William P. Hobby Airport
Also known as: Houston Hobby Airport, Hobby Airport.
Private transfer from HOUSee pricesSee pricesAbout William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is Houston's second commercial airport, in Texas, United States, and the closer of the city's two main airports to downtown, about 7 miles away in the Greater Hobby neighborhood. It is a different airport from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Houston's larger hub in the north of the city.
Southwest Airlines has an operating base here and carries most of the passengers, with a large domestic network and international flights to Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Belize City, Costa Rica, San Juan and, in season, Montego Bay and Punta Cana. Delta, American Eagle, Allegiant, JSX and Sun Country add a handful of routes.
The airport has one terminal with 30 gates on two concourses. The Central Concourse handles mostly domestic flights, and the West Concourse, opened in 2015, handles Southwest's international flights and is being extended with seven more gates by 2027.
From the airport, most travelers head into downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center and the southeast side of the city, or south toward Clear Lake and Galveston, which is also served by scheduled shuttles.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Houston Airport System (owned by the City of Houston)
- Runways
Three (04/22, 13L/31R and 13R/31L)
- Passengers per year
About 13.9 million in 2025
- Gates
30, on the Central and West concourses
- Main airline
Southwest Airlines (operating base)
Arrival tips for William P. Hobby Airport
If you are flying in from Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean, you arrive at the West Concourse and clear US immigration and customs there before you reach baggage claim. Domestic flights arrive at the Central Concourse and go straight to baggage claim.
Check that you are meeting someone at the right airport: Houston has two main airports, and Hobby (HOU) is a different place from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), which is a long drive away on the north side of the city.
Once you have your bags, follow the signs to the numbered curb zones outside. Taxis wait at Curb Zone 2, METRO buses stop at Curb Zone 3, and Uber and Lyft pick up at Curb Zone 5. Hotel courtesy vans are called from the courtesy telephones in baggage claim. METRO's 73 Bellfort line connects with the METRORail Red Line.
Houston is on Central Time. Summers are hot and humid, and the Gulf hurricane season runs from June to November.
Ground transportation
Hobby is close to downtown, so a taxi, rideshare or pre-booked car is quick; METRO buses are the budget option.
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Book a transfer from HOUTaxi from Hobby Airport
Taxis wait at Curb Zone 2 outside baggage claim. Door to door and quick to downtown, but traffic at rush hour can slow it down.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft pick up at Curb Zone 5. Fares rise at busy times.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you at the terminal, useful for groups, heavy luggage and trips to Galveston or Clear Lake.
METRO bus
Four lines stop at Curb Zone 3; the 73 Bellfort runs up to every 12 minutes on weekdays and connects with the METRORail Red Line. Cheapest, but slower.
Shuttles to Galveston and College Station
Scheduled bus and shuttle services run from Hobby to destinations outside Houston, including Galveston and College Station.
Terminals
Central Concourse
25 gates, opened in 2003. Mostly Southwest domestic flights, plus the other airlines' flights. It also has an interfaith chapel.
West Concourse
Opened in 2015 with 5 gates, mainly for Southwest's international flights, where international arrivals clear customs. Seven more gates are due in 2027.
Airlines and destinations
Parking
Terminal parking garage
Built as part of the 2013–2015 terminal expansion, next to the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Hobby Airport from downtown Houston?
William P. Hobby Airport is about 7 miles from downtown Houston, in the Greater Hobby neighborhood. That makes it much closer to downtown than George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). Taxis, rideshare and METRO buses all run from the terminal curb.
What is the difference between Hobby and IAH?
Houston has two main airports. William P. Hobby (HOU) is the smaller one, close to downtown and dominated by Southwest Airlines. George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), in the north of the city, is United's hub and handles most long-haul international flights. Check your ticket for the airport code.
Which airlines fly from Hobby Airport?
Southwest Airlines carries most passengers at Hobby, with flights across the US and to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Delta flies to Atlanta, American Eagle to Dallas/Fort Worth and JSX to Dallas Love Field, with Allegiant and seasonal Sun Country flights as well.
Does Hobby Airport have international flights?
Yes. Southwest flies from Hobby's West Concourse to Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Belize City, Liberia and San José in Costa Rica, and San Juan, with seasonal flights to Montego Bay and Punta Cana. International arrivals clear customs at the West Concourse.
Where do I get a taxi or Uber at Hobby Airport?
Outside baggage claim, the curb is split into numbered zones. Taxis wait at Curb Zone 2 and Uber and Lyft pick up at Curb Zone 5. METRO buses stop at Curb Zone 3.
Can I take a bus from Hobby Airport?
Yes. Four METRO lines stop at Curb Zone 3: 40 Telephone/Heights, 50 Broadway, 73 Bellfort and 88 Sagemont. The 73 Bellfort runs up to every 12 minutes on weekdays and connects with the METRORail Red Line. Scheduled shuttles also run to Galveston and College Station.