How to get to Houston, Texas?
Tricky Part
Almost every freeway in Houston has an alternative name. This may cause confusion, especially with foreigners. Below is a list of some of the major freeways and their nickname o colloquial name.
U.S. Route 90 East: Beaumont Highway
U.S. Route 290: Hempstead Highway, Northwest Freeway
Texas Highway 6: Highway 6, Alvin Sugar Land Road, Addicks-Howell Road.
Texas Highway 3: Galveston Road
Texas Highway 225: La Porte Freeway
Texas Highway 249: Tomball Parkway
Texas Highway 288: South Freeway, Nolan Ryan Expressway
Texas State Highway Beltway 8: Sam Houston Tollway
Interstate 10 West: Katy Freeway, West Freeway
Interstate 10 East: East Freeway
Interstate 45 North: North Freeway
Interstate 45 South: Gulf Freeway
When renting a car make sure that you include TxTag and EZ Tag on the rental fees. There are many toll roads that have automated/electronic toll collection systems -or EZ lanes- in Houston where vehicles can pass without waiting on a long queue for toll payment; this way your payment is automatically charged to the TxTag or EZ Tag account, saving time during rush hours. Passing through EZ lanes or automated toll lanes without a proper tag will cost you a hefty fine starting at $20 for each violation.
Tipping in Houston is customary and expected especially for people working in the hospitality industry. Standard gratuity is 15% plus additional fees for extra services.
Safety Concerns
Houston is relatively safe but, like any other cities, there are some areas you may want to avoid. Travelers are encouraged to exercise due diligence and follow common safety measures like always, attending to your valuables and avoid flashing expensive jewellery and such.
Alief (Houston suburb) and Bellaire (city within metropolitan area) are areas to avoid during the night due to large homeless population and high crime rate. Sunny Side, Third Ward and Fifth Ward are areas that should be avoided; reportedly, violent crimes are common in these areas (i.e. armed robbery, assault, mugging, and car-jacking).
Other Logistical Complexities
The best time to visit Houston is between February and April and during the fall months of September to November. During these times accommodation, flight fares, and others services tend to be 5-10% higher. Low season is from June to August, and December through January. When travelling to Houston its best to have a reasonable amount of cash at the ready; $100 or $200 should be enough for unexpected absence of ATMs or for cash only transactions.
Getting to Houston
Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is the fourth-most populous city in the United States. The city is named after former General Sam Houston, who was president of the Republic of Texas and won its independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto. Today Houston is known for its southern charm and world-class culture.
Originally named "Houston Intercontinental Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the main airport that services international flights to Houston while the smaller Hobby Airport carters mostly domestic flights. Houston Intercontinental is the second largest passenger hub for United Airlines and the 14th busiest airport in the United States.
IAH is located 23 miles (37 Km) north of Downtown Houston, offering quick and direct access to Interstate 69, U.S. Highway 59 and the Hardy Toll Road expressway.
Houston is also accessible via long distance buses; Megabus and Greyhound offer daily trips from neighbouring states and more. If you prefer travelling by train, Amtrak’s Sunset Limited connects visitors from the west coast to Houston while Amtrak’s Crescent train connects visitors from the east coast, both departing 3 days a week.
By Air
, , and offer the best rates for travelers coming from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the United Kingdom. Tickets start at $600 per person for a roundtrip, and the flight time can be 10-26 hours.
From Australia & New Zealand, and offer roundtrip tickets starting at $2500 per person and flight time takes between 25-42 hours.
For travelers coming from China, India, and other Asian countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, etc.) Lufthansa and United Airlines offer the best bang for your buck. Roundtrip ticket prices start at $800 per person and flight time is between 18-44 hours.
, Delta Air Lines, and are the top choices for local travelers who wish to visit Houston in a fast and convenient manner.
By Bus
offers a local bus service from IAH going to Downtown Houston. METRO Bus 102 serves the route from the airport to surrounding areas with multiple stops, ending at the Downtown METRO station. The fare is $1.25 one way, and paid only by cash in exact amount to the driver. The bus stop is located outside the baggage claim area, south side of Terminal C.
By Train
The train line connects travelers coming from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut -and more- to New Orleans, who can then transfer to the Amtrak Sunset train and finally stop at Houston Amtrak Station.
The Crescent train departs three days a week, the ticket fare starts at $130 per person and the travel time takes between 28-32 hours. From New Orleans, the Sunset Limited travels to Houston three times a week, ticket fare starts at $60 per person and travel time takes 10-12 hours.
Below are some of the cities where Amtrak Crescent train stations are located.
- New York, NY
- Newark, NJ
- Trenton, NJ
- Philadelphia, PA
- Wilmington, DE
- Baltimore, MD
- Washington, DC
- Alexandria, VA
The Sunset Limited travels from New Orleans to Los Angeles (and vice versa), making a stop at the Houston Amtrak Station, three times a week. The price of the ticket starts at $150 per person and travel time takes between 34-38 hours.
Below are some of the cities where Amtrak Sunset Limited train stations are located.
- New Orleans
- Schriever, LA
- New Iberia, LA
- Lafayette, LA
- Lake Charles, LA
- Beaumont, TX
- Houston, TX
- San Antonio, TX
By Car
There are multiple freeways and tollways that make Houston accessible to other cities with ease. Interstate 45 (I-45) connects the cities of Dallas -going south-east- to Houston and to Galveston over the Galveston Causeway. Interstate 10 (I-10) is a 2,460.34 mile long cross-country highway that connects -from west to east- Los Angeles and stretches to Phoenix, Tucson, El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Gulfport, Mobile, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville.
Southwest Freeway or U.S. Highway 59/I-59 is an interstate highway that goes parallel to U.S. Route 75. It is one of the busiest freeways in the north/northeastern part of the Houston region.
Texas 8 Beltway or Sam Houston Tollway is the main tollway around Houston. Grand Parkway, Westpark Tollway, Katy Freeway, Fort Bend Parkway, and Hardy Toll Road to name a few. Tolls are calculated based on the distance travelled. Rates start at $0.47 to $15 depending on the type of vehicle. Exact rates can be found .
GET THERE - Frugal Option
Booking a direct flight to IAH is the most cost-effective way to get to Houston for local and foreign tourists. From IAH board the bus going to downtown Houston and surrounding neighborhoods for $1.25 per person.
The bus can be packed on peak seasons and may not be the best option for travelers with children, elderlies or travelling in a group since the cost may pile up and, in the end, may cost more.
GET THERE: Compromise Option
Applicable to local travelers who have ample of time and additional budget to spare, travelling by car is your compromised option. This is best for those who wants flexibility since you travel at your own phase. Additional cost for lodging, food, and gas are factors that will come into play if travelling by car.
GET THERE: Private Transfer Options
Pre-booked through Mozio, a ride with our provider Elife Limo with all charges included:
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $210.
• On a private SUV for up to six passengers from $234.
• On a private van for up to six passengers $320.
Uber prices start at $185.87 for a small car, one way.
Pre-booked through Mozio, a ride with our provider Talixo with all charges included:
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $66.
• On a private SUV for up to six passengers from $90.
• On a private van for up to six passengers $124.
Uber prices start at $60.33 for a small car, one way.
Pre-booked through Mozio, a ride with our provider Elife Limo with all charges included:
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $101.
• On a private SUV for up to six passengers from $146.
• On a private van for up to six passengers $190.
A one-way Uber to the location starts around $82.
Pre-booked through Mozio, a ride with local partner Elife Limo with all charges included:
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $84.
• On a private SUV for up to five passengers from $101.
• On a private van for up to six passengers $249.
A one-way Uber to the location starts around $113.
Pre-booked through Mozio, a ride with our provider Elife Limo with all charges included:
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $120.
• On a private SUV for up to five passengers from $156.
• On a private van for up to six passengers $221.
A one-way Uber to the location starts around $113.
Pre-booked through Mozio, a ride with our provider Elife Limo with all charges included:
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $84.
• On a private SUV for up to five passengers from $110.
• On a private van for up to six passengers $238.
A one-way Uber to the location starts around $88.
The Mozio Recommendation
Flying is the recommended way to get to Houston. Once at IAH, booking a private transfer offers stress-free means to reach your hotel after the long hours of flying. A professional chauffeur will wait at the arrivals hall, ready to depart when you meet them. This option is best for who value comfort and want to start their journey in Houston without the hassle of falling in line and dragging their luggage aboard a public bus or taxi.
Getting AROUND Houston
In 2018 there were approximately 22.3 million visitors who came to Houston, including both leisure and business travelers. It is the fourth largest city in the United States so getting around is a bit of a complicated task, not to mention the lack of an extensive public transportation network. Most tourists rent a car as soon as they arrive at the airport due to ample availability of free parking spaces and cheap secure parking spots in Downtown Houston. METRO Bus goes directly to Downtown Houston and back, travel time may take up to 1 hour depending on traffic condition. If you are heading to several different areas, booking on-demand services and taxi cabs are always readily available; and private transportation is also a good idea if your trip will be business-oriented.
By Bus
Houston’s bus system is operated by -or METRO-, a major public transportation agency based in Houston. METRO buses typically operate on city streets and the majority of its routes serve the Houston Metropolitan area and business centers.
There are 4 type of bus services in Houston. Local and express bus services run mostly on city streets, stopping at every other corner along its designated route. Express buses operate key destinations such as IAH, Memorial City and Downtown where it offers limited stops and travels non-stop on freeway segments. Park & Rides -or commuter buses- service riders who work on Greenway Plaza, Downtown, Uptown, Texas Medical Center, and those who live in outlying residential neighborhoods and suburbs. These commuter buses occupy the high-occupancy vehicle lane during commute and rush hours. Quickline buses run on a 9-mile route and has only 8 stops from Ranchester Station going to Texas Medical Center.
Paying bus fares is done either by paying the exact amount to the driver or using the METRO Q Card. Local and express bus fares cost $1.25, while the fare for Quickline and Park & Ride ranges between $2-$6.
Below are the bus lines that visitors frequently use when travelling to Houston.
- Bus Route #2 - Connects Bellaire Boulevard and Texas Medical Center passing through various neighborhoods along the way. This bus runs from east to west with a frequency of every 15 minutes.
- Bus Route #27 – Connects Shepherd Avenue and Houston Heights passing through Montrose Village, Rice Village and Rice University. This bus runs from north to south with a frequency of every 15 minutes.
- Bus Route #35 – Connects Richmond Boulevard and Uptown passing Montrose and Midtown along the way. This bus runs from east to west with a frequency of every 15 minutes.
- Bus Route #102 – Connects IAH and Downton and runs every 30 minutes.
By Subway/Train/Tramway
is a 22.7-mile light rail system with 24 stations and consists of three lines running from Fannin South to Northline Transit Center. The Red Line is the most common line visitors use, going between Downtown, Midtown, Reliant Park, the Museum District and the Medical Center. While the Purple and Green Lines primarily serve residential areas.
The standard fare is $1.25 per person and can be paid in cash or by using the METRO Q Card.
METRO Q Card is a contactless smart card that acts as a digital wallet used to pay fares on public transportation in Greater Houston, and is available mostly in convenience and grocery stores for free by adding $5 on your first top-up. METRO Q Card also gives you unlimited and free transfer for three hours after boarding the first bus. Just bring your METRO Q Card near the sensor and you're all set. The standard fare on both the METRO Bus and METRORail is $1.25.
By Taxi/On Demand
and are some of the taxi companies the operate in Houston. The City of Houston regulates the taxi fares, which are metered in real-time. Taxi meter rates are indicated below.
- For the first 1/11 mile - $2.80
- Each additional 1/11 mile - $0.20
- Rate per mile after first mile - $2.20
- Wait time per minute - $0.40
- Surcharge from trips coming from IAH - $2.80
- Surcharge from trips coming from Hobby Aiport - $1.25
- Surcharge for trips between 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM - $1
City of Houston has authorized a flat taxi fare of $6 for all trips in the Downtown area, applicable anywhere within the Central Business District bounded by Interstate 45, Interstate 10, and U.S. Route 59. Taxis are widely available Downtown and at the airports; outside Downtown it will be challenging to hail a cab on the streets.
Cab drivers accept cash and major credit cards for payment.
Approximate taxi fares from IAH going to:
- Downtown - $70
- Greenway Plaza - $75
- Texas Medical Center - $70
Summarize Car Rental Options
In order to rent a car in Houston, one must be 21 years of age or older, a holder of a valid driver’s license from the country of origin and must have a credit or debit card for payment. A young driver surcharge ranging from $10-$30 may be required by the rental agencies to drivers under 25 years old.
IAH Rental Car Facility is the hub of the car rental agencies, which is located 10 minutes away from the terminals. A free rental car shuttle departs every five minutes outside the baggage claim areas of Terminals A, B, C and E going to IAH Rental Car Facility. and are some of the car rental agencies you can find there.
Rental prices per day start from $20 up to $100 depending on the vehicle make and model. Finding a parking space in Houston is relatively easy and secured parking lots are also available for a reasonable price. The cost of a parking space is between $3-$5 per day.
The Frugal Option to get around Houston
Using the public transport system is the cheapest way to get around Downtown Houston. Its best to take advantage of the METRO Q Card since it offers unlimited transfers for 3 hours when boarding the METRORail and METRO Bus. The downside is that it may be cost effective but it will only get you to limited locations and you will have to take either an Uber or a cab to reach other popular tourist destinations. Moreover, taking the public transportation is not the most comfortable way to get around as it can be packed during peak hours and you will also have to consider its schedule.
The Compromise Option to get around Houston
Renting a car is your middle ground option; especially if you are over 25 years old, since you will not have to pay for the young driver surcharge. Renting a vehicle is a good option for those who are travelling in a group; the cost for taking public transport can pile up since the fare is paid individually. Moreover, not all are comfortable with taking a packed bus or train during rush hours.
Renting a car offers flexibility when it comes to your travel schedule and convenience if you are travelling with elderlies or children.
Rideshare & Taxi Apps
Available On-Demand Providers
- Uber
- Lyft
- Hitch
Cost per Mile for an On Demand ride
is a ridesharing app that works similarly to Uber and Lyft, the main difference is that it only has pre-determined pickup and drop off locations. Regular fares start at $15 and it has a premium service with offers deluxe cars and door-to-door transfers, price starts at $100.
The costs and base fares indicated are estimates only and do not reflect variations due to geography, traffic delays, promotions, and other factors.
UberX
Base Fare - $1.02
Minimum Fare - $6.00
Cost Per Mile - $0.81
Cost Per Minute - $0.17
Comfort
Base Fare - $1.50
Minimum Fare - $10
Cost Per Mile - $0.92
Cost Per Minute - $0.26
UberXL
Base Fare - $2
Minimum Fare - $9
Cost Per Mile - $1.68
Cost Per Minute - $0.32
Uber Black
Base Fare - $7.75
Minimum fare - $15.75
Cost Per Mile - $2.20
Cost Per Minute - $1.03
Base Fare - $1.02
Cost Per Mile - $0.82
Cost Per Minute - $0.17
Lyft XL
Base Fare - $2.00
Cost Per Mile - $1.68
Cost Per Minute - $0.32
Lux
Base Fare - $4.00
Cost Per Mile - $1.45
Cost Per Minute - $0.78
Lux Black
Base Fare - $7.75
Cost Per Mile - $2.20
Cost Per Minute - $1.03
Day Trips Around Houston
Space Center Houston + Johnson Space Center
is the official visitor center of the NASA Johnson Space Center, located in the Clear Lake Area and south-west from Downtown Houston. This is the main hub of NASA's Mission Control and also serves as training ground for astronauts.
There are two main parts to visit in the Space Center. First is the self-guide Space Center Museum which exhibits all about space exploration, space artifacts, and their history. Second is the tram tour which takes visitors onto NASA's grounds to see the actual facilities and the original Mission Control Room. Ticket prices per person are listed below.
- Child (ages 3 & younger) - Free
- Kid (ages 4-11) - $24.95
- Adult (ages 12 & older) - $29.95
- Senior (ages 65 & older) - $27.95
From Downtown Houston, it takes 30 minutes and up to an hour to reach the Space Center. A one-way Uber ride to this location starts at $39.
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $84.
• On a private SUV for up to five passengers from $109.
• On a private van for up to six passengers $164.
Kemah Boardwalk
is a 60-acre theme park in the town of Kemah that children will no doubt enjoy and will captivate an adult's inner-child. The theme park is located south-east of Downtown Houston and built along the shores of Galveston Bay and Clear Lake. It is the home of more than 10 restaurants for waterfront dining, fun carnival rides, a charter yacht, a wonderful hotel and a beautiful marina.
Kemah Boardwalk is owned and operated by Landry's Inc. and is considered one of the premier boardwalks in the United States.
A one-way Uber ride starts around $47.91.
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $90.
• On a private SUV for up to four passengers from $108.
• On a private van for up to five passengers $173.
Galveston
Galveston is a city on Galveston Island, off the Texas Gulf Coast and southeast of Houston. It offers beautiful beach parks, charming Victorian-era buildings and modern entertainment options that allure many tourists.
Seawolf Park, Moody Gardens, Tall Ship and The Strand are some of the attractions worth visiting while in Galveston. Its also a great destination for beach lovers and surfers because of its beaches, such as Poretto Beach, East Beach and Galveston Beach. A trip to Galveston is definitely worthwhile and will always be a memorable one.
A one-way Uber to this location starts around $68.83.
, a ride with all charges included:
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $152.
• On a private SUV for up to five passengers from $212.
• On a private van for up to six passengers $314.
Typhoon Texas Waterpark
is a 25-acre waterpark that offers a variety of rides perfect for thrill-seekers and an ideal spot for those who just want to relax and hang out by the pool. This waterpark ensures fun for everyone and a wonderful family bonding experience. The price of a regular ticket starts at $64.99 per person or you can purchase a family pack for $130 for 4 people.
One-way Uber to the location starts around $42.53.
• On a private sedan for up to three passengers from $97.
• On a private SUV for up to five passengers from $116.
• On a private van for up to five passengers $185.
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