Houston Transportation Tips by H-TownJourneyman Top 5 Page for this destination

Choose Hobby Airport Airports / Flights Review

Houston has 2 airports, Bush Intercontinental (IAH), and Hobby (HOU). Bush Intercontinental is by far the bigger of the 2, and the one that serves international flights. But Hobby is a lot closer to the center of town, and being smaller, is much less congested. When flying in or out of Houston, in most cases Hobby is the much easier and time saving option between the two. Bush is located about 30-45 minutes north of downtown (possibly more depending on traffic), yet Hobby is just 10-15 minutes southeast of downtown (again, possbly longer in traffic). So unless you are heading to or from somewhere on the northside of town or northern outlying areas, flying in or out of Hobby can be a lot less of a headache. If you are coming in on or have an international flight, than this tip does not apply. Hobby is actually a hub of Southwest Airlines, with many flights in and out of Houston from most major cities in the U.S. everyday. So if you have a choice of airports in Houston, for most cases, choose Hobby.

Mode: TO

Type: Airplane

Metrorail Public Transportation Review

The Houston Metrorail is the city's first attempt at mass transportation, other than the bus system that is. After almost 4 years of construction, service began in January of 2004, just before Superbowl XXXVIII. The good thing is that the train is a very nice, convenient way of getting from one place to another. It runs from the University Of Houston Downtown campus, through Downtown and Midtown, past the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center, and on down to the Reliant Stadium/Arena and Astrodome complex. If you are planning on being in or around any of these areas and need to get to one of the other ones, you are in luck! The Metrorail will get you there, and only for a dollar each way, or a two dollar day pass. At each stop you will find a kiosk machine to purchase your ticket(s). Now for the bad news. Houston is a huge city! The aforementioned areas comprise just a small area of the total town. The train does not go to either of the airports. It does not go to the Galleria. It does not go to NASA. And for residents, it does not go anywhere near 99% of their homes. So Metrorail is really more of a hopeful beginning to a much more widespread system. But this has yet to be determined, so any future train lines are years away. A nice train, limited access!

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

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

Cars, Cars, and more Cars!!! By Car Review

Well, where to start with the transportation situation in Houston? Ok, it stinks! Houston is a massive, spawling metropolis, and without a major mass transit system in place, a car in Houston will be your best friend! If you are visiting Houston and are going to be basically staying in one area, a cab will do you just fine. Or if you are going to be around the Downtown, Museum District, or Texas Medical Center areas, then our Metrorail train will work for you. Maybe for some reason you have several hours to kill, then the bus system is also an option. Other than that, a visit to your nearest rent-a-car branch would be advised. Houston is so spread out, from Bush Intercontinental Airport north of town to NASA south of town will take well over an hour, without traffic. Traffic here is another subject altogether. With most of the several million people here owning a car, just throwing a little construction into the mix would cause quite a bit of traffic. But you will soon observe that every freeway in town is under construction. And it is that way all the time, so don't think that you might escape it during your visit here. It will find you! So, if you are driving in Houston, do what we do, sit back, and enjoy the view of breaklights and the lovely orange construction pylons. Oh, and leave early!!!

Mode: AROUND

Type: Car/Motor Home

Website: http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/layers/