Between the hundreds of domestic and international flights departing from and arriving at Houston’s two airports each day and the many interstate and state highways that run through the city, Houston is accessible from just about anywhere. Once you get to town, you’ll need a car—that is, unless you’re staying (and don’t plan to leave) downtown, where you can walk, take cabs, and ride METRORail. Downtown options aside, Houston is a sprawling metropolis without a sprawling public transportation system. Sure, the city has a bus system, but the frequent stops and traffic mean you could spend an hour or more traveling from point A to point B, even if points A and B are just a few miles apart. The city has a light-rail system, too, but it doesn’t venture into the suburbs, much less to areas inside the Loop like the Galleria, River Oaks, the Heights, or Montrose. You can take cabs around the city, but the cost adds up quickly. And, in most cases, you’ll have to call ahead to schedule a pickup.
When trying to get your bearings in Houston, keep in mind that downtown is at the center of the city and that the city’s major freeways—I-10, US 59, and I-45—intersect there. Heading south of downtown will take you to Freeport on the Gulf of Mexico; heading southeast will take you to William P. Hobby Airport and to Galveston, which is about a 45-minute drive from Houston. Heading north of downtown will take you to Dallas, which is about a 4-hour drive from Houston. Go east of downtown and you’ll wind up in the Houston Ship Channel area. Heading west from downtown? You’ll soon be on your way to Memorial Park, Memorial, Katy, and eventually San Antonio—about a 3-hour drive from Houston.