Home > World Cup Host Cities > Houston > World Cup Transport in Houston

Houston 2026 World Cup Transport Guide

How to get to Houston for the 2026 World Cup, getting to Houston Stadium, and traveling around Space City during the tournament 🚘

✒️ By the worldcup-travel.com team | 📅 Updated 2 June 2025

Glad you made it here! Our Houston transport guide will help you figure out how to get to Houston for the 2026 World Cup, how to navigate the city and its surrounding areas, and how to use different modes of transport at your disposal while in Space City.

Note: All of the information below is current. However, specific transportation guidance will be announced between now and the World Cup. Sign up to our email list so you get the latest information and deals direct to your inbox 📩 .

On this page:

Explore more Houston 2026 World Cup travel tips:

This page contains some affiliate links - read why we use affiliates for more info.

Houston is a car-centric city. Without a car, you can definitely explore central neighborhoods easily, but to get out farther, like Terry Hershey Park, NASA Johnson Space Center, or even some of the neighboring suburbs, like Sugar Land and Katy, you’ll most definitely need wheels. 

METRORail is the best option for visitors who don’t want to rent a car. It’s clean, cheap ($1.25/ride), and connects the Museum District, Downtown, Texas Medical Center, and Houston Stadium. Buses are widespread, but not very frequent, especially outside central areas. So, If you want to forgo a car entirely, we recommend finding accommodations near Midtown, Montrose, and EaDo (East of Downtown), since METRORail services these areas.

A car will be imperative If you have any intention of exploring greater Houston or plan to visit multiple host cities throughout the tournament. Parking passes for the 2026 World Cup at Houston Stadium will be available for advance purchase and typically range between $25 and $50. Parking passes can usually be obtained through the stadium's official channels, such as the NRG Park website. Be aware: Should you choose to drive to Houston Stadium, traffic will most likely be at a standstill.

Flying to Houston for the 2026 World Cup

There are two main airports that serve Houston, and you can choose between the two, depending on your travel needs.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is best for long-haul flights. It is located about 23 miles north of Downtown Houston, about a 30-40 min drive away. It is Houston’s primary international airport and a hub for United Airlines.  

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) caters mostly to domestic flights and serves as a base for Southwest Airlines. At about seven miles south of Downtown, it is closer to central Houston and, therefore, easier and cheaper to reach via rideshare options like Uber and Lyft. Since it’s smaller than IAH, it generally makes for a quicker airport experience.  

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – the primary option for flying to Houston for the 2026 World Cup

✅ International hub

✅ Many ground transportation options, including the Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct bus service

✅ Great amenities, like high-end lounges

Tip: You can search for World Cup flights to Houston from the box below, courtesy of Kiwi.com. Their tech finds flight itineraries that combine multiple airlines. They call it “Virtual Interlining,” which provides options that aren’t often available through other travel sites. This can help streamline the booking process and increase savings ✈💰.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – another option for flying to Houston for the World Cup

✅ Smaller, therefore faster

✅ More low-cost flights

✅ Closer to Houston City Center

2026 World Cup car rental in Houston

Will fans need a car in Houston for the World Cup?

You don’t necessarily need a car in Houston if you’re just here for the 2026 World Cup, but you might like one if you’re planning a World Cup road trip, or you want to explore beyond city limits.

Don’t be nervous, though. While Houston certainly is a car-centric city, it’s not essential for viewing the 2026 World Cup action. That’s because neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, and the Museum District all offer convenient access to public transportation and rideshare services, and some hotels are even within walking distance to key attractions and Houston Stadium.

You can expect higher prices for car rentals in Houston during the 2026 World Cup, so book your car rental as early as possible with a flexible cancellation policy so you’re not tied down in case plans change. More tips on that below.

Houston car rental companies and peer-to-peer rental options

At IAH, car rental services are centralized at the Rental Car Center, which serves all major rental companies, including National, Avis, Hertz, Budget, Dollar, and Enterprise. It is accessible via free shuttle buses from outside the baggage claim area of each terminal.

At HOU, car rental services are consolidated at the Rental Car Center, with airport signs directing you to the Rental Car Shuttle pick-up zone once you have collected your baggage. 

You can also look for World Cup car rental options further outside the city, which might be cheaper, but could cost you more for the transport to and from that location.

In addition to the big car rental companies, there are also peer-to-peer car rental options, like Turo. Similar to Airbnb, Turo allows you to rent a person’s car throughout your stay. This option might offer increased inventory for car rentals in and around Houston during the 2026 World Cup.

Tip: If you’re looking for car rentals in Houston for the 2026 World Cup, we recommend Qeeq.com, where you will always pay the lowest price. Qeeq’s Price Drop Protector 📉 tracks prices daily, and if the rental price drops after you book, Qeeq rebooks at the lower price and saves you the difference. They offer free cancellation, no credit card fees, and you can even pay with crypto if that’s your vibe. You can search car rental options through Qeeq in the widget below.

Alternatively, Trip.com, part of the same group as Skyscanner.com, allows you to search car rental deals from all of the big companies and includes free cancellation, no credit card fees, and other discounts.

Buses to Houston for the 2026 World Cup

Several major intercity bus services operate routes to Houston, but unless you are traveling from inside Texas, you might not find the bus very convenient. Texas is the size of France, so we don’t expect many fans to get a bus to Houston for the 2026 World Cup. The closest World Cup host city to Houston is Dallas, which is 284 miles away, or a 4-6 hour journey, depending on the route.

You certainly can travel between the two World Cup host cities if you want to save some money. Bus companies that serve Houston include Greyhound (extensive national network, more old-school option), FlixBus (new, modern fleet with frequent East Coast service), and RedCoach (a luxury coach service between major Texas cities like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.) Make sure to look up where the drop off location is, in case it is not Gray Street Station in Downtown Houston.

Trains to Houston for the 2026 World Cup

The train is a leisurely way to reach the city, for sure, but it can take a while. Getting to Houston from Dallas via Amtrak puts you on the Texas Eagle line, which operates one to two times per day most on weekdays and takes about 20 hours - including two transfers - for about $50. Amtrak’s Sunset Limited route, which operates three times a week between New Orleans and Los Angeles, also services Houston.

Public transport in Houston

Public transportation in Houston can get you around, but it’s worth planning ahead, especially if you’re attending matches at the 2026 World Cup.

Public transportation in Houston is primarily provided by Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), which includes buses that cover most neighborhoods and METRORail with its three lines. The METRORail is a good way to travel quickly within the city, especially for 2026 World Cup events.

Using ridesharing apps in Houston

Uber and Lyft are, of course, available in Houston, and although they are accessible and reliable, rides in the city can be quite pricey. Plus, prices are expected to surge on game days. So opt for public transport when you can and hail a ride share when you’re out of options (or after a few too many beers at the match).

⬆️ Jump back to the top of this page ⬆️