Car Rental at Houston Airport

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 some 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.
• Galveston. Houston is located very near, but not quite on the coast, so has no beaches of its own – but fear not, as some are only a short drive away. One of the strongest options when it comes to accessing coastline is Galveston Island and its surrounding county. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, the area is also an interesting place to visit in its own right, being home to the Moody Gardens center that doubles as an aquarium, an indoor rainforest, and 4D special affects movie theater, and several cultural institutions like the African American Museum. A car trip southeast of Texas takes only about an hour.

Top international routes

• Chicago
• Atlanta
• Denver
• Los Angeles
• New York City
• San Francisco
• Miami
• Washington, D.C.
• Nashville
• Salt Lake City
   

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 $46 per day
• Medium cars - from $46 per day
• Large cars - from $31 per day
• SUVs - from $48 per day
• Premium cars - from $104 per day
• Station wagons - from $47 per day
• Vans - from $77 per day
• Convertibles - from $161 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)