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.
Sources: Houston Airport System - Ground Transportation, Houston Airport System - Connecting Passengers