Up to 25% off
Check out our Christmas discounts! And sign in for even lower prices, exclusively for members
Up to 25% off Check out our Christmas discounts! And sign in for even lower prices, exclusively for members

Car rental Houston airport

Search, compare and book your rental car

Pickup location
 Different return office?
   Driver age: 25-70
   I live in: United States
Search Now
We compare rates from 800+ different supplier sites in more than 30,000 locations worldwide
Customers love us

Over 1 million customers trusted us to book the best car rental deal for them

Customers love us
Amend for free

Up to 48 hours before pickup

Amend for free
No extra fees

We don’t charge extra fees such as credit card or reservation fees

No extra fees

Cheap Car Rental Houston airport

Cheap Car Rental Houston airport

Houston Airport in Houston, Texas

The heart of the Wild West, Houston is an amalgamation of great food, leading science, and a thriving art community. As America’s fourth-largest city, it is filled to the brim with culture, being recognised as the most diverse city in the USA, so no matter what you’re looking for out of your trip, there’s bound to be something new and exciting to discover around every corner. Whether you’re exploring the famous Space Center Houston, the home of all astronaut training in the US, or you’re visiting the innovative Museum District where all the local artists come together, you’ll find a unique combination of urban creativity and Southern hospitality that will draw you in and make you never want to leave Texas’ most cosmopolitan city.

Houston Airport, previously named the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is the 4th largest multi-airport system in the US, serving over 180 cities worldwide. It is also known as the primary gateway to Latin America with over 30 destinations in Mexico, offering more Mexican destinations than any other US airport. To pay tribute to Houston’s large art scene, the airport boasts of plenty of incredible artworks to spot as you make your way around the area. For example, sculptures such as Ed Carpenter’s ‘Light Wings’ and Terry Allen’s ‘Countree Music’ can be seen in Terminal A, whilst an impressive glass mosaic mural titled ‘Houston Bayou’ by Dixie Friend Gay can be seen on the corridor leading to Terminal B.

Car Rental at Houston Airport

Houston is a massive city situated in one of the largest states in the US, so if you want to make the most of your visit here, you’re definitely going to need your own set of wheels to do so. From roaming the city streets as you go on a museum crawl, to driving out to the Gulf Coast of Texas to explore the southern shores, public transport can only get you so far. So, avoid the heavy crowds, awkward timetables, and expensive cab fares and rent a car instead.

With thousands of visitors wanting to explore this incredible part of the United States, car rental has become an increasingly popular way to get around. Because of this, Houston Airport has its own Rental Car Center that is open 24 hours a day located just a five-minute ride away from the airport terminals by a shuttle bus that departs every 5 and 10 minutes. Here you will find more than 10 highly acclaimed international car rental agencies to choose from, with companies such as Budget, Hertz, Alamo, Thrifty, and AVIS on the list. And when it comes to returning your rental car, it couldn’t be easier; simply follow the signs on John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Will Clayton Parkway to get straight to the Car Rental Center. 

Compare Car Rental at Houston Airport with HolidayCars.com

Here at HolidayCars.com we do everything in our power to make renting a car with us a quick, simple, and affordable experience. We only work with trusted companies, and by doing so we ensure that we are offering you only the best quality deals that come with great benefits and even better customer service. Your security, happiness, and independence are all at the forefront of what we do, so that you can be sure you will be 100% happy with your rental car, no matter what. And, if for any reason you’re not, you can update, change or cancel your booking up to 48 hours before picking up your car for free.

Driving in Houston, Texas

With such a large city and state, you’re going to want to get behind the wheel quickly to start making tracks. But, before you rush off, do ensure that you get to know the rules of the road first. It is important to understand not only the inner-city rules and regulations, but also the main Texas state laws too. After all, no one wants to waste their spending money on fines, and you certainly don’t want to compromise the safety of yourself, your passengers, or the people around you either.

Tips for driving in Houston, Texas:

Frequently asked questions about car rental Houston airport

What’s the best area to stay in Houston?
The best area to stay in Houston for visitors that want a taste of everything is the downtown area. Here there are plenty of shops, restaurants and other entertainment facilities within easy reach, whilst also being a stone’s throw away from the rest of the city.
What is the cheapest time to go to Houston?
If you’re looking to visit Houston on a budget, the cheapest time to go based on the price of flights and accommodation is around mid to late September. However, January to February and August to November both offer good deals too.
What is the best time to go to Houston?
If you’re a sun worshipper and you love a festival, the best time to visit Houston is from June to September. However, if you want to avoid the humidity and hurricane season, you’ll have a better time visiting Houston between March and May or October and November.
Can you get around Houston without a car?
Houston is the 4th largest city in the entirety of the United States of America, so although it is possible to get around on public transport, it will be more affordable and hassle-free to travel by car.
Tips and experiences for Houston airport

Our customers rated Houston airport with an average of 9.1 based on 28 ratings, and these are the most recent tips, experiences and highlights.

28-10-2021

says:
Easy access to car hire. Fast border process. Nice, big roads. Convenient shopping places. Good places to visit, NASA. Nearby activities, good sceneries.
28-10-2021

says:
Make sure to check till roads. Plan your route avoiding rush hour. Houston people are friendly and helpful to tourists.
24-10-2021

says:
Dollar did real good, I like them Dollar.
17-10-2021

says:
Dont rent a car. Just Uber or Lyft
12-10-2021

says:
If using terminal E you can access rental car parking through the entrance to international passenger arrival. I missed the sign and walked all the way to terminal C.
17-09-2021

says:
IAH or HOU, know the difference before booking rentals. Must see: Museum District, Galleria area, Downtown Houston. Must eat: El Tiempo or Ninfas - the definition of great TexMex. Must avoid: 610 Loop traffic - particularly heading West or South at almost all times, but always at rush hour.
16-09-2021

says:
The airport was less than great. Bathrooms were not in good shape, coat hooks in the stalls had all broken off and not been replaced. No family bathrooms which makes using the bathroom with a toddler difficult. No lounges in the domestic terminals.
06-09-2021

says:
Easy enough to navigate the airport! As for things to do in Houston -- Moody Gardens, NASA Space Center, and The Art Factory were all great exhibits!
03-09-2021

says:
I usually fly into Bush then drive to see my father in San Antonio. I kill 2 birds; my sister lives in Houston, soI get to visit her as well. I could fly straight from Florida to SA, but I just love Bush! Haven't had a delay of any kind in 4 trips. Amazing food choices in all concourses. The best rental car facility out of most of the major airports.
17-08-2021

says:
This review is for Bush Intercontinental's rental car facility. All companies are housed in one facility that is a five minute ride from the airport. You no longer have to wait for a shuttle from your chosen rental car company. It is a new facility, with ample space for each company. The only other airport I have been to that has the central facility is O'Hare (I am admittedly not an extensive traveler). All cars are also stored at the facility, under cover, so weather is never a factor. Last point: there is a large Shell gas station less than 2 miles from the rental car facility which is very handy when topping off the tank.
09-07-2021

says:
Houston Airport is huge! The Houston Natural Science Ctr is a must visit. Houston Space Ctr is also a destination. Viet/China town have plenty of asian food to offers. Galveston is only approx 1 hr drive. There are so many things to do in Houston.
02-07-2021

says:
Seemed a bit understaffed, wait times were long but they managed to move everyone along at a steady pace. Would definitely recommend showing up at least an hour and a half before your flight time, if not more. Otherwise good experience.
16-06-2021

says:
The TSA security area is a little tight. Considering how many people travel through airport, I think we can look at opening this up a bit.
16-06-2021

says:
Airport was awesome & super updated. Great restaurants, chargers everywhere, TSA were friendly & lines moved quick.
10-06-2021

says:
Travel in Houston without the toll-ways means 20-30 minutes more on your drive, but seldom more except in the very midst of rush hour. Enjoy the restaurants, museums, theater, and art.
04-06-2021

says:
Great airport, good restaurants, easy access to terminals and gates upon arrival. Houston itself is never easy to navigate simply due to its size and lack of mass transit.
06-05-2021

says:
Provide at least 30 minutes to travel on the shuttle to the airport. Provide 30 minutes to turn the car in. The walk to the shuttle takes at least 15 minutes in itself. Check in online prior to arrival. Expect at least 45 minutes to process security. All said recommend you arrive to the airport at least two hours early.
11-04-2021

says:
The Houston airport is massive. Take the shuttle to the car rental. It was easy and there were signs that made it easy to find where to pick up. Give yourself a bit of extra time. People are friendly and helpful. Get the toll pass, it is worth it and make traveling around Houst easy. If you have time and love TexMex hit up Lupe tortillas, so good.
16-12-2020

says:
If you need a rental car, go to Hertz
27-07-2020

says:
The car return process is really fast, took only about 2 minutes. Although, you may expect some wait time when getting your rental car. The staff at the car rental office is very friendly and helpful -- big thumbs up! The shuttles between the car rental facility and the airport terminals comes about every 10 minutes and are very convenient. But please notice that the shuttles to the terminals have 2 different directions -- don't jump onto the wrong shuttle! The direction of each shittle is shown both on the shuttle and at the shuttle bus stop. It takes within 10 minutes to travel between the terminals and the rental car facility. The offices of all the car rental companies locate in the same building, and they share the same parking deck.
30-06-2020

says:
I would recommend keeping an eye on your departure gate from the many screens as my gate changed twice. I know it's highly unpopular these days but I traveled with only my book as a carry on; the staff at security kept waving me into shorter lines and I breezed through the whole operation. I made it through with so much extra time I was able to enjoy a pleasant walk and have a nice dinner. The airport has great options for leisure and cuisine. I'd suggest looking at the great art and decorations; they are well thought out.
18-05-2020

says:
They care
15-05-2020

says:
Find out where car rentals are located before you Land and where to get on shuttle bus food prices not bad at airport and good service
30-09-2018

says:
It was a bussiness trip. In houston Airport there are no parking place identified for Bus rental car stop. I was in terminal one and all the buses stop in the same place.
09-09-2018

says:
We actually travelled to New Orleans and recommend the French quarter
01-08-2018

says:
There are a lot of hubs to Houston. Find one that is on a human scale, like Rice Village, Highland Village, Montrose, the Heights, or one of the town squares in Sugarland and the Woodlands, and explore it.
24-01-2018

says:
Use waze to navigate
30-09-2017

says:
Travel to the national parks Big Bend etc