Downtown Houston finally gets a direct bus to Bush Airport
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Metro has relaunched a nonstop bus route connecting downtown Houston to George Bush Intercontinental Airport — the first direct service in more than a decade.
Why it matters: Houston is a major city with limited public transit between the airport and downtown.
- Parking, rideshare, and taxi costs add up quickly — but this new route offers an affordable alternative.
How it works: Launched this month, Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct runs daily for $4.50 each way 5:30am to 8pm, with buses running every 30 minutes between the George R. Brown Convention Center and the airport's Terminal C.
- From downtown, riders can connect to the Green and Purple METRORail lines, which are steps from the bus stop.
What they're saying: This is "truly the best option" for Houstonians "because it's easy, comfortable, the most cost-effective at only $4.50," Metro Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock said in a statement.
- "People needing to get to and from the airport can take this route that offers reduced travel time with a non-stop trip, shaves off time dealing with parking, and saves people money."
Route 102, Metro's Bush IAH Express, will continue running to downtown, though it is not a nonstop service.
Between the lines: Metro says the launch comes at a "critical time" linking downtown's convention core to the airport ahead of Houston's high-profile hosting duties — including seven FIFA World Cup matches and the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The bottom line: Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports, said in a statement that the new route "improves access for travelers and convention attendees, removes friction from the travel experience, and strengthens our city's position as a global gateway."