Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Houston has two airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is served by major domestic and international airlines; William P Hobby Airport (HOU) is a main hub for Southwest Airlines.

Limited bus service is available to Bush Intercontinental Airport, making taxis and private shuttle buses a better bet. Bus service to Hobby Airport is more reliable. Both airports have car rental agencies.

Greyhound is the major bus carrier, with a web of services in all directions.

Amtrak service is very limited. The chronically late Sunset Limited was derailed by hurricane Katrina in 2005. You can travel between Houston and Los Angeles or New Orleans, but for the time being can't go further east to Orlando.

As a city built around the car, Houston has highways radiating in all directions.

Getting around

The Metro network includes a light-rail system running along Main St from downtown through the Museum District to Reliant Stadium. Much of the 100 bus network is geared to the weekday commute in and out of the downtown area, which means that weekend service to outlying areas like Clear Lake and the Johnson Space Center isn't the best.

By far the best way to get around Houston is with a car. Museum District sights are clustered together so you can ditch your wheels and walk around a bit . Other sights and attractions are far enough that driving is the only convenient way to reach them. Driving is on the right.