Houston is a large, spread-out city, so METRO works best when you use it for the trips the network serves well rather than expecting every part of the region to function the same way. Rail is strongest through central Houston, while local buses and Park & Ride extend the system much farther.

Use this guide to understand the network, then check your exact origin, destination and return time before leaving.

Start here

For most riders, the easiest approach is:

  1. Open the RideMETRO app or METRO’s trip-planning tools.
  2. Enter the exact address or destination.
  3. Compare rail, bus and walking portions of the trip.
  4. Check current service alerts.
  5. Confirm the return trip if you are staying out late.

Houston transit is most useful when the full trip works, including the walk to the stop, transfers and the last part of the journey.

METRORail: the three lines

Houston’s light-rail system has three lines, all centered on the inner city.

Red Line

The Red Line is the main north-south rail spine. It serves destinations including Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, Hermann Park, the Texas Medical Center and Reliant/NRG Park, with service continuing north of Downtown and south toward Fannin South.

This is the line many visitors use for museums, the zoo and Hermann Park, Medical Center trips, and major events at NRG.

Green Line

The Green Line runs east-west through Downtown and the East End. It serves the Theater District and Downtown, continues through EaDo, and reaches Second Ward and East End stations including Lockwood/Eastwood.

If you are starting in EaDo or the East End, the Green Line can be a practical way to reach Downtown without moving a car between stops.

Purple Line

The Purple Line also connects Downtown and EaDo with the southeast side of central Houston. It serves Third Ward, Texas Southern University, the University of Houston area and stations farther southeast toward Palm Center.

For university events and destinations around Third Ward and southeast central Houston, check the Purple Line before assuming you need to drive.

Transferring between lines

Downtown is where the rail lines connect. Central Station is the main transfer point between the Red Line and the Green/Purple lines.

That means a rider can come into Downtown on Green or Purple and transfer to Red for Midtown, the Museum District, Hermann Park, the Medical Center or NRG. The reverse works for riders coming from the Red Line corridor who want Downtown, EaDo or southeast destinations.

Use the official METRORail page for current station maps, schedules and operating information.

Local buses cover much more of Houston

Rail gets most of the attention, but METRO’s local bus network covers far more of the city.

A local bus may be the entire trip, or it may connect a neighborhood to a rail station, transit center, employment area or shopping district. For places away from the rail corridors, this is often the first place to look.

Use the official Local Bus page to find routes, schedules, stop information and live vehicle details.

Do not judge a bus trip only by mileage. Check the number of transfers, walking distance, weather exposure and service frequency in both directions.

Park & Ride for longer commuter trips

METRO also operates Park & Ride commuter service from facilities around the Houston area.

This can be useful for commuters who live outside the central rail network but work Downtown or in another major employment center served by commuter routes. Park & Ride is different from ordinary local bus service, so check the specific route, fare, operating days and return schedule for the facility you plan to use.

For someone comparing Houston neighborhoods or suburbs, Park & Ride can materially change how a commute works even when rail is nowhere nearby.

Fares and how to pay

Regular local bus and METRORail fare is currently $1.25.

METRO accepts physical and virtual RideMETRO Fare Cards, major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cash on local buses. Eligible transfers are free for up to three hours when you use a qualifying payment method and keep using the same payment method.

A physical bank card and the same card inside a mobile wallet may be treated as different payment methods. Each rider should have a separate payment method.

Cash riders should use exact fare because operators do not make change, and cash does not include the same transfer benefit.

Check METRO’s official fare page before traveling for current prices and payment rules.

Airport transportation

METRO’s 500 Downtown Direct provides scheduled service connecting Downtown with Houston’s major airports.

The regular fare is currently $4.50. Airport stops, terminal details and schedules can change, so use the official Route 500 page on the day you travel.

For airport trips, build in extra time and compare the schedule with rideshare, taxi or rental-car options before choosing.

Use METRO’s own pages for current information:

For restaurants, sports, museums and neighborhood-based day plans, continue to Houston entertainment and things to do.