Ride METRO to the Theater District | Public Transit

Transit Services

If you're commuting from areas in and around downtown Houston, you can access the Theater District using METRORail. Otherwise, you may need to use one or more of the other services listed below. Click or tap on any of the tabs for a brief overview of the service and how it can get you to venues like the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Jones Hall, the Wortham Theater Center, Revention Music Center and the Alley Theatre.

METRORail Purple Line train at the Central Station Capitol station in Houston's Theater District

The Green Line travels through downtown Houston, the Theater District, EaDo (East Downtown) and the Second Ward, providing easy access to the Theater District at the Theater District Station along the western end of the line.

The Purple Line travels through downtown Houston, the Theater District and the Third Ward (southeast of downtown), also stopping at the Theater District Station.

The Red Line travels along Main Street connecting downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center. It stops within walking distance of the Theater District at Central Station Main.

All METRORail vehicles are ADA accessible and come equipped with video surveillance security cameras.

Learn More

METRO 82 Westheimer bus riding along a surface street,

These METRO bus routes stop in or near the Theater District:

20 Canal / Memorial
30 Clinton / Ella
40 Telephone / Heights
41 Kirby / Polk
44 Acres Homes
48 Market
82 Westheimer
85 Antoine / Washington
102 Bush IAH Express
108 Veterans Memorial Express (Weekdays Only)
151 Westpark Express (Weekdays Only)
160 Memorial City Express
161 Wilcrest Express
162 Memorial Express

A detailed listing of routes and maps of where they stop is shown in the Ride METRO section below. Transfers to the routes shown are available at many city street intersections. Transfers are also available at select METRO transit centers which are sheltered waiting areas typically found at the beginning and/or end of a bus route.

All METRO buses are ADA accessible, offer free Wi-Fi and come equipped with video surveillance security cameras.

METRORapid Silver Line vehicle riding along Post Oak Boulevard in uptown Houston.

METRORapid combines elements of light rail and bus to deliver faster connections and a convenient ride.

The METRORapid Silver Line runs along Post Oak Boulevard in Uptown Houston, connecting to two transit centers.

At Northwest Transit Center (7373 Old Katy Road), you can transfer to these METRO bus routes, each of which stops at Smith Street @ Texas Avenue in the Theater District (about a 15-20 minute ride):

85 Antoine / Washington
160 Memorial City Express
161 Wilcrest Express
162 Memorial Express

At Westpark / Lower Uptown Transit Center (5105 Westpark Drive), you can transfer to the 20 Canal / Memorial and exit at the Louisiana Street @ Preston Street stop in the Theater District (about a 40 minute ride).

All vehicles are ADA accessible, offer free Wi-Fi and come equipped with video surveillance security cameras.

Customer boarding METRO curb2curb shuttle.

METRO curb2curb provides customized curb-to-curb transportation within specific zones including the Acres Homes neighborhood in Northwest Houston.

You can board the 344 Acres Homes - curb2curb at predefined “anchor points” within the zone (such as the Walmart at Interstate 45 and West Road) or book a ride ahead of time so the vehicle can pick you up at the location of

your choice. You can then transfer to any of these METRO bus routes that each stop in or around the Theater District:

30 Clinton / Ella
40 Telephone / Heights
44 Acres Homes
108 Veterans Memorial Express

Transfers are available at the Acres Homes Transit Center and the North Shepherd Park and Ride. From there, it's about a 20-30 minute ride to the Theater District.

All vehicles are ADA accessible, offer free Wi-Fi and come equipped with video surveillance security cameras.

METRO paratransit representative assisting customer using METROLift vehicle's electric lift

METROLift provides curb-to-curb transportation for people with disabilities who meet certain eligibility requirements. Service is provided with ADA-accessible vans and minivans that accommodate persons using wheelchairs, scooters and walkers. Boarding chairs are available to assist any patron unable to access the van using the stairs. All vehicles offer free Wi-Fi.

If you're a current METROLift customer, you can schedule, verify and pay for your trip to the Theater District the same way you would for other trips.

Ride METRO

You'll find METRORail lines and local bus routes to the Theater District in the tabs below. You can click or tap on any METRORail line and local bus route to see a map of stops and transfer options.

Rail Lines	Service	Frequency*	Nearest Station
Green Line	METRORail	Every 12-18 min.	Theater District Station
Purple Line	METRORail	Every 12-18 min.	Theater District Station
Red Line	METRORail	Every 6-12 min.	Central Station Main

*All frequencies listed are approximate and may vary.

Route Name	Service	Frequency*	Nearest Stop
20 Canal / Memorial	Local Bus	Every 30 min.	Louisiana Street @ Preston Street (eastbound) Smith Street @ Prairie Street (westbound)
30 Clinton / Ella	Local Bus	Every 50 min.	Louisiana Street @ Prairie Street (eastbound) Smith Street @ Prairie Street (westbound)
40 Telephone / Heights	Local Bus	Every 30 min.	Lamar Street @ Smith Street (northbound) McKinney Street @ Smith Street (southbound)
41 Kirby / Polk	Local Bus	Every 30 min.	McKinney Street @ Smith Street (eastbound) Lamar Street @ Smith Street (westbound)
44 Acres Homes	Local Bus	Every 30 min.	Capitol Street @ Bagby Street (northbound) Rusk Street @ Bagby Street (southbound)
48 Market	Local Bus	Every 60 min.	Preston Street @ Smith Street (eastbound) Franklin Street @ Congress Street (westbound)
82 Westheimer	Local Bus	Every 8-12 min.	Congress Street @ Smith Street (eastbound) Preston Street @ Smith Street (westbound)
85 Antoine / Washington	Local Bus	Every 15-30 min.	Louisiana Street @ Prairie Street (northbound) Smith Street @ Texas Avenue (southbound)
102 Bush IAH Express	Local Bus	Every 15-30 min.	Milam Street @ Texas Avenue (inbound) Travis Street @ Capitol Street (outbound)
108 Veterans Memorial Express	Local Bus	Every 15 min. (Weekdays Only)	Milam Street @ Texas Avenue (inbound) Travis Street @ Capitol Street (outbound)
151 Westpark Express	Local Bus	Every 15 min. (Weekdays Only)	Louisiana Street @ Preston Street (eastbound) Smith Street @ Texas Avenue (westbound)
160 Memorial City Express	Local Bus	Every 60 min.	Smith Street @ Texas Avenue (eastbound) Louisiana Street @ Prairie Street (westbound)
161 Wilcrest Express	Local Bus	Every 30 min.	Smith Street @ Texas Avenue (eastbound) Louisiana Street @ Prairie Street (westbound)
162 Memorial Express	Local Bus	Every 60 min.	Smith Street @ Texas Avenue (eastbound) Louisiana Street @ Prairie Street (westbound)

*All frequencies listed are approximate and may vary.

Fares

Below are fares to ride.

Service	Regular Fare	Discounted Fare*
METRORail	$1.25 to board	60 cents to board
Local Bus	$1.25 to board	60 cents to board
METRORapid	$1.25 to board	60 cents to board
METRO curb2curb	$1.25 to board	60 cents to board

*Discounted fares apply to students, seniors 65-69, or people with disabilities who aren't METROLift customers that already have a pre-approved discounted fare card.

The following individuals ride free on all services:

Children five years or younger ride free when accompanied by an adult
Seniors 70 years or older who have a discounted METRO Q® Fare Card
Qualified veterans who have a METRO Veterans Pass
METROLift customers (with up to one assistant)

Ways to Pay

You can pay your fare using a variety of methods shown below, and some of them include free transfers. Click or tap on each of the options below to learn more.

METRO Fare Cards

Serving as contactless fare payment options – these forms of payment are used by most METRO riders. They function as debit cards for riding METRO. You can continually load and store money on them – and then money will be deducted each time you pay your fare with a METRO Q® Fare Card or daily upon use with a METRO Day Pass.

How To Pay

Tap your regular or discounted METRO Q® Fare Card or Day Pass on the validator that can be found:

inside the local bus when you board
on all METRORail platforms (some fare validators are attached to ticket vending machines, others are freestanding or attached to platform railing)
on all METRORapid platforms (look for the TAP HERE message with an arrow pointing to the validator)
inside the curb2curb vehicle when you board

If you prefer to go contactless, you can wave your card close to the validator as well.

Make sure the light registers green in the upper right when you tap or wave.

Transfers

After the fare amount is deducted from your METRO Q® Fare Card, you’ll receive free transfers between any of these METRO services for up to three hours in any direction:

Local bus
METRORail
METRORapid
METRO curb2curb

For transfers to Park & Ride bus service using a METRO Q® Fare Card, you'll only pay the fare difference for up to three hours in any direction.

A METRO Day Pass allows you to ride local service as often as you like during the day for a maximum of $3 (regular fare) or $1.50 (discounted fare).

NOTE: If you use a METRO Day Pass on Park & Ride service, the cost to ride doesn't get applied to the maximum daily card deduction. Because of that, we don’t recommend using a METRO Day Pass on Park & Ride service.

METRO Q Mobile Ticket

This is a contactless fare payment option. Download the METRO Q Ticketing app to your smartphone and sign up for an account on the app. That will allow you to purchase regular fare mobile tickets to board METRO transit services. Discounted fare mobile tickets aren’t available for purchase.

How To Pay

Once you purchase and activate a mobile ticket, it will display animated colors and motion on your phone. If you're boarding a bus or curb2curb shuttle, show it to the operator. If you're boarding METRORail or METRORapid, show it to the METRO Fare Inspector or METRO Police Officer upon request – either on the platform prior to boarding or on the vehicle during your ride.

After you activate your mobile ticket, it's valid for three hours.

Transfers

After you activate a Local Single Ride or Local Day Pass mobile ticket, you’ll receive free transfers between any of these METRO services in any direction:

Local bus
METRORail
METRORapid
METRO curb2curb

Vending Machine Ticket

If you plan to ride METRORail or METRORapid Silver Line during part of your trip, you’re welcome to pay with a METRORail or METRORapid vending machine ticket. Tickets can be purchased from a ticket vending machine using cash, credit card or debit card. Ticket vending machines are located:

On all METRORail platforms
On all METRORapid Silver Line Platforms
At the Northwest Transit Center
At the Westpark / Lower Uptown Transit Center

The ticket is only valid for use on METRORail or METRORapid for up to three hours in any direction.

How To Pay

Upon request, show it to a METRO Fare Inspector or METRO Police Officer – either on the platform prior to boarding or on the vehicle during your ride.

Transfers

When paying with a METRORail or METRORapid ticket, transfers to other METRO services aren’t included.

A dollar bill with a quarter sitting next to it

Cash (Bus Only)

You’re welcome to pay with cash and/or coins when boarding a METRO bus.

How To Pay

Deposit it into the fare box when you board the bus, as shown in the photo. No change is given.

Transfers

When paying with cash, transfers to other METRO services aren’t included.

METRO Money

A contactless fare payment option – this is a popular choice for agencies, hotels and convention groups looking to provide a disposable fare card to clients, customers or guests. The card comes preloaded with amounts ranging from $1.25 to $20. These cards can't be reloaded.

How To Pay

Tap your METRO Money card on the fare validator or hold your card near the validator until the light registers green.

Validators are located:

Inside a bus or curb2curb shuttle as you board
On METRORail or METRORapid platforms near where you board

If you prefer to go contactless, you can wave your card close to the validator as well.

Transfers

After the fare amount is deducted from your card, you’ll receive free transfers between any of these METRO services for up to three hours in any direction:

Local bus
METRORail
METRORapid
METRO curb2curb

Common Questions

Fares

You can obtain a METRO Q® Fare Card, METRO Day Pass or METRO Money Card at any of the following:

METRO RideStore locations
METRO Online RideStore
Participating retail locations
Select vending machines

You have the option of loading money on your card when you first obtain it. Reload options vary by fare card and location.

Additional payment options to ride METRO can be obtained through other sources.

More details can be found on the All About Fares page.

First, you’ll need an internet connection.

Download the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing App and set up an account. Then, mobile tickets may be purchased in one of two ways:

In the app, tap Store along the bottom menu to get started
Log in to your account on the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing Store

If you’ve purchased one or more mobile tickets that you haven’t used, they’ll be listed under Available in the Use section of the app. From there, you can activate a ticket.

Once activated, your ticket is valid for up to three hours.

If you pay your fare using a METRO Q® Fare Card, METRO Q Mobile Ticket, METRO Day Pass or METRO Money card, you’re entitled to free transfers between any of these METRO services for up to three hours in any direction:

Local bus
METRORail
METRORapid
METRO curb2curb

Only regular fare mobile tickets are available for purchase.

Trip Planning

Local bus and METRO curb2curb:

A route selector is accessible directly on the website home page, linking you directly to a page for the route of your choice.

At the top of each individual route page, you’ll find:

Frequency of service on weekdays and weekends
Stop-by-stop schedule
Link to view PDF schedule which you can then download and/or print

METRORail:

Frequency of service, a stop-by-stop schedule, a PDF schedule and a linear route map for each METRORail line are found on the METRORail page.

METRORapid:

Frequency of service, a stop-by-stop schedule, a PDF schedule and a linear route map for the METRORapid Silver line is found on the METRORapid page.

On the METRO website, there’s a route map on:

Each individual bus route page
METRORail page
METRORapid page
Each individual METRO curb2curb route page

You can also use the website's Interactive System Map (best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer). In the map, you can check a box next to any METRO bus route or rail line and the map will draw a line showing where it runs.

If you’d prefer a physical map, we include a map image in the printed brochure for each individual bus route or rail line. Brochures are available for free at all METRO RideStore locations:

Downtown Transit Center - 1900 Main St.
Fannin South Transit Center - 1604 West Bellfort St.
Main Street Square - 1001 Travis St.
Northwest Transit Center - 7373 Old Katy Road

Trip planning tools are available on:

Various pages of the website, including in the Rider Tools section below
RideMETRO app for your smartphone
Google or Apple maps

Prior to Arrival

METRO local buses make stops at the following locations

Along city streets, at intersections where you see a METRO bus stop sign and/or bus shelter
At select Park & Ride lots around the region
At more than 20 transit centers around the region

All METRO buses have large, bright destination signs on the front of the bus above the windshield and along the passenger’s side, near the front door. These digital displays include the route number and destination.

We encourage you to do your part to keep yourself and those around you safe throughout your entire trip on a METRO bus. Learn more about rider safety.

METRORail trains make stops at rail station platforms along city streets in and around downtown Houston. You can also board a METRORail train at the following transit centers:

Burnett (Red Line)
Downtown (Red Line)
Fannin South (Red Line)
Magnolia Park (Green Line)
Northline (Red Line)
Palm Center (Purple Line)
Texas Medical Center (Red Line)

All METRORail trains have large, bright destination signs on the front of the train above the windshield and along the side of the train as it pulls into the station.

Red Line trains would say one of the following:

Northline TC
Fannin South

Green Line trains would say one of the following:

Magnolia Park
Theater District

Purple Line trains would say one of the following:

Palm Center TC
Theater District

We encourage you to be safe, be seen around trains and stay alert throughout your entire trip on METRORail. Learn more about rider safety.

Estimated arrival times can be found on:

METRO website home page (“Track Bus or Train” tab)
ONE to Ride app for your smartphone
Google or Apple maps
Digital signs installed at select METRO bus stop locations and transit centers
Automated phone line by dialing 713-635-4000

If you know your stop number (it's posted on the bus stop sign at every bus stop location), you can text that stop number to 697433. We'll text you back the estimated arrival time of the next bus for all routes that stop at your location.

Travel Tips

To help make the journey pleasant and safe for everybody, METRO has developed a Code of Conduct for riders.

For example, smoking is prohibited in covered or enclosed facilities, including transit centers, bus stop shelters and platforms. And consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on METRO property.

Please review the full METRO Code of Conduct.

METRO accepts six payment options:

Cash (bus only)
METRO Q® Fare Card
METRO Q Mobile Ticket
METRO Day Pass
METRO Money
Vending machine tickets (METRORail and METRORapid only)

Our experienced riders tell us that the most convenient way to pay is by using the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app, available by downloading the app for your smartphone.

When you first open the app, you’ll need to create a secure, password-protected account. That will allow you to purchase and activate mobile tickets. The tickets are valid for two years from the date of purchase.

When traveling by local bus or METRORail we recommend the following:

Plan your route ahead of time
Download the RideMETRO app to view your route, track your bus or train, see schedules and more
Be aware of the last bus and train times and allow yourself enough time to get to your station/stop