More Ways to Fly: Downtown Direct Expands to Hobby Airport

Airport travel just got a major upgrade. METRO’s Downtown Direct now serves William P. Hobby Airport, expanding convenient, reliable service to both of Houston’s major airports. From business trips to weekend getaways and long-awaited vacations, riders can skip the traffic and enjoy a smoother trip from downtown. 

 With comfortable buses, dedicated luggage space, and convenient service seven days a week, the route offers a practical alternative helping riders save time, reduce stress, and help riders arrive at the airport ready to go. Now, with service to Hobby Airport, even more travelers can choose transit as the first step in their journey. 

“This is METRONow in action—making it easier for people to choose METRO,” said Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. “As we prepare to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup, we’re building connectivity that will serve Houston long after the final match. This is about lasting access that strengthens our region every day.” 

Expanding Downtown Direct to Hobby opens new options for those who rely on METRO to reach major destinations across the region. The Downtown Direct offers a connection between Houston’s major airports and key destinations in downtown, including the George R. Brown Convention Center, nearby hotels and business corridors, the Downtown Transit Center, and Central Station Main. This means one seamless service takes riders from the airport straight into downtown, with easy connections to METRORail and bus routes across the region. 

As demand for the Downtown Direct has grown, METRO has continued to make improvements to enhance the rider experience. One recent upgrade includes relocating the 500 Downtown Direct stop at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport from Terminal C to Terminal E. This move provides better access to arrivals and baggage claim, improved wayfinding, and a more comfortable, covered area for boarding and exiting the bus. The change reflects METRO’s commitment to listening to rider needs and making adjustments that improve comfort, convenience and overall trip quality. 



“For many passengers, the journey starts long before the ticket counter,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “Extending the 500 Downtown Direct offers a reliable, affordable connection between downtown and HOU. It reduces stress, improves access and ensures every visitor is greeted with Houston-friendly hospitality in an organized, world-class environment that reflects who we are as a global gateway.” 

The expansion to Hobby and the improvements at IAH are part of METRO’s broader METRONow plan to improve mobility for all across the Houston region. METRONow isn’t just about adding routes. It’s about making the entire transit experience safer, cleaner, more reliable and easier to use. That includes investing in key corridors, improving transit centers, upgrading stations, and making sure riders have convenient ways to pay, plan, and ride. 

Whether you’re traveling across town or across the country, Downtown Direct offers a convenient way to start your trip on METRO. With more ways to fly and more ways to ride, getting to the airport is one less thing to worry about.