North America > United States > Houston (IAH)
The Car or no Car advice for Houston can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Houston ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Houston ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Houston?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Houston without a car 🚶♂️🚇
It is possible to visit Houston without a car, but it requires planning and realistic expectations. Downtown, Midtown, and parts of the Museum District are walkable once you are there. The METRORail light rail system links Downtown, Midtown, the Texas Medical Center, and NRG Park, which makes it useful for a narrow slice of visitors.
Buses exist, but distances are long and services can be slow. Houston’s sheer size means that even simple journeys often take far longer than you would expect if you are used to European or East Asian cities. As a result, a no-car stay usually works best for short trips focused on one or two districts.
Arriving and getting around 🚖
Houston’s airports, especially George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), sit well outside the city core. Public transport links exist but are not particularly attractive for first-time visitors. Taxis and rideshares fill the gap, but costs add up quickly.
Once in the city, most major attractions are spread out. NASA’s Johnson Space Center, for example, is over 25 miles from Downtown. Visiting it by public transport is possible but time-consuming.
Why renting a car makes sense 🚗
Houston is fundamentally a driving city. Roads are wide, parking is usually easy, and car rental prices are often very competitive by US standards. A rental car turns long, awkward journeys into straightforward ones and gives you access to the city’s full range of neighbourhoods, food scenes, and cultural venues.
It also opens up regional trips. Galveston, coastal beaches, and other parts of southeast Texas are far more practical by car.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Houston?
For most visitors, yes. While limited areas work without a car, Houston’s scale and layout mean that renting a car offers freedom, saves time, and makes the city far easier to enjoy.
