William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) Airport Guide - HonestAirport

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Terminal navigation guide

Terminal-change and gate-area notes pulled from the markdown guide.

From Terminals & Navigation

Level 2: departures, ticketing, security, airside gates. Level 1: baggage claim, ground transport, rental cars—simple vertical split.
Security sits in the center of Level 2; right turn for West Concourse gates 1–5; straight/left for Central gates ~20–51.
Moving walkways connect concourses; full airside walk from Gate 1 to the farthest Central gates is typically 10–15 minutes.
Southwest ticketing on the west side of Level 2; other airlines toward the east—follow signs.
USO and interfaith chapel area downstairs near Gate 44 (elevator between roughly Gates 44/46).
Common mistake: assuming multiple terminals—everything is one building; no airside train.
International processing on the West Concourse; Global Entry / Mobile Passport available for eligible arrivals.

Ground transport guide

City-transfer, rideshare, train, and parking guidance from the markdown guide.

From Ground Transport & Parking

METRO 500 Downtown Direct: $4.50 one-way regular ($2.25 discounted with eligible Fare Card); roughly every 30 minutes most operating hours from about 5:30 a.m. into the evening (~8–9 p.m.—confirm RideMETRO schedule). Links Hobby, downtown (incl. George R. Brown Convention Center area), and IAH (RideMETRO currently lists Terminal C). Stop: HOU Level 1, Exit Baggage Claim, Curb Zone 3.
Local METRO buses from Hobby Transit Center: routes 40 Telephone/Heights, 50 Broadway, 73 Bellfort, 88 Sagemont at $1.25—cheaper but slower than the 500.
Taxi: Curb Zone 2 Level 1; approximate fares (no tip): ~$29 downtown, ~$35 Medical Center/NRG, ~$59 Galleria, ~$76 IAH; $1.25 departure fee; $1 late-night surcharge 8 p.m.–6 a.m.; seniors 10% discount.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft etc.): Curb Zone 5 Level 1 near baggage carousel 4.
Rental cars: counters Level 1 opposite baggage claim.
Parking (official rates page, with tax): Terminal garage daily max $25; ecopark $10/24h (shuttle ~5:30 a.m.–midnight); valet $30/24h. Garage height limit 6'7"; taller ADA vehicles directed to Red Garage Level 1. Book ahead—garages restrict to reservations at 85% occupancy. EV charging and accessible spaces available.
Cell phone lot available for free waiting/pickup staging.

Ride to Houston

Pickup at HOU. Where the app supports it, dropoff is set to Houston city center for a live price.

To city center

Houston

~16 km

Typical fare

$29

From Airport Taxi notes

On-demand apps

Uber → city Lyft → city

Fixed-price transfers

GetTransfer quotes Kiwitaxi quotes

Compare prepaid private transfers to Houston — useful overnight, with luggage, or when you want a locked-in fare before you land.

Cheapest

METRO 500 Downtown Direct

Nonstop express bus from Hobby Transit Center (Level 1) to downtown GRB/Convention Center area.

Time to city

30-45 min

Cost

$

Tip: Runs every 15-30 min roughly 5:30 a.m.–8 p.m.; $4.50; luggage OK; use RideMETRO app for tracking.

Best for luggage

Airport Taxi

Licensed taxis from Curb Zone 2 Level 1 with approximate flat rates to major areas.

Time to city

20-35 min

Cost

$$

Tip: About $29 downtown + $1.25 departure fee (night surcharge possible); senior 10% discount; attendants help hail.

Fastest

Uber/Lyft/etc.

App-based pickup at clearly marked Curb Zone 5 Level 1 near baggage carousel 4.

Time to city

20-35 min

Cost

$$

Tip: Follow Ground Transportation signs; often similar price to taxi but variable; good for door-to-door with bags.

Terminal Garages / Ecopark

Red/Blue garages adjacent (~$25/day) or Ecopark economy with shuttle (~$10/day).

Time to city

N/A

Cost

$$

Tip: Book ahead online for discounts and guaranteed spot—garages restrict at 85% occupancy; EV charging available.