Houston is a hotbed of art, culture, and fine dining that attracts travelers from all over the world. If you’re flying in or out of the city, there are two Houston airports to choose from: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) (the major airport) and William P. Hobby Airport (the much smaller option) (HOU). Keep reading for the biggest differences between the two airports, so you can decide which is best for your travel needs.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston is massive, with five terminals that service 26 domestic and international airlines. It’s the second largest hub for United Airlines in the country and is frequently cited as one of the busiest airports in the world. Every year, over 39 million travelers pass through this bustling airport.
Location
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located about 22 miles north of downtown Houston. If you decide to go by car, it’s accessible via Interstate 45, US Highway 59, the Hardy Toll Road, and the Sam Houston Tollway. Note that Houston traffic is notoriously heavy, especially during peak travel times (from 5 pm to 9 pm daily). Fridays and Sundays are generally the busiest days of the week.
Plan your trip to the airport accordingly – if your flight is during peak travel times, be sure to tack on an extra hour to get there.
Terminals and airlines
There are five terminals at George Bush Intercontinental (A, B, C, D, and E). These are all connected by Skyway and subway trains. International flights operate from Terminals D and E, while domestic flights operate from Terminals A, B, and C (though Spirit Airlines currently has international departures from Terminal A). Just some of the airlines that serve George Bush Intercontinental include Air France, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, KLM, and United Airlines.
Shopping, dining, and entertainment
If you’ve got a layover, you’ll find plenty to occupy your time at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. As you might imagine, this airport has a wide variety of options when it comes to lounges. There’s at least one lounge in each terminal, including five United Club locations, an American Express Centurion Lounge, and an Admirals Club. (The United Polaris lounge is often said to be the best lounge here, because of its excellent dining options and amenities that include personal daybeds, shower suites, and a kids’ room.) Even if you don’t have access to these premium relaxation spots, you’ll have a staggering variety of dining, drinking, and entertainment options at your fingertips.
Some of my personal favorite restaurants at this airport include 3rd Bar Eating House in Terminal B for Gulf seafood, Vida Taqueria in Terminal C for tasty Tex-Mex, Hugo’s Cocina in Terminal D for tortas and mojitos, and Pala in Terminal C for delicious Neapolitan-style pizzas. Ember and Olio are two other standout eateries in Terminal C. The former has hand-cut steaks and seafood, while the latter is James Beard Award-nominated chef Monica Pop’s restaurant and features fresh, locally sourced fare.
George Bush Intercontinental is home to an array of duty-free shops, convenience stores, and specialty boutiques. Check out Made: Texas for their excellent collection of only-in-Texas souvenirs. This airport also has what every airport in the world should have (in my opinion): a yoga studio. Located in Terminal A, the space is fully equipped with yoga mats, a floor with foam padding, and privacy screens, so travelers can stretch out and get a moment of peace. It’s also fun to explore the many public art installations dotted around the airport. These include everything from photographs to sculptures made almost solely by Texas-based artists.
Tips for navigating George Bush Intercontinental
William P. Hobby (HOU)
William P. Hobby Airport is much smaller than George Bush Intercontinental, but it still serves a variety of domestic destinations. It offers non-stop service to more than 60 destinations throughout the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Most notably, Hobby Airport is also the only operating base for Southwest Airlines in Houston, which has both domestic and international flights. In general, you can sometimes find more cost-effective flights from William P. Hobby, especially if you’re traveling elsewhere in Texas.
Location
This airport is located about 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston. From I-45, traveling south, exit Monroe Road and travel west, then turn right on Airport Boulevard. From I-45 traveling north, exit Airport Boulevard/College Avenue, then turn right on Airport Boulevard.
Terminals and airlines
Airlines that serve Hobby Airport include American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest. Cost-effective carriers like Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air also fly from here and often have relatively affordable flights. There’s only one terminal at this airport, which makes it easy and quick to locate your gate.
Shopping, dining, and entertainment
Hobby doesn’t have nearly the number of amenities as George Bush Intercontinental. If you have a long layover, you may choose to venture out into the city. That said, there are some dining options to take advantage of at this airport. You’ll find more than 15 food and beverage outlets here. I like Pink’s Pizza near gate 21 and Hubcap Bar & Grill for beer and burgers (gate 46). Satisfy your sweet tooth at Fat Cat Creamery, a Houston-based ice cream shop known for its unique, small-batch ice cream.
Other amenities at Hobby Airport include the XpresSpa, a chapel, a mothers’ room, and free lending libraries (near gates 5, 22, and 44). At gate 1, Gameway offers various personal gaming stations.
Tips for navigating William P. Hobby
Best Houston airports to fly from and into
If you’re trying to decide which of the two airports in Houston is best for you to fly in and out of, there are several factors to consider. See the following chart for a clear breakdown of the location, terminals, transportation options, and amenities available at each airport.
| George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) | William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) | |
| Distance to the city center: | About 22 miles | About 11 miles |
| Hotel shuttle: | Various hotels and lodgings offer courtesy vans to their properties | Various hotels and lodgings offer courtesy vans to their properties |
| Rideshare: | Multiple rideshare apps operate to and from IAH | Multiple rideshare apps operate to and from HOU |
| Taxi: | Taxis are available | Taxis are available |
| Bus: | The public bus route 102 serves IAH and downtown locations | The public bus route 40 serves HOU and downtown locations |
| Airlines: | A wide variety of domestic and international airlines | The only Southwest hub in Houston + a selection of other domestic airlines |
| Shopping: | An exceptional range of shops akin to those of a mall | Duty-free kiosks, convenience stores, and a few apparel and souvenir shops |
| Dining: | Multiple standout food and beverage options, from upscale eateries to brew pubs | 15 options in total (a mix of chain and local restaurants) |
| Unique: | A yoga room; public art installations | Just the basics |
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is by far the most popular airport to travel through in Houston because of its many airline options. However, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is the only Southwest hub in the city and also sometimes offers good cost-effective flights through its low-cost carriers. Regardless of which airport is best-suited for your needs, Houston is undoubtedly an exciting city well worth checking out. And if you plan on traveling through other airports this year, KAYAK has you covered – the dedicated airport guide has tons of helpful tips.