Airport · IAH
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Houston, United States
Bohao Zhao — CC BY 3.0
IATA
IAH
ICAO
KIAH
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Transport
Getting To & From George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is located approximately 20 miles north of downtown Houston. Ground transportation options include app-based rideshares (Uber and Lyft), licensed airport taxis available outside the baggage claim levels, and METRO public buses. The METRO Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct bus provides a nonstop service to downtown Houston for $4.50, departing from Terminal E, while the local Route 102 bus costs $1.25. Travel times to downtown range from 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Navigate
Terminals & Getting Around
Terminals
IAH features five interconnected terminals: A, B, C, D, and E. Terminals C, E, and portions of B serve as the primary hub for United Airlines and its partners, while Terminal A and Terminal D handle a mix of domestic carriers and foreign flag international carriers. All five terminals are linked securely airside by the automated IAH Skyway train, which makes trips between Terminals A and D/E in roughly four minutes. An unsecure underground Subway train also connects all terminals and the airport hotel.
Hours of Operation
George Bush Intercontinental Airport operates 24 hours a day, though individual airline ticket counters, security checkpoints, and retail storefronts close overnight.
Know Before You Go
Practical Tips
- Security Wait Times: Standard TSA security queues typically range from 15 to 30 minutes during off-peak windows, but can scale significantly higher during early morning and late afternoon banking peaks.
- Connection Windows: While the minimum legal connection time can be as short as 45 minutes for domestic transfers, a buffer of at least 90 minutes to two hours is strongly recommended due to physical distances between terminals.
- Overnight Facilities: Transit passengers staying airside overnight can access seating areas or utilize the 24-hour private sleep pods provided by Minute Suites located in Terminal C near Gate C14.
Comfort
Lounges
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) features a diverse roster of airline-operated and independent spaces across its five terminals. Priority Pass members have designated options such as the Air France Lounge and the KLM Crown Lounge, both situated airside in Terminal D, alongside Minute Suites located in Terminal C. Premium cardholders can access the The Centurion Lounge by American Express on the mezzanine level of Terminal D. As a primary hub for United Airlines, the airport hosts multiple United Club locations (found in Terminals A, B, C, and E) alongside the ultra-exclusive United Polaris Lounge in Terminal E for long-haul business class passengers. Other airline flagships include the American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal A.
Staying Online
Wi-Fi & Charging
Complimentary Wi-Fi is accessible throughout all terminals and parking structures at IAH under the network SSID "Free Airport WIFI". The service functions without strict time constraints for casual web browsing and messaging, though heavy streaming or large downloads can experience throttling during peak hub banks. Device charging infrastructure includes fixed power pillars and built-in seat modules scattered near gate seating areas across all five terminals, though travelers frequently note that direct AC wall outlets provide significantly faster charging speeds than standard USB ports.
Eat & Drink
Food & Dining
Dining at IAH heavily integrates regional Houston flavors and local culinary figures into the concourses. Terminal A features local staples like The Breakfast Klub (Gate A1) for soul food, Hubcap Grill (Gate A26) for award-winning burgers, and Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar (Gate A17). In Terminals C-North, C-South, and E, a partnership with OTG brings tech-forward ordering alongside distinct local concepts such as Bam Bam (offering Vietnamese-Cajun fusion and oyster selections) and various local craft beer bars. Quick-service national chains and grab-and-go CIBO Express Gourmet Markets are broadly distributed across all terminal piers.
Driving In
Parking
On-site parking options scale from terminal-adjacent garages to budget open-air lots. Standard Terminal Parking garages charge a daily rate of $25, while on-site Valet Parking runs $30 per day. Budget-conscious travelers utilize the airport's off-site Ecopark lots, which feature uncovered spaces at $9 daily and covered spaces ranging from $10 to $11 daily, serviced by continuous terminal shuttle loops. Numerous off-site commercial alternatives—such as The Parking Spot and private facilities along Greens Road—offer competitive independent daily rates starting around $7 alongside complimentary 24/7 shuttle transit.
Staying Nearby
Nearby Hotels
The only hotel physically located directly on airport property within walking distance of the terminals is the Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental, which connects straight to the terminal underground via a subterranean sub-surface train system. A wide selection of major flag properties situated just outside the airport perimeter offer complimentary 24/7 shuttle services to and from the arrivals curbs, including the DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Intercontinental Airport, the Courtyard by Marriott Houston Intercontinental Airport, and the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Bush Airport Houston.
Sources: Houston Airport System - Ground Transportation, Houston Airport System - Connecting Passengers, Priority Pass IAH Lounges, Upgraded Points IAH Terminal Guide, Visit Houston IAH Dining Guide, Fly2Houston Official Parking Rates