Travel to Houston

Flying to Houston

British Airways and United operate direct flights to Houston from the UK. Numerous airlines fly to the city from within the USA, and the airport is one of United's major hubs. Spring and autumn are the most expensive times to fly, as well as the Christmas and New Year holidays. You can usually find bargain fares to Houston in January and February.

Flight times

From London - 10 hours 10 minutes; New York - 4 hours; Los Angeles  - 3 hours 10 minutes; Toronto - 3 hours 20 minutes; Sydney  - 19 hours (including stopover).

Travel by road

Traffic drives on the right. The minimum driving age is 18, although drivers from out of state with a valid licence can drive at 16.

Overtaking should only be done on the inside lane, although cars on a five-lane highway regularly pass on both sides. At crossroads without traffic lights, the four-way stop system means that it is first come first served for right of way. At traffic lights, a right turn is permitted (with due care) on a red light, unless it is specifically stated not to do so.

The speed limit is 48kph (30mph), if there are no signs, although the general posted speed limit in town is 56-72kph (35-45mph) and 32kph (20mph) near a school. Freeway driving speeds are 88-113kph (55-70mph). A valid national driving licence is required, although it's helpful to have an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't in English. Third-party liability insurance is mandatory.

The AAA (tel: +1 800 765 0766; www.aaa.com) can provide information and basic roadside service.

Emergency breakdown services

AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357).

Routes

Houston is circled by Interstate I-610 - known as 'The Loop'. This is intersected by Interstate I-10, which links the city to San Antonio to the west and New Orleans to the east and also Interstate I-45 from Dallas to the north and Galveston to the south.

Coaches

Greyhound (tel: +1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates regular services to San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans. There are also Greyhound services to other major towns and cities in Texas and further afield.

Megabus (tel: +1 877 462 6342; www.megabus.com) runs coach services to San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Time to city

From Dallas - 3 hours 30 minutes; New Orleans - 5 hours 30 minutes; San Antonio - 3 hours.

Travel by Rail

Services

The cost of rail travel is rather expensive and trains are slow and prone to delays, but the level of comfort is high. The main station in Houston is Houston Amtrak Station, 902 Washington Avenue.

Operators

Amtrak (tel: +1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) operates long-distance services from Houston Amtrak Station. The Sunset Limited service links Houston with San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson and Los Angeles in the west. To the east, the train travels to New Orleans.

Journey times

From Los Angeles - 35 hours 10 minutes; New Orleans - 9 hours 20 minutes; San Antonio - 4 hours 45 minutes.