The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is one of three airports that serve the Houston area. IAH is located about 23 miles north of Downtown Houston and had more than 45.2 million passengers in 2019. George Bush Intercontinental Airport serves as a hub for United Airlines and offers non-stop service to more than 185 domestic and international destinations. The airport is named after the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, and opened in 1969. The airport has five terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, Terminal E, and Terminal F. Terminal A is the oldest terminal and primarily serves domestic flights. Terminal B is the second oldest terminal and also primarily serves domestic flights. Terminal C opened in 1990 and is the airport’s largest terminal. It serves both domestic and international flights. Terminal E opened in 2003 and primarily serves international flights. Terminal F opened in 2008 and is the airport’s newest terminal. It also serves both domestic and international flights. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is easy to navigate. The terminals are all connected by an underground train, making it easy to get from one terminal to another. The airport also has a variety of shops and restaurants, so you can find something to eat or drink no matter what terminal you’re in. If you’re looking for things to do near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, there are plenty of options. The airport is located near several Houston attractions, including the Space Center Houston, the Houston Zoo, and the Museum of Fine Arts. This George Bush Intercontinental Airport guide will help break down everything you need to know for your travels through the airport. We will also include parking information with the most affordable long-term parking at IAH Airport.
Reminders for Before You Leave
To make your life easier when you get to IAH, follow these few tips before you head out!
- Make sure the name on your plane ticket matches the name on your driver’s license or any other form of government identification you may be using when traveling.
- Check your flight status before leaving for the airport.
- Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight traveling within the US and three hours for international travel.
- Check the weight of your luggage to avoid any extra fees at the airport and pack larger quantities of liquids and gels in your checked luggage to avoid any hold-ups at security.
- Know what items you can and cannot bring on the plane, refer to the TSA list of prohibited items.
Going Through Security at IAH Airport
There are seven total security checkpoints at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The security checkpoints are located in Terminal A North, Terminal A South, Terminal B, Terminal C North, Terminal C South, Terminal D, and Terminal E. IAH airport also offers TSA Pre-Check which allows passengers to leave on their shoes and light outerwear as well as keep their laptop in its case for a quicker security experience. CLEAR is also offered at IAH airport. Being a CLEAR member allows passengers to pass long security lines and go straight to screening. The CLEAR lanes at the IAH airport are located in Terminal A North and South security areas. You do have to enroll and pay a recurring membership fee for both TSA precheck and CLEAR.
Where to Eat and Drink at IAH
There are many options at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, so how do you make the right decision when choosing where to eat from the myriad of restaurants? Whether you need a quick snack or want to enjoy a sit-down meal, there are plenty of options available at the Houston Airport! Here are a few restaurants coveted as the “best restaurants” at IAH:
Bam Bam
This restaurant serves Cajun food such as gumbo and crawfish bowls. This spot is located in IAH terminal C near gate C5. You will find Cajun seafood with an added Vietnamese flair at this restaurant created by Chef Nguyen.
(Image by Taste Houston via https://www.visithoustontexas.com/taste-houston/local-picks/houston-neighborhoods/restaurants-at-houston-bush-intercontinental-airport/)
Ruby's Diner:
Ruby's Diner is a 1940s-themed restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are best known for their burgers and milkshakes but also serve salads and have a while breakfast menu as well as a full bar.
(Image by Houston Airport Informational Guide to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - NON OFFICIAL via https://www.airport-houston.com/restaurants-and-food/terminal-e/rubys-diner-1)
There are many different options for eating at the IAH airport. You can use the Houston Airport food map to find all of your different options while traveling through the airport. They offer interactive maps which will help guide you through the airport to your destination.
Hotel Options near George Bush Intercontinental Airport
There is an inter-terminal airport located between Terminals B&C at the IAH airport. The Marriott Houston Airport hotel offers a fitness center, saltwater pool, and business center for passengers who may need a hotel during their travels. They also offer direct access to all of the airline gates via an underground train service for convenience. This is the most convenient option if you are looking for the closest hotel to the IAH airport, but there are other options available as well. There are plenty of hotels near George Bush Intercontinental Airport to choose from, whether you're looking for a luxurious option or a more budget-friendly one. The airport is located just outside of Houston, Texas, so you'll have your pick of accommodations in the area. If you're looking for a 5-star hotel, the JW Marriott Houston by The Galleria is a great option, located just a short drive from the airport. For a more affordable option, the Hampton Inn & Suites Houston/Bush Airport is a great choice, offering complimentary breakfast and airport shuttle service. Whichever hotel you choose, you'll be sure to find one that meets your needs near George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Most hotel options near the airport offer shuttle services for both arrivals and departures If this is something you will require, be sure to choose a hotel with those services.
Lounges at IAH Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport has lounges available throughout each of its terminals for passengers who are looking for a space to relax while waiting for their flight. Below is a list of the lounges at the airport as well as the terminals in which they are located:
- Terminal A:
- American Airlines Admirals Club
- United Club
- Terminal B:
- United Club
- Terminal C:
- United Club- there are two locations for the United Club in IAH terminal C. There is one located in the North concourse of the terminal and the other is located in the South Concourse.
- Terminal D:
- Air France Lounge
- British Airways Executive Club
- British Airways First Lounge
- HAS Executive Club
- KLM Crown Lounge
- USO Lounge
- Terminal E:
- United Club
- United Polaris Lounge
This article goes into more depth about the lounges including their hours of operation, what amenities they offer, and how to become a member.
International Travel at IAH Airport
All international arrivals will land at the gates in either Terminal D or Terminal E. After landing, all passengers will be directed to Federal Inspections Services to clear Immigration and Passport control. After clearing FIS arriving passengers will be directed downstairs to baggage claim and then will proceed to customs exit control. If you are an international passenger, arriving or in transit, with only a carry-on bag, you may use IAH's OneStop shortcut in the immigration and passport control processing area. You do not need a membership or register to use OneStop. You can learn more about international travel at George Bush Intercontinental Airport here.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport Parking Options
Some short-term parking options at IAH include:
Hourly and Daily Parking Options at IAH
Daily and hourly parking options are available at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
For on-site airport parking, you can view capacity rates here. There are a couple of different options for on-site parking with different rates. Those options are as follows:
- Terminals A&B: Located at 2800 N. Terminal Road
- Daily rate: $30
- Terminals C, D & E: located at 3500 N. Terminal Road
- Daily rate: $25
- Ecopark Covered: Located at 16152 John F. Kennedy Blvd
- Daily rate: $8.31 plus tax
- Ecopark Uncovered: Located on 16152 John F. Kennedy Blv
- Daily Rate: $6.47 plus tax
- Ecopark2 Covered: Located at 5021 Will Clayton Parkway
- Daily rate: $7.39 plus tax
The Parking Spot
The Parking Spot is another lot near IAH that also offers daily and long-term airport parking.
- Airport shuttles are available 24/7 to provide transportation to and from the airport.
- Daily rates are $13.00 a day for covered parking and $7.50 a day for uncovered parking.
All short-term parking reservations can be made on their website. Long-term parking at IAH can be made through STOW IT.
Park n' Fly
Park n’ Fly provides a similar service as what The Parking Spot offers. This lot is close to the airport and provides a shuttle service to and from the airport. Reservations can be made ahead of time on their website. Long-term parking at IAH can be booked through STOW IT.
Long-Term Parking at George Bush Intercontinental Airport
STOW IT’s partnership with The Parking Spot allows customers to access long-term parking, storage, and shuttle services to-and-from the airport. With STOW IT's long-term parking options at IAH, you will pay about $5.85 per day at the monthly rate. This is an excellent option for long-term travelers who need monthly or yearly parking. Other options like IAH’s parking garages charge high rates that are simply unaffordable for long-term parking.
Ultimately, there are many ways to make your stop at George Bush Intercontinental Airport as easy as possible. Whether it comes to knowing the best spot to eat at or reserving a long-term parking spot through STOW IT these tips will help save time and money on your next trip to IAH.