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.

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