IAH decoded: Houston airport code, terminals and travel decisions
Use this George Bush Intercontinental guide to verify the airport code, location, address and Houston time, then solve the harder parts: Terminal B construction, Terminal E international flow, Skyway vs Subway, parking, pickup and downtown transportation.
Check live IAH information before you leave
Use these after you understand the trip plan below. Each card opens the organization that controls the live or operational information; this guide does not label manually written data as “live.”
What airport is IAH?
IAH is the IATA airport code for George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, United States. The code appears on airline tickets, boarding passes, baggage tags, booking systems and flight-status screens. Aviation systems use the ICAO identifier KIAH, while the FAA location identifier is also IAH.
Airport live checks & travel tools
Use current local conditions, official live-status links and planning calculators before you travel. Airline gate, terminal and flight times can change; your carrier remains the final source for flight-specific details.
Live flight center
Check the airport's official flight board, then confirm any last-minute gate or timing change with the airline.
Current airport-area weather
Useful for planning your trip to the airport. This is model-based local weather, not an aviation METAR or an airline operational forecast.
Quick official checks
Open the source that matches the decision you are making right now.
When should I reach the airport?
A planning estimate based on flight type and common time buffers. Always increase the buffer for severe weather, major holidays, unusual airport alerts or airline instructions.
Connection-risk checker
This is a planning heuristic, not an airline minimum-connection-time rule. International arrivals that require U.S. entry processing, baggage claim and security can need substantially more time.
Parking cost estimator
Uses the airport-specific rates stored in this article's configuration. Rates can change; verify availability and final pricing on the official parking page before driving in.
Passenger pickup readiness
Landing time is not curb-ready time. Add time for taxiing, deplaning, baggage claim, customs when applicable and walking to the correct pickup zone.
The airport opened in 1969 as Houston Intercontinental Airport and was renamed in 1997 for George H. W. Bush. IAH is the airport’s long-standing identifier from the Houston Intercontinental era; travelers do not need to decode it as a modern abbreviation to use it correctly.
Where is IAH? Address, map and local Houston time
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is approximately 22 miles north of downtown Houston. The official airport address is 2800 North Terminal Road, Houston, TX 77032. Main approaches include John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Will Clayton Parkway, connecting to I-69/US-59, I-45, Hardy Toll Road and Beltway 8.
Use this address for airport navigation
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
2800 North Terminal Road
Houston, TX 77032
United States
After reaching airport property, follow terminal-specific road signs rather than relying only on the generic airport pin.
Current time at IAH
Houston uses Central Time. The live Houston clock in the hero updates on your device.
Comparing Houston time with your device…
Coordinates for orientation
Approximate airport reference point: 29.9844° N, 95.3414° W. Use the terminal name/door for pickup and drop-off, not coordinates alone.
IAH terminal changes that can invalidate an old search result
Terminal B gates are open, but normal B check-in is not
The Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed during the transformation project through late 2026. Gates B3–B31 remain operational. Current airport guidance tells Terminal B passengers to check in, drop bags and clear TSA at Terminal C, then take the post-security Skyway to B.
If you park in the A/B garage, the airport alert also notes a United express-shuttle option to the needed terminal. United’s optional airside shuttle currently links C33A→B and B3→C for selected connecting flows during construction.
Terminal E is fully operational and now handles the international check-in transition
Houston Airports announced Terminal E fully operational in May 2026: foreign-flag carriers completed their move from Terminal D to E, curbs and TSA lanes opened, and the new baggage system entered service. Earlier 2026 transition notices specifically moved Air France, KLM and Lufthansa check-in to E. Always confirm the current airline check-in point before driving to D or E.
Do not trust the published Terminal B checkpoint row by itself
Houston Airports’ standard checkpoint-hours page still displays Terminal B hours, while the current construction alert directs Terminal B passengers to process at Terminal C. For a B departure during the lobby closure, follow the construction alert and airline instructions rather than planning around the legacy B checkpoint listing.
Spirit Airlines no longer operates at IAH
Houston Airports states that Spirit ceased operations at IAH effective May 2, 2026 and its airport counters closed. Search pages still showing Spirit terminal or pickup information are outdated.
Build a practical IAH plan before leaving
These browser tools are estimates, not airline guarantees. They are designed to expose hidden time costs—Terminal B transfer, bag drop, immigration, parking and curb readiness.
Recommended airport-arrival planner
Skyway or Subway terminal chooser
Parking cost & best-fit estimate
Pickup readiness checker
IAH terminals A, B, C, D and E: what each terminal means for your trip
At IAH, ticketing/check-in terminal, departure gate, arrival gate and baggage-claim terminal can be different. Codeshares, United operations, international processing and the Terminal B project make a simple airline-to-terminal list unreliable. Use your operating airline first, then use this terminal guide to understand the route.
Terminal A
Domestic/non-United activity and selected carrier operations. It has its own ticketing, security and baggage area, but United bags from an A arrival are routed to Terminal C baggage claim.
SkywaySubwayTerminal B
United regional gates remain active, but the ticketing lobby is closed during transformation. Current B passengers process at Terminal C and use Skyway to B.
Construction routingTerminal C
Major United domestic hub and the practical processing point for Terminal B departures during construction. United domestic baggage from several terminals may also be claimed here.
United hubB check-in workaroundTerminal D
International gates and lounges remain important, but international airline check-in has transitioned toward Terminal E. D checkpoint hours vary by day, so do not assume D is always the best landside entry.
International gatesTerminal E
The fully operational international-processing hub: airline check-in, expanded TSA, international arrivals hall and current foreign-flag check-in flow. It was dedicated in May 2026 as the Sheila Jackson Lee Terminal E.
Fully operationalSkyway or Subway at IAH: use the right train for security status
Skyway: stay after security
Skyway is the free post-security (airside) people mover connecting A, B, C and the D/E station. Trains run about every two minutes; the published A-to-D/E ride is about 4 minutes 15 seconds. Use it for most protected connections when you want to avoid leaving security.
Subway: move before security or reach the Marriott
The free underground Subway is pre-security (landside). It links A, B, C, D/E and the Houston Airport Marriott. Published airport pages put service roughly in the 3:30 a.m.–12:30 a.m. range; another airport page shows slightly different late-night margins, so do not plan a midnight transfer without checking current signs.
Why the IAH Subway is unusual: Disney-developed WEDway technology
Houston Airports’ August 2026 feature documents the underground system’s history: it opened August 17, 1981 using Disney-developed WEDway people-mover technology. The roughly two-mile loop connects the terminal complex and Marriott; the airport reported 99.76% reliability and about 3.3 million riders in 2025. This history matters practically because the Subway is a separate landside system from Skyway—not simply another name for the same train.
You are already through TSA and the next gate is in another terminal, including the Terminal C→B construction route.
You are landside, meeting someone before security, changing ticketing terminals before TSA, or going to the airport Marriott during operating hours.
Immigration, baggage, customs and onward connections at IAH
For most international arrivals that did not complete U.S. preclearance before departure, the connection sequence is not simply “walk to the next gate.” Build time for federal processing, checked baggage and TSA rescreening.
Proceed to CBP inspection
Follow signs to Federal Inspection Services. Keep passport and required entry documents accessible until CBP processing is complete.
Collect checked baggage
International connecting passengers generally collect checked bags after immigration even when the bag tag shows the final destination, unless the itinerary arrived from a U.S. preclearance airport or officials give different instructions.
Complete customs
Take baggage through the required customs process. Do not leave a connecting bag on a carousel assuming the airline will retrieve it for you.
Recheck bags for an onward flight
Use the designated connecting-bag facility when your airline accepts the bag there. Separate tickets may require a full landside check-in at the next carrier’s counter.
Re-enter TSA security
Continue to the onward terminal/gate and pass security again when required. Add time for Skyway/Subway positioning and current Terminal B construction routing.
Mobile Passport Control
Eligible travelers can use the CBP MPC app. Current CBP guidance allows a submission to be prepared before landing within the program’s permitted window; complete the final process as directed after arrival.
Global Entry / Enrollment on Arrival
IAH supports Global Entry and Enrollment on Arrival for conditionally approved applicants. Follow signage in the international processing area for current interview availability.
Separate tickets
Build a larger buffer. The onward airline may not protect a missed flight or through-check baggage, and its bag-drop counter can close while you are still clearing CBP.
Where will your checked bag actually arrive at IAH?
This is one of IAH’s most useful micro-details. Houston Airports’ baggage page routes some United bags to Terminal C even when the aircraft arrives at A, D or E, while international bags are processed through the Terminal E international arrivals hall.
| Aircraft arrival | Airline / trip type | Official baggage destination | What to tell your pickup driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal A | United | Terminal C baggage claim | Do not send the driver to A solely because the gate is A. |
| Terminal A | Other airlines | Terminal A baggage claim | Confirm the live carousel before choosing the door. |
| Terminal C | United | Terminal C baggage claim | Use C pickup after the bag is in hand. |
| Terminal D | United domestic | Terminal C baggage claim | Driver should follow the bag claim, not D gate. |
| Terminal D | United international | Terminal E international arrivals | Meet after CBP/customs at E. |
| Terminal D | Other international airlines | Terminal E international arrivals | Use E international-arrivals instructions. |
| Terminal E | United domestic | Terminal C baggage claim | Check C baggage claim before arranging curb pickup. |
| Terminal E | United international | Terminal E international arrivals | Wait until customs is complete before calling the driver. |
IAH TSA checkpoint hours and the Terminal B exception
A practical planning baseline is about two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight, then add parking, rental-return, family, mobility or construction time. Airline check-in and bag-drop deadlines are separate from TSA opening hours.
| Checkpoint | Standard published hours | PreCheck / planning note |
|---|---|---|
| A North | 3:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | PreCheck 3:30 a.m.–6 p.m.; expedited all day. |
| A South | 3:30 a.m.–12:30 a.m. | Expedited all day. |
| Terminal B | Legacy page lists 5 a.m.–9 p.m. | Construction alert overrides trip planning: B passengers currently process at C. |
| C North | 4 a.m.–12 a.m. | PreCheck 4 a.m.–7 p.m.; important for B construction flow. |
| C South | 4 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | Check same-day status before relying on this lane. |
| Terminal D | Sun/Mon/Wed/Fri: 7–11:30 a.m. & 4:30–8 p.m.; Tue/Thu/Sat: 7 a.m.–8 p.m. | Split schedule makes early/late D entry easy to mis-plan. |
| Terminal E | 4 a.m.–12 a.m. | PreCheck 4 a.m.–8 p.m.; expanded international processing. |
TSA ConfirmID
Travelers arriving without acceptable ID may be offered TSA’s identity-verification process when eligible; current airport guidance references a fee. Do not plan to travel without ID simply because the option exists.
CLEAR / PreCheck
Availability is checkpoint- and staffing-dependent. A membership does not guarantee a dedicated lane at every checkpoint or every hour.
Accessibility at screening
Use TSA Cares for screening accommodations and your airline separately for wheelchair/boarding assistance.
IAH parking: rates, reservations, 85% capacity rule, EV charging and long stays
Parking at IAH is no longer a simple “drive up and choose later” decision on busy days. The airport states that once a terminal garage reaches 85% capacity, only travelers with pre-booked reservations may enter. Effective June 1, 2026, ecopark2 is reservation-only.
| Option | Best use | Published planning rate | Important rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal garages | Shortest terminal access | Up to $25 daily max | At 85% capacity, reservation required. |
| ecopark | Budget long-term parking | Published daily rate varies by covered/uncovered selection | 24/7 shuttle; reserve when certainty matters. |
| ecopark2 | Budget parking near Will Clayton | Check current booking quote | Reservation-only since June 1, 2026. |
| Valet | Convenience / shortest parking process | About $30/day published | Use current official valet location for your terminal. |
IAH pickup, Cell Phone Lot, taxi and Uber/Lyft zones
Do not send a driver to “IAH arrivals” without a terminal and door/zone. Baggage routing and international processing can put the passenger in a different terminal from the aircraft gate.
Private-car pickup after baggage claim
Uber and Lyft ride-app pickup
Taxi pickup
Licensed taxi stands are currently listed at A-115, C-105 and E-103. Airport personnel assist 24/7. Published taxi rules include a senior discount and airport/late-night surcharges; confirm the zone fare before departure if applicable.
Free Cell Phone Lot
Wait off the terminal curb until the passenger has collected baggage and sends the exact terminal + door/zone. The Control Tower Cell Phone Lot is at 4500 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble, TX 77396.
Best pickup sequence
- Track the flight.
- Wait in the Cell Phone Lot.
- Passenger collects baggage/clears customs.
- Passenger sends terminal + door/zone.
- Driver enters the terminal loop for active pickup only.
IAH to downtown Houston: Route 500 vs 102, taxi, rideshare and rental car
The best option depends on time of day, luggage, destination and group size. METRO 500 is the straightforward public-transit choice for downtown; Route 102 costs less but makes local stops. Taxi/rideshare is simpler for door-to-door travel, while a rental car is most useful when your Houston trip extends well beyond the central city.
| Option | Current airport stop | Fare / frequency | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| METRO 500 Downtown Direct | Terminal E Level 2, outside Door E-201 between signs 6A/6B | $4.50 one way; generally every 30 min | Direct downtown/GRB travel with luggage storage and Wi-Fi. |
| METRO 102 Bush IAH | Terminal C, current local-bus stop | $1.25; local service | Lowest fare and trips compatible with the local route. |
| Taxi | A-115, C-105, E-103 | Meter/zone rules + airport surcharges | Immediate staffed pickup and direct destination. |
| Ride app | A-114, C-103/104, E Level 2 Zone 5 | Dynamic app quote | Door-to-door app-based trip after reaching the correct zone. |
| Rental car | Shuttle from A/C/E to consolidated Rental Car Center | Company/vehicle dependent | Suburbs, regional driving and multi-stop trips. |
What the Route 500 rider guide confirms
The June 2026 METRO Route 500 PDF places IAH at the Terminal E Level 2 / Door E201 timepoint and labels the service Zone 4, $4.50 each way, operating seven days a week with a published 30-minute frequency. The map shows the nonstop airport-downtown trunk through the GRB North Transit Center and onward route network.
Park & Ride fare rules differ from local bus rules. METRO’s current route page notes Wi-Fi, USB/electrical outlets, overhead bins and below-floor luggage compartments on Park & Ride buses.
Route 500: simplest transit to downtown
Current Houston/METRO guidance places Route 500 at Terminal E Level 2, Door E-201. It runs about every 30 minutes for most operating hours. Check the live schedule if arriving very early or late; it is not a 24-hour route.
Route 102: cheaper, slower local alternative
Route 102 serves Terminal C for $1.25 and runs later than Route 500 on its current schedule, but makes local stops. It can be useful when the 500 is outside service hours or when the local route better matches your destination.
Rental Car Center shuttle timing
The consolidated Rental Car Center is at 17330 Palmetto Pines, Houston, TX 77032, roughly five minutes from the terminals by shuttle in light traffic. Current airport guidance says shuttles run every 5 minutes from 7 a.m.–11 p.m. and every 10 minutes from 11 p.m.–7 a.m.. Pickup is listed at A-115, C-105/C-106 and Terminal E; follow current “Rental Car” signs because E door wording has changed across recent airport updates.
IAH to Hobby Airport is a ground transfer
IAH and HOU are separate airports. Do not treat an IAH→HOU itinerary as a terminal connection. Build time for ground transportation plus a fresh check-in/security process at Hobby.
Wheelchair, sensory, visual, hearing and service-animal support at IAH
IAH assistance is split across organizations. The airline provides wheelchair/electric-cart and boarding help; TSA handles screening accommodations; Houston Airports provides airport navigation, sensory and accessibility resources.
Wheelchair / electric cart
Request through the operating airline in advance. Specify whether help is needed at curb, ticket counter, security, gate, aircraft seat, connection or baggage claim.
Aira visual assistance
Houston Airports supports Aira for blind and low-vision travelers; check the airport accessibility page for the current access method.
Hearing / communication help
Airport resources include communication support and TTY information. General airport TTY is 281-230-3089.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Sunflower materials can help discreetly identify a hidden disability, but they do not replace an airline assistance request or TSA accommodation.
Sensory rooms
Official sensory rooms are in Terminal A between A2 and The Breakfast Klub and in Terminal D West Pier between D3 and D5. Call 281-230-1300 for the access code.
Service-animal relief
Post-security locations are published near A12, B1, C2, D12 and E12, plus an outdoor pre-security area at Terminal E arrivals. Search the live map for the nearest usable route.
Nursing, showers, Wi-Fi, prayer, work space, smoking and overnight help
Free Wi-Fi
Airport Wi-Fi is available in terminals and parking garages. Current Houston Airports instructions use SSID “Free Airport WIFI.” Connect, open the splash page and accept the terms.
Nursing and Mother’s Rooms
Houston Airports lists nursing/Mamava locations across A, B, C, D and E. Examples include A near A1/A17, B near B21, C nursing locations/pods, D nursery space and E facilities. Use the interactive map because construction can change the best route.
Can you shower at IAH?
There is no general free terminal shower. Shower access is tied to eligible/pay facilities such as the Centurion Lounge in D and Minute Suites near C14, subject to current admission and operating status.
Prayer / quiet space
Use the current airport map for chapel/prayer resources and current access, especially when moving between D/E or traveling late.
Smoking
IAH is smoke-free indoors. Smoking is limited to permitted outdoor areas at least 25 feet from terminal doors; there is no airside smoking room to plan around.
USO
Houston Airports lists the USO in Terminal D near Gate D8 with typical daily hours of 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Verify before making a terminal trip solely to use it.
Water bottle refill
Free hands-free bottle-filling stations are available throughout the terminal system. Bring an empty reusable bottle through security and refill airside.
Prohibited item at TSA?
Houston Airports lists a MailSafe Express option at security for mailing certain prohibited items instead of surrendering them. Eligibility, cost and delivery time depend on the item/service.
Currency / tax rebate
Currency exchange is listed in B, C, D and E. Qualifying international travelers can also check the Terminal D pre-security tax-rebate service; current airport hours are listed around 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Working or charging during a layover
New seating/charging has been added in current terminal upgrades, and charging is available throughout the airport. For a reliable workspace, look near current gate seating, airline lounges or Minute Suites rather than assuming every gate has an open outlet.
Houston Airport Marriott
The on-airport Marriott is between Terminals B and C and connects through the underground Subway/tunnel level. It removes the uncertainty of an off-airport shuttle for an early departure or overnight connection.
Late-night terminal access
Do not equate an open airport with an open airline counter, restaurant, lounge or preferred checkpoint. Verify each service separately.
Subway is not 24/7
If your landside transfer falls near midnight, confirm current operating hours before depending on the underground train.
Lost baggage, checkpoint items and IAH Lost & Found
The correct contact depends on where the item was lost. Sending an aircraft item to the airport Lost & Found or a checkpoint item to an airline wastes recovery time.
| Where item was lost | Correct first contact | Current useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft, gate or airline lounge | Operating airline | Airlines hold items lost while flying. |
| TSA checkpoint | 281-443-5301 | TSA controls checkpoint lost property. |
| Public airport area | 833-253-2940 | On-airport Lost & Found hours listed daily 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. |
| Passport found / CBP area | 281-230-4672 | Passports are routed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. |
| Rental Car shuttle bus | 281-233-1019 | Contact the shuttle operator for items left on Rental Car Center buses. |
IAH traveler videos: use official walkthroughs for terminal movement
Video is most useful when text is hard to translate into a real walking route. Houston Airports publishes traveler-focused IAH clips for Skyway use and Terminal E navigation. This guide links to the official source rather than embedding an unverified copy.
Best video topics to watch before a difficult IAH trip
IAH travel-day checklist
- Verify the ticket says IAH, not HOU.
- Check the operating airline, not only the marketing airline.
- Open current airport alerts for Terminal B/road changes.
- Confirm check-in terminal and departure gate separately.
- Check TSA wait times and airline bag-drop cutoff.
- Reserve parking during peak periods.
- Add shuttle time for ecopark or rental return.
- Use Skyway only when already inside security.
- Use Subway landside and note its overnight closure.
- International arrivals: plan for immigration, bags and customs.
- Tell pickup driver terminal + exact curb zone only when ready.
- Keep medication, ID and valuables in cabin baggage.
- Arrange wheelchair/sensory assistance before travel.
- Screenshot boarding pass but keep monitoring live changes.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport contact information
Houston, TX 77032
IAH airport code and travel FAQs
What airport is IAH?
What does the IAH airport code mean?
What country is IAH airport in?
What city does IAH airport serve?
What is the address for George Bush Intercontinental Airport?
What is the IAH IATA code and ICAO code?
What time zone is IAH airport in?
Is IAH the same airport as HOU?
How many terminals does IAH have?
Is Terminal B open at IAH in 2026?
What is the difference between Skyway and Subway at IAH?
Does the IAH Subway run 24 hours?
How early should I arrive at IAH?
Where do international arrivals exit at IAH?
Where is Uber or Lyft pickup at IAH?
Where should I wait to pick someone up at IAH?
How much is IAH parking per day?
Is there public transportation from IAH to downtown Houston?
Is there a hotel connected to IAH?
Can I shower at IAH?
Can I smoke inside IAH?
Where do I report a lost item at IAH?
Does Spirit Airlines still fly from IAH?
Where can I see an IAH airport code map?
Is Terminal E fully open at IAH in 2026?
Where does United baggage arrive if my IAH flight lands at Terminal A, D or E?
Is ecopark2 drive-up parking available at IAH?
Where does METRO Route 500 pick up at IAH?
How often does the IAH Rental Car Center shuttle run?
Should a Terminal B passenger use the Terminal B TSA checkpoint during construction?
Official sources and update policy
This guide prioritizes Houston Airports, FAA, TSA, CBP and METRO for operational facts. Static facts such as the IAH code and address are separated from construction-sensitive facts such as Terminal B entry, checkpoint hours, parking capacity and rideshare zones. Official links are placed after the explanation so the reader knows what to verify.
Houston Airports
Terminal alerts, maps, parking, transport, security, accessibility, baggage, services and passenger contacts.
Federal sources
FAA identifier/location data, TSA screening rules and CBP international-arrival tools.
METRO
Current bus route fares, schedules and downtown service information should be confirmed on travel day.