Bush Intercontinental opened in June 1969 as Houston Intercontinental and took George H. W. Bush's name in 1997. It covers about 10,000 acres north of the city, with five runways and 116 gates in five terminals. United runs a major hub here: Terminal C is its domestic hall, B its regional flights and E its international ones, while Terminal A serves the other domestic airlines and Terminal D the foreign carriers. Two trains tie it together. The Skyway runs airside between all five terminals, so a connection never means a second security line, and the Subway runs landside between the terminals and the airport's 573-room Marriott, which stands between Terminals B and C. The international side has been rebuilt under the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program: the Mickey Leland International Terminal's new D West pier took its first international flights in the fall of 2024, beside a new International Central Processor built to put international check-in under one roof. United's Terminal B rebuild comes next, with a 22-gate expansion due in the fall of 2026.
What to expect
- Taxis load outside baggage claim on the Arrivals Level, at doors A-115, C-105 and E-103.
- Taxi fares follow a posted zone map, plus a $2.75 departure fee.
- The Skyway runs inside security; the Subway runs outside it, to the Marriott too.
- The 500 bus runs about 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., every 30 minutes, with room for bags.
- Downtown is about 35 minutes by road without traffic, an hour or more at rush hour.
What to do
- Change terminals on the Skyway, the airside train between all five, without clearing security again
- Ride METRO's 500 Downtown Direct from Terminal E, Level 2, door E201, for $4.50
- Take the 102 from Terminal C to downtown for the $1.25 local fare, early morning to after midnight
- June 1969Opened
- 116 in five terminalsGates
- FiveRunways
- 48,131,213Passengers in 2025