METRORail and Houston public transport

METRORail is the light rail system that threads through Houston's central districts, and it is far more useful than its reputation among drivers suggests. It will not take you to every corner of a city that sprawls across hundreds of square miles, but it links the Museum District, Hermann Park, Downtown, EaDo and NRG Park neatly, and on a hot day those straight, air-conditioned rides are a relief. We use it whenever our plans stay inside the central core.

The three lines in plain terms

The Red Line is the backbone, running north to south along Main Street through Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, Hermann Park, the Texas Medical Center and out to NRG Park. The Green Line heads east from Downtown towards EaDo and Magnolia Park, while the Purple Line runs south-east through Third Ward past Texas Southern University. Both lines start near Downtown, so we always look at the destination sign on the front of the train before boarding.

Stations are mostly in the middle of streets, which means trains share road space with traffic and cross intersections. Watch for the signals at crossings and never step onto the track bed, because cars and pedestrians often misjudge how quickly the trains arrive.

Stops we use as visitors

The Museum District and Hermann Park/Rice University stations are the pair we use most, because they put the galleries, the Natural Science museum and the park within a short walk. Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo is the stop for the zoo entrance. Downtown has several stations along Main Street, and we like the one near Market Square Park, where the old buildings and the bars are close by. Our guide to Market Square Park and Main Street shows how much you can see on foot from there.

For the stadium, NRG Park station delivers you almost to the gate, which is why we never drive on big match or rodeo nights. The rodeo and NRG Park page explains what to expect on arrival.

Tickets, payment and etiquette

Ticket machines on the platforms accept cards, and METRO also supports its own reloadable card and a mobile app, so you rarely need cash. Validate your fare before boarding, because inspectors do ride the trains. Seats near the doors are meant for older passengers and people with limited mobility, and we give them up without being asked.

What the trains do not reach

The map has plenty of gaps. Montrose, the Heights, River Oaks, the Galleria and Rice Village sit outside the rail network, so for those we turn to buses, rideshare or a short taxi. The Montrose guide explains how to combine a rail ride to Midtown with a short onward hop. Buses connect many of these areas, though frequencies vary and we usually plan around a rideshare when evening plans run late.

Airports are a separate matter. Neither Bush Intercontinental nor Hobby has a direct rail link, so our airport arrivals guide covers the better options for getting into the centre.

Rail versus car

Houston is designed around the car, with freeways, the Beltway and enormous car parks, and plenty of visitors simply hire a vehicle. We split the difference. A rental makes sense for days at Space Center Houston, Galveston or the Heights, but when we spend a day in the Museum District and Downtown, the train beats searching for a space. The rail ride along Main Street gives a useful view of the city's layered skyline.

Heat, rain and waiting

Platforms offer little shelter from the summer sun, so we carry water and wear a hat. When a thunderstorm rolls in, usually in the afternoon, we stay under the station canopy until the worst passes. Trains continue in most rain, though flooded streets can cause delays, which is another reason we leave a margin before flights or evening bookings.