To get to the Houston Zoo from the hotel area, take the Red Line to Memorial Hermann Hospital / Houston Zoo station; the Zoo estimates a 10-minute walk from there through Hermann Park.
The rail line also serves the Museum District, downtown Houston, and stadium district, while airport trips are separate car journeys. From this two-star motel in Houston, you can choose among three nearby Red Line stations.
- Nearby stations: Fannin South and Stadium Park / Astrodome are each about a 5-minute drive away.
- Zoo stop: Memorial Hermann Hospital / Houston Zoo, followed by the Zoo’s estimated 10-minute walk through Hermann Park.
- Downtown: Houston city centre is about 14 minutes away by car.
- Airport reference: William P. Hobby Airport is about 28 minutes away by car.
Nearby METRORail Stations
Fannin South, Stadium Park / Astrodome, and Smith Lands are the nearby Red Line stations to consider from the hotel area. Fannin South and Stadium Park / Astrodome are each about a 5-minute drive or a 26-minute walk away; Smith Lands is about a 6-minute drive or a 38-minute walk away.
METRO’s Red Line serves all three stations, as well as Museum District, Hermann Park / Rice U, and Memorial Hermann Hospital / Houston Zoo.
If you’re driving to the train, Fannin South Transit Center is a park-and-ride facility at 1604 West Bellfort Street, with 1,440 parking spaces. The Houston Zoo gives the parking charge as $3, though special-event pricing may differ.
For trips toward the stadium district, Stadium Park / Astrodome is the closest named station by car. Reliant Stadium is about a 4-minute drive or a 16-minute walk away; this guide to getting to NRG Stadium covers the stadium area in more detail.
How do you get from the hotel area to the Houston Zoo?
The Red Line takes you to the Houston Zoo’s nearest named stop, Memorial Hermann Hospital / Houston Zoo station. The Zoo is at 6200 Hermann Park Drive, and estimates a 10-minute walk through the Commons in Hermann Park from that station.
For another rail approach, ride to Hermann Park / Rice U station and walk through the Japanese Gardens, as the Zoo recommends. Stadium Park / Astrodome and Fannin South are each about a 5-minute drive from the hotel area, while Smith Lands is about a 6-minute drive; all three are on the Red Line.
At the Zoo, rideshare services can drop off and pick up at the main entrance. If you’re planning a park visit around your Zoo trip, Hermann Park’s gardens and visitor highlights are part of the same broader destination.
Getting to NRG Stadium and Central Houston
Stadium Park / Astrodome is a Red Line stop for the stadium area. Houston city centre is about 14 minutes from the hotel area by car.
The Red Line runs along Main Street through downtown and serves the Museum District. METRO identifies Central Station Main on Main Street as the Red Line platform; Central Station Rusk and Central Station Capitol serve the Green and Purple lines, which intersect with the Red Line near downtown.
The Green and Purple lines share stations between Theater District and EaDo / Stadium before splitting in different directions.
When the Museum District is your destination, use the Museum District station on the Red Line. For Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo, the Red Line’s stops include both Hermann Park / Rice U and Memorial Hermann Hospital / Houston Zoo.
Airport and Ground-Transport Planning
By car from the hotel area, William P. Hobby Airport is about 28 minutes away, George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport about 42 minutes, Ellington Airport about 36 minutes, and Sugar Land Regional Airport about 37 minutes. These are separate airport trips, so check your flight details and ground-transport arrangements when planning your departure.
For Hobby Airport, the drive from the hotel area is about 28 minutes; the Hobby Airport route to the hotel area gives that trip its own focus. The Red Line connects the stadium area, Museum District, Hermann Park, and downtown.
Checking Fares, Service, and Accessibility
METRORail fares, schedules, and route information can change, so check the official site before you go. The Houston Zoo gives the standard METRORail fare as $1.25, the senior fare as 60 cents, and free travel for children five or younger.
METRO’s RideMETRO app can plan trips, track rides, and pay fares on METRORail and local and Park & Ride buses.
For Zoo-area bus service, METRO identifies routes 28 OST-Wayside and 56 Airline / Montrose at nearby stops. Their approximate frequencies are every 30 minutes and every 20–30 minutes, respectively. Fannin South parking prices may change during special events such as Rodeo Houston.
For eligible riders who need paratransit, METROLift is a shared-ride service for preapproved customers. Its vans and minivans accommodate wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers, and boarding chairs are available for riders who cannot use vehicle stairs.
FAQs
Which METRORail station should you use for the Houston Zoo?
Ride the Red Line to Memorial Hermann Hospital / Houston Zoo station. The Zoo estimates a 10-minute walk through the Commons from the station; Hermann Park / Rice U is another option for a walk through the Japanese Gardens.
Can you walk from the hotel area to a Red Line station?
Fannin South and Stadium Park / Astrodome are each about a 26-minute walk from the hotel area. Smith Lands is about a 38-minute walk away.
Does the Houston Zoo have rideshare pickup and drop-off?
Yes. Rideshare services can drop off and pick up visitors at the Zoo’s main entrance at 6200 Hermann Park Drive.
Where can you find information about METRORail access to the stadium?
Stadium Park / Astrodome is a Red Line station serving the stadium area. The NRG Stadium transport guide also covers access to the venue.