information centers upon arrival.
Here’s a quick comparison of the two:
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Feature |
George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) |
William P. Hobby (HOU) |
|---|---|---|
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Terminals |
5 (A, B, C, D, E) |
1 Central Terminal |
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Primary Focus |
International & Domestic |
Primarily Domestic |
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Size |
Over 11,000 acres |
Approx. 1,300 acres |
International vs. domestic flight options
When you need to pick between Houston airports, think about where you want to go. For most international flights, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is where you need to be. This is the main international airport in the area. Bush Intercontinental works as a huge hub for United Airlines. Most international flights leave from here. If you are coming to the United States from another country or flying out, you usually arrive or leave from Terminal D or Terminal E. People going to Europe, Asia, or a lot of places in Latin America will almost always fly through George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
But if you are flying inside the United States, Hobby Airport is a top pick. Hobby is a main spot for Southwest Airlines and offers nonstop domestic flights all over the country. With over 60 destinations in the United States, it is a great choice for domestic flights. Hobby Airport is smaller, so the steps to get through the airport can be quicker and smoother than big airports.
Hobby Airport also has flights to the Caribbean and some places in Latin America now. So, Bush Intercontinental is still the top spot for international flights. But Hobby Airport is good if you need a clear and easy way to reach certain international destinations.
Airlines and Destinations from Houston Airports
The houston airport system has many airlines, so you can fly to many places. The main domestic airlines at the airport are united airlines, southwest airlines, american airlines, and delta air lines. These airlines have many flights and serve a lot of people.
If you want to take international flights, you will find airlines like air france, british airways, air canada, and emirates. They mostly fly from terminals d and e at bush intercontinental. This gives you a good choice of domestic and international options. Now, let’s look at which airlines do most of their work in houston.
Major airlines operating hubs in Houston
Houston is home to two of the biggest airports. United Airlines has a big hub at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Because of this, bush intercontinental is an important spot for United’s flights in and out of the country. It helps the airport be known as a top international airport.
On the other side, William P. Hobby Airport is a main place for Southwest Airlines. Southwest runs most flights at hobby airport, with many trips inside the US and more outside of it all the time. A lot of budget and vacation travelers choose to fly from hobby airport because of this.
Other airlines like american airlines and delta air lines also have many flights from bush intercontinental airport and hobby airport. But united airlines and southwest airlines help make Houston a true hub for their flights.
Popular domestic and international routes
From Houston, you can fly to almost anywhere. The airport system lets you choose from many domestic flights and international flights. This makes the Houston airport system a strong global gateway. The international service is also very good. Houston is the main place in the United States to fly in and out of Latin America.
Inside the United States, you can get to big cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta. Outside the country, you can fly to places like London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Sydney. Airlines like Air New Zealand help link Houston with new and far places with long flights.
Some of the most popular routes from the airport system in Houston are:
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Destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean
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Big cities through Latin America
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Main business hubs in Europe and Asia
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Many domestic connections across the United States
Transportation Options at Houston Airports
When you arrive at the airport, you will see there are many ways to get from there to downtown Houston or other places nearby. If you come through Will Clayton Parkway at IAH or you land at HOU, you have a lot of ground transportation choices. You can ride on public transit, take a shuttle service, book a ride with a rideshare app, catch a taxi, or use a car rental agency.
Many hotels also give a free shuttle service to their guests. With so many ways to go, you can pick what works best for your plan or budget. Now, let’s talk about some detailed information on these services.
Public transit and shuttle services
Taking public transit is a low-cost way to travel from bush intercontinental or hobby airport. The METRO bus can get you from both airports to downtown houston and other main spots. To go from george bush intercontinental airport to downtown, use METRO Bus Route 102. If you leave from hobby airport, you can take METRO Bus Route 40 to get to downtown houston.
There are shuttle services you can use as well. Companies such as SuperShuttle have ride-share or non-stop rides, and they go to places like hotels and the texas medical center. Also, lots of hotels give their guests a free shuttle service. In the baggage claim area, you will find courtesy phones that let you call for a pickup.
Here are your main options:
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METRO Bus Route 102 from bush intercontinental airport to downtown houston
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METRO Bus Route 40 from hobby airport to downtown houston
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SuperShuttle rides, either shared or private
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Free hotel courtesy vans
Rideshare, taxi, and car rental services
For direct travel when you need it, rideshare and taxi services are easy to get at both airports. You can use popular apps like Uber and Lyft at bush intercontinental and hobby airport. There are set pickup spots at both places. Taxis are simple to find, too. Just go to the curb zone outside near baggage claim. Taking a taxi from hobby airport to downtown houston is about $29. If you get one from bush intercontinental to downtown, it will be close to $57. This is because bush intercontinental is farther away.
If you want to drive your own car, there are many car rental choices at each airport. Big names like Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Budget all have places you can go right inside. It does not take much time to get a car and go on your way. hobby airport is much closer to downtown houston at just 7 miles, but bush intercontinental is around 22 miles from downtown.
Your choices for private rides to get to or from the airport are:
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Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft
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Taxis you will find at the curb zone
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Lots of car rental companies to pick from
Amenities and Services for Travelers
The Houston airport system does everything it can to make your time at the airport pleasant and easy. You can pick from a lot of things the airport has for shopping, eating, or just relaxing while you wait for your flight.
There are fancy shops, plus the airport has local food like Hugo’s Cocina. No matter what you like, you will find something that fits. Both big airports in Houston also have visitor information centers, places to exchange money, and nice lounges. If you have an American Express card, you can use their special lounge to make your trip better.
Shopping, dining, and relaxation options
You will not be bored or left without food at the Houston airports. Both Bush Intercontinental and Hobby are full of places where you can shop or eat. At Bush Intercontinental, you have many choices. You can stop by retail stores and pick something from over 50 food and drink spots. Hobby airport has over 15 places to eat, so you can have a quick snack or take your time for a bigger meal.
If you want to try something from the Houston area, check out Hugo’s Cocina. This spot gives you a taste of Houston’s food right inside the terminal. If you want help or want to know more about the city, stop by the visitor information centers. The staff can point you to the Brown Convention Center or tell you about what you can do in the city.
To relax at the airport, you can:
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Enjoy premium lounges, like the one for American Express card members.
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Get on the free Wi-Fi found all over the terminals.
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Look in the retail shops if you want to buy gifts or pick up things you may need.
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Rest at one of the cafes or restaurants.
Conclusion
To sum up, getting around the Houston airport system can be easy if you have the right information. Each airport in Houston has things that make it different, like how the terminals are set up and the types of flights you can get. This helps people find what they need. There are many ways to get around and lots of places to shop or eat, so you can have a good time while you travel. Your time in the Houston airport system can go well and even be fun. No matter if you go for work or just for a break, knowing more will help you have a better trip. If you want to travel soon, you can ask for a free talk to get more help with your plans for Houston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Houston airport is best for domestic flights?
For people flying within the U.S., Hobby Airport is often the best choice. This place is a main spot for Southwest Airlines. The airport has lots of flight options around the country. Hobby Airport is also smaller and easier to get around in than Bush Intercontinental Airport. Because of this, many people find it to be a fast and easy airport for domestic flights.
How do I get from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to downtown Houston?
You have many ways to get from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to downtown Houston. The cheapest way is to take the METRO Bus Route 102. You can also choose to get a taxi. The taxi will cost about $57. Or, you can use a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft. Another way is to book a shuttle service. All of these ground transportation options will get you from bush intercontinental to downtown Houston.
Are there any smaller regional airports around Houston?
Yes, the Houston airport system has more than one airport. It also has smaller airports that focus on general aviation. Ellington Field (EFD) is used for the military, NASA, and general aviation. Sugar Land Regional Airport (SGR) and David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) handle private and company jets. These airports help meet the different aviation needs in the area.