Houston Transportation Tips by XenoHumph Top 5 Page for this destination

The new Tramway line Public Transportation Review

Houston is proudly entering... the 20th Century (yes, I mean 20 not 21st)!! It just built its first tramway line. Even if it's about time some decent common transportation sees the light of day in this car-city, I am very happy that this rail line exists! May many many more be built!!

Here is the path of the one tramway line, broadly NE-SW, on my "General tips" Houston area map, from 1 to 22
-Starts from the Nothern part of downtown (University of Houston Downtown campus)
-Runs along Main Street, which got revitalize as a consequence of the rail. Saturday and Sunday evening, Main street becomes a pedestrian only zone, and is supposed to be very lively (bars, restaurants,...).
- Passes through the Museum District (Fannin & San Jacinto Streets depending on which way), a couple blocks East of Rice University campus.
- Passes through the Medical Center (Fannin St).
- Passes at the Reliant Park Stadiums (Fannin St)
- Ends just South of 610 loop near the 6 Flags Astroworld entertainment park.

There is a train every 12 minutes
M-F: 4:24am-12:42am
Sat: 5:24am-1:06am
Sun: 5:24am-12:42am
Tickets at vending machines at the stations: 1$ per person one way.

This tramway is very pleasant, safe and efficient. You can park for $2 at the Southern end of the line (Fannin South): exit Fannin on 610, go South on Fannin, and follow the signs "Park and Ride". I highly recommand you to take the tramway if you have to go to the Medical Center (expensive parking there!), the Museum District or Downtown.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Subway/Metro

Website: http://www.ridemetro.org/motion/lrt/railintro2.asp

Car is king in Houston! By Car Review

You need a car to go around Houston. Rent one if you are a tourist. Get a good map, and it is easy to find your way around. It will help to know the names of the freeways, in addition to their numbers (ex: I-10 W = Kathy freeway; beltway 8 = Sam Houston freeway, etc... go see my map in the introduction!).
You will always find easy free parking in Houston. That's the least the city could do: with no decent common transportation, at least it is easy to park! The only exceptions, however, are Downtown during weekdays, and Medical Center all the time where parking can cost more then $10 an hour.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Car/Motor Home

Transportation Airport to City Combined Suggestions Review

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Car rental. I strongly recommand that you rent a car in Houston. There is no common transportation, and the city is huge. You need a car to go everywhere. All the main rental car agencies are available at Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports. Go to http://iah.houstonairportsystem.org/rentalcars for details.

Taxi. Here are the rates (September 2003) depending where you go from Bush Intercontinental:
North Houston, 610 North $33.50
Downtown/CBD $37.50
Galleria, Greenway Plaza, Medical Center, Memorial, River Oaks $43.50
Astrodome/Reliant Park $47.00
Hobby Airport $51.50
West Memorial, Bear Creek $57.50
Ellington Field, Westside $62.50
NASA, Space Center, Southern suburbs of Houston $73.50

Express Bus Shuttle Here are the rates per person (September 2003) depending where you go from Bush Intercontinental:
Astrodome/Reliant Park $20
Downtown $19
Galleria $20
Greenway Plaza $20
Medical Center $20
Westside Hotels $24
Hobby Airport $20
Children's Fare (5-12 years) $6

Limousine Here are the rates (September 2003) depending where you go from Bush Intercontinental:
Galveston, Texas City, League City, LaMarque, Hitchcock $30
NASA, Clear Lake, Webster, Ellington Field $25
Pelican Island $30

Regular Bus Line 102 departs from South of Terminal C at Bush Intercontinental.
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Mode: AROUND

Type: Car/Motor Home

Website: http://iah.houstonairportsystem.org/transportation

Houston's Airports Airports / Flights Review

There are 2 main airports in Houston:

George Bush Intercontinental
It is the largest airport of Houston, and where the international flights arrive and depart from.
-Location: 23 miles North of Houston, exit JF Kennedy Blvd on Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Freeway).
-Aircode: IAH
-Airlines: it is the main hub for Continental Airlines (Phone: 1-800-523-3273). List of all airlines (does not include the 10 cargo airlines):
AeroMexico (800-237-6639)
Air Canada (888-247-2262)
Air France (800-237-2747)
Air Jamaica (800-523-558)
American Trans Air (800-435-9282)
America West (800-235-9292)
American Airlines (800-433-7300)
American Connection (800-433-7300)
Atlantic Southeast Airlines (800-221-1212)
Aviacsa (800-237-6396)
British Airways (800-247-9297)
Cayman Airways (800-422-9626)
Comair (800-354-9822)
Continental Airlines (800-523-3273)
Continental Express (800-523-3273)
Delta Air Lines (800-221-1212)
Frontier Airlines (800-432-1359)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (800-374-7747)
Lufthansa (800-645-3880)
Northwest Airlines (800-225-2525)
SkyWest (800-221-1212)
Southwest Airlines (800-435-9792)
TACA (800-535-8780)
United Airlines (800-241-6522)
USAirways (800-428-4322)
-Terminals: there are 5. Terminal D is the international one.

Hobby Airport
This smaller airport is practical if you are flying from/to the US and want to go in the Southern part of Houston, for example, in the Clear Lake area where NASA-Johnson Space Center is located.
Location: 7 miles South of Houston. Exit Airport Blvd on Freeway I-45 South.
-Aircode: HOU
-Airlines:
AirTran Airlines (800-247-8726)
American Airlines (800-433-7300)
American Eagle (800-433-7300)
Atlantic Southeast Airlines (800-221-1212)
Comair (800-354-9822)
Delta Air Lines (800-221-1212)
Southwest Airlines (800-435-9792)

Mode: TO

Type: Airplane

Website: http://www.houstonairportsystem.org/

Houston Airports (2) Airports / Flights Review

Finally, there is a military Airforce base/leisure airport, Ellington Field
-Location: about 15 miles South of Houston. Exit Clear Lake City Blvd from Freeway I-45 South. Go East on Highway 3 to the North for a few miles.
-Airport Code: EFD
-Highlights:
Air show "Wings over Houston" every year in October.
Piloting lessons available ( Lentz Flying Services & Cliff Hyde Flying Services).
Noisy military jets flying around.
-Official Users:
Southwest Airport Services?(281-484-6551)
Confederate Air Force (Gulf Coast Wing; 281-484-0098)
Continental Express (800-523-3273)
NASA (281-483-0123)
Texas Air National Guard (281-929-2110)
Texas Army National Guard (281-929-2332)
Lentz Flying Services (281-922-6181)
Cliff Hyde Flying Service (281-464-6524)
United Parcel Service (281-929-3500)
U.S. Coast Guard (281-481-0025)

Mode: AROUND

Type: Airplane

Website: http://efd.houstonairportsystem.org/