About Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

The larger of the two major airports in Houston, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is also one of the busiest in Texas. Our Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport guide includes details of terminal facilities, public transport access and nearby accommodation options.

Airport news:

Plans are in place to demolish Terminal D and replace it with a new facility, with work scheduled to begin upon completion of improvements to Terminal C in 2017.

Information:

Visitor/airport information is provided at the staffed visitor information centres, located on the baggage claim level of terminals A, B and C, as well as outside US Customs in Terminal D. Multilingual special service representatives are available to help throughout the airport.

Website:

Driving directions:

Access to the airport is via Interstate 45, Highway 59, the Hardy Toll Road and the Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8). There are two main entrances to the airport terminal complex, either via John F. Kennedy Boulevard from the Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8) and the Hardy Toll Road (Intercontinental exit), or via Will Clayton Parkway from Highway 59.

Transfer between terminals:

A free underground inter-terminal train runs between all terminals and the airport hotel. The Terminal Link, an over-ground automated people mover, provides an airside connection between Terminals B, C and E.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus:Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority's (tel: +1 713 635 4000; www.ridemetro.org) Bus 102 runs from Terminal C to central Houston (journey time: 50 minutes; fare: US$1.25).

Shuttle:SuperShuttle (tel: +1 281 230 7275; www.supershuttle.com) runs shared-ride transportation between the airport and city centre destinations (journey time: 30-45 minutes; fare: around US$25). There are also a number of courtesy shuttle buses operated by the various hotels near the airport.

Taxi:Taxis are available outside each terminal and are hailed by airport ground transportation staff on behalf of passengers. Taxis are charged at a fixed zonal rate: the 30-45-minute trip to central Houston costs around US$55.

Terminal facilities

Money:

ATMs are located throughout the airport. Bureaux de change can be found in Terminals B, C, D and E.

Food:

There is a wide choice of restaurants, cafés, fast-food outlets and bars throughout the airport. Among the options are sports bars in Terminals A, D and E and a New Orleans-style Cajun restaurant in Terminal C.

Shopping:

There are many shops at the airport, including newsagents and souvenir shops in each terminal, a watch shop in Terminal B, and a golf accessories retailer in Terminal C. Duty-free shopping is mainly located in Terminal D.

Luggage:

Trolleys are available at various locations throughout the airport for a small charge. Due to security concerns, lockers are no longer available at the airport. The Lost and Found Office (tel: +1 281 230 3299) is located in Terminal E, lower level and opens Monday to Friday from 0800 to 1700 (closed Saturday and Sunday).

Other:

Baby changing facilities can be found in the ladies' toilets; shoeshine services are present in all terminals, while interfaith chapels are located in Terminals C and D. A spa is available in Terminal D for those seeking some pampering before their flight.

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

There are a number of executive lounges throughout the airport for business- and first-class passengers with certain airlines.

The Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental (tel: +1 281 443 2310; www.marriott.com) is located in the centre of the terminal complex and provides a complimentary underground train service to/from the terminals. This hotel houses a business centre with a choice of 39 meeting rooms and full office facilities.

Communication Facilities:

Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport. There are also 24-hour postal facilities in Terminals A, B, C and D, and public telephones are available throughout the airport.

Disabled facilities:

Visually or hearing-impaired passengers can request assistance or information (tel: +1 281 233 3000 or TDD tel: +1 281 230 3089). There are disabled toilets and TDD telephones in the terminals and car parking spaces are reserved for disabled passengers in the airport's car parks. White courtesy telephones are located throughout each terminal for assistance. Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline before travelling.

Car parking:

There are more than 25,000 parking spaces at the airport. An additional 5,600 spaces are available in the multi-storey car park between Terminals A and B, and a further 2,500 are located between Terminals D and E. Terminal C covered parking and valet parking is also available.

The airport also operates an economy car park that provides parking at the corner of Greens Road and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, with a free shuttle service connecting to the terminals. In addition to the economy car park, passengers can also choose from a number of off-site car parking facilities with courtesy shuttles to the terminals.

Car rental:

Car hire operators: Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty are all represented at the airport. Car hire is serviced at a rental car centre five minutes away by shuttle bus.