# Leaving Houston IAH: Uber is the default — but the 102 bus exists

> IAH is 37 km from downtown Houston. Uber and Lyft dominate for a reason, but there's a $1.25 bus if you have time and no luggage.

- Published: 2026-07-22
- Updated: 2026-07-22
- Author: Airport Exit
- Canonical URL: https://www.airportexit.com/blog/leaving-houston-iah-airport-uber-metro

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Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is a long way out — 37 km north of downtown. There is no rail link. Options are limited but well-defined.

## Uber / Lyft

$35–65 to downtown, $50–80 to the Galleria or Medical Center, 30–50 minutes. Pickup at the ground level of the parking garage at each terminal — **not curbside**. Surge is normal at bank holiday peaks.

## METRO Route 102 (Bush IAH Express)

$4.50 express bus to downtown transit centre in 45–60 min. Every 30 min, roughly 5 AM–11 PM. Cheapest by a mile if you're backpacking.

## Taxi

Fixed $60 to downtown from most terminals via the rank. Fair but no reason to pick over Uber.

## SuperShuttle / shared van

Mostly dead post-pandemic. Ignore.

## Rental car

Consolidated rental facility via free shuttle. Worth it for anyone staying more than 2 days — Houston is a driving city.

Live guide: [IAH Airport exit guide](/airports/iah-houston). Uber-specific: [Uber at Houston IAH](/uber-at/iah-houston).

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