George Bush Intercontinental Airport

All international arrivals except preclearance flights must go through customs. While the building for that is techinally part of Terminal E, in practice it is shared by both international terminals D and E (terminals that are already quite interconnected, sharing a check-in area), which have bridges to the international arrivals processing area.

For those arriving on international flights, Immigration and Customs process usually takes 15–30 minutes, but can take over an hour at peak times. The busiest times are in the afternoon and evening.

Like all airports in the United States, there are no special transit facilities for international transfers. That means that if you are arriving from an international flight and have an immediate connection, you will still have to pass through Customs and Immigration. For details of entry and visa requirements see get in section of United States page.

From Downtown Houston, the Hardy Toll Road is usually the easiest way to reach the airport; however, an EZ Tag is required, as all tolls are collected electronically. Alternatively, taking the Eastex Freeway (I-69/US 59) to Will Clayton Parkway is another good option, especially for visitors. Avoid taking the North Freeway (I-45) to the airport if possible, as it is prone to traffic congestion.

Another option is to pick up a rental car at IAH. To do so, you will take the shared shuttle from the airport terminal to the 🌍 IAH Rental Car Center at 17330 Palmetto Pines. Free shuttle buses frequently travel between terminals and the car rental facility, taking about 5 to 7 minutes to travel one way. The following companies are inside the facility:

• Advantage Rent A Car, toll-free: +1-800-277-5171. 
• Alamo, toll-free: +1-888-233-8749. 
• Avis Rent a Car, ☏ +1 972-574-4130. Daily 24 hours. (updated Aug 2018)
• Budget Car Rental, ☏ +1 972-615-4400. Daily open 24 hrs. (updated Aug 2018)
• Dollar, toll-free: +1-800-800-4000. 
• Enterprise, toll-free: +1-800-261-7331. 
• E-Z Rent-A-Car, toll-free: +1-800-277-5171, reservations@ezrac.com. 
• Hertz. 
• National, toll-free: +1-877-222-9058. 
• Thrifty, toll-free: +1-800-847-4389. 
• Payless, toll-free: +1-800-847-4389. 
• Sixt, toll-free: +1 888 749-8227. (updated Nov 2023)
• ZipCar. (updated Nov 2023)

🌍 Metro (Stop on south side of Terminal C), ☏ +1 713-635-4000. Houston's public transit system, including light rail, bus rapid transit, and local buses. Despite the name, Houston does not have a metro (i.e. subway) system. $1.25 per single ride. (updated Jan 2023)

• Metro operates the 102 Bush IAH Express bus between Terminal C and downtown via Greenspoint Mall. It makes local stops in downtown, near Greenspoint Mall, and near the airport, but otherwise travels on freeways for most of the route. Trips generally depart every 30 minutes through the day on all days, except it operates more frequently toward downtown during the weekday morning rush hours and more frequently toward the airport during the weekday afternoon rush hours. Travel time between downtown and the airport is 1 to 1.25 hours.

• For continuing towards Houston Hobby get off at Milam and McKinley a couple of blocks east towards McKinely and Main (bus stop along McKinley) to catch the 40 Telephone/Heightsbus going towards Monroe Park & Ride to get to Houston Hobby Airport (transfer to METRO 50, 73, and 88 at Houston Hobby).

• GroundShuttle operates shuttle buses between Bush-IAH airport and College Station. Buses depart every 90 minutes on weekdays, less often on weekends. Prices are $50 one way.

There are several different levels of pricing for parking at the airport, depending on proximity to the terminal and level of service. In addition, there are private parking services near the airport that will drop you off at a terminal like the Parking Spot, Fast Park & Relax, and Park 'N Fly.

There are terminal garages at all five terminals at IAH, with self-parking as well as valet parking.

Terminal Garage Self-Parking Rates: 0-1 hr - $5.00 1-2 hrs - $6.00 2-3 hrs - $8.00 3-5 hrs - $10.00 5-24 hrs - $24.00

If you are leaving your vehicle at the airport, there are many options.

• Leave it in the parking garage at any terminal for $24 a day.
• There are two economy long term parking lots offering covered and uncovered parking at 16152 John F. Kennedy Blvd and 5021 Will Clayton Parkway.
• Private parking facilities are on JFK Blvd. and on Will Clayton Parkway. All provide shuttle service to all terminals.

• Air China. (updated Aug 2018)
• Air France. (updated Aug 2018)
• American Airlines Admirals Club. (updated Aug 2018)
• British Airways. (updated Aug 2018)
• American Express Centurion Lounge. (updated Aug 2018)
• Emirates. (updated Aug 2018)
• EVA Air. (updated Aug 2018)
• KLM. (updated Aug 2018)
• Lufthansa. (updated Aug 2018)
• Qatar Airways. Opens 4 hours before departure. (updated Aug 2018)
• United Lounges. (updated Aug 2018)
  • United Club. (updated Aug 2018)
    • Terminal E, between Gates E11 and E12. (updated Aug 2018)
    • Terminal C, South Concourse, toward Gate C33. (updated Aug 2018)
    • Terminal B, South Mezzanine, above the United Express ticket counter. (updated Aug 2018)
    • Terminal A, across from Gate A9. (updated Aug 2018)
    • Terminal C, near Gate C1. 5:30AM-10:30PM. (updated Aug 2018)
  • United Polaris Lounge, Terminal E, between the United Club location and Gate E12. (updated Aug 2018)
• USO Lounge. (updated Aug 2018)

• XpresSpa. Manicure $20, 10-minute massage $25. 
  • (Near Gate A17), ☏ +1 281 233-7660. Daily 5AM-9:30PM. (updated Feb 2020)