Not everyone wants to spend $40 on Uber from IAH Airport to downtown Houston. Thanks to Bus 102, getting downtown is cheap and only takes about an hour.
For a nonstop alternative, Bus 500 Downtown Direct runs from IAH to downtown Houston for $4.50 one way. It boards at Terminal E on Level 2, outside Door E-201 between signs 6A and 6B. Bus 102 remains the cheaper local option at $1.25 from Terminal C, outside Door C-105.
You can view the full schedule for Bus 102 between IAH Airport and downtown Houston by visiting the Houston Ride Metro website.
Finding the Bus 102 Stop at Terminal C
This guide and Bus 102 begin at Terminal C of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) north of Houston, Texas.
If you arrive at Terminal A, D, or E, collect any checked bags and take the free Subway train outside security to Terminal C. The Subway runs daily from 3:15 AM to 12:15 AM. If you are still inside security and do not need to collect bags, the free Skyway also connects these terminals with Terminal C.
The journey begins inside Terminal C. From your gate, follow the signs towards Baggage Claim/Exit and Ground Transportation.
Take the escalator down towards Baggage Claim.
At the bottom of the escalators, you are now in the baggage claim area. From the end of the escalator, make a U-turn and head towards the doors.
Exit the door where it says Shuttles & Buses. This exit is door C-105 in Terminal C.
Once you exit, you should see an assortment of shuttles and buses, mostly headed to hotels, car rental agencies, and parking lots in the Houston area.
To reach the stop for Bus 102:
Cross the street in front of you towards the road.
Watch out for passing shuttles and cars.
When you reach the island between the shuttles and the airport road, make a left and follow the sidewalk down for about 100 yards. You will find the bus stop for Bus 102.
Arrival at the stop for Bus 102
Now that you have reached the bus stop, you can get your fare ready and wait for the bus. The cost for a single journey is $1.25.
Bus 102 usually runs every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends during most operating hours. Check the schedule linked above for exact departure times.
Boarding Bus 102
If you pay with cash, feed your $1.25 fare into the fare box when you board. It accepts bills and coins but does not give change, so have the exact fare ready. Cash payments do not include free transfers.
You can also tap a contactless credit or debit card, or use Apple Pay or Google Pay, on the fare validator. These options include free transfers to local buses and METRORail for up to three hours. Use the same physical card or the same card on the same device for each ride, since a physical card and its mobile-wallet version count as different payment methods.
After you pay, take your belongings and find an open seat.
I noticed that most of the people using Bus 102 were airport workers and locals. Luggage space inside the bus I took was limited, with room above the seats for carry-on-sized bags.
Houston Airports says Bus 102 riders may use a baggage compartment reached from outside the bus. Check with the driver before boarding to confirm storage on your bus. Drivers do not help with luggage, so you need to load and unload your own bags. Let the driver know before getting off if you need to retrieve a bag.
As the bus leaves the airport, it makes multiple stops along the way, including hotels in northern Houston and other points of interest. After about 30 minutes of stops near the airport, the bus hops onto 45 south straight towards downtown. It takes about an hour to reach downtown.
Keep an eye towards the front of the bus for information about the next stop. Press the small red button above your seat when you see your bus stop listed.
After the bus stops, grab your belongings and exit the bus.
Welcome to Houston.
Last Updated on October 28, 2026
Just remember that you cannot check your bags at the airport, so you’ll have to drag them with you on the bus, FWIW. Possibly you can check them ahead to your next destination so you don’t have to tote them.
You can store larger luggage under the bus storage compartment.
Robert,
Thank you for the tip.
Almost three years later, this is still a great post. Especially with the pictures, it helped me A LOT when I landed at IAH yesterday evening. Thanks to you, finding the bus was a breeze, and the bus driver helped me find the stop closest to my hotel. I caught the 6:20pm bus (right on schedule) so most of the traffic seemed to be leaving the city That bus was not very full so no trouble with my carry-on luggage. THANKS!
Thank you so much! I’m on the 102 now. I googled a a few articles for assistance and yours for me straight to the bus. Thanks for the photos!
Tish,
Glad I could help.
Thank you Anthony!!
I printed this post, because I am one of those people who get lost pretty easy. I helped me to get the 102 bus.
You really rock!
Ana,
Glad I could help!
Thank you for posting this! Incredibly helpful, and the price is incredibly low! I have a 9hr layover in Houston and I want to explore Downtown. Any recommendations?
Ayumi,
Houston has a great selection of restaurants. You are sure to find something you will enjoy. With limited time, I would just walk around the downtown area.
Excellent guide! Saved me a lot of trouble in finding the bus stop, especially since the Houston Metro provides very limited instructions.
Also note that you can pay the fare with a credit card using the Houston Metro’s Q-ticketing app. This is especially useful when you don’t have cash/change for the $1.25 fare.
Paul,
Thank you for the great tip about using the Q-ticketing app. I will have to update this post.
Does this bus take you from downtown back to the airport?
Cindy,
Yes. You can take Bus 102 from downtown Houston to IAH Airport.
Does this bus run 24 hrs?
Eric,
The bus runs early and late but not 24 hours. You can find the schedules here : https://www.ridemetro.org/MetroPDFs/Schedules/BusSchedules/n102-Bush-IAH-Express.pdf
Hi Anthony, sounds great and a lot of fun. it is October 3, 2019. Does Bus 102 have the same schedule? Sounds like something I would consider. I will be visiting Houston for the weekend. So, it runs every 30 minutes correct?
Thank you very much,
Jay
Jay,
Bus 102 runs about every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the day and time. You can view the full bus schedule here : https://www.ridemetro.org/MetroPDFs/Schedules/BusSchedules/n102-Bush-IAH-Express.pdf
Thanks for putting this up Anthony, very helpful. Just wanted to ask will there be any wifi on the bus?
Mustafa,
It has been many years since I have taken this bus, so I am unsure if the bus currently has WiFi. When I went, they did not. If you find out, please let me know. Thanks!
All Metro buses have free wifi. Am on the 102 now because my limo didnt show up. Has to be one of the best bargains in Houston transport. If you sre going to another part of Houston i believe you can even get a transfer ticket! Well done Houston Metro.
Benny,
Thank you for the update about WiFi being available on Bus 102.
As of September 19, 2024 the information here continues to be accurate and very useful! Thank you. On the bus now on my way to downtown.
Pablo,
Thanks for the update. I know the post is old, so I am glad it is still revelant. I will return to Houston in a few months and update the post again.