Car Services & Taxis will both provide door-to-door transportation. Car services are not supposed to pick up Passengers unless they have been reserved in advance. If you would like to reserve a car service or limo in advance, please click here. Taxis are not reserved in advance but rather can be “hailed” from the street. Taxis have base fares, and then $ per mile/time…and expect some form of gratuity.

Taxi Rates & Limo Prices: Always get a confirmation of your rate in advance. Most taxi’s and Limo services have base fares and are not all inclusive. For example, NYC has a 2% tax on car services, 8.625% NY State and local sales taxes, and tolls are almost never included in your quoted price. You can often avoid additional toll charges by asking the driver to take a specific route of your choice. Some taxis will try to take advantage of you, even though their rates are standardized.

Airport Pickup: Limo Services and Car Service offer indoor pickups, providing an extremely stress-free pickup at any airport (your driver will meet you at baggage claim with a sign). Indoor pickup usually is free, plus 30 minutes of waiting time. With Outside pickup, the driver will meet you at curbside pickup.

Disadvantages of Airport Taxi:

• Waiting time. After a long flight, waiting in line for a cab is not ideal
• Drivers are not always familiar with area
• Cars are not reliable, and can break down en route

Advantages of Car Services:

• No Taxi lines
• Inside Pickup Option
• Can be Paid for in Advance
• Can accommodate more than 4 people
• Professional Drivers
• Can Reserve Online
• Can be hired hourly to provide you with transportation around the city
• Can get car service discounts when booked online

When Considering Limo Services:

• Typically more expensive than taxi service (though often it is only a few dollars more expensive)
• Often requires a credit card to book
• Penalty if not cancelled in time (ask about cancellation policy)

Car Service Options:

• Economy Town Car – Can accommodate 1-4 passengers, with a moderate amount of luggage (3+ good sized suitcases).
• Luxury Sedan –Lincoln Town Car (new model), Mercedes or Cadillac. Same space as a full sized sedan, but more luxurious
• VIP Sedan – New Town Car models with very professional drivers
• Platinum Sedan – Longer models of the standard Town Car, satellite radio and wireless Internet in the car along with our most professional drivers
• Minivan or SUV – Can accommodate 5 passengers and about 5 pieces luggage (sometimes 6 passengers with minimal luggage)
• Vans – Can accommodate 6-14 passengers and their luggage
• Stretch Limousine – Can accommodate 6-14 passengers (depending on the limo), but luggage space is the same as a standard Town Car.
• Stretch SUV, Stretch Hummer – Can accommodate up to 14 passengers. Recommended for large groups traveling around New York City, rather than to/from the airport

As with any airport, it can be difficult to navigate Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) without some degree of difficulty. Bush IAH is composed of five Terminals (A-E) with Continental Airlines being its major airline. A new tram system has been built to service Terminals A-E and is running about 70% of the time. Parking at Bush IAH isn’t always easy and neither is getting through security. However, you’ll find that Bush IAH has great customer service and a very reasonable layout. In operation since 1969, Bush IAH is located north of Houston off I-45 and Beltway 8. I worked at Bush IAH for one summer and I learned just about everything you need to know about navigation.

Always Look Up

Passengers often have difficulty finding the restrooms, their gates, the restaurants and customer service because they fail to look up. Bush IAH is clearly marked using overhead signs that point your way toward your destination. In many cases, you’ll see signs pointing toward Terminal E when you’re in Terminal A, which makes it easy to get where you’re going, no matter where you started out. If you aren’t sure what you’re doing, ask one of the airport employees who operate the passenger carts. They are the most likely to know how to answer your questions.

Park Off-Site

If you live in Houston and will be traveling to another city, check the Houston Chronicle for the week before you fly and look for parking coupons around Bush IAH. You can almost always find dollar-off specials that will allow you to park within a few miles of the airport without completely breaking your wallet. Right now, it costs $13 per day to park in one of the Terminal lots, which isn’t practical for most people. They do have frequent flyer discounts, but even with this, it is always easier to park off-site. You should also know, however, that starting in April, Bush IAH will be accepting EZ-TAG as a form of payment for airport parking.

Smoke first Then Enter

Once you enter the Terminal area of Bush IAH, you can’t leave without having to come back in through security. This is inconvenient for many travelers, but it’s always better if you finish your last cigarette or get your final breath of fresh air before you head through security. It is always possible to get through the first time without sounding any alarm bells, then have to agree to a more thorough search the second time around.

Head for Terminal E

Although Terminal E is for international flights, you might still want to go there if you’re flying domestically and don’t have to board your plan for an hour or so. You’ll find much better restaurants and shops in Terminal E than in any other part of the airport, mostly because it is the newest addition to Bush IAH. They have a Pappadeaux’s buffet, a Wendy’s, a Burger King, a Starbucks and even a donut shop. They also have shops like Brookstone, Tempur Pedic and Hudson News. If none of those options suit you, take the tram to Terminal A for Chili’s and Panchito’s. Remember, however, that airport prices are much higher than what you’ll find around the airport and you’ll also find a limited menu at restaurants.

Schedule Mid-Day Flights

Bush IAH is one of the busiest airports in the nation, but you’ll almost always find a lull in traffic between noon and two o’clock in the afternoon. If you can, schedule your flight in those times so that you’ll find a shorter line at security. You should also know that Terminal C (Continental’s Terminal) is almost always the busiest. The left two lines are for airport employees and you’re more likely to be picked out for a security screening at that Terminal. You might want to try A or B instead, if you have a few minutes before you need to catch your flight.

Car Services & Taxis will both provide door-to-door transportation. Car services are not supposed to pick up Passengers unless they have been reserved in advance. If you would like to reserve a car service or limo in advance, please click here. Taxis are not reserved in advance but rather can be “hailed” from the street. Taxis have base fares, and then $ per mile/time…and expect some form of gratuity.

Taxi Rates & Limo Prices: Always get a confirmation of your rate in advance. Most taxi’s and Limo services have base fares and are not all inclusive. For example, NYC has a 2% tax on car services, 8.625% NY State and local sales taxes, and tolls are almost never included in your quoted price. You can often avoid additional toll charges by asking the driver to take a specific route of your choice. Some taxis will try to take advantage of you, even though their rates are standardized.

Airport Pickup: Limo Services and Car Service offer indoor pickups, providing an extremely stress-free pickup at any airport (your driver will meet you at baggage claim with a sign). Indoor pickup usually costs extra, plus any applicable waiting time or parking fees. With Outside pickup, the driver will meet you at curbside pickup.

Disadvantages of Airport Taxi:

• Waiting time. After a long flight, waiting in line for a cab is not ideal
• Drivers are not always familiar with area
• Cars are not reliable, and can break down en route

Advantages of Car Services:

• No Taxi lines
• Inside Pickup Option
• Can be Paid for in Advance
• Can accommodate more than 4 people
• Professional Drivers
• Can Reserve Online
• Can be hired hourly to provide you with transportation around the city
• Can get car service discounts when booked online

When Considering Limo Services:

• Typically more expensive than taxi service (though often it is only a few dollars more expensive)
• Often requires a credit card to book
• Penalty if not cancelled in time (ask about cancellation policy)

Car Service Options:

• Economy Town Car – Can accommodate 1-4 passengers, with a moderate amount of luggage (3+ good sized suitcases).
• Luxury Sedan –Lincoln Town Car (new model), Mercedes or Cadillac. Same space as a full sized sedan, but more luxurious
• VIP Sedan – New Town Car models with very professional drivers
• Platinum Sedan – Longer models of the standard Town Car, satellite radio and wireless Internet in the car along with our most professional drivers
• Minivan or SUV – Can accommodate 5 passengers and about 5 pieces luggage (sometimes 6 passengers with minimal luggage)
• Vans – Can accommodate 6-14 passengers and their luggage
• Stretch Limousine – Can accommodate 6-14 passengers (depending on the limo), but luggage space is the same as a standard Town Car.
• Stretch SUV, Stretch Hummer – Can accommodate up to 14 passengers. Recommended for large groups traveling around New York City, rather than to/from the airport

• We are committed to exceeding customer expectations. First Class Service!
• Fleet of New Limousines.
• All of our vehicles are sparkling clean, well-stocked, and regularly maintained.
• You will receive personalized service from our chauffeurs who care about making your experience as pleasant as possible.
• Hassle free rates. Hourly rate plus gratuity. (We do not charge fuel surcharges, taxes, credit card processing fees, etc.)
• It is always our pleasure to accommodate your special needs and requests.
• We are fully licensed and insured and our chauffeurs complete drug tests and background screening.
• Emergency and short-notice limousine services are almost always available.
• Our service is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• All Chauffeurs are extensively trained before they start serving you.

 

For the safety of the public, TransGates Limousine operates under intense scrutiny from Houston Public Utilities Commission and the Highway Patrol. The following is an example of the regulations we abide by.
Chauffeurs must pass a pre employment drug and alcohol screening.
Operators must have a substance abuse program in place and its chauffeurs subject to random drug and alcohol screening.
Chauffeurs must maintain complete and accurate daily hours logs. Restricting the amount of hours they may drive.
Chauffeurs must do a pre-trip inspection on vehicles before taking a vehicle on the road.
Operators must due complete vehicle inspections every 45 days on every vehicle.
Operators are required to have the Texas DPS do an annual terminal inspection to check all vehicles, logbooks, vehicle inspection reports and drug testing compliance.
Operators must participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles pull notice system, which informs us if a driver has been cited for an infraction that might preclude him/her from continued service as a chauffeur.