Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Houston Hobby Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Very little to do in the airport. Planes are delayed often from this airport due to unpredictable weather year-round. It is not uncommon to be stranded for 4-6 hours waiting for your flight to take off. – Guest
HOU Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Houston Hobby Airport.
What to Expect
Houston Hobby Airport (code: HOU) is a mid-size terminal that services many Southwest Airlines flights. The main concourse has 25 gates, and a new, smaller international concourse has five. There are dozens of eateries and shops throughout the airport on both the air and land sides, with a few offering 24-hour service. WiFi is available, and there are plenty of outlets throughout the airport where mobile devices can be charged. As of this update (July 2019), this airport has no pay-per-use/airline lounges.
Sleeping in Hobby Airport
Travellers report that the terminal areas are very clean and the airport staff friendly and accommodating to overnight sleepers. Seating is described as plentiful and comfortable, though much of it reportedly comes with armrests. The airport is known for weather-induced flight delays and cancellations, and travellers report that when enough passengers are stranded, airport staff bring out cots, foam sleeping pads, and blankets.
Travellers specifically mentioned sleeping on the floor near Gate 5 or behind the agent counter at Gate 46. It’s quiet when no flights are departing for several hours.
Noise and cold temperatures were cited as potential sleep annoyances, so consider bringing earplugs/noise-cancelling earphones and extra layers and/or travel blanket for enhanced sleeping comfort.
For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips or click here to write your review.
Good to Know
Houston Hobby Airport has one of the largest collections of public art in the state of Texas. The airport features dozens of artworks throughout the facility, primarily from noteworthy Texas artists.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Hobby Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
While the airport is open 24 hours, the TSA security checkpoints are open 3:45 AM – 8:45 PM. You will not be able to access the secure area of the terminal outside of this time frame.
Cots
A few reviewers reported that in the case of significant weather cancellations, Houston Hobby Airport made cots, sleeping mats, blankets, and toiletry kits available for stranded passengers who chose not to get a hotel room. Depending on the number of stranded travellers, there may not be enough cots for everyone. To locate the areas with cots, ask an airline or airport employee or use a courtesy phone. Note: cots cannot be reserved in advance, and they are not for people whose flights are not cancelled and who choose to stay the night in the airport.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Houston Hobby Airport that provide free airport shuttles:
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Hobby Airport » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn Houston Hobby Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Houston Hobby Airport » Check Rates
- Four Points by Sheraton Houston Hobby Airport – You need to call the hotel for pick-up from the airport. Pick-up location is Curb Zone 3, Section 12. » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Houston Hobby Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Houston Hobby Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
At the time of this update, there were no pay-per-use lounges.
Military Lounges
USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Main Concourse, Airside, one level below Gate 44.
Related Pages: Hobby Airport Lounges
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Drinking Water
Thirsty? Water bottle refill stations are available free of charge. Locations: Landside at five locations • Airside at eight locations.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate on varying schedules, some opening as early as 4:00 AM. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. The only Landside restaurant is Papa’s BBQ (Hours: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM except Saturday when it closes at 8:00 PM). Vending machines are available in the airport.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Look for the seats with built-in power outlets at these gates: 1-5, 20-25, 27 and 40-51.
Showers
Unfortunately, there are no showers available to freshen up. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Houston Hobby Airport. Connect to the “Free Airport WIFI” network.
More Airport Information
Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts are available in all four terminals’ baggage claim and drop-off areas. Rate: unknown, but only cash and coins are accepted (no coins).
Chapel – The Airport Interfaith Chapel offers a quiet place to collect your thoughts. Two locations: Central Lobby, Baggage Claim (landside) and Central Concourse (airside, near Gate 46) Open: 24 hours.
Information Desk – There are three information desks available. Locations: Level 1, Houston Interactive Center • Level 2, landside, near security check-point • Airside, near the Rotunda. Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Airport Ambassadors are also available throughout the airport, look for the bright red shirts.
Massage Chairs – Sit back and enjoy a 5-minute deep-tissue massage for a small fee. Locations: Central Concourse Rotunda, Central Concourse (near Gates 23, 24-32, 46 and 47), West Concourse (near Gate 3 and near Gate 1) and Level 1 Baggage Claim.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside, Level 1 Baggage Claim • Landside, Level 2, near Main Entrance • Airside, near Gates 1 and 21.
- Currency Exchange – Location: Landside, Level 2.
Mothers Room – A private nursing room is available Airside, near Gate 40.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at the airport’s mailbox. Location: Landside, Main Lobby.
Shopping – World Duty-Free is available Airside, at Gate 20 (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM). In addition to the airport’s retail shops, various items can be purchased 24/7 from automated kiosks placed throughout the airside areas of the airport.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking – Smoking is prohibited anywhere inside the Terminal. Designated areas can be found outside the Terminal.
Spa – Manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and more services are available at XpresSpa. Location: Central Concourse (airside, near Gate 45) Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM, closed at 8:00 PM on Saturdays.
Traveler’s Aid – Traveler’s Aid is a non-profit organization that assists stranded and distressed passengers. Volunteers assist passengers with general airport and destination queries to assist with situations such as transportation assistance, lost or stolen money, wiring money, emergency housing, etc. Location: Unknown. Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Things to do & see
- Art in the Airport – Art exhibitions and daily scheduled live music shows are available throughout the airport.
- Library – The Little Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange. Location: Level 2, near Gate 44
Bus
Hobby Airport is served by the Houston METRO bus system. Bus No 40 connects to downtown in approximately one hour. Pick-up is at Curb Zone 3 (Lower Level). For additional route maps, schedules and fares, visit the Houston METRO website.
Car Rentals
Car rental desks are located in the lower level near Baggage Claim, and shuttles to the car rental lots pick up at Curb Zone 1. On-site car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty. If you have rented through Payless, there is no counter inside the airport.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Best Western Plus Hobby Airport Inn & Suites • Courtyard Houston Hobby Airport • Days Inn and Suites Houston Hobby Airport • DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Hobby Airport • Hilton Garden Inn Houston Hobby Airport • Holiday Inn Houston Hobby Airport • Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport • La Quinta Inn & Suites Houston Hobby Airport • Quality Suites Houston Hobby Airport • SpringHill Suites Houston Hobby Airport.
These hotels can be reached by direct-dial courtesy phones in the baggage claim area, and the pick-up area is Curb Zone 9B.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shuttles and Limousines
SuperShuttle offers door-to-door shared ride service between Houston Hobby and the Houston metropolitan area. SuperShuttle, Galveston Limousine and other shuttle services pick up from Curb Zone 3 (Lower Level).
Taxis
Taxis are readily available at Curb Zone 1, outside of baggage claim on the lower level. All fares within Houston city limits are charged flat Zone Rate or metered rate, whichever is less. The following one-way flat zone rates were current at the time of this update: Downtown $29; Galleria $59 and NASA Space Center $41. In addition, a departure fee of $1.25 is applied, and a $1.00 nighttime surcharge applies for rides between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Security & Safety
It seems that airport staff and security are pretty tolerant of overnight sleepers.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Houston Hobby Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.