What is the cheapest way from IAH to downtown Houston?

METRO local bus Route 102 (Bush IAH), a flat $1.25 fare from Terminal C to Milam Street downtown, taking about 50–90 minutes depending on traffic. The $4.50 Route 500 Downtown Direct is a faster nonstop alternative.

Where does the Route 102 bus pick up at IAH?

At the marked METRO bus stop on the Baggage Claim level, south side of Terminal C. If you land at another terminal, take the free inter-terminal Subway train to Terminal C first.

How do I pay for the METRO bus and do I need exact change?

Yes for cash — the farebox takes only exact cash ($1.25) and the driver gives no change. You can avoid coins by tapping a METRO Q Card or using the METRO Q Ticketing app.

How long does the bus from IAH to downtown Houston take?

Route 102 takes roughly 50–90 minutes depending on traffic. The nonstop Route 500 Downtown Direct is quicker, about 40 minutes, for $4.50.

How much is a taxi from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to the city?

A taxi runs about $45–60 and an Uber $42–45 plus a $4.25 airport fee, versus $1.25 on Route 102 or $4.50 on the nonstop Route 500 — only worth it if you value door-to-door speed.

What is the best way from IAH to downtown Houston?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: METRO Route 102 from Terminal C to Milam Street in central Houston, a flat $1.25 and about 50–90 minutes; the $4.50 Route 500 Downtown Direct is a faster nonstop ride to the city center.

How do you get from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to downtown Houston — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to downtown Houston is METRO local bus Route 102 (Bush IAH), which runs from Terminal C to Milam Street in the Central Business District for a flat $1.25, taking roughly 50–90 minutes depending on traffic. Bring exact change, because the driver gives none, or tap a METRO Q Card. Skip the $45–60 taxi or the $42–45 Uber; if you'd rather go nonstop, the $4.50 Route 500 Downtown Direct is still a tiny fraction of that.

How to find it

AIRPORTHouston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
01After baggage claim, make your way to Terminal C. The Route 102 bus stops at the marked METRO bus stop on the Baggage Claim level, on the south side of Terminal C. If you land at another terminal, ride the free inter-terminal Subway train to Terminal C first.
02Have the $1.25 fare ready — exact cash, a METRO Q Card, or the METRO Q Ticketing app — because the driver gives no change. Stow larger bags in the luggage compartment on the outside of the bus; the driver does not help with luggage.
03Board Route 102 towards Downtown. Buses run about every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends, from before 5 a.m. until after midnight.
04Ride roughly 50–90 minutes depending on traffic to downtown Houston. The route runs along Milam Street through the Central Business District, so get off at the stop nearest your destination; it connects with the METRORail Red Line and local buses.
CITY CENTREHouston

Ticket

METRO local bus Route 102 (Bush IAH) one-way fare to downtown Houston

Where to buy: Pay onboard when you get on: no ticket office is needed. You can also load a reusable METRO Q Card or the METRO Q Ticketing app in advance.

How to pay: The farebox takes exact cash only ($1.25) — the driver gives no change. To avoid needing exact coins, tap a METRO Q Card or scan the METRO Q Ticketing app. No separate validation is required.

Local's trick: Bring $1.25 in exact change or preload a METRO Q Card, because the driver gives no change on the cash-only farebox. The 102 stops only at Terminal C, so if you land elsewhere take the free inter-terminal Subway train to Terminal C first.

Trap to avoid: Don't default to a taxi or rideshare: a taxi runs about $45–60 to downtown and an Uber is typically $42–45 plus a $4.25 airport pickup fee — dozens of times the $1.25 bus.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	$1.25	1 h 10 min	METRO local bus Route 102 (Bush IAH) one-way fare to downtown Houston
Bus	$4.50	45 min	METRO Route 500 Downtown Direct one-way fare (IAH–George R. Brown Convention Center)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from IAH to downtown Houston?: METRO local bus Route 102 (Bush IAH), a flat $1.25 fare from Terminal C to Milam Street downtown, taking about 50–90 minutes depending on traffic. The $4.50 Route 500 Downtown Direct is a faster nonstop alternative.
Where does the Route 102 bus pick up at IAH?: At the marked METRO bus stop on the Baggage Claim level, south side of Terminal C. If you land at another terminal, take the free inter-terminal Subway train to Terminal C first.
How do I pay for the METRO bus and do I need exact change?: Yes for cash — the farebox takes only exact cash ($1.25) and the driver gives no change. You can avoid coins by tapping a METRO Q Card or using the METRO Q Ticketing app.
How long does the bus from IAH to downtown Houston take?: Route 102 takes roughly 50–90 minutes depending on traffic. The nonstop Route 500 Downtown Direct is quicker, about 40 minutes, for $4.50.
How much is a taxi from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to the city?: A taxi runs about $45–60 and an Uber $42–45 plus a $4.25 airport fee, versus $1.25 on Route 102 or $4.50 on the nonstop Route 500 — only worth it if you value door-to-door speed.
What is the best way from IAH to downtown Houston?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: METRO Route 102 from Terminal C to Milam Street in central Houston, a flat $1.25 and about 50–90 minutes; the $4.50 Route 500 Downtown Direct is a faster nonstop ride to the city center.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.