Car Rental at Houston Airport

Cheapest car rental rates
Nissan March


Kia Soul


Toyota Corolla


Kia Seltos


Chevrolet Spark


Toyota Aygo


Ford Fiesta


Chevrolet Sonic


Toyota Yaris


Ford Focus


Nissan Versa


Honda Civic STW


Volkswagen Jetta


Honda Civic


Chevrolet Cruze


Chevrolet Malibu


Hyundai Sonata


Kia Optima


Nissan Altima


Jeep Renegade


Toyota Yaris


Nissan Sentra


Hyundai Santa Fe


Nissan Versa


Nissan Sentra


Buick Encore


Toyota Highlander


Mazda CX-8


Nissan Altima


Toyota Camry


Volkswagen Jetta


Toyota Camry


Volkswagen Jetta


Toyota RAV4


Toyota RAV4


Kia Soul


Kia Soul


Toyota Corolla


Toyota Corolla


Toyota Corolla


Mitsubishi Mirage


Chevrolet Spark


Chevrolet Equinox


Ford Edge


Chrysler Pacifica


Chrysler Pacifica


Genesis G70


Cadillac CT5


Jeep Grand Cherokee


Jeep Grand Cherokee


Why book with us?




- Cheapest car rental rates
- Why book with us?
- Travel information
- Airport travel guide
- Top international routes
- Main airlines
- Terminals
- Location
- Most popular types of rental car
- Car rental desks
- Services and facilities
- Nearest gas station
- Popular one-way rentals
- Airport info
- Top 12 locations near Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
- Map of top car rental locations
- When to book at Houston Airport and for how long?
- Car rental information
- Most popular car models of rental suppliers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Here's what travelers say about renting a car at Houston Airport
- Car rental statistics
- Top 25 suppliers at Houston Airport in 2026
- Award-winning service
Travel information
Airport travel guide

The largest city in Texas, Houston has more than just its size going for it if you scratch beneath the surface. Known for its innovation and scientific prowess, it can be equally exciting in terms of culture and entertainment and is also near a number of destinations for fun day trips. Here are four ideas for your trip:
- Space Center. Many visitors and locals alike will tell you that no visit to Houston will be complete without seeing this science museum and NASA visitor center. With a collection of numerous starships (some of which have been to outer space), moon rocks, command modules, and a Mars virtual reality wall that permits you to experience the red planet, it greets more than one million visitors every year. Visit its official website to learn more.
- Museum of Fine Arts. A large complex that’s made up of the neoclassical Watkin Building and several other structures, as well as the Bayou Bend Gardens, this is another fascinating Houston landmark to visit. Exhibitions include historic art from all over the world, as well as works by famous American and foreign artists such as Goya and Botticelli. Learn more on the museum’s official website.
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Taking place every March, this is the largest event of its kind on the planet. Held in NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans, the livestock show and rodeo is a lot of fun, and also an opportunity to learn more about Texan culture. Many famous performers and musical acts have entertained audiences over the years.
- Theater District. One of the finest (and largest) in the United States, Houston’s Theater District celebrates the performance arts in all its forms. The Theater district is located in Downtown Houston and can therefore be easily visited alongside many other famous landmarks of the city. Some of the district’s most notable venues include the Alley Theater, Bayou Place entertainment complex, and the Hobby Center for Performing Arts.
Top international routes
- Dallas
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Denver
- Atlanta
- New York City
- Mexico City
- Orlando
- Miami
- San Francisco
Main airlines
Houston is one of United Airlines major hubs and therefore roughly 50% of passengers at IAH fly on it. Spirit Airlines also has made IAH a focus airport. Mesa Airlines, ExpressJet, and American Airlines also have a significant presence at the airport.
Terminals
There are five terminals at the airport. Terminal A serves U.S. and Canadian destinations for all airlines except United. Terminals B, C, and E serve United flights with Terminal E also serving its international flights. Terminal D is the main international terminal.
The Skyway people mover connects all of the terminals and the International Arrivals Building airside, meaning transit between the terminals is possible without going through security again. The Subway connects all five terminals on the land side along with the airport hotel.
Location
The airport is located approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Downtown Houston. The most convenient access to downtown is via the Hardy Toll Road, but I-69 is also an option.
Most popular types of rental car
- Small cars - from $21 per day
- Medium cars - from $21 per day
- Large cars - from $24 per day
- SUVs - from $55 per day
- Premium cars - from $93 per day
- Station wagons - from $48 per day
- Vans - from $61 per day
- Convertibles - from $90 per day
Car rental desks
All car rental suppliers at the airport have rental desks inside the Rental Car Center which can be reached in about five minutes via a shuttle from the terminals
Services and facilities
The airport has all of the services and facilities you would expect a large international airport would have. Unfortunately, the offerings differ between the terminals. For instance, the classic Texas burger joint, Whataburger, is only located in Terminal B.
Lounges can be found in all terminals. Terminal D includes Air France, Centurion, and KLM Crown Lounges. Terminals A, B, C, and E all have United Club Lounges.
Water bottle refilling points are available in all of the terminals. So are baby care facilities. All terminals except Terminal Ba have a Visitor Information Center.
There is a Marriott at the airport located in the middle of the terminals. Other hotels can be found just outside the airport with most offering a free shuttle.
Consult IAH’s Interactive Directions to see what exactly is available in the terminal that you will be arriving at.
Nearest gas station
The Shell station located on the corner of John F. Kennedy Blvd. and Greens Rd. is the last station before reaching the airport. As with many stations close to an airport, its prices are significantly higher due to rental car drivers filling up. The Exxon station across the street is significantly cheaper as is the Shell station located south on the same road. These locations are, of course, less convenient due to being on the other side of the busy road.
Popular one-way rentals
- Austin (178 miles / 286 km)
- Dallas (230 miles / 370 km)
- San Antonio (210 miles / 338 km)
- New Orleans (356 miles / 573 km)
- Shreveport, Louisiana (223 miles / 351 km)
- Galveston, Texas (70 miles / 113 km)
Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Airport info
Top 12 locations near Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
- Houston William P. Hobby Airportfrom $59.48 per day37.8 km / 23.49 miles away
- Katy Eastfrom $69.18 per day51.1 km / 31.75 miles away
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airportfrom $41.55 per day225.3 km / 139.99 miles away
- Killeen Ft Hood Airportfrom $61.12 per day266.2 km / 165.41 miles away
- Corpus Christi International Airportfrom $74.68 per day324.5 km / 201.63 miles away
- Dallas Love Field Airportfrom $53.47 per day348.9 km / 216.8 miles away
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airportfrom $48.70 per day361.8 km / 224.81 miles away
- Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airportfrom $48.86 per day498.4 km / 309.69 miles away
- McAllen-Miller International Airportfrom $41.22 per day510.3 km / 317.09 miles away
- Midland International Airportfrom $71.18 per day689.8 km / 428.62 miles away
- Lubbock Preston Smith International Airportfrom $68.18 per day735.7 km / 457.14 miles away
- El Paso International Airportfrom $68.21 per day1,072.6 km / 666.48 miles away
Map of top car rental locations
When to book at Houston Airport and for how long?
When are car rental prices the lowest at Houston Airport?
The cost of renting a car at Houston Airport varies by season. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Saver's insights
| Cheapest monthJanuary | Most expensive month June | ||
| Average price $53 | A good deal $38 | Cheapest supplier Routes Car Rental | Cheapest car type Medium cars |
$28
in January
$33
in February
$36
in March
$46
in April
$51
in May
$57
in June
$46
in July
$55
in August
$45
in September
$37
in October
$41
in November
$43
in December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at Houston Airport is January — when rental costs average $28.47 per day. This is 47% cheaper than the yearly average and 50% cheaper than renting a car in June (when prices average $57.42 per day).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What is the most popular time of year to rent a car at Houston Airport?
Based on how many users search for a car in at Houston Airport, travelers are most likely to rent a car in March, while they are least likely to rent in in July.
0.6 times in January
0.9 times in February
2.2 times in March
1.5 times in April
1.1 times in May
1.4 times in June
0.5 times in July
0.5 times in August
0.7 times in September
0.9 times in October
Same as average in November
0.7 times in December
For how long do renters keep their vehicles at Houston Airport?
How long travelers keep their rental cars varies by the time of year: in July the average rental period is 9 days, while in January, the average rental period is only 6 days.
6 days in January
6 days in February
8 days in March
7 days in April
8 days in May
8 days in June
9 days in July
7 days in August
6 days in September
6 days in October
7 days in November
8 days in December
Car rental information
| 🔥 Popular suppliers | Stride Rent a Car, United Rent A Car, Alamo, Thrifty, WheeGo |
| 🚗 Popular car types | Large cars, SUVs, medium cars, vans |
| 🤑 Lowest price | $21 per day |
| 👛 Cheapest supplier | Routes Car Rental |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stride Rent a Car | Honda Accord | 4 | Large car |
| WheeGo | Toyota Corolla | 4 | Large car |
| United Rent A Car | Toyota Corolla | 4 | Large car |
| United Rent A Car | Toyota Highlander | 5 | SUV |
| Stride Rent a Car | Toyota RAV4 | 5 | SUV |
| Stride Rent a Car | Toyota Highlander | 4 | SUV |
| Avis | Toyota RAV4 | 4 | SUV |
| U-Save | Toyota Camry | 4 | Large car |
| Alamo | Nissan Rogue | 5 | SUV |
| United Rent A Car | Kia Soul | 4 | Medium car |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here's what travelers say about renting a car at Houston Airport


Car rental statistics
Top 25 suppliers at Houston Airport in 2026




















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