22-04-2025
Downtown Houston finally gets a direct bus to Bush Airport
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.
