Houston City Guide - Getting Around

Public transport in Houston is fairly well developed and reasonably priced. Nevertheless, most visitors to Houston generally prefer to hire a car. The Metropolitan Transit Authority - METRO (tel: (713) 635 4000; website: www.ridemetro.org) operates an extensive bus service throughout the city.

There are fare boxes on the bus (correct change is required). Alternatively, you can buy tokens in advance. Day passes allow unlimited travel (on the local service only) in a 24-hour period and weekly passes are also available. You can get information and tickets from RideStores, 1900 Main Street, and 1001 Travis. Local shops displaying the METROstop sign also sell tickets.

METRO also operates a trolleybus service, which covers three different routes that link the major hotels with tourist destinations.

A light rail system, Metrorail, opened in 2004 with services from Downtown via the Museum District, Texas Medical Center to Reliant Park. Payment is by Q Card, used like a debit card on the Metrorail or on city buses. For more information, check out www.ridemetro.org.

Taxis are plentiful but can be rather expensive for short distances. A tip of around 10% of the fare is usual. There are plenty of cabs in Downtown but elsewhere they are more difficult to find and it is better to phone for one. Companies include Taxis Fiesta (tel: (713) 225 2666), Square Deal Cab Company (tel: (713) 659 7236) and Yellow Cab Company (tel: (713) 236 1111; website: www.yellowcabhouston.com). The new 'Six in the City' programme is a cheap way to travel in the Downtown area. The US$6 flat-rate fare applies everywhere in the Downtown area and is not increased for multiple riders.

Most visitors to Houston prefer to hire a car, as it is the best and most cost-effective way of travelling around the city. Driving in the morning and evening rush hours (0700-0900 and 1630-1830) should be avoided, as the roads are very congested. Other than that, there is a massive construction programme underway in Houston and the I-10 will be chaotic until 2009. The highways have Protected High Occupancy Vehicle lanes for buses, carpools and vanpools, which reduce commuter traffic.

Parking is generally not a problem with plenty of car parks right across the city. Many attractions or venues have free parking for visitors. Some on-street parking is available, although difficult to find in Downtown.

Insurance is compulsory when hiring a car in Houston. You should also confirm that there is adequate Loss Damage Waiver and personal liability insurance. To hire a car, you must be in possession of a full national driving licence. The minimum age is generally 25 years, although some companies will hire cars (at a higher rate) to drivers aged between 21 and 24 years. Avis, 4825 Richmond Avenue at Galleria (tel: (713) 629 7230; website: www.avis.com), Dollar, 8686 Kirby Drive (tel: (713) 797 9624; website: www.dollar.com), and Hertz, 2120 Louisiana Street (tel: (713) 652 0436; website: www.hertz.com), all have offices in Houston.

Cycling is an ideal way to take advantage of the many cycle trails in Houston's parks. You can hire bikes from West End Bicycles, 5427 Blossom Street (tel: (713) 861 2271; website: www.westendbikes.com), east of Memorial Park.