Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A shuttle is the most convenient and cost effective way to get downtown.
SuperShuttle
(
800-258-3826;
www.supershuttle.com
)
provides regular service from both Bush ($25) and Hobby
($20) airports to hotels and addresses around town.
All major rental cars are available at both Houston airports; decent prices make Hous-
ton an ideal departure point for a Texas road trip.
Taking a bus will cost time but save money; a cab, vice versa. The Metropolitan Transit
Authority (
Click here
)
runs bus 102 between George Bush Intercontinental and Down-
town stops, including the light rail Downtown Transit station (one hour) from 5:30am to
8pm. Bus 88 operates between Hobby and Downtown (30 minutes) from Monday to
Saturday, 6am to 11pm. The fares are $1.25.
Taxis are readily available at both airports. Airport rates are determined by zone. Ex-
pect to shell out $50 to get from George Bush Intercontinental to Downtown; from Hobby
it's about $25.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Downtown, metered streetside parking is made easier by numerous vending machines that
sell timed tickets that are not site specific. Lots are plentiful, if not cheap (upwards of $20
a day).
Outside Downtown, parking is usually free. Don't be put off by valet parking at restaur-
ants and malls; if it costs at all, it's cheap, and it can be easier than finding a space.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Houston's public transportation is run by the
Metropolitan Transit Authority
(METRO;
713-635-4000;
www.ridemetro.org
; one-way $1.25)
. Bus transit is geared toward weekday, downtown
commuters. The light rail train, METRO Rail, however, is exceptionally useful for travel-
ers. It has only one simple line, but that line links most sights - and some restaurants -
along its Downtown-Museum District-Reliant Park corridor. Look for maps, including
downloadable smartphone ones, online. The METRO Rail operates from 5am until mid-
night Sunday through Thursday, and until 2:20am on Friday and Saturday. A single-ride
ticket is $1.25.
TAXI
Taxis are easy to hail within Downtown, where they charge a flat $6 rate to go anywhere.
Relying on taxis further afield is unreasonable. Given Houston's sprawl, a cab tab could
quickly surpass limo rental rates.
