Traveling Around Houston without a Car? Here’s How.

As would any highly urbanized city, Houston has a reliable public transportation system that consists of light rails and buses. In fact, there are many places you can go without a car.

So, if you’re wondering if you can easily get around Houston without your own private vehicle, the short answer is yes. The long answer is that you can but it will require some planning, and a sense of adventure.

Walking from one place to another has its own fun, especially for photographers. But it can be very tiring, so let’s make your trip worth the while.

That said, instead of winging a long day of museum hopping, let’s devise a good transport strategy with a guide made simple.

Let’s begin.

Map out your itinerary

Start simple. That means make a list of all the places you want to go, and prepare an itinerary from this list.

Mapping out your itinerary means considering the available transport systems and their routes, how long each stop-over and transfer will last, and schedule a time for meals, snacks, and restroom breaks.

We suggest going to museum complexes like the Museum of Fine Arts for an entire afternoon. This way you don’t have to keep moving when the sun is at its peak.

You should also take into account its proximity to the apartment you’re staying in.

Research about the transport systems

While some areas are served with decent public transport systems, other zones are still in the process of improving this service.

You can check out the METRO transport website to learn more about their bus schedules, metrorail schedules, maps and routes. 

Big groups can even utilize the city’s High-occupancy Vehicle (HOV)and High-occupancy Toll (HOT) express lanes for a small fee. This somehow helps you avoid traffic during peak hours and get to your destination faster.

Consider the heat

Houston is a hot city, so we recommend that you schedule your trips well and avoid walking around during the hottest hours of the day.

There are a lot of views and vistas in the sprawling city of Houston, but it won’t be as fun when you’re dying of a heat stroke. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, we recommend you bring hats, umbrellas, and plenty of liquids to hydrate you on your city strolls.

Don’t rule out cars entirely

Just because it’s doable, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use this mode of transport all throughout your trip. 

There are many valid reasons as to why having a car presents the most convenience, given that Houston isn’t exactly bike-friendly, and the weather can get quite warm. With that, download the app and prepare a budget for Ubers and Lyfts.

After all, Houston is a city made for cars. So it is best that you work with what’s available, set aside enough time, and prepare your travel kits so you can make the most of it.

Start your planning early

It is best that you already have a plan in hand the moment you step foot in Houston.

While light rail and bus routes allow access to and from the airport, their trips are limited. That said, we recommend you have your hotel set-up a shuttle service to pick you up for convenience.

If you know people who have been or have lived in Houston before, ask them for travel advice. Lastly, have fun!