Houston METRO Bus Route 102 Bush IAH Express is the only bus route that travels between Downtown Houston (Central Business District) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The bus fare is $1.25 per person (bus accepts cash only or exact change). The ride between Terminal C and Downtown Houston is around one hour.

Baggage is allowed on the bus. But if it is an oversize baggage, please contact METRO at 713-635-4000 to confirm.

Route 102 arrives every 30 minutes to/from Terminal C. Please view the Route 102 Schedule (web/PDF) for more details. First bus departs from IAH around 5 a.m. and last bus departs before midnight.

The video above starts at IAH Terminal C. After the bus departs from IAH Airport, the bus will make a stop at Greenspoint and then travel to Downtown Houston via IH-45 (either the express lane or main lane).

Alternative Express Bus

On April 2025, Houston METRO started a brand new alternative route that is quicker than the Route 102. This new express bus route is called IAH Airport Direct (or Route 500). IAH Airport Direct bus travels between Downtown Houston George R. Brown Convention Center and IAH Airport Terminal C. Read my blog about this alternative express bus.

Type of bus vehicle

For this bus route, METRO uses two type of vehicles, motor coach or articulate bus.

Fares

The full fare for this bus route is $1.25 (per person). For more information about Houston METRO fares, please visit their fare webpage.

Cash

If paying in cash, the cash needs to be in exact change. Bus operators cannot give you change. In addition, if paying cash, the bus operator will not issue you transfer ticket or pass. Cash means one way ride only.

Credit Card

The bus does NOT accept credit card payments at this moment. However, if you want to use credit card, METRO has an mobile ticketing app called Q Mobile Ticketing App. In this app, you can create an account and provide your credit card information.

After providing your information, purchase Local Bus Fare ($1.25). METRO considers Route 102 as a local bus. When boarding the bus, demonstrate the bus operator of your recent purchase. The Local Bus pass is transferrable to other local METRO Bus routes or all METRORail (up to three hours). A Day Pass can be purchased if planning to use the local bus or rail lines for the whole day.

This app is available for Android and iOS devices.

METRO Q Fare Cards

Houston METRO has their own tap card called the Q Card. You can purchase the Q Card at the METRO’s Ride Store Online. After purchasing a fare card, METRO will mail you the tap card.

When boarding the bus, tap the card to the fare card reader.

Bus Stop

IAH Terminal C

The bus stop to to/from Downtown Houston is located at Terminal C Arrival floor. The Stop Number is 811.

You can text METRO at 697-433 and enter the stop number 811 to view upcoming bus arrival on your text message.

Traveling beyond Downtown Houston

If you’re coming from IAH Airport, Route 102 to Downtown terminates in Downtown Houston (specifically at the intersection of Main Street and Pierce Street).

In Downtown Houston, you can transfer to other METRO Bus or METRORail.

Traveling to Texas Medical Center (TMC), Midtown or Rice University

Transfer the METRORail Red Line southbound to Fannin South. View the ride video of METRORail Red Line from Downtown Houston to TMC/Midtown/Rice University.

Traveling to Uptown Houston / Galleria

Transfer to METRO Bus 20, 32 or 82.

Note that Route 82 Westheimer is a high frequency bus. That route arrives every 6 to 10 minutes (everyday). This route stops in front of Houston Galleria.

View the ride video of Route 82 or Route 32 from Downtown Houston to Uptown Houston.

Traveling to Greenway Plaza

There are two more transfers if going to Greenway Plaza. Transfer the METRORail Red Line southbound to Fannin South. On the METRORail Red Line, exit Wheeler Transit Center Station and transfer to METRO Bus 25 Richmond (westbound).

Traveling to Memorial City area

Transfer to METRO Bus 160 or METRO Bus 162 Memorial Express (in Downtown Transit Center; near the intersection of Main Street and Pierce Street). View the ride video of Route 162 from Downtown Houston to Memorial City.

Traveling to University of Houston (UH) or Texas Southern University (TSU)

Transfer to METRORail Purple Line to Palm Center. View the ride video from Downtown Houston to UH or TSU.

Traveling to William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

Transfer to METRO Bus 40 eastbound to Monroe Park & Ride. This local bus stop will take almost one hour to travel from Downtown to Hobby Airport.

Returning to IAH Airport?

View the ride video from Downtown Houston to IAH Terminal C.

What to expect

After boarding the bus from IAH Terminal C, the bus will travel southwest of the airport and make a brief stop at Greenspoint area.

After Greenspoint area, the bus will travel south on Interstate Highway 45 (I-45). If traveling in the morning (before 11 a.m.), the bus will travel on the carpool (express lane) on I-45. Otherwise, it will travel on the main lanes.

The bus will make an exit to Downtown Houston and will travel south on Milam Street. After going through downtown, the bus will travel east in Pierce Street and the bus route terminates.