Houston (IAH) airport guide & terminal map

Airport details change — always confirm your terminal, gate, and fares on your boarding pass before you travel.

Everything you need before you fly from George Bush Intercontinental, including an interactive map, Terminals A, B, C, D and E, gates, the Skyway and Subway trains, parking, car rental, dining, baggage claim and where each airline sits.

An interactive IAH map plus everything you need before you fly, covering Terminals A, B, C, D and E, the Skyway and Subway, gates, parking, car rental, dining, baggage claim and where each airline sits.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is Houston's main international gateway and one of the busiest airports in the United States. It handled more than 48 million passengers in 2025. It is a major hub for United Airlines, with especially strong service to Mexico, Central America, and South America.

IAH looks confusing at first. It has five separate terminals, each with its own check-in and its own security. But the layout is actually one of the easier ones to learn, because two free trains connect everything — one inside security and one outside.

That is why checking the IAH airport map before you arrive is worth a few minutes. The single most common mistake at this airport is going to the wrong terminal, and it is easy to avoid.

IAH has five terminals: A, B, C, D, and E. Right now the airport is in the middle of its biggest rebuild ever. Terminal B is being replaced, and its check-in lobby is closed. If you are flying United Express, that affects you directly, so read the Terminal B section below before you go.

In this guide, we walk you through the full Houston airport map — every terminal, where each airline sits, the Skyway and Subway, parking, car rental, dining, and baggage claim. We also share travel tips from MyFlyYatra and popular flight routes from Houston to India.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Overview

Airport Location and Layout

IAH sits about 23 miles north of downtown Houston. You reach it from I-69/US-59 North to Beltway 8, or from Will Clayton Parkway. The drive takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes without heavy traffic.

United Airlines runs the majority of flights at IAH and uses Terminals B, C, and E. Other airlines here include American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Turkish Airlines, and Air China.

One thing to check before you leave home: Southwest Airlines does not fly from IAH. Southwest uses William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) on the south side of the city. The two airports are about an hour apart in traffic, so make sure your ticket says IAH before you drive north.

Understanding the IAH Airport Layout

The five terminals sit in a loose semicircle around a central roadway. Parking garages and the Houston Airport Marriott are in the middle. Each terminal has its own ticket counters, its own security checkpoint, and its own baggage claim.

Here is the layout in plain terms:

Terminal A — most non-United domestic airlines

Terminal B — United Express regional flights

Terminal C — United mainline domestic flights

Terminal D — the Mickey Leland International Terminal, for foreign airlines

Terminal E — United domestic and international flights, plus the customs hall

Two trains connect everything. This is the part that makes IAH easier than it looks:

Skyway — the above-ground train, inside security. It connects all five terminals and runs every two to three minutes, 24 hours a day. Use this once you have cleared security. Level 3 or Level 2 depending on the terminal — follow the brown "Skyway" signs.

Subway — the underground train, outside security. It connects all terminals plus the Marriott hotel. It runs about every three minutes from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

IAH is one of the few U.S. airports with trains both inside and outside security. That flexibility is genuinely useful.

Walking: Terminals B and C connect by a walkway inside security, and there are airside connections between C, D, and E. Terminal A is the odd one out — it has no walkway to the others, so you must use the Skyway or the Subway.

Houston Airport Map (IAH Map)

Interactive IAH Airport Map Overview

The Houston airport map shows the full layout at a glance. On the IAH map you can see all five terminals in their semicircle, the Skyway route above ground, the Subway route below, the three parking garage complexes, the ecopark economy lots, the Rental Car Center off the airport loop, and the roads in and out.

The official IAH terminal map is available above. You can zoom in to find gates, restrooms, lounges, shops, and security checkpoints. Checking the map of Houston airport before you fly helps you pick the right garage and the right terminal entrance.

How to Navigate IAH Efficiently

Here is the simple way to read the IAH gate map and move fast:

Find your terminal letter on your boarding pass (A, B, C, D, or E).

If you are flying United Express from Terminal B, note that you check in at Terminal C during the rebuild.

Park in the garage that serves your terminal.

Check in and clear security at that terminal.

Your gate is on the concourse beyond. If you need another terminal, take the Skyway.

One warning worth repeating: the Skyway does not connect to ground transportation. When you land, ride it only if you need a different terminal's gates. To reach your car or a rideshare, exit through baggage claim to Level 1.

IAH Terminal Map Guide

The Houston airport terminal map is easiest one letter at a time. Here is what to expect in each.

Terminal A Map and Facilities

Terminal A is home to most airlines that are not United. American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, and Frontier all fly from here. Spirit also runs some international departures out of Terminal A.

It has about 20 gates split across north and south concourses, numbered in the A range. You will find an Admirals Club and a United Club here, plus a normal spread of restaurants and shops.

Important: Terminal A is the only terminal with no walkway to the others. If you need to reach B, C, D, or E, take the Skyway inside security or the Subway outside it. Do not plan to walk.

Terminal B Map and Facilities

Terminal B handles United Express regional flights — the smaller planes that connect smaller cities into the Houston hub.

Read this before you fly: the Terminal B check-in lobby closed in January 2025 for a complete rebuild and is expected to stay closed into late 2026. During this time, all Terminal B passengers check in and clear security at Terminal C, then ride the Skyway to their gate.

The gates themselves are open and working normally. Arrivals at Terminal B also work normally — bags come out at Terminal B baggage claim. It is only departures and check-in that moved.

Budget an extra 15 to 20 minutes if your gate is in Terminal B. There is a walkway from near gate B85 into Terminal C inside security.

The new Terminal B is a $2.5 billion rebuild led by United and the Houston Airport System. When the North Concourse opens in fall 2026, it brings 22 new gates across roughly 765,000 square feet, a new light-filled check-in hall with more TSA lanes and self-service kiosks, and a next-generation baggage system.

It will also have a 54,000-square-foot United Club — the largest in United's entire network — plus a sensory room for travelers with hidden disabilities, quiet zones, and two big dining and retail hubs. The South Concourse is being modernized as well, converting 30 gates so every flight boards by jet bridge instead of stairs.

Terminal C Map and Facilities

Terminal C is United's main domestic terminal and the busiest at IAH. It has about 30 gates across north and south concourses.

Right now it is doing double duty, since it also handles check-in for all Terminal B passengers during the rebuild. Expect it to be busy, especially in the early morning.

Terminal C has two United Clubs, at C1 and C33, plus the American Express Centurion Lounge — which is worth knowing about even if you are not flying United, since any Amex Platinum cardholder can use it. There is also Minute Suites for napping, luggage storage near baggage claim, and some of the airport's better restaurants.

Terminal D Map and Facilities

Terminal D is the Mickey Leland International Terminal, and it handles foreign airlines. Air France, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Turkish Airlines, Air Canada, and Air China all use it.

Terminal D recently gained a new West Pier with six gates built for wide-body aircraft. Departures leave from Level 2, with security on Level 1 — a small quirk that catches first-timers.

Terminal D also has two lounges that accept Priority Pass.

A key detail for arrivals: if you land at Terminal D on an international flight, you do not clear customs at Terminal D. You walk to Terminal E for immigration and baggage. See the baggage claim section below.

Terminal E Map and Facilities

Terminal E belongs to United and handles both domestic and international flights. Check-in and security are on Level 1. The concourse has 23 gates, numbered E1 to E12 and E14 to E24.

In the middle of the concourse you will find a United Club and the United Polaris Lounge — widely considered one of the best lounges in United's network — along with restaurants, shops, and duty-free.

Terminal E is also the customs hall for the whole airport. All international arrivals, from Terminal D and Terminal E alike, clear U.S. immigration and customs here on Level 1.

Terminal E was recently upgraded with expanded curbs, a 17-lane TSA checkpoint, and the first self-service bag drop system in Texas. Some Terminal D airlines are moving their check-in over to Terminal E, so confirm where to check in with your airline.

Houston Airport Airlines by Terminal

Knowing your terminal before you leave home saves real time at IAH. Here is a quick guide. Assignments can change, so always check your boarding pass.

United Airlines Terminal at IAH

United uses three terminals. Mainline domestic flights leave from Terminal C. United Express regional flights leave from Terminal B, but check in at Terminal C during the rebuild. International and some domestic flights leave from Terminal E.

American Airlines Terminal at IAH

American Airlines flies from Terminal A.

Delta Air Lines Terminal at IAH

Delta flies from Terminal A.

Spirit Airlines Terminal at IAH

Spirit flies from Terminal A, including some international departures.

JetBlue, Alaska and Frontier Terminals at IAH

All three fly from Terminal A.

International Airlines at IAH

Foreign airlines use Terminal D, the Mickey Leland International Terminal. That includes Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Turkish Airlines, Air Canada, and Air China.

Airport Lounges at IAH

IAH has about 13 lounges. Roughly half sell day passes.

Houston Airport Parking Map

The IAH parking map is simple: three garage complexes serve the five terminals, and two cheaper economy lots sit further out with free shuttles. IAH has roughly 40,000 parking spaces in total.

Terminal Garages

Each garage serves specific terminals, so pick the right one:

Garage A/B — serves Terminals A and B

Garage C — serves Terminal C

Garage D/E — serves Terminals D and E

Terminal garages cost $5 per hour with a $25 daily maximum. You walk straight from your car to check-in, no shuttle needed. This is the best choice for short trips and pickups.

ecopark and ecopark 2

These are the airport's own economy lots, and they are the cheapest way to park on airport property.

ecopark sits on John F. Kennedy Boulevard near the airport entrance

ecopark 2 sits on Will Clayton Parkway and is slightly closer

Both charge around $6.47 a day uncovered and about $8.31 a day covered. A free shuttle runs 24 hours a day, every 10 to 15 minutes, to all five terminals. For any trip longer than two days, this is the smart pick.

Valet Parking

Valet costs $30 a day. You hand over your keys at the terminal and walk straight in. That is only $5 a day more than a terminal garage, so it is worth considering if you have heavy bags, mobility needs, or a tight schedule.

Cell Phone Lots

IAH has two free cell phone lots — one at 17010 John F. Kennedy Boulevard and one at 4500 Will Clayton Parkway. Wait there at no cost until your passenger texts, then drive to arrivals. Stay with your car.

IAH Parking Rates at a Glance

Book ahead at fly2houston.com to get discounted ecopark rates. Rates were current in mid-2026 and can change, so confirm before you travel.

Houston Airport Car Rental Map

Renting a car at IAH is easy, but the rental companies are not in the terminals.

Rental Car Center

All the major brands share one Rental Car Center just off the airport loop. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Sixt, and Thrifty are all there.

A free shuttle picks up outside every terminal on the lower level and runs to the center. Look for the marked rental car stop outside baggage claim.

Rental Car Return

Return your car at the same Rental Car Center and take the free shuttle back to your terminal's departures level. Add about 30 minutes to your normal check-in time to cover the drop-off and ride.

Ground Transportation

Level 1 of each terminal is the ground transportation level. This is where you find rental car shuttles, hotel shuttles, taxis, rideshares, and shared-ride vans. Follow the signs down from baggage claim.

Getting To and From IAH

METRO bus 102 (Bush IAH Express). The most direct public transit link. It runs between IAH and downtown Houston in about 50 to 60 minutes, with buses roughly every 30 minutes. The fare is only a couple of dollars. It picks up on the south side of Terminal C, Level 1.

Driving. From downtown, take I-69/US-59 North to Beltway 8 or Will Clayton Parkway. Allow 30 to 40 minutes, more at rush hour.

Taxi. Taxi ranks are outside each terminal's baggage claim. The fare to downtown is a fixed zone rate of about $65, not including tolls or tip.

Uber and Lyft. Follow the "Ride App Pickup" signs at each terminal. Fares to downtown usually run $40 to $60.

Hotel shuttles. Many nearby hotels run free shuttles from the lower level of each terminal.

A note on Hobby Airport. IAH and William P. Hobby (HOU) are two different airports on opposite sides of Houston, about 30 miles apart. Southwest flies from Hobby. Check your ticket carefully.

Houston Airport Food Map

IAH has a genuinely good food scene, with plenty of Houston restaurants alongside the usual chains. Here is what the IAH food map looks like.

Dining in Terminal A

Terminal A has a solid mix of quick service, coffee, and sit-down spots serving the non-United airlines. It is smaller than the United terminals, which usually means shorter lines.

Dining in Terminals B and C

Terminal C has the widest choice on the United side, including local names like Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. Terminal B is limited during the rebuild, so if your gate is in B, eat in Terminal C before you ride the Skyway over. When the new Terminal B opens, it adds two large dining hubs.

Dining in Terminals D and E

Terminal D serves long international flights, so it has more sit-down restaurants, bars, and the biggest duty-free shopping. Terminal E has a good spread too, including duty-free near the middle of the concourse.

Tip: because the Skyway runs inside security, you can ride to another terminal just to eat and come back with no second screening. If your terminal is thin on options, this is worth doing on a long layover.

Houston Airport Baggage Claim Map

Baggage claim at IAH is on Level 1 of your arrival terminal. Follow the signs down from your gate and check the screens for your carousel.

Domestic Arrivals

For domestic flights, walk down to Level 1 of the terminal you landed in. Bags come out there, and ground transportation is on the same level. Note that Terminal B arrivals work normally even though its check-in lobby is closed.

International Arrivals

This is the part of IAH that confuses people most, so here it is clearly:

All international arrivals clear customs in Terminal E — including flights that land at Terminal D.

If you land at Terminal D, you walk over to Terminal E's customs hall, clear U.S. immigration, collect your bags in Terminal E, and exit from Terminal E. If someone is meeting you, tell them Terminal E, not Terminal D. This is the single most common pickup mistake at this airport.

If you have a connecting flight, re-check your bags after customs and clear security again. Allow at least three hours for an international-to-domestic connection.

You can check live immigration and customs wait times on the airport's website before you land, which is useful if someone is waiting for you.

Lost and Found

If you left something on the plane, contact your airline. For anything lost elsewhere in the airport, contact the Houston Airport System's Lost and Found. Report it as soon as you can.

Travel Tips from MyFlyYatra

Arriving at IAH During Peak Times

IAH has some of the longer average security waits among big U.S. airports, so give yourself room. Early morning is the worst window, when United pushes out a wave of departures. Terminal C is especially busy right now because it is also handling Terminal B check-in.

Summer, Thanksgiving, and the December holidays are the busiest weeks. In 2026, Houston is also hosting seven FIFA World Cup matches in June and July, which means unusually heavy traffic through the airport during that stretch.

How Early to Arrive

Arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Add 15 to 20 minutes if your gate is in Terminal B, since you check in at Terminal C and ride the Skyway over. Add more time if you are parking at ecopark.

TSA PreCheck lanes are available at several IAH checkpoints and are genuinely worth having at this airport.

Know Your Train

The two trains do different jobs, and mixing them up costs time:

Inside security? Use the Skyway. It goes gate to gate.

Outside security? Use the Subway. It goes lobby to lobby, and also reaches the Marriott.

The Skyway does not connect to ground transportation. If you are heading to your car or a rideshare, go down to Level 1 instead.

What's Changing at IAH in 2026

IAH is finishing the biggest construction program in its history.

Terminal B — the $2.5 billion rebuild. The check-in lobby stays closed into late 2026, with check-in at Terminal C. The new North Concourse and its 22 gates open in fall 2026.

Terminal E — the new International Central Processor opened in early 2026 with a 17-lane TSA checkpoint and Texas's first self-service bag drop.

Terminal D — the West Pier added six wide-body gates. Some Terminal D airlines are shifting check-in to Terminal E.

World Cup — seven matches in Houston in June and July 2026 mean higher passenger volumes.

Because things are shifting month to month, confirm your check-in terminal with your airline before every trip.

Houston (IAH) to India Flights

Flying from Houston to India? IAH offers nonstop and one-stop routes to all the major Indian cities, with connections through hubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. If you are looking for the best USA to India flights, the table below shows popular starting fares to help you plan. Prices change with season and demand, so check current rates before you book.

Want to fly in more comfort? MyFlyYatra also helps you find business class flights to India with extra legroom, better meals, and lie-flat seats on long routes. Whether you want a low-cost economy seat or a premium business class flight deal, our team finds the best deals that fit your budget.

Ready to book your flight to India? MyFlyYatra brings you the best deals on flights to India from Houston and across the USA, with friendly support at every step. Compare fares and reserve your seat today.

Note: Airline and terminal assignments at IAH can change, including during ongoing airport upgrades. Always confirm your terminal and gate with your airline or your boarding pass before you travel.