Driving laps is OK … if you’re a race-car driver.

But, driving laps around the airports in Houston — waiting to pick up someone coming in on a flight to George Bush Intercontinental Airport or William P. Hobby Airport — can be frustrating, and cause traffic congestion on the roadways surrounding the terminals.

With the traditional summer travel season upon us — typically June 1 through Aug. 31 — there will be increased passenger traffic at both airports, and that means additional vehicular traffic. But, with convenient cell phone lots and affordable short-term parking available in the terminals at both Bush and Hobby airport, there is a more efficient and stress-free way to pick up arriving travelers.

Bush Airport

There are two cell phone lots at Bush Airport available for free short-term parking while waiting to pick up an arriving passenger. The lots are open every day, and signage marks both locations. One is located just off northbound John F. Kennedy Boulevard at Rankin Road and a new location that is larger and offers a covered space for vehicles can be found off westbound Will Clayton Boulevard, just west of Kenswick Drive. You can find information on those locations at this link.

If you prefer to meet an arriving passenger in the terminal or walk a departing passenger to the ticket counter, short-term parking is available in the terminal garages at both Bush airport.  The first hour of parking is just $5 and a second hour in the terminal garage is just $1 more. Learn more about those terminal garage locations and the parking options at this link.

Hobby Airport

The Hobby Airport cell phone lot is available on westbound Airport Boulevard, just before the entrance to the airport. The lots are open every day, and signage marks the location. You can find information on that location at this link.

Just like Bush Airport, drivers can meet an arriving passenger in the terminal or walk a departing passenger to the ticket counter by using the short-term parking available in the terminal garages. The first hour of parking is just $5 and a second hour in the terminal garage is just $1 more. Learn more about those terminal garage locations and the parking options at this link.

Using these options when picking up arriving passengers is free and easy, and will help ease vehicle traffic at both airports during one of the busiest travel times of the year. During the 92-day period, somewhere between 125,000 and 130,000 passengers will arrive, depart or connect at Bush Airport daily, and that number is expected to be more than 42,600 passengers per day at Hobby Airport. That means more than 15 million travelers are expected to pass through Houston’s commercial airports during that 92-day period.

Passengers and drivers planning on pickup up arriving passengers also can get updates on available parking and more by following the HAS Twitter accounts @IAH and @HobbyAirport.

Learn more about both airports at the Houston Airport System website.