Houston Hobby vs Bush Intercontinental: Which Airport to Fly From

Quick answer

Hobby (HOU) for Southwest, short domestic hops, and anywhere south of downtown. Bush (IAH) for United's hub, international flights, and the north side.

Airlines

Bush is one of United's largest hubs with service to Latin America, Europe, and Asia, plus all other major carriers. Hobby is Southwest's base with Delta, American, and JetBlue flights and Southwest's own international routes to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Fares

Hobby is often cheaper on routes Southwest flies, but United sales from Bush can undercut it. Our Houston route pages cover both airports.

Getting there

Hobby is about 20 minutes from downtown on the south side; Bush is 30 to 45 minutes to the north. Neither has a rail link, so budget for a rideshare, taxi, or the airport bus. From most of central and southern Houston, Hobby is the quicker trip; from The Woodlands and the north suburbs, Bush is closer despite its size.

Parking and drop-off

Hobby is a single compact terminal, so parking is close and the walk to the gate is short. Bush spreads across five terminals linked by the Skyway train and an underground people mover, so its economy lots and inter-terminal transfers add time; leave a wide margin, especially for a connection or an international departure. Both airports have free cell-phone lots.

International and customs

Bush is a major international gateway with an entire terminal for global arrivals and the customs and immigration hall that goes with it, so it is the airport for Europe, Asia, and deeper Latin America, and for any itinerary connecting onward in the US after an international leg. Hobby handles a lighter set of international flights, mainly Southwest to Mexico and the Caribbean, with its own smaller customs facility.

Choose by trip

• Southwest, a short domestic trip, Mexico or the Caribbean, or the south side: Hobby.
• United, a connection, long-haul international, or the north side: Bush.
• Compare both on the Houston route page before you book.