HOU decoded: Hobby Airport code and the travel details that matter
William P. Hobby Airport uses the three-letter passenger code HOU. Use this guide to confirm the correct Houston airport, understand the terminal layout, compare parking, find rideshare and public transit, prepare for security and check current airport information before you travel.
Open the official source for information that can change
An airport code is stable, but gates, airline assignments, TSA waits, construction routing and parking availability are not. These links take you to the organization responsible for the current information rather than reproducing a number that may become stale.
What is the Hobby Airport airport code?
HOU is the IATA airport code used for William P. Hobby Airport. This is the three-letter code travelers normally see on airline booking screens, boarding passes, baggage tags and flight-status displays.
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’s ICAO identifier is KHOU. ICAO identifiers are used primarily in aviation and flight-planning systems; most passengers only need to recognize HOU.
William P. Hobby Airport
Located southeast of downtown Houston. The airport uses a compact passenger layout with Central and West concourses.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
A different Houston airport north of downtown with five passenger terminals. Always follow the code printed on your ticket.
Read the code on the ticket
If it says HOU, your airport is William P. Hobby Airport.
Match your ground booking
Check that parking, hotel transportation, rental-car return and pickup instructions also say HOU.
Use the airline for the final flight-specific check
Gate and timing information can change even when the airport code stays the same.
Where is William P. Hobby Airport?
Houston Airports lists Hobby Airport at 7800 Airport Boulevard, Houston, TX 77061, approximately 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston.
Airport address
William P. Hobby Airport
7800 Airport Boulevard
Houston, TX 77061
United States
Driving approach
Official directions route travelers from I-45 using Monroe Road when traveling south and Airport Boulevard/College Avenue when traveling north. Traffic conditions can change, so use live navigation on travel day.
Hobby Airport terminal and concourses
HOU is simpler than Houston’s larger IAH airport, but passengers should still check the operating airline and gate before arriving. Houston Airports describes the passenger terminal as two main concourse areas.
Central Concourse
The Central Concourse is used primarily for domestic operations and contains a large share of HOU’s passenger services and concessions.
West Concourse
The West Concourse handles domestic and international departures. Houston Airports and Southwest are expanding this area with seven additional gates, with project completion targeted for 2027.
Which airlines currently serve Hobby Airport?
Houston Airports’ current airline directory lists Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Sun Country Airlines at HOU.
Southwest Airlines
HOU is a major Southwest operation with domestic and international flying.
American and Delta
Both carriers appear in the airport’s current airline directory.
Other current listings
Allegiant, Frontier and Sun Country are also listed by Houston Airports.
HOU security, TSA rules and arrival timing
Houston Airports publishes checkpoint information and live wait tools for Hobby Airport. Because screening demand changes throughout the day, check the current HOU security page rather than relying on a fixed wait-time estimate.
Liquids
The standard TSA 3-1-1 rule applies to ordinary carry-on liquids: containers of 3.4 ounces (100 mL) or less inside the permitted quart-size liquids bag, subject to TSA exceptions.
Identification
Use TSA’s current identification guidance when preparing for screening. Travelers without acceptable ID should not assume they will automatically be admitted through the checkpoint.
TSA Cares
Houston Airports advises travelers who need screening assistance to contact TSA Cares at least 72 hours before travel when possible.
Hobby Airport parking: garage, ecopark and valet
HOU offers terminal garages, economy ecopark and valet parking. Houston Airports now operates a cashless parking system, so do not arrive expecting to pay a parking cashier with cash.
| Parking option | Current published rate | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Red / Blue garages | $25 daily maximum including tax | Covered terminal-adjacent parking. Red Garage also contains valet. |
| ecopark | $10 for 16 minutes–24 hours including tax | Economy option with complimentary terminal shuttle service. |
| Valet | $30 for 0–24 hours including tax | Located on Level 2 of the Red Garage. |
Cashless payment
Current accepted methods include major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Houston Airports says cash is not accepted at parking exits.
Oversized vehicles
Terminal garages have height restrictions. HOU ecopark can accommodate larger vehicles up to the limit published by Houston Airports; verify clearance before arriving with a tall vehicle.
HOU pickup, rideshare, taxi and Cell Phone Lot
Different transportation types use different curb zones on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level. Matching the service to the correct zone can prevent unnecessary loops around the terminal.
Uber and Lyft
Ride-app pickup uses Curb Zone 5 outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals. Current airport directions point passengers toward the exit nearest Baggage Claim Carousel 4.
Taxi
Airport taxi pickup uses Curb Zone 2 outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals. Airport personnel are available at the taxi stand.
Cell Phone Lot
The free Cell Phone Lot is at 7450 Airport Boulevard, operates 24/7 and requires the driver to remain with the vehicle.
Getting from Hobby Airport to downtown Houston
Travelers can use METRO, taxis, ride apps, rental cars, hotel shuttles and other ground transportation. The best choice depends on your final destination, arrival time, group size and luggage.
METRO Downtown Direct
Route 500 provides direct airport-to-downtown service. METRO currently publishes a regular fare of $4.50 and service about every 15–30 minutes depending on the operating period.
Local METRO routes
METRO also lists four local routes serving Hobby Transit Center. The regular local-bus fare is currently $1.25, with more stops than the Downtown Direct.
Rental cars
Rental-car courtesy shuttles use Curb Zone 1 outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals. Follow current “Rental Car Shuttles” signs.
| Option | Where to start | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| METRO 500 | Hobby Transit Center | Direct downtown option; verify exact departure time before travel. |
| Ride app | Arrivals Curb Zone 5 | Request the ride after reaching the designated pickup area. |
| Taxi | Arrivals Curb Zone 2 | Official airport page publishes approximate zone fares. |
| Rental car | Arrivals Curb Zone 1 shuttle | Rental facilities are reached by courtesy shuttle. |
Accessibility and passenger assistance at HOU
Houston Airports publishes accessibility information for visible and non-visible disabilities. Assistance responsibilities differ by task, so contact the correct organization before travel.
Wheelchair assistance
Wheelchairs are managed by the airlines. Request assistance from your airline in advance rather than waiting until you reach security.
TSA screening help
TSA Cares can explain screening procedures and arrange appropriate checkpoint assistance. Houston Airports recommends contacting TSA Cares at least 72 hours before travel when possible.
Hidden disabilities
HOU participates in the Sunflower Lanyard program. The airport also publishes information for blind and low-vision passengers and other accessibility services.
Wi-Fi, information desks, charging and traveler services
Free airport Wi-Fi
Houston Airports provides free Wi-Fi at HOU, including terminal areas and parking garages. The published network name is “Free Airport WIFI.”
Airport information
The airport information counter is staffed daily, and official visitor information lists help points on Levels 1 and 2. General information and paging is available at 713-640-3000.
Charging and water
Houston Airports lists charging-equipped gate seating and free water-bottle filling stations at multiple pre-security and post-security locations.
Family and nursing facilities
Family restrooms and private nursing facilities are available. Use the airport’s current accessibility and visitor-services pages to locate the nearest option to your gate.
Lost item
For an item lost inside the airport, use Houston Airports’ current Lost & Found process. For an item lost onboard an aircraft, contact the airline because the airport may not control the item.
What to do if you accidentally went to IAH instead of HOU
Confirm the ticket before moving
Look for HOU or IAH on the current itinerary and confirm the operating airline. Do not rely only on the word “Houston.”
Contact the airline if departure is close
If you are already at the wrong airport and time is limited, contact the operating airline before making assumptions about rebooking or check-in deadlines.
Treat IAH–HOU as a ground transfer
The airports are not connected like terminals within one complex. Allow for ground travel, traffic and a new security/check-in process at the correct airport.
Correct related reservations
Recheck parking, rental-car return, hotel shuttle and pickup instructions because those reservations may also point to the wrong Houston airport.
Hobby Airport code and travel FAQs
What is the airport code for Hobby Airport?
What is the ICAO code for William P. Hobby Airport?
Is HOU the same airport as IAH?
How far is Hobby Airport from downtown Houston?
What is the address of Hobby Airport?
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at Hobby Airport?
Is there public transportation from Hobby Airport to downtown Houston?
How much is official parking at Hobby Airport?
Does Hobby Airport have international flights?
How early should I arrive at HOU?
Check the code before comparing Houston airports
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
If your booking says IAH rather than HOU, use the separate IAH guide for terminal, parking and Houston ground-transport information.
US airport codes
Compare HOU with other major US passenger airport identifiers and avoid common multi-airport city mistakes.
Official sources used for this Hobby Airport guide
Stable code and location information is separated from operational information that can change. For gates, security waits, parking availability, road routing and pickup instructions, the linked live source should take priority on the travel date.