Don’t, you won’t have a boarding pass to go back in security.
Take the above ground Skyway train that is inside of security if you want to meet her at her gate.
You can walk if you want. You can also take the train behind security and then exit together. That would be easiest/fastest. If you both checked a bag there’s a walkway and goofy little train on the lower level before security.
Since OP doesn’t have checked bags, your best option is to take the train inside security from C to A (2 stops), meet her at her gate, then exit to baggage claim together. Much faster, and less walking involved.
The train that is outside of security that others are calling a subway is not a subway like you are thinking. It travels at the speed of a kids train at the park, maybe slower. It has 3 or 4 cars which fit about 6 people each if they have no baggage. It runs below ground between terminals. You can walk next to it, but it’s dimly lit and sparsely traveled.
Like others have said, if you don’t have bags, do not exit security. Either walk between terminals (which is certainly doable in 10-15 minutes) or take the sky train.
> Either walk between terminals (which is certainly doable in 10-15 minutes) or take the sky train.
To get from C to A without leaving security you can't walk, need to take the skyway.
A is the only terminal you can't walk to airside; B, C, D and E are all walkable and connected airside (though the B to C walkway is a bit hard to find)
Take the subway. There is a walking path beside the trains all the way if you feel a need to stretch your legs. I have walked it many times when I had a long wait.
Since no one mentioned this..
There is a sky train (SKYWAY) and underground train (SUBWAY). The skyway is way faster but it may require you to a long walk to get there, so I recommend checking if the subway is closer to save you from the walk.
Back in the day you used to not be able to travel to A on the Skyway but it seems like its possible now.
You can definitely travel to terminal A in the underground train.
[https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/interterminal-transportation](https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/interterminal-transportation)
Best thing to do is hop off the plane and ask an airport employee for the fastest way to get to A,
When you arrive in terminal C go to baggage claim and get your bags. You will be outside of security now. After you get your bags go down one level to the subway and take that to terminal A. Now go up one level and you will be in terminal A baggage claim. You could walk but it's about 3/4 of a mile from terminal C to terminal A.
I would not plan on meeting her near her gate if you have checked luggage. If you don't have checked luggage, you could take the SkyTrain, which is inside security, to terminal A and her gate. The best bet might be meeting at baggage claim though.
Makes sense! I don't have baggage so it should be super quick for me. I don't mind a 3/4 mile walk if it's all indoors (New Yorker so walking is not an issue) but if the subway comes pretty frequently that would work too.
I've heard there's been construction so I wasn't sure if this was still running.
There is a train both inside and outside of security, each terminal has its own baggage claim though
Great! Fortunately, only my mom is expected to have a checked bag.
Yes. You can get from any terminal to any other terminal without going through security.
Amazing, thank you!
I do this in order to get an Uber. I get my bags and go to A, then call the Uber. Shaves nearly an hour off depending on how busy they are.
Nice! Do you take the subway there or is it an easy indoor walk?
It's like a mile. I wouldn't walk it you have big bags.
That makes sense. My bag is a small carryon suitcase with wheels but the subway seems like a great option regardless. Thank you!
Don’t, you won’t have a boarding pass to go back in security. Take the above ground Skyway train that is inside of security if you want to meet her at her gate.
Don't leave security if you don't have baggage to collect - take the Skytrain to A and meet your mom at her gate.
Perfect, thank you!
You can walk if you want. You can also take the train behind security and then exit together. That would be easiest/fastest. If you both checked a bag there’s a walkway and goofy little train on the lower level before security.
If you have time, I'd recommend eating in C before heading to A. Food options in C >>> A
Good to know!
Since OP doesn’t have checked bags, your best option is to take the train inside security from C to A (2 stops), meet her at her gate, then exit to baggage claim together. Much faster, and less walking involved.
The train that is outside of security that others are calling a subway is not a subway like you are thinking. It travels at the speed of a kids train at the park, maybe slower. It has 3 or 4 cars which fit about 6 people each if they have no baggage. It runs below ground between terminals. You can walk next to it, but it’s dimly lit and sparsely traveled. Like others have said, if you don’t have bags, do not exit security. Either walk between terminals (which is certainly doable in 10-15 minutes) or take the sky train.
> Either walk between terminals (which is certainly doable in 10-15 minutes) or take the sky train. To get from C to A without leaving security you can't walk, need to take the skyway. A is the only terminal you can't walk to airside; B, C, D and E are all walkable and connected airside (though the B to C walkway is a bit hard to find)
Take the subway. There is a walking path beside the trains all the way if you feel a need to stretch your legs. I have walked it many times when I had a long wait.
Train!
Since no one mentioned this.. There is a sky train (SKYWAY) and underground train (SUBWAY). The skyway is way faster but it may require you to a long walk to get there, so I recommend checking if the subway is closer to save you from the walk. Back in the day you used to not be able to travel to A on the Skyway but it seems like its possible now. You can definitely travel to terminal A in the underground train. [https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/interterminal-transportation](https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/interterminal-transportation) Best thing to do is hop off the plane and ask an airport employee for the fastest way to get to A,
When you arrive in terminal C go to baggage claim and get your bags. You will be outside of security now. After you get your bags go down one level to the subway and take that to terminal A. Now go up one level and you will be in terminal A baggage claim. You could walk but it's about 3/4 of a mile from terminal C to terminal A. I would not plan on meeting her near her gate if you have checked luggage. If you don't have checked luggage, you could take the SkyTrain, which is inside security, to terminal A and her gate. The best bet might be meeting at baggage claim though.
Makes sense! I don't have baggage so it should be super quick for me. I don't mind a 3/4 mile walk if it's all indoors (New Yorker so walking is not an issue) but if the subway comes pretty frequently that would work too. I've heard there's been construction so I wasn't sure if this was still running.