George Bush Intercontinental Airport, or IAH, is Houston’s largest airport. In fact, it’s the 8th largest airport in the U.S. for number of travelers.
With more than 40 million people going through IAH airport each year, it can get a little busy. While the airport does cover over 11,000 acres, certain areas, like the arrivals and departures transportation areas, can get a little crowded.
This is especially true if you’re traveling during a busy holiday season, the summer months, or even just a Saturday afternoon.
If you’re trying to catch a bus, rent a car, or hail a taxi, you’ll face delays and frustrations that can quickly derail your trip.
Luckily, there are other types of IAH transportation to choose from.
Keep reading to learn what your options are, how they compare to one another, and how to choose the right one for your next trip.
What Types of Transportation is Available to IAH?
Whether you’re flying out of IAH or arriving, you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing the right transportation.
Of course, you could opt for public transit, like buses, or call for a taxi or rideshares like Uber or Lyft.
But public transit usually includes plenty of waiting, packed buses, and delays. Hailing a taxi can also take time, especially when the airport is busy.
In recent years, as ride-share companies like Lyft and Uber have grown in popularity, just how safe they really are has been called into question. Because you have no power to choose your driver, you’ll be left at the mercy of whoever picks up your ride.
In fact, some experts point out that taxis can be just as dangerous as rideshares.
When you’re in an unfamiliar city or traveling with your family, this is a big concern. Traveling can be hard enough. You want to make sure that you are choosing a safe, reliable transportation option that will get you where you need to go without any stress or headache.
Luckily, these aren’t your only options for transportation when you arrive at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Here are a few luxury Houston airport car service options that will help you arrive in style and stay safe and comfortable while you do so.
Car Service
One option you have for transportation to and from IAH airport is a car service.
“Car service” covers a wide variety of vehicles, all driven by professional, experienced chauffeurs.
You can choose from oversized luxury sedans or more modest SUVs. Which type of car you pick is up to you. Whether you have your eye set on your favorite model or you need space for your family or colleagues traveling with you, you’ll have no shortage of options to choose from.
When you want to get to and from the airport in style for your vacation or a business trip, a car service might be the right choice. Luxury black car service is the perfect way to travel, no matter the reason for your trip.
You’ll leave an impression wherever you travel to. And inside the vehicle, you’ll enjoy comfortable, roomy interiors that help you relax and forget about the hassles of getting through the airport.
Close your eyes and take a nap to take the edge off of the jet lag. Or refresh yourself with a drink while you check email or catch up on social media.
With a chauffeur taking care of everything from handling your luggage to navigating traffic, you can sit back and forget about your worries, and start your trip fresh and relaxed.
Limo Service
Looking to kick the luxury up a notch? Don’t worry–there’s another Houston airport car service you can choose from.
A limo service to or from the airport will have you feeling like a celebrity. A stylish limo will be waiting for you just outside the terminal, or outside of your home or hotel if you’re headed to the airport.
Hire a limo on your own and stretch out in comfort and luxury that can’t be beaten. But limo services are also the perfect way to kick off a vacation with friends and family or to impress your clients on a business trip.
Rather than squeezing your group onto public transit or paying for multiple taxis, everyone can ride together. You’ll have space to breathe, and maybe to toast to a trip that you won’t soon forget!
Just like with black car service, you’ll get an experienced chauffeur ready to help you with anything that you need. Most importantly, they are ready to deliver you to your destination safely, and on time so that you don’t miss a minute of action during your trip.
Charter Bus Rental
From school and church groups to family reunions, sometimes even a stretch limo isn’t enough to accommodate your entire group.
But that doesn’t mean that you have to travel separately to and from the airport.
A charter bus service is a great way to stick together. When everyone travels together, they’ll arrive together as well. You won’t have to worry about anyone getting lost or left behind, especially when you need to get back to the airport in time for your flight.
A charter bus rental can hold up to 56 passengers. Each passenger will have his or her own seat, with plenty of room to relax. Plus, you’ll have room to carry everyone’s luggage in the separate luggage compartment.
If you’ve ever tried to take a suitcase on a public bus, you know just how big a perk that really is.
If you’re flying into IAH because it is the affordable, accessible option, you might not be staying in Houston for your trip. With a charter bus rental, you can get to wherever you need to go, even if its hours away from the airport.
That way you won’t have to worry about moving from one form of transportation to the next, or coordinating complicated travel plans for your large group.
Corporate Transportation
When you need to impress a client, a new hire, or a valued employee, choosing the right transportation for their trip is a must.
The last thing you want to do is ask someone who is traveling all the way to Texas from wherever they live to hail a taxi or ride a public bus. And renting a car that they have to drive can be dangerous in a new city when they’re also dealing with jet lag.
Instead, impress your business clients and partners from the moment their plane touches down by having a car service or limo waiting for them. You have several options for corporate transportation to and from IAH airport.
A luxury car or limo shows that you care about them and appreciate that they are coming to visit, attending your meeting, or otherwise taking time out of their lives for your business.
Plus, when they have a chance to relax after their flight, they’ll be better prepared for that tough pitch or important meeting that you have planned. You also won’t have to worry about them arriving late and potentially even missing that important meeting.
Comparing Your IAH Transportation Options
While each of these transportation options has its own perks, choosing the right one largely comes back to your own wants and needs.
If you’re traveling with a group, you might have no choice but to book a limo or charter bus. Unless you want to break up your group, these are the best ways to travel together–and let’s face it, it’s just more fun to kick off your trip together!
But if space isn’t a concern, your options become a bit broader.
You could opt for a black car service that screams “business professional” when you arrive at an important client meeting. Or, maybe you want to impress your significant other by having a limo waiting outside to whisk you off to your fun vacation in style.
Choosing the right type of vehicle is an important decision. But no matter what you choose, knowing that you have the safety and security of an experienced chauffeur, as well as other perks of a car service like complimentary wait time can also help set your mind at ease before your trip.
How to Choose the Right Transportation Service
Choosing the right type of car, limo, or bus service is important. But choosing the right company to hire might be even more so.
Consequences of Choosing the Wrong Car, Bus, or Limo Service
If you fail to do your research and choose a company that is less than reputable, you’ll quickly regret it. Whether the car or limo is subpar, the drivers are inexperienced, or your transportation arrives late, these setbacks can easily ruin your trip.
They can also cause other problems to snowball. If your ride from the airport was a nightmare, you might need to take time out of your trip to find an alternate ride back. This can also mean losing any payments you made.
A late ride can also cause you to miss your departure flight. You may need to pay for another flight or for change fees. If you’ll now arrive at your destination much later than you expected, you might have to change your hotel or other travel arrangements.
If you’re traveling for business, a late pick up could cause you to miss important meetings and presentations. When you’re meeting with important partners or clients, this could lead to even more issues, like lost sales or damaged relationships.
Questions to Ask a Car Service Before You Hire Them
How do you choose the right transportation service for your trip? You can start by asking the right questions.
A few things you should ask a service before you hire them include:
- Do your drivers track flights and adjust pick up times if my flight is delayed?
- If I am delayed at customs or at the baggage claim, will my driver still be waiting for me?
- Do you run background checks on your drivers? Are they licensed and registered?
- Do you provide contact information for drivers and information about the type of car and license plate number so that I can double-check that I have the right driver on arrival?
- Will your drivers help with luggage?
- Does your company have a customer service hotline if I have questions or concerns?
If a service answers ‘no’ to any of these questions, you might want to think twice before hiring them for your next trip.
You can also use online reviews to check out the reputation of a company before you hire them. Look for red flags like late pick-ups or unprofessional drivers, as well as good reviews about the quality of a company’s vehicles.
Booking Your IAH Transportation
When it comes to IAH transportation, you have no shortage of options to choose from. Whether you need to transport a large group or only yourself, want to travel in style, or are more focused on finding a reliable driver, the options on this list are the best that Houston has to offer.
Now that you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s time to book your transport to and/or from Houston’s busiest airport.
Contact us today to get a free quote for your trip. Whether you have your heart set on a limo or need a whole charter bus to move your group, we can help you find the right option for your trip.
And our experienced, professional drivers will help ensure that everyone goes smoothly so that you can start or end your trip on the right foot.