The Guide to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Quick insights

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is one of Houston’s two major airports in addition to William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
• IAH is approximately 23 miles from downtown Houston.
• Priority Pass™ members can access two participating airport lounges and one Minute Suites location.

Initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport, IAH was renamed after George H. W. Bush in 1997. It houses five terminals that have flights covering five continents. To travel between terminals, passengers can use walkways or take the airport’s Skyway automated people mover or subway train service.

Headed to IAH for your next trip? Read on to learn about its ground transportation, parking options, airport lounges and more.

Navigating to and from IAH

There are several ground transportation options for those arriving or departing from IAH:

• Taxi: Taxis are available outside baggage claim in Terminals A, B, C and E. Those in Terminal D (the main international terminal) will need to walk or use the Skyway to another terminal.
• Rideshare: Rideshare pickup is outside baggage claim on Terminals A and C.
• Bus: The Houston METRO offers local bus service to downtown Houston and surrounding areas, as well as HOU.
• Shuttle: To request a hotel shuttle, visit an Interactive Visitor Kiosk in the baggage claim area in Terminals A, B and C, or on the arrivals level of Terminal E. Visitors can also book shuttles to Jack Brooks Regional Airport (BPT), College Station and Galveston through independent shuttle companies that depart from IAH.
• Rental car: The IAH Rental Car Center is approximately five minutes from the terminals by shuttle. Shuttles depart outside the baggage claim areas of each terminal.

Parking options at IAH

IAH has multiple parking facilities that are open 24/7/365. All parking facilities are first come, first serve, and include accessible parking spots, valet options and EV charging spaces. If you park in an Economy lot, you can take a complimentary shuttle to your terminal.

If you’re waiting to pick up a passenger, you may park in one of IAH’s three free cell phone lots. Each lot is open 24 hours a day; note that drivers must remain in the vehicle at all times.

IAH recommends reserving parking in advance to ensure you can book your desired parking spot.

How early to get to IAH

It’s typically best to arrive at the airport two hours before takeoff for domestic flights, and three hours before takeoff for international flights. However, you may need to arrive earlier if you travel on a holiday or during peak travel times.

Refer to IAH’s website for live security wait times. If you travel often, you may want to consider programs like TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry, which can help expedite the security progress.

IAH airport map

Headed to IAH for your next flight or layover? Visit IAH’s website to find terminal maps that show locations for parking, ground transportation, shops, restaurants, restrooms and more. It may be useful to scope out your terminal before arriving, whether you’ll be there for a few hours or just need a pre-flight snack.

IAH terminal information

All terminals at IAH (A, B, C, D and E) are connected by both Skyway and subway train services. The Skyway and walkways are within the secure area; the subway is outside of security.

Terminals B through E are connected via walkways after security. Terminal A is not connected to the rest of the terminals and must be accessed by Skyway or subway.

Terminals A, B and C mostly house domestic flights; Terminals D and E operate both domestic and international flights.

Additional terminal information includes:

• Terminal A: Has two departure concourses at either end of the terminal with their own security checkpoints. To connect to other terminals, go to level 3 to take the Skyway or level LL to take the subway.
• Terminal B: Has two concourses on either end with a single security checkpoint. In addition to using the Skyway or subway, passengers can use the walkway on level 3 to reach Terminal C.
• Terminal C: Has two concourses and one security checkpoint. Passengers may use the walkway on level 3 to access Terminals B, D and E.
• Terminal D: Has one concourse and one security checkpoint. Serves as the main international terminal and shares baggage claim/ground transportation with Terminal E.
• Terminal E: Has one security checkpoint. Immigration and Customs are located on level 1 for both Terminal D and E.

Priority Pass amenities at IAH

Travelers with Priority Pass memberships have access to two participating airport lounges in addition to one Minute Suites location:

Priority Pass lounges

There are two lounges in the Priority Pass network at IAH:

• KLM Crown Lounge: In Terminal D near gate D16. Amenities may include workstations, Wi-Fi, plenty of seating options, a buffet, a bar, grab-and-go snacks, luggage storage and more.
• Air France Lounge: In Terminal D across from gate D18B (temporarily closed for refurbishment as of April 2024).* Amenities may include Wi-Fi, digital versions of local and international newspapers, hot and cold drinks, a buffet, a relaxation area and more.

Priority Pass members can access either lounge by using one lounge entitlement; other airport guests may purchase day passes for entry.

Note that there is a three-hour maximum stay for each lounge. Children under two are admitted for free.

Minute Suites

If you’re looking for a quiet place to work, relax or sleep among the hustle and bustle of the airport, you may benefit from the privacy of Minute Suites. The IAH Minute Suites location can be found in Terminal C near gate C14 and is open 24 hours a day (hours subject to change).

Amenities may include:

• A daybed sofa that sleeps two
• Pillows and fresh blankets
• A workstation
• Amazon Alexa (for music, white noise, alarms, flight tracking, weather and more)
• A Smart TV
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Showers

While any airport guest is welcome to book a suite, Priority Pass members may use one lounge entitlement toward a complimentary first hour. Additionally, Priority Pass members receive savings after their first hour; for additional details, visit Priority Pass Benefits – Minute Suites.

Travelers can visit the Minute Suites website to book a suite in advance. A minimum stay of at least 1-hour and 15 minutes must be booked in order to reserve online and guarantee suite availability prior to your arrival. Reservations are highly recommended as private suites may be in high demand, especially during peak travel times, in the event of mass cancellations and/or delays, etc.

Please note that the complimentary one-hour reservations made with a lounge entitlement are not available to be booked online and may only be booked in person, at time of arrival, and are based upon availability.

Things to do at IAH

Staying at IAH for a lengthy layover? There’s plenty to do within the airport to pass the time:

• Dine at one of the many restaurants: There are over 100 restaurants and cafes within IAH. A few local options include Agave Taqueria, El Premio, Gavi and Houston Wheelhouse.
• Relax in an airport lounge: If you have several hours to spare, you may be in search of a quiet place to relax. IAH has 10+ airport lounges, including two lounges in the Priority Pass network.
• Catch a live performance: The Harmony in the Air performing arts program hosts daily live performances at IAH. Visitors can listen to the likes of classical, contemporary classical, smooth jazz and international music during their travels.
• View art: The Houston Airport System has one of the largest collections of public art in Texas. View sculptures, photographs and more throughout the Terminals and grounds. Most pieces were created by Texas-based artists.

Quick summary

IAH is the second-largest airport in Texas after Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and offers a wide range of parking, transportation, dining and shopping options. If you find yourself at IAH during your travels, be sure to visit one of its two lounges in the Priority Pass network or its Minute Suites location.

This article contains the most up-to-date information at the time of publication. Details since publication are subject to change. Visit Priority Pass' official website for the most up-to-date benefits information.