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William P. Hobby Airport [HOU] — Ultimate Terminal Guide

BY 

Amar Hussain

- UPDATED: April 26, 2021

1. Travel  / 
2. Airports

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Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is one of the fastest-growing U.S. airports in the last decade, due to the launch of its international services in 2015. HOU is a 4-star airport and was voted the third-best regional airport in North America by the 2020 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

HOU served 14.4 million passengers in 2019, with Southwest Airlines serving the majority of its route network.

Quick Info

Airport: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Terminals: 1 terminal and 2 concourses
Airport Address: 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston, TX 77061
Distance From Downtown Houston: 7 miles (11 km)
Website: fly2houston.com
Phone Number: 281-230-3100
Annual Passengers: 14.4 million
Destinations: 57 domestic and 10 international destinations
Flight Information: Departures and arrivals info can be found here

Airlines Operating From HOU

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines

HOU Airport Terminals

HOU consists of a single passenger terminal with a central departures concourse and a separate concourse for international arrivals. At the front of the terminal, several roadways provide curbside access on 2 levels to 3 parking garages for short and long-term parking.

Main Terminal

Level 1 — Baggage Claim

The baggage claim area is located on level 1 for both domestic and international arrivals. Passengers arriving on domestic flights may collect their luggage from the central arrivals area. Passengers on international flights will arrive in the West Concourse, collecting their luggage and proceeding through Customs and Immigration.

Ground transportation services are located on level 1, including the rental car offices directly in front of the baggage claim carousels.

Level 2 — Departures

Airline ticketing for Southwest Airlines is on the west side of the main terminal on level 1, with all other airlines on the east side. The security checkpoint is located in the middle of the terminal and provides access to the Central Concourse and West Concourse.

Central Concourse

The Central Concourse has 25 gates numbered 20 to 32 and 40 to 51. There’s a good choice of shops and restaurants, and the USO lounge is near gate 44.

West Concourse

The West Concourse has 5 gates numbered 1 to 5 and a small selection of shops and restaurants. The 2 concourses are connected via a long corridor with moving walkways so that passengers can visit the concessions across both concourses. The West Concourse manages international flights as it has Customs and Immigration facilities.

Inter-Terminal Transport

Walking

HOU is not a huge airport, and with just 1 terminal providing access to both concourses, passengers can walk between all areas of the airport.

To connect between flights, passengers may walk between the 2 concourses inside the secure area provided they are not arriving on an international flight. Passengers arriving on an international flight, or those that need to collect luggage, will need to re-clear security again.

Security and Customs at HOU

HOU has 1 security checkpoint located in the main terminal that is open daily from 4 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

TSA PreCheck

There are dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at the HOU security checkpoint that are open daily from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

HOU does not have a TSA Enrollment Center, with the closest located around 8 miles away at 1717 Turning Basin, Ste. 140 Houston, TX 77029-4050.

Global Entry

HOU has Global Entry kiosks in the international arrivals area for passengers that have been approved in the program.

There’s no Global Entry Enrollment Center at HOU. The closest is located at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

Mobile Passport

HOU has dedicated Mobile Passport Control lines for eligible participants to complete their arrival information via the app.

HOU Airport Lounges

The only lounge at HOU is a USO lounge for active military. The lounge is located in the central concourse near gate 44.

Dining and Drinks at HOU

HOU has 18 restaurants, cafes, and fast-food counters. Pre-security, there is only 1 place to grab a bite, which is Pappas Bar-B-Q, located opposite the security checkpoint.

HOU Wi-Fi and Charging Points

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminals and parking garages. To connect, select “Free Airport WIFI,” and if you need assistance dial 844-310-9990.

HOU Airport Lost and Found

HOU’s Lost and Found office is located next to the American Airlines baggage office on level 1. The office is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and passengers may contact the office at 833-274-7020.

If you lose an item at a security checkpoint, contact TSA at 713-454-6933 or email [email protected]. Passengers can also visit the TSA lost and found office on level 1 at the east side of baggage claim.

If you lose an item on board an aircraft, you need to contact the relevant airline.

Additional Airport Information

Information Services

Interactive visitor kiosks can be found in the following locations:

• Level 1, baggage claim
• Level 2, near gate 1
• Level 2, post-security, near the rotunda
• Level 2, near gate 22
• Level 2, near gate 42

Visitor information centers staffed with airport volunteers are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are located at:

• Level 1, Houston Interactive Center
• Level 2, pre-security, near the security checkpoint
• Level 2, post-security, near the rotunda

Children’s Play Area

There are no children’s play areas at HOU, and this has unfortunately earned the airport a spot on our list of the least kid-friendly U.S airports.

Baby Facilities

A nursing room is located in the rotunda of the Central Concourse.

Prayer

There are 2 interfaith chapels located at:

• Level 1, baggage claim
• Central Concourse, near gate 44 (post-security)

Little Free Library

HOU has a free library on level 2 near gate 44 for passengers to take or leave a book at their leisure.

Traveling with a Service Animal

HOU has 2 service animal relief areas, located at:

• Level 1, near ground transportation zone 4 and the Red Garage
• Level 2, near gate 20

Smoking Areas

Smoking is permitted outside the terminal at least 25 feet from any doorway.

Money

ATMs are located at:

• Level 1, baggage claim area
• Level 2, pre-security, main lobby
• Level 2, near gate 1
• Level 2, near gate 21

Currency exchange services are located on level 2 near the security checkpoint (pre-security).

Luggage Storage

There are no luggage storage facilities at HOU.

Important HOU Phone Numbers

Customer Service: 281-230-3100

Parking Services: 281-233-1730

Lost and Found: 833-274-7020

Travel to and From HOU

Transport Options

Bus

• METRO Bus 40 operates between HOU, downtown Houston, and the George R. Brown Convention Center. Buses depart from curb zone 3 outside of baggage claim, and the journey takes around an hour.
• Cruise and charter buses: Passengers will be met in baggage claim by their representative and escorted to their transportation.

Shuttles

• Hotel shuttle buses depart from curb zone 3, and off-airport parking shuttles depart from curb zones 3 and 4.
• Private and shared-ride shuttles depart from curb zone 4 in the ground transportation area, and the airport recommends these companies.

Taxi

On-demand taxis pick up from curb zone 2 in the ground transportation area. Fares are approximately $29 from the airport to downtown Houston and $76 to George Bush Intercontinental Airport, excluding tip. Senior citizens receive a 10% discount.

Rideshare

Rideshare operators Get Me, Green Light, Lyft, Uber, and Wingz are authorized to operate from HOU. Drivers may drop off passengers on the departures level and pick up from curb zone 5.

Directions by Car to HOU

Arriving From Downtown Houston

Take I-45 S to exit 39 towards Park Place Blvd./Broadway Blvd. Merge onto Gulf Fwy. and continue straight onto Broadway Street. Use the left lane to take the exit towards Terminal and Parking and merge onto Hobby Airport Loop.

HOU Airport Parking Information

Red Garage

The Red Garage is located directly across from the terminal, and passengers can walk to the garage from level 1 baggage claim. EV Blink chargers can be found on level 2.

Blue Garage

The Blue Garage is west of the Red Garage and is connected to the terminal via a pedestrian bridge. To reach the pedestrian bridge, take the elevator or escalator near the Southwest Airlines ticketing desks up to level 3. ChargePoint EV charging locations can be found on level 2, row D.

The red and blue garages charge the following rates:

• 0-1 hour: $5
• 1-2 hours: $6
• 2-3 hours: $8
• 3-5 hours: $10
• 5-24 hours: $22

Valet parking:

• 0-1 hour: $14
• 2-24 hours: $28

Ecopark

The Ecopark uncovered lot is located east of the terminal, and passengers can walk to the parking lot from the far east end of level 1. There is also a free shuttle service that operates daily from 5:30 a.m. to midnight. EV Blink chargers can be found in row 7.

The Ecopark lot rates are:

• 0-3 hours: $5.54 plus tax
• 3-24 hours: $9.24 plus tax

Hot Tip: If you park regularly at HOU or at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, you can earn points towards free parking by joining the Parking Plus program.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Parking

HOU has a free cell phone waiting lot located on the south side of Airport Boulevard at 7600 Airport Blvd., Houston, TX 77061.

Visitors may wait with their vehicle in the parking lot until a passenger is ready for curbside pick up.

Hotel and Off-Site Parking Lots

If you’re on a budget, you can save money by parking at an external parking lot. Hotels and off-airport parking lots offer cheaper rates than official airport lots.

Parking at HOU starts at $4.95 per day when booked at airportparkingreservations.com.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

Accessible parking spaces are available in all airport-owned parking lots and the Ecopark lot. For inquiries, passengers may call 281-233-1786.

Parking Contact Number

General Inquiries: 281-233-1730

Car Rental at HOU Airport

The rental car companies listed below (excluding Payless) have a rental counter opposite the main terminal baggage claim area. Courtesy shuttle buses transport passengers between the terminal and the rental car facilities.

The following rental companies are available:

• Alamo: 888-233-8749
• Avis: 800-633-3469
• Budget: 800-218-7992
• Dollar: 800-800-4000
• Enterprise: 800-736-8222
• Hertz: 800-654-3131
• National: 888-826-6890
• Payless: 800-729-5377
• Thrifty: 877-283-0898

Hot Tip: Avoid paying expensive insurance fees with the rental agency by registering for a credit card that includes rental insurance.

HOU Airport Hotels

There are no hotels located on HOU airport property, with the closest located 1 mile away. Within a 3 mile radius of the airport, there are only 2- and 3-star hotels available, so you would need to venture closer to the city center for a more luxurious stay.

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

Less than a mile from William P. Hobby Airport via free shuttle, and 5 minutes from local dining and shopping in downtown Houston, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hobby Airport is an incredibly convenient option. Guests have access to an on-site restaurant, fitness center, business center, outdoor pool, and free parking. Hilton no longer publishes an award chart, but you can expect award nights to cost between 25,000 to 30,000 points per night.

Marriott loyalists will love the Houston Marriott South for its convenient location and excellent amenities. In addition to standard perks like a complimentary airport shuttle, fitness center, and indoor pool, the hotel also has a lounge for elite members, along with a barber and even on-site laundry. Off-peak nights at the hotel cost 15,000 points per night, standard nights cost 17,500 points per night, and peak nights cost 20,000 points per night.

The Holiday Inn Hobby Airport is newly renovated and just 1 mile away from Hobby Airport. Guests will enjoy amenities like an outdoor pool and whirlpool, a cocktail lounge, a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, and a complimentary airport shuttle. IHG no longer publishes an award chart, but you can expect award nights at the hotel to start at 10,000 points per night.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking to top off your points to stay at any of these options, see our guides on the best ways to earn more Hilton Honors points, Marriott Bonvoy points, or IHG Rewards points.

Final Thoughts

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is 1 of 2 major commercial airports serving the Houston area, but its location close to downtown makes it an excellent alternative to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

Although HOU’s route network and number of daily flights are not as extensive as IAH, HOU’s size can offer a quicker and more convenient airport experience if you find a suitable flight.