William P. Hobby Airport
Houston, United States
William P. Hobby Airport
Houston's close-in airport serving Southwest Airlines and beyond.
- ›Originally named Houston Municipal Airport when it opened in 1927.
- ›Renamed William P. Hobby Airport in 1967 to honor former Texas Governor William Pettus Hobby.
- ›Southwest Airlines launched international service from Hobby after a new international concourse opened in 2015.
- ›The airport is located approximately 7 miles southeast of downtown Houston.
- ›It served as Houston's primary commercial airport until George Bush Intercontinental opened in 1969.
William P. Hobby Airport, named after early aviation pioneer William P. Hobby, has served Houston since 1927, making it one of the oldest commercial airports in the United States. Situated just 7 miles southeast of downtown Houston, it offers a more intimate and convenient alternative to the sprawling George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Hobby serves primarily domestic routes along with select international destinations, anchored by Southwest Airlines as its dominant carrier.
- Main Terminal — A single unified terminal building housing all gates, check-in counters, security checkpoints, and concessions across five concourses labeled A through E.
- METRORail and bus connections via METRO Route 40 linking to the Texas Medical Center and downtown Houston
- SuperShuttle and shared-ride van services to major city destinations
- Rideshare services including Uber and Lyft with dedicated pickup zones
- Metered taxis available at the Ground Transportation Center
- Car rental agencies including Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and National located on-site
- Houston METRO Bus Route 40 providing affordable public transit access
- Marriott Houston Airport at Hobby
- Courtyard by Marriott Houston Hobby Airport
- Hampton Inn Houston Hobby Airport
- Holiday Inn Express Houston Hobby Airport
- Best Western Plus Houston Hobby Airport Inn & Suites
Inside the terminal, travelers will find a solid mix of local Texas flavors and national chains including Pappasito's Cantina, Pappadeaux Seafood, and various grab-and-go options suited for quick departures. The airport has made efforts to highlight Houston's vibrant food culture with locally inspired menus across several concession areas. Outside the airport, the surrounding Hobby neighborhood offers numerous Tex-Mex and Southern comfort food restaurants within a short drive.
- Arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic departures, as security lines can back up during peak Southwest Airlines boarding waves.
- Parking fills quickly during holidays — book the Economy Lot online in advance for the best rates and availability.
- The METRO Route 40 bus is the most budget-friendly option to reach downtown Houston, though journey time can exceed an hour depending on traffic.
- Southwest Airlines dominates Hobby, so check Southwest's website directly for fares, as their tickets often don't appear on third-party booking platforms.
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William P. Hobby Airport, colloquially referred to as Houston Hobby Airport, is an international airport in the Greater Hobby neighborhood in Houston, Texas, located approximately 7 miles from Houston city center. Hobby is Houston's oldest commercial airport, and was its primary airport until the Houston Intercontinental Airport, now known as the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, opened in 1969. Hobby was initially closed after the opening of Houston Intercontinental; however, it was re-opened after several years, and became a secondary airport for domestic airline service, and a center for corporate and private aviation.
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