Getting Around Houston

Shuttle service is provided between the terminal and rental car facilities at Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports.

Utilizing rental car services provides travelers the most flexibility to explore Greater Houston with ease. Because Houston is so widespread, travelers who are looking to visit multiple attractions may find having a car helpful during their stay to maximize their experience.

Here are some rental car services to suit different requirements you might have.

• Alamo Rent A Car
• AvisBudget Group, Incorporated
• DeMontrond Automotive Group, Incorporated
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Enterprise Truck Rental
• Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise
• National Car Rental
• PV Rentals, Inc./Leasing

METRORail offers convenient and accessible service within the heart of the city between Downtown Houston and NRG Park, including the Museum District and Texas Medical Center. Two additional lines connect the Theater District with Shell Energy Stadium and destinations east of Downtown. Click here for route and fare information. 

Find low-cost ways to get around Houston down below. Also be aware that you can purchase a day pass for use on METRORail and METRO buses for just $3 a day. 

METRO offers several types of bus service in Houston.

• Local service runs mostly on city streets, stopping at every other corner along its route.  One-way fare is $1.25.
• Park & Ride service is for long-distance commuting. METRO’s Park & Ride lots provide bus service to key destinations in the service area. One-way fare ranges from $2 to $4.50, depending on distance. 

Click here for additional route and fare information.

NEW! 500 IAH Downtown Direct

In April 2025, METRO launched a new bus service connecting George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) with Downtown Houston. Passengers can catch a non-stop ride directly to and from the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) and IAH Terminal C for just $4.50 one way on the 500 IAH Downtown Direct. The route operates seven days a week, from 5:30 am to 8 pm, with buses departing every 30 minutes. View full schedule here.

Popular Destinations on 500 IAH Downtown Direct

• George R. Brown Convention Center - Stop or Intersection: Polk @ Avenida De Las Americas
• Discovery Green - Stop or Intersection: McKinney @ Austin
• Daikin Park – Stop or Intersection: Congress @ Crawford
• Shell Energy Stadium – Stop or Intersection: EaDo/Stadium Station

The 102 Bush IAH Express will continue to serve the airport. Still, the introduction of the IAH Downtown Direct provides a travel option for riders needing to reach Downtown without additional stops.

METRO Must-Have Tools

Trip Planning Tool - Locals and visitors alike love this tool, which features an interactive map. Plan your trip and save time on any route.

METRO Q Mobile Ticketing App - Whether you need to ride Local bus, Park & Ride bus, METRORail or METRO curb2curb, you can use the app to store funds, buy and use Mobile tickets.

METRO Statistics

• Bus fleet - 1,236
• Miles of light rail - 23

This new METRO service is provided through a partnership with the City of Houston and Evolve Houston to serve specific neighborhoods in response to the community's need for convenient access to public transit. Community Connector service uses all-electric microtransit shuttles to provide short-distant shared rides in a defined service area. All rides are booked through a mobile app called Ride Circuit. Once you request a ride, the shuttle will pick you up and drop you off within the designated service area. This service operates Monday through Friday, but hours vary depending on the zone. The last ride must be booked 30 minutes before closing time to ensure availability.

Download the Ride Circuit app – available via the App Store (iOS devices) and Google Play Store (Android users). This new service is offered for free in the Downtown, The Heights, Near Northside, Second Ward and Third Ward communities. The EV microtransit shuttle typically accommodates up to five passengers, and you can reserve up to three seats when booking. View maps and other details here. Each map provides you with information on the service zone, connecting routes, and nearby transit centers. 

$6 Cab Fare Anywhere Downtown
The City of Houston has authorized a flat taxi fare of $6 for all trips in the downtown area. This $6 fare will apply anywhere within the Central Business District, bounded by Interstate 45, Interstate 10 and U.S. 59. The fare, in addition to increased downtown taxi stands, provides an easy alternative to driving to lunch, business meetings and activities throughout the downtown area. No surcharges will apply to the fare, which can accommodate multiple riders under the $6 total rate. 

Taxi stands are designated areas where cabs can "stand" and wait for a fare. Additionally, there are at least 30 "hailing cab" icons on various downtown streets, which mark that particular site as a three-minute zone where taxis can briefly stop to pick up and drop off passengers.

Approximate cab fares from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

• Downtown   $58   
• NRG Park Area   $73
• Texas Medical Center $66
• Uptown/Galleria  $71
• Greenway Plaza  $69

Approximate cab fares from William P. Hobby Airport

• Downtown   $31
• NRG Park Area  $33
• Texas Medical Center $36
• Uptown/Galleria  $48
• Greenway Plaza  $44

*Above rates include up to four people per cab. 

Would you rather have a taxi come to you?  Here are the numbers you need:

• Fiesta Cab Co. ................ (713) 225-2666
• Liberty Cab Co. ............... (713) 444-4444
• Lone Star Cab Co. ......... (713) 444-4444
• Yellow Cab Houston ...... (713) 236-1111

Note: For fast pickup and flexibility, download and use the Curb app directly from your phone to book a taxi serviced by Lone Star Cab. 

Houston was the first city in Texas to approve ride-sharing services, including Uber. Lyft is another rideshare app available in Houston. Just choose your pick up and drop off location and go with Uber or Lyft. The ride-sharing services offer local drivers to get you from point A to B at your convenience. Uber also offers a flat rate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at $7.31 within the I-610 loop and the Galleria/Uptown area.

Those looking to avoid the search for parking around Downtown Houston can plan ahead with Parking Panda. The online parking reservation service allows visitors to find and purchase guaranteed parking in Downtown, any time. 

Parking is 100% guaranteed, even if the location otherwise fills up, often at exclusive online discounts. Present the purchase confirmation at the selected location for an easy, turnkey experience. 

Parking options are available throughout Houston, including the Convention District, Theater District, NRG Park, Toyota Center and many other locations. 

To view real-time pricing and availability, click here.

Another great option for finding the perfect spot is Parking.com. This company operates more than 69 lots and garages across the city, from NRG Park to Downtown. 

Visitors looking to travel between Houston and Galveston Island can use the Island Express. The service runs each weekday with departures in the morning, midday and afternoon each way. The total ride cost each way is $9. Click here for more details.

Houston is well-served by a system of radial and ring highways that provide excellent access to markets outside the region.

Houston is the crossroads for Interstates 10 and 45.  Other major highways serving Houston are Loop 610, U.S. 59, U.S. 290, U.S. 90, Texas 288, Texas 225, Hardy Toll Road, Sam Houston Tollway, and the Grand Parkway (Texas 99). Planning to stay a while? Look into getting an EZ Tag for discounted rates while traveling on toll roads.

Houston also lies along the route of the proposed I-69 NAFTA superhighway that will link Canada, the U.S. industrial Midwest, Texas, and Mexico.

Every freeway in the city has at least two names, some as many as seven, so it's quite likely that visitors will be baffled by this phenomenon.  Here's a list to help you decode the nicknames:

• 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
• Interstate 45 through Downtown: Pierce Elevated
• Interstate 610: The Loop, often preceded by North, South, East or West
• U.S. 59 North: Eastex Freeway
• U.S. 59 South: Southwest Freeway, Sen. Lloyd Bentson Highway, Future Interstate Corridor, NAFTA Superhighway, I-69
• U.S. 75: See Interstate 45
• U.S. 90 East: Beaumont Highway
• U.S. 90 West: See Interstate 10
• U.S. 290: Northwest Freeway, Hempstead Highway
• Texas 6: Highway 6, Addicks Howell Road, Alvin Sugar Land Road, Addicks Satsuma Road, Hempstead Road
• Texas 3: Galveston Road
• Texas 225: La Porte Freeway
• Texas 249: Tomball Parkway
• Texas 288: South Freeway, Nolan Ryan Expressway
• Highway 99: Grand Parkway

 Source: Greater Houston Partnership