# William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

> Houston, US · 11 km (7 mi) southeast of downtown Houston

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/hou
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/hou.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: HOU
- **ICAO**: KHOU
- **Timezone**: America/Chicago
- **Runways**: 4
- **Terminals**: 1
- **Passengers**: 14.4M/yr
- **Hub for**: Southwest Airlines
- **Official site**: https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/

## Overview

## Welcome

William P. Hobby Airport feels more like a compact Houston food hall with runways than a secondary airport. Almost every new concept at Hobby is a local brand or Texas favorite, making it far more enticing than typical airport dining. Frequent flyers appreciate the single-terminal layout with a growing roster of local-friendly concessions, which makes for less stressful connections and preflight meals compared to larger hubs like IAH.

## At a glance

Handling approximately 14.4 million passengers a year and serving as a hub for Southwest Airlines, Hobby Airport offers a streamlined travel experience with its single terminal setup. Located just 11 kilometers (7 miles) southeast of downtown Houston, Hobby Airport is easily accessible for locals and visitors. The concentration on local food and convenient layout makes it a hit among travelers, particularly Southwest passengers.

## Terminals & layout

There's only one terminal at William P. Hobby Airport, but it manages a diverse mix of airlines including Southwest, American, and Delta. Despite being a single-terminal setup, the terminal directory covers a wide array of shops, eateries, and services, all conveniently accessible without the confusion of multiple buildings. Passengers enjoy shorter walks and more efficient security processes compared to giant airport complexes.

## Getting to and from the city

For those heading to Houston’s heart, the METRO Bus 500 HOU Downtown Direct takes about 30-40 minutes. Taxi rides to central Houston are flat-rate or metered, though peak times like weekends see prices spike a bit due to additional fees. Rideshare options like Uber and Lyft are available, with typical costs ranging around $25-$35 subject to traffic.

For those considering parking, Hobby offers options like the Ecopark, which charges $10.00 per day and is favored for stays over several days due to its lower rates compared to on-site garages, which can go up to $25.00 per day.

## Traveller essentials

Security at Hobby, primarily used by Southwest's domestic flights, can see lines grow rapidly when giant 737s bank simultaneously. Plan for at least a 90-minute window before departure, especially during Monday morning and Friday afternoon rushes.

Families flying through Hobby will find the airport's single-terminal layout and straightforward concourse less daunting with children. Play areas are limited but the linear design gives space for kids to expend energy while the family-friendly food options cater to picky eaters.

## Dining & shopping highlights

The dining scene at Hobby stands out because of its focus on local brands. Velvet Taco and Killen’s BBQ offer unique dining experiences that remind travelers of Houston's vibrant food culture. Sweet tooth cravings can be satisfied at Fat Cat Creamery, where unique small-batch ice cream flavors rival typical airport fare. Don't overlook Common Bond Café for quality coffee and pastries, offering an authentic taste of Montrose right in the terminal.

With 39 shops spread within a single terminal, passengers can pick up last-minute gifts at locations like Dylan's Candy Bar and The Spot, or browse Texas-themed items at Fan Stand.

## Lounges

Hobby Airport lacks traditional airline lounges like a Delta Sky Club or United Club. Instead, bars like Yard House offer a quasi-lounge environment with extensive draft lists and full meals, serving as a sanctuary for flyers during delays or layovers. This absence is a frequent flyer critique, but the relaxed atmosphere at Yard House can soften the blow of lacking a dedicated club space.

## Insider tips

- **Local:** Opt for Southwest through Hobby if you care about food — with Velvet Taco and Killen's, it's much more appealing than the chains at IAH.

- **Avoid:** Garages often fill on Sunday evenings. Ecopark shuttles are quick and much cheaper at $10/day compared to $25 for terminal garages.

- **Insider:** Don't miss Fat Cat Creamery in the terminal. The milk chocolate stout and Waterloo strawberry flavors are airport gems.

- **Time:** Plan for extra time to grab food. Construction will run into 2025, creating bottlenecks in open areas and lines at peak times.

- **Quiet:** During busy times, avoid areas directly by main gate clusters. Less crowded seating near Pink's Pizza or SpindleTap might offer some peace.

- **Money:** Parking at Ecopark costs $10.00/day, while garages are $25.00/day. Use the savings for excellent local eats.

- **Insider:** If you love barbecue, make sure to visit Killen's BBQ in the terminal, worth the extra walk from distant gates.

## Terminals (1)

- **William P. Hobby Airport Terminal** — Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines
  A convenient terminal for domestic flights.

## Dining (37)

- **Barcuterie**
- **Chalo** — 1 · Local · Indian
- **Chick-fil-A** — 1 · Fast Food · American · $
- **Common Bond Café**
- **Common Bond On-The-Go**
- **Dish Society**
- **Dunkin'** — 1 · Cafe · American · $
- **Dunkin** — 1 · Coffee · American · $
- **Dylan's Candy Bar** — 1 · Candy Store · American
- **Einstein Bros. Bagels**
- **Fat Cat Creamery** — 1 · Ice Cream · American
- **Gameway** — 1 · Entertainment · American
- **General Tso**
- **Grab-and-go Markets**
- **Jersey Mike's**
- **Killen's BBQ** — 1 · Barbecue · American · $$
- **Landry’s Seafood House**
- **LaTrelle's**
- **LaTrelle's Tex-Mex Kitchen** — 1 · Local · Tex-Mex · $$
- **Local Craft Bar**
- **Panda Express**
- **Papa John's**
- **Pei Wei**
- **Pink's Pizza** — 1 · Local · Pizza · $
- **Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory** — 1 · Candy Store · American · $
- **SpindleTap Brewery**
- **Sprinkles Cupcakes** — 1 · Bakery · American · $
- **Starbucks** — 1 · Coffee · American · $
- **Subway**
- **The Rustic** — 1 · Local · American · $$$
- **The Spot** — 1 · Casual Dining · American · $$
- **Throughgood Coffee**
- **Velvet Taco** — 1 · Tacos · Mexican · $$
- **Vino Volo**
- **Wendy's** — 1 · Fast Food · American · $
- **Yard House**
- **Yia Yia Mary's**

## Lounges (8)

- **American Airlines Admirals Club** — :Unavailable · Airline lounge if present · :Unavailable
- **Chase Sapphire Lounge** — :Unavailable · Credit card, if present · :Unavailable
- **Club HOU** — :Unavailable · Independent, Priority Pass if present · :Unavailable
- **Delta Sky Club** — :Unavailable · Airline lounge if present · :Unavailable
- **Minute Suites** — :Unavailable · Private rooms, pay-per-use if present · :Unavailable
- **The Club** — :Unavailable · Independent, day pass if present · :Unavailable
- **United Club** — :Unavailable · Airline lounge if present · :Unavailable
- **USO Lounge** — Central Concourse · Military access · :Unavailable

## Shops (39)

- **BookLink**
- **BookLink** — 1
- **Brighton Collectibles**
- **Chalo** — 1
- **Chapel** — 1
- **Chick-fil-A** — 1
- **Children's Play Area** — 1
- **Children’s Play Area** — 1 · Entertainment
- **Desigual**
- **Desigual** — 1 · Fashion
- **Dunkin** — 1
- **Duty Free Americas**
- **Dylan's Candy Bar** — 1
- **Dylan’s Candy Bar** — 1 · Retail
- **Executive Styles** — 1
- **Fan Stand**
- **Fan Stand** — 1
- **Fat Cat Creamery** — 1
- **FuelRod SwapBox Kiosk** — 1
- **Gameway** — 1
- **Hudson**
- **InMotion**
- **iStore**
- **Johnston & Murphy**
- **KPRC 2 Travel Store**
- **LaTrelle's Tex-Mex Kitchen** — 1 · Dining
- **Lego** — 1 · Entertainment
- **Local Gallery Shop**
- **MAC Cosmetics**
- **Pink's Pizza** — 1 · Dining
- **Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory** — 1 · Retail
- **Sound Balance**
- **Sprinkles** — 1 · Retail
- **Starbucks** — 1 · Dining
- **Texas Marketplace**
- **The Rustic** — 1 · Dining
- **The Spot** — 1 · Dining
- **Travel+Wellness Kiosk**
- **Wendy’s** — 1 · Dining

## Parking (13)

- **Accessible Parking** — next to terminal
- **Blue Garage** — Garage parking
- **Ecopark** — Long stay · $10.00/day · next to terminal
- **HOU ecopark** — Remote · 0.3 mi
- **EV Charging** — next to terminal
- **EV Charging Stations** — next to terminal
- **Garages** — Short stay · $25.00/day · next to terminal
- **Long Stay Parking** — Long stay · $15.00/day, $2.00/hr · 0.5 mi
- **Parking Plus** — next to terminal
- **Red Garage** — Garage parking
- **Remote Parking** — Remote · $10.00/day, $1.00/hr · 1 mi
- **Short Stay Parking** — Short stay · $20.00/day, $3.00/hr · next to terminal
- **Valet Parking** — Valet · next to terminal

## Ground transport (12)

- **500 HOU Downtown Direct** — Bus · 30-40 min · Limited weekday commute times
- **Cruise Line Shuttles** — Coach to Galveston · >nearly 60 min · >expensive compared to Uber · Limited to embarkation/debarkation days, fixed departure times
- **Hotel Shuttles** — Courtesy van · >null · >null · >not 24/7
- **Lyft** — Rideshare · >null · >a few bucks cheaper than Uber in some cases · Slightly longer wait estimates than Uber
- **METRO 500 HOV Express** — Bus · >null · >cheapest fast option · Limited weekday peak periods
- **METRO Bus 073 Bellfort** — Bus · >null · >null · >null
- **METRO Bus 088 Hobby Airport** — Bus · >close to 60 min · >a couple bucks · >null
- **Rental Cars** — Other · >null · >10-15 min variance · >null
- **Shuttles & Buses** — Shuttle · >30-60 min after landing · >slower but cheaper than taxi · >null
- **Taxi & Ride apps** — Taxi · >flat rates or meter+fees · >null
- **Turo** — Peer-to-peer car share if pres · >null · >airport delivery fees apply · Varies based on host, remote pickup locations possible
- **Uber** — Rideshare · >null · >25-35 depending on traffic · Varies, surge pricing during events/weather possible

## Insider tips

- _Local_: Opt for Southwest through Hobby if you care about food — with Velvet Taco and Killen's, it's much more appealing than the chains at IAH.
- _Avoid_: Garages often fill on Sunday evenings. Ecopark shuttles are quick and much cheaper at $10/day compared to $25 for terminal garages.
- _Insider_: Don't miss Fat Cat Creamery in the terminal. The milk chocolate stout and Waterloo strawberry flavors are airport gems.
- _Time_: Plan for extra time to grab food. Construction will run into 2025, creating bottlenecks in open areas and lines at peak times.
- _Quiet_: During busy times, avoid areas directly by main gate clusters. Less crowded seating near Pink's Pizza or SpindleTap might offer some peace.
- _Money_: Parking at Ecopark costs $10.00/day, while garages are $25.00/day. Use the savings for excellent local eats.
- _Insider_: If you love barbecue, make sure to visit Killen's BBQ in the terminal, worth the extra walk from distant gates.