---
iata: IAH
name: George Bush Intercontinental Airport
city: Houston
country: United States
lastUpdated: '2026-09-01'
officialWebsite: 'https://www.fly2houston.com/'
sources:
  - 'https://www.fly2houston.com/'
  - 'https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/ground-transportation/'
  - >-
    https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airports/amex-centurion-lounge-iah-houston/
  - 'https://radicalstorage.com/travel/houston-airport-to-downtown-houston/'
quickFacts:
  - >-
    5 terminals (A-E) linked airside by Skyway (~every 2 min) and landside by
    Subway
  - United Airlines primary hub
  - Terminal D for most international flights
  - Amex Centurion Lounge in D
  - METRO bus 102 to downtown for $1.25
bentoTips:
  - label: Timing
    title: Arrive 2 hours early for domestic
    detail: Peak mornings and evenings see longer lines at A/C.
    summary: Security averages 15-30 min; add buffer for Terminal D international.
    category: timing
  - label: Terminal
    title: Use the train for connections
    detail: Avoid walking between A and E without the train.
    summary: >-
      Subway train links all terminals landside; airside connections via moving
      walkways in C/E.
    category: terminal
  - label: Food
    title: Grab at Terminal C before security
    detail: United Clubs provide free snacks if eligible.
    summary: Better variety landside; airside options limited to chains.
    category: food
  - label: Status
    title: United Gold gets Club access
    detail: Centurion requires Amex Platinum and 3-hour rule for non-layovers.
    summary: Star Alliance Gold or United Club card unlocks multiple locations.
    category: status
lounges:
  - name: Amex Centurion Lounge
    hours: '06:00-21:30'
    access:
      - Amex Platinum
      - Amex Centurion
      - $50 guest pass
    bestFor:
      - Work
      - Long layovers
    summary: >-
      Best lounge at IAH per recent reviews; spacious with good food but can
      crowd.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal D
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Full bar
      - Hot food
  - name: United Club Terminal C North
    hours: '05:30-21:00'
    access:
      - United Club
      - United Polaris
      - Star Alliance Gold
    bestFor:
      - Short layovers
    summary: Reliable for United flyers; basic but convenient near gates C1.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal C
    amenities:
      - Bar
      - Snacks
      - WiFi
  - name: United Club Terminal C South
    hours: '05:30-21:00'
    access:
      - United Club
      - United Polaris
      - Star Alliance Gold
    bestFor:
      - Work
    summary: Recommended by United during B closure; quieter than North per flyers.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal C
    amenities:
      - Bar
      - Snacks
      - WiFi
  - name: United Club Terminal E
    hours: '05:30-21:00'
    access:
      - United Club
      - United Polaris
      - Star Alliance Gold
    bestFor:
      - International
    summary: Good for E departures; smaller footprint.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal E
    amenities:
      - Bar
      - Snacks
      - WiFi
waterOptions:
  - kind: purchase
    name: Hudson's News
    zone: landside
    price: $2.50 for 500ml
    summary: Cheapest reliable bottle option before security.
    location: Landside near check-in counters
    terminal: Terminal C
    isBestValue: true
  - kind: refill
    name: Water fountain
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: Convenient refill after Centurion or security.
    location: Airside near gate D12 opposite duty-free
    terminal: Terminal D
  - kind: free
    name: United Club
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: Unlimited water for eligible members.
    location: Inside lounge near C1 or C33
    terminal: Terminal C
    isBestQuality: true
airportistScore: 7.2
slug: iah
region: North America
---
> Markdown for [/airports/iah](/airports/iah). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy.

- [HTML page](/airports/iah)
- [Lounge directory](/airports/iah/lounges.md)
- [Sitemap](/sitemap.md)

# George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Houston, United States · North America
Solid United hub with good lounges but sprawling layout and variable security.
## Airportist Score

**7.2 / 10**
- Comfort: 7.3
- Navigation: 6.8
- Food: 7.0
- Transport: 8.0
- Disruption resilience: 7.0

## At a glance

- Passengers: 50M+
- Terminals: 5 active terminals
- Typical security: 22 min
- On-time: 78%
- Disruption: normal

## Best for

- United connections
- Lounge access
- Affordable public transit

## Watch out for

- Terminal sprawl
- Peak security lines
- Limited non-United lounges

## More intel

- [Lounge directory](/airports/iah/lounges.md) (free)
- [Getting there](/airports/iah/getting-there.md) (free)
- [Amenities](/airports/iah/amenities.md)
- [Traveler tips](/airports/iah/tips.md)
- [Water](/airports/iah/water.md)
- [Full guide](/airports/iah/guide.md)
- [Disruptions](/airports/iah/disruptions.md)
- [Reviews](/airports/iah/reviews.md)