IAH Rental Car Guide: George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Renting a car at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at IAH that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at IAH
Consolidated rental facility reached by free shuttle (10 minutes).
Rental shuttle stops are at every terminal door 11. Wait time can be 5-10 minutes during peak.
IAH pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $45-$65 economy, $85-$130 SUV.
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 10%, customer facility charge $4/day, TX state tax 6.25% + Harris County 2%.
That means a $50/day economy rental at IAH actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at IAH
IAH hosts 11 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Sixt
- Fox
- Payless
Best for premium service: Enterprise (largest Texas fleet)
Cheapest base rates: Fox (consistently 25% below majors at IAH)
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
IAH-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
Houston has cheaper rentals at Hobby (HOU) for some trips, but IAH on-airport is cost-competitive.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Humble (5 min) for cheaper rates.
How to save the most at IAH
- Compare across all 11 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at IAH.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at IAH?
Consolidated rental facility reached by free shuttle (10 minutes). Rental shuttle stops are at every terminal door 11. Wait time can be 5-10 minutes during peak.
What is the average rental car price at IAH?
$45-$65 economy, $85-$130 SUV. Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at IAH?
Concession recovery 10%, customer facility charge $4/day, TX state tax 6.25% + Harris County 2%. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at IAH?
For premium fleet and reliability: Enterprise (largest Texas fleet). For cheapest base rates: Fox (consistently 25% below majors at IAH). Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from IAH?
Houston has cheaper rentals at Hobby (HOU) for some trips, but IAH on-airport is cost-competitive. Specifically: Humble (5 min) for cheaper rates.
Are there any quirks to renting at IAH?
Houston has high humidity year-round. Photograph the AC working at pickup — humidity-related claims (mold, mildew) sometimes appear post-return.