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Comparable Schools'
Transportation Grades:
Quick StatsBest Ways to Get Around Town
- Have a car. If you are unfortunate enough to live in Houston and not have a car, you should make friends with people who have cars.
- If you MUST find alternate means of transportation, try walking, jogging, running, biking, skating, taking the Metro bus, a taxi, or the Light Rail.
How to Get to the Airport
- A cab ride to the Hobby Airport costs $24-$28.
- A cab ride to the Intercontinental Airport costs $42-46.
- The Airport Express Shuttle travels between the Medical Center and both Houston airports at a rate of $15 per person (Hobby) or $20 per person (Intercontinental). The shuttles run approximately hourly from both airports and deposit passengers directly in front of the Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Suites, and Best Western hotels on Main St. The trip takes about an hour, depending on traffic, from Houston Intercontinental, and about 20 minutes from Hobby. To contact Airport Express, call (713) 523-8888.
College Prowler Take
Rice students all agree that public transportation in Houston is terribly inconvenient. While Amtrak, Greyhound, taxis, and the city Metro bus system are all available, Rice students rarely use any of these options. Metro bus stops are located very near to campus, but some students indicate that they do not feel safe riding the city buses, and the bus stops themselves are scary places if you are alone at night. The travel times on the city buses also vary with traffic, making them undependable, at best. You should definitely bring a car if possible, despite the cons of parking. Most students have their own cars, or rely on the kindness of friends who have cars to get them around town. Houston traffic is a nightmare, as are Houston drivers (although students from other large U.S. cities seem to think the driving is comparable). The recently completed Houston Light Rail has improved the public transportation situation slightly, although it has done little to alleviate traffic. The Rail has a Rice University stop and links the Rice campus to University of Houston downtown, two Houston Community College Campuses, the Houston Zoo, Market Square, Minute Maid Park, the new NFL stadium (Reliant), and some other popular destinations. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
There really isn’t any public...
There really isn’t any public transportation in Houston. The Metro (bus) is a bit scary and not exactly convenient to Rice, and I don’t know anyone who’s ever used it. The Metro Rail opened in 2004, and it takes students from the Med Center to downtown and around downtown. Cars are still pretty necessary if one wants to go anywhere in Houston, but the atmosphere of Rice lends itself to making that only a minor inconvenience. There’s not usually a reason to leave campus, and there are enough people with cars that one can always find a ride. |
Anonymous says: |
There is a bus system, but I don’t...
There is a bus system, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to ride. They installed a light rail, too, but it’s not yet fully operational. So for now, all that means is lots of construction to drive through. |
Anonymous says: |
There’s a light rail system right...
There’s a light rail system right outside Rice going to downtown. I think they’re trying to attract the Olympics here in 2012 or something, so that should probably grow. Buses are easy to get a hold of to go into downtown, but other than that, we usually just drive wherever. Either you or your roommates will probably have a car. |
Anonymous says: |
Besides a crappy bus system,...
Besides a crappy bus system, Houston doesn’t have any public transportation. Imagine over four million commuters trying to get out to the suburbs everyday. |
Anonymous says: |
I ride the Metro, and it is fine....
I ride the Metro, and it is fine. You can get this thing called a U-Pass, which allows students to ride the public bus for free. |
On-Campus Transportation
Rice Campus Shuttle Service Weekdays 6:30 a.m.-10:40 p.m.
Rice Escort (713) 348-6000 Sunday 10 p.m–-6a.m., Monday–Thursday 10:30 p.m.–6:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday night, by request
Taxi Cabs
Liberty Cab
(713) 695-6700
Greyhound
The Greyhound Bus Station is in Downtown Houston, approximately three miles from campus.
Amtrak
located approximately five miles from campus
Airport
IAH is about 24 miles and approximately 40 minutes driving time from Rice. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) (281) 233-3000
Hobby is about 12 miles and approximately 20 minutes driving time from Rice. William P. Hobby International Airport (281) 233-3000
Did You Know?The new president, David Leebron, recently initiated a program entitled “Passport to Houston.” Its aim is to integrate the University with Houston’s dynamic urban atmosphere, and, among other things, it provides students with free METRO passes, so they can hop on the new light rail system to get around town.
Most Recent Contributing Author
Name: Meenakshi Awasthi
Hometown: Arlington, TX
Major: English/Biology Meenakshi made her own dimple?by accident, of course! In Kindergarten, she fell off of the jungle gym and bruised her cheek pretty badly. Today it is a nice little dimple with a great history. Contributing Author Internship  College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating
the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally
recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is
really like at your college. Read more about the internship.
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