Houston Bush Airport Transfers (IAH)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), commonly known as Houston Bush Airport, is Houston’s largest airport and a major international gateway. Book your airport transfer with AirportTransferNow for transportation to hotels and destinations across the Houston area.
Houston Bush Airport Transfer at a Glance
How to Get from Houston Bush Airport
The main ways to travel from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) are a pre-booked private transfer, licensed airport taxi, ride app, public bus, shuttle or rental car. METRO currently operates both the 500 IAH Downtown Direct from Terminal E and Route 102 from Terminal C toward downtown Houston. Your best option depends on your destination, terminal, luggage, group size and budget.
Houston Bush Airport Transfer Guide
AirportTransferNow makes it easy to arrange a private transfer from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to your hotel, residence or other selected destination.
IAH has five terminals and multiple types of ground transportation, so your arrival terminal and exact destination are particularly important when arranging pickup. International passengers arriving through Terminal D complete Customs and Immigration through the Terminal E International Arrivals Hall.
A pre-booked transfer can reduce the need to navigate Houston’s public-transport connections after a flight and can be practical when traveling with substantial luggage, children or a larger party. It may also suit passengers whose hotel or destination is not conveniently served by an airport bus route.
Enter your complete destination rather than simply “Houston.” The metropolitan area is geographically extensive, and transportation requirements differ significantly between downtown and destinations elsewhere in Greater Houston.
Provide the requested flight and passenger information during booking. Keep your AirportTransferNow confirmation accessible after landing and follow the pickup instructions supplied for your specific transfer rather than assuming that a public taxi, ride-app or private-car curb is your meeting point.
Pickup at Houston Bush Airport
After landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, collect your baggage and check your AirportTransferNow confirmation for the meeting instructions applicable to your booked transfer.
IAH uses terminal-specific ground-transport areas. The airport currently identifies public taxi pickup at Terminals A, C and E. Private-car passenger pickup also uses designated Arrivals/Baggage Claim locations, while ride-app pickup has its own signed areas.
International arrivals require particular attention. Passengers arriving internationally at Terminal D proceed through Customs and Immigration to the Terminal E International Arrivals Hall.
Do not assume that a public taxi, ride-app or general passenger-pickup curb is also the meeting point for your booked private transfer. Follow the exact instructions provided with your AirportTransferNow confirmation.
Taxi from Houston Bush Airport
Licensed taxis are available at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Houston Airports currently lists taxi pickup outside the Baggage Claim/Arrivals level at Terminal A south side Door A-115, Terminal C south side Door C-105 and Terminal E west side Door E-103. Passengers should follow signs marked “Ground Transportation” and “Taxis.”
Airport personnel are available to assist with hailing taxis, and the airport states that taxis picking up passengers at IAH are fully licensed. Drivers serving the airport must also complete airport-required training covering safe driving, customer service and assistance for passengers with disabilities.
IAH uses a regulated taxi system that includes zone-fare information displayed near passenger pickup areas. The airport also currently publishes applicable airport and late-night surcharges. Because taxi regulations and charges can change, exact monetary figures are deliberately not embedded in this evergreen AirportTransferNow content.
Ride apps use different designated pickup locations and should not be confused with the conventional taxi stands.
Public Transport from Houston Bush Airport
Houston METRO provides public bus transportation between IAH and downtown Houston. There is currently no direct passenger rail or MetroRail line from the airport.
The newer 500 IAH Downtown Direct provides nonstop service between IAH and the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. At the airport, it uses Terminal E, Level 2, Door E201. Houston Airports describes the service as luggage accommodating and accessible.
METRO Route 102 Bush IAH provides another option. Unlike the Downtown Direct, Route 102 makes multiple stops before reaching downtown. It currently serves IAH from Terminal C outside Door C-105.
The distinction is useful when comparing options: the 500 is designed as a more direct downtown airport connection, while Route 102 operates as a local service.
IAH also has hotel shuttles, rental-car transportation and other shuttle/bus services. Travelers should check current METRO schedules and airport pickup instructions before travel because fares, frequencies and operating times can change.
Private Transfer vs Taxi and Public Transport
A private transfer booked with AirportTransferNow provides direct road transportation to the destination entered during booking. It can reduce connections when traveling with substantial luggage, children or a group, or when your destination is inconvenient to Houston’s public bus network.
Licensed airport taxis provide another direct option without advance private-transfer booking. IAH has designated taxi facilities, and airport taxi services operate under Houston’s regulated system.
Ride apps such as Uber and Lyft also operate at IAH, but pickup locations differ by terminal. Terminal B passengers currently have an additional transfer step for ride-app pickup.
For public transportation, METRO’s 500 IAH Downtown Direct is particularly relevant to passengers heading downtown, while Route 102 provides a lower-cost local bus alternative with additional stops.
Hotel shuttles and rental cars add further options. The appropriate choice depends on destination, passenger count, luggage, cost sensitivity, terminal and willingness to make connections.
Houston Bush Airport Transfer Prices
Transportation prices from George Bush Intercontinental Airport depend on the transport mode and exact destination.
For a private transfer, the live quote can depend on the destination, selected vehicle category, passenger capacity, luggage requirements, optional extras and current booking availability. Check the AirportTransferNow booking interface for the available options and current price for your route.
IAH taxis operate under Houston’s regulated system, with official airport information referencing zone fares and applicable surcharges. Ride-app prices can vary according to platform and demand.
Public buses use per-passenger fares and can be significantly different in cost from direct road transportation. Because taxi tariffs, ride-app pricing and METRO fares can change, exact amounts are better checked close to the travel date rather than treated as permanent airport-transfer prices.
Tips for Your Houston Bush Airport Transfer
Confirm your arrival terminal before arranging pickup at IAH. Taxi, ride-app, shuttle and private-car facilities are not identical across all five terminals.
If your international flight arrives at Terminal D, remember that Customs and Immigration processing leads passengers to the Terminal E International Arrivals Hall.
Enter your complete hotel or street address when arranging transportation. Houston covers a large metropolitan area, so “Houston” alone is not sufficiently precise for comparing transfer options.
If you plan to use a ride app, check the current terminal instructions. Houston Airports presently directs Terminal B South ride-app passengers to take the Skyway to Terminal A or C.
For AirportTransferNow bookings, keep your confirmation accessible after baggage claim and prioritize the meeting instructions supplied with your booking. For return journeys, allow appropriate additional time for Houston traffic and verify your departure terminal before leaving.
Meet & Greet
Meet & Greet may be available with eligible transfer options. Where included in your booking, your driver can identify you using the passenger name information supplied during booking. Follow the exact meeting-point instructions provided in your AirportTransferNow confirmation.
About George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is Houston’s largest airport and its principal international aviation gateway. Houston Airports reports that approximately 48 million passengers used IAH in 2025. The airport is located north of central Houston, with the official airport website placing it approximately 22 miles from downtown.
IAH has five terminals—A, B, C, D and E—and the terminal layout matters when arranging onward transportation. Taxi, ride-app, private-car, shuttle and public-bus pickup locations vary according to terminal. International passengers arriving through Terminal D proceed through Customs and Immigration to the Terminal E International Arrivals Hall.
The airport’s location and the size of the Houston metropolitan area also make your exact destination important. Downtown Houston is only one possible destination; hotels, business districts, medical facilities and residential areas can require substantially different road journeys.
Houston Bush Airport Transfer FAQs
Helpful answers for planning your airport transfer.
How do I book a private transfer from Houston Bush Airport?
Select George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) as your pickup point in AirportTransferNow and enter your exact hotel, residence or other destination. Review the available vehicle options and provide the requested flight and passenger information. Because IAH has five terminals, accurate flight information can be particularly useful for determining the correct arrival and pickup context.
Are taxis available at George Bush Intercontinental Airport?
Yes. Houston Airports currently provides licensed taxi pickup at Terminals A, C and E, with terminal-specific pickup doors. Follow airport signs for “Ground Transportation” and “Taxis.” Airport personnel are available to assist passengers with hailing taxis, and the airport publishes zone-fare information near pickup areas.
Is there public transportation from IAH to downtown Houston?
Yes. Houston METRO operates two relevant bus services. The 500 IAH Downtown Direct connects Terminal E with the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, while Route 102 operates from Terminal C and makes multiple stops before reaching downtown. There is currently no direct MetroRail train from IAH.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at Houston Bush Airport?
Ride-app pickup is terminal-specific. Houston Airports currently lists pickup at Terminal A west side Door A-114, Terminal C south side Doors C-103/C-104 and Terminal E west side Level 2 Zone 5. Terminal B South passengers using ride apps are currently directed to take the Skyway to Terminal A or C. Always follow current airport “Ride App” signs.
What happens if my international flight arrives at Terminal D?
International passengers arriving at Terminal D proceed through Customs and Immigration to the Terminal E International Arrivals Hall. This is important when arranging airport pickup because the landside meeting context may be associated with Terminal E rather than the Terminal D gate area. For a booked private transfer, follow the exact instructions in your AirportTransferNow confirmation.