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HOU

William P. Hobby Airport

Houston, United States

Where to start
Rideshare from Curb Zone 5 / METRO 500 Downtown Direct

Everything is on Level 1 outside baggage claim, sorted by numbered curb zone. Taxis are at Curb Zone 2; METRO Bus 40 at Curb Zone 3 and the newer 500 Downtown Direct express to downtown from the same ground-transportation curb; shuttles at Zones 3–4. Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, plus Get Me and Wingz) uses **Curb Zone 5** — exit near Baggage Claim Carousel 4 and follow the 'Ride App' signs.

Ride Options

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door with luggage

AvailabilityCommonly available; authorized alongside Lyft, Get Me and Wingz
Pickup NoteCurb Zone 5, Level 1 ground transportation — exit near Baggage Claim Carousel 4, follow 'Ride App' signs
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare option

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteSame Curb Zone 5 ride-app curb as Uber
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Houston Licensed Taxi

taxi

No app needed; staffed stand

AvailabilityAt the rank, airport staff assist
Pickup NoteCurb Zone 2, Level 1 ground transportation
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

METRO 500 Downtown Direct

transit

Fastest budget route to downtown; the stronger transit option

Availability7 days a week, every 30 min, ~5:30 a.m.–8 p.m.; extended to Hobby 22 Feb 2026
Pickup NoteLevel 1 ground-transportation curb; express to downtown via the convention center and Downtown Transit Center; links to IAH via a transfer at GRB
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

METRO Bus 40

transit

Local route serving Hobby and Houston neighbourhoods

AvailabilityLocal service; slower than the 500 express
Pickup NoteCurb Zone 3 outside baggage claim
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at Houston Hobby — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Curb Zone 5 in the Level 1 ground-transportation area — exit through the door nearest Baggage Claim Carousel 4 and follow the 'Ride App' signs. Authorized apps are Uber, Lyft, Get Me and Wingz.

Taxi

Curb Zone 2 in the ground-transportation area. Airport staff assist at the taxi stand; all taxis are licensed.

Shuttle

Hotel and off-airport parking shuttles at Curb Zone 3; off-airport parking also at Zone 4. Private and shared-ride shuttles at Curb Zone 4.

Transit

METRO 500 Downtown Direct — extended to Hobby on 22 February 2026 — runs seven days a week, every 30 minutes (roughly 5:30 a.m.–8 p.m.), express to downtown Houston via the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Downtown Transit Center; it also links HOU to Bush Intercontinental (IAH) via a transfer at GRB. METRO Bus 40 (local) also departs the same ground-transportation area. Both from the Level 1 ground-transportation curb.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked cars and limos use the ground-transportation area; the TNC/limo staging lot is off Airport Boulevard. Confirm the curb zone with your operator.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?

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Local Tips

  • HOU is Hobby, not Bush Intercontinental (IAH) — the two Houston airports are far apart on opposite sides of the city. Confirm which one your flight uses.
  • Ground transport is by numbered curb zone; read the zone signs rather than heading for the first curb you see.
  • The West Concourse expansion runs into 2027 — signage on the curb zones may shift, so follow current signs.
  • The METRO 500 Downtown Direct express (added at Hobby in Feb 2026) is the better transit bet than the local Route 40 — 7 days a week, every 30 min, straight to downtown and even linking to Bush Intercontinental via a transfer.
  • Hobby was rated a 5-star airport by Skytrax — it's compact and quick to get through despite the construction.

Tarmyq local tip

HOU is all about the curb-zone numbers: taxi at 2, bus at 3, shuttles at 4, and rideshare at Curb Zone 5 near Carousel 4. Read the signs, follow your app, and don't confuse Hobby with Bush Intercontinental across town.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I catch an Uber or Lyft at Houston Hobby (HOU)?

Rideshare uses Curb Zone 5 in the Level 1 ground-transportation area — exit through the door nearest Baggage Claim Carousel 4 and follow the 'Ride App' signs. Uber, Lyft, Get Me and Wingz are all authorized. Because zones shifted during the West Concourse construction, follow current signs rather than an older guide.

How do I get from Hobby to downtown Houston by bus?

The METRO 500 Downtown Direct express, extended to Hobby in February 2026, runs seven days a week every 30 minutes to downtown via the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Downtown Transit Center — the strongest transit option, and it even connects to Bush Intercontinental (IAH) via a transfer. The local Route 40 also serves the airport from Curb Zone 3.

Where is the taxi stand at HOU?

Taxis pick up at Curb Zone 2 in the Level 1 ground-transportation area, with airport staff assisting at the stand. All airport taxis are licensed and no reservation is needed.

Is Hobby the same as Bush Intercontinental?

No. Hobby (HOU) is the close-in southeast airport and Southwest's original base; Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is the larger hub on the north side. They're far apart, so confirm which airport your flight uses.