Houston Metro, including the METRORail light-rail network, can take you between the Reliant and Medical Center area, downtown Houston and the Museum District. Start by choosing the rail line for your destination, then check the station and fare details before you travel.
- Rail network: Red, Green and Purple lines serve destinations across Houston.
- Stations from the hotel: Fannin South and Stadium Park/Astrodome are each about 24 minutes on foot from Sterling Inn, a motel near the Reliant and Medical Center area.
- Local fare: METRORail’s regular fare is $1.25.
- To the Museum District: Transfer to the Red Line in downtown and ride southbound.
Which Houston Metro Services Serve This Area?
METRORail’s Red, Green and Purple lines connect Houston destinations, including downtown, the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center. METRO also serves the University of Houston and Texas Southern University. The lines share stations between Theater District and EaDo / Stadium before the Green and Purple lines split in different directions.
For a trip that includes a bus, check which service reaches your destination and where it connects with rail. METRO says all its services are ADA accessible; bus features include ramps or lifts, priority seating and wheelchair securement areas.
How do you get from the hotel area to a METRORail station?
Fannin South and Stadium Park/Astrodome are the closest listed rail stations to Sterling Inn, each about 24 minutes away on foot or about 5 minutes by car. Smith Lands is about 36 minutes on foot or about 6 minutes by car from Sterling Inn.
Fannin South and Stadium Park/Astrodome are both on the Red Line. Check the station and direction for your trip before boarding; the route you need depends on where you’re going. If your plans include a game or stadium visit, the guide to Houston’s NRG Stadium covers the venue.
How do you ride to the Museum District and downtown?
To reach Museum District Station from the Green or Purple lines, transfer to the Red Line in downtown Houston and ride southbound. METRO’s approximate travel times put the Red Line trip from Downtown Transit Center at 8 minutes and from Central Station Main at 14 minutes.
For downtown connections, Central Station Main serves the Red Line, while Central Station Rusk and Central Station Capitol connect with the Green and Purple lines.
METRO’s approximate Purple Line times include 19 minutes eastbound from TSU / UH Athletics District to Central Station Rusk and 27 minutes to Theater District. Times can change, so check current service details as you plan.
The Red Line stops at Museum District Station, making rail a direct option for that destination after the downtown transfer. If the museum is on your itinerary, the Houston Museum of Natural Science visit guide covers its tickets and planning.
What are Houston Metro fares and payment options?
METRO says the regular fare is $1.25 for local bus and METRORail, and the discounted fare is $0.60 for eligible riders with a pre-approved RideMETRO Discount Fare Card.
Children 5 years or younger ride free with an adult. Seniors 70 years or older with a RideMETRO Discount Fare Card and METROLift customers using a METROLift Fare Card also ride free on eligible services.
You can pay for METRORail with a physical or virtual RideMETRO Fare Card, a credit or debit card from Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, a 3-Hour Pass ticket or a Day Pass ticket.
With an eligible payment method, transfers between services of equal or lesser value are free for up to 3 hours; transferring to a higher-cost service requires paying the fare difference during that period.
Fares and service details can change, so check the official site before you go. METRO also offers service alerts through the RideMETRO app and by email or mobile-phone subscription.
When might a car or rideshare be more practical?
A car can be useful when the station walk doesn’t fit your plans: Fannin South and Stadium Park/Astrodome are each about 5 minutes by car from Sterling Inn, while Smith Lands is about 6 minutes by car. You can compare those trips with the rail route and choose based on your destination and schedule.
If you’re arriving by air, William P. Hobby Airport is about 27 minutes by car from the hotel. The Hobby Airport transfer guide focuses on that journey.
FAQs
Which METRORail line serves the Medical Center and Museum District?
The Red Line serves the Museum District and Texas Medical Center. METRORail’s Red, Green and Purple lines also connect with other parts of Houston.
Can you transfer between METRO services?
Yes. Eligible payment methods allow free transfers between services of equal or lesser value for up to 3 hours. A higher-cost service requires payment of the fare difference.
Is Houston Metro accessible?
METRO says all its services are ADA accessible. Its bus accessibility features include ramps or lifts, priority seating and wheelchair securement areas.