IAH · Houston, TX · Major Hub

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 5 terminals, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 45 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international
  • To Houston: about 35 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Terminals & connections

George Bush Intercontinental Airport has 5 terminals. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. All terminals are airside-connected via the Skyway (above ground) and Subway (below ground) train systems.

Terminal A

2 airlines: United Airlines, WestJet

United Express regional.

Terminal B

1 airline: United Airlines

United regional jets.

Terminal C

1 airline: United Airlines

United mainline domestic hub.

Terminal D

8 airlines: Lufthansa, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and more

International arrivals.

Terminal E

9 airlines: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and more

Non-United carriers.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
45 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 15 min
Transfer system
Skyway train + Subway train (airside between A, B, C, D, E)
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave IAH.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at IAH is 25 minutes at peak and 8 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 2 hr before a domestic flight and 3 hr before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

Lounges

1 notable lounge at IAH, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

United Polaris Lounge

Terminal E

United / Star Alliance

Access: Polaris Business intl

Amenities: Showers, Sit-down dining

Amenities

5 of 7 core amenities available at IAH: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

United clubs, Polaris lounge

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

All terminals

Chapel

Available

Terminal C

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Terminal C: Hugo's, Landry's Seafood

Ground transport to Houston

IAH is about 35 min from downtown Houston by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
METRO Bus 102
Bus
Express bus to downtown.
 $1-$4 60-90 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
 $40-$65 25-50 min

Parking

IAH parking ranges from $7/day economy to $25/day short-term.

Short-term
$25/day
Long-term
$14/day
Economy
$7/day
Valet
Not available

Can I leave IAH during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside IAH. Even 6-hour layovers can be tight at IAH given traffic and re-screening. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 10 min plus re-screening on return.

Downtown Houston is a 40-60 min round trip by rideshare. Most IAH layovers stay inside the airport.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush
    On-airport
    $$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at IAH?

Arrive at least 120 minutes before a domestic flight from IAH, and 180 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at IAH?

IAH requires at least 45 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All terminals are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing terminals.

How long does it take to get between terminals at IAH?

Budget 10 min for same-terminal transfers and 25 min for different-terminal transfers at IAH via Skyway train + Subway train (airside between A, B, C, D, E). All terminals are airside-connected via the Skyway (above ground) and Subway (below ground) train systems.

Can I leave IAH during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside IAH. Even 6-hour layovers are tight at IAH. Round-trip to the city center is about 70 minutes plus re-screening. Downtown Houston is a 40-60 min round trip by rideshare. Most IAH layovers stay inside the airport.

Does IAH have showers?

Yes, IAH has showers at United clubs, Polaris lounge.

Does IAH have sleep pods?

IAH does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at IAH?

Yes. IAH offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from IAH to Houston?

The cheapest option is typically METRO Bus 102 at $1-$4, taking 60-90 minutes. Express bus to downtown.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at IAH?

IAH supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 25 minutes.

Where should I eat at IAH during a layover?

Notable dining at IAH includes Hugo's (Terminal C), Landry's Seafood (Terminal C).

How much does parking cost at IAH?

IAH parking rates: $25/day short-term, $14/day long-term, $7/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

Is there a hotel at IAH for overnight layovers?

Yes. Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush is on-airport (On-airport) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at IAH?

IAH has 5 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal A: United Airlines, WestJet; Terminal B: United Airlines; Terminal C: United Airlines; Terminal D: Lufthansa, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at IAH?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at IAH?

Yes. Terminal C.

Compare IAH to other airports

See how IAH ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers IAH is one of the harder airports to leave With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT IAH dom-to-dom: 45 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

Airlines operating at IAH

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of IAH.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with George Bush Intercontinental Airport before flying.