Houston Metro’s METRORail is the city’s light-rail network, linking downtown with the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center, and university destinations. From Southmore Boulevard Motel, TSU/UH Athletics District is about a 20-minute walk away, while UH South/University Oaks and Elgin/Third Ward are each about a 29-minute walk away.
Knowing which line serves your destination helps you plan transfers before setting out. For airport arrival planning, William P. Hobby Airport is about a 28-minute drive from the motel; see how to get from William P. Hobby Airport to Southmore Boulevard Motel.
- Network: Red, Green, and Purple METRORail lines.
- Nearby stations: TSU/UH Athletics District, UH South/University Oaks, and Elgin/Third Ward.
- Local fare: $1.25 for local bus and METRORail; eligible riders can pay a discounted $0.60 fare.
- Transfers: Eligible payment methods include free transfers between services of equal or lesser value for up to 3 hours.
How Houston’s local transit network is organized
Houston’s METRORail network has Red, Green, and Purple lines, with different lines serving the city’s central and university destinations. The Red Line serves the Museum District and Texas Medical Center, while the Green and Purple lines serve downtown and connect with the Red Line there.
The Green and Purple lines share stations between Theater District and EaDo/Stadium, then split into different directions. For a trip that involves more than one line, identify the transfer point as well as the station nearest your destination.
METRO identifies Central Station Main as the Red Line’s downtown connection, and Central Station Rusk and Central Station Capitol as downtown connections for the Green and Purple lines.
Which stations are near the Southmore area?
Three Purple Line stations to check from the Southmore area are TSU/UH Athletics District, UH South/University Oaks, and Elgin/Third Ward. The TSU/UH Athletics District station is about a 3-minute drive from Southmore Boulevard Motel.
On foot from the motel, UH South/University Oaks takes about 29 minutes, and Elgin/Third Ward also takes about 29 minutes. Those station names can help you match the local stop to the direction of your trip: the Purple Line places Elgin/Third Ward and UH South/University Oaks on either side of TSU/UH Athletics District.
METRO’s approximate Purple Line travel times put Elgin/Third Ward about 10 minutes westbound from TSU/UH Athletics District, and UH South/University Oaks about 5 minutes westbound. Times and service can change, so check the official site before you go.
How do you get from the Southmore area to downtown and the Museum District?
The Purple Line connects the Southmore-area stations with downtown, while a Red Line transfer is the route METRO advises for reaching the Museum District from the Green or Purple lines.
From TSU/UH Athletics District, the approximate Purple Line trip is 19 minutes eastbound to Central Station Rusk and 27 minutes to Theater District. Both are downtown stops, though your best choice depends on where you are headed.
For the Museum District, transfer to the Red Line in downtown Houston and ride southbound to Museum District Station. METRO gives approximate Red Line travel times of 14 minutes from Central Station Main and 8 minutes from Downtown Transit Center to Museum District Station.
If you’re planning a full day around central Houston, this one-day Houston itinerary from the Southmore area can help put destinations in sequence.
What should you check for fares, service, and accessibility?
METRO’s regular fare for local bus and METRORail is $1.25. Eligible riders with a pre-approved RideMETRO Discount Fare Card pay $0.60.
Children 5 years or younger ride free when accompanied by an adult; free-ride eligibility also applies to seniors 70 years or older with a RideMETRO Discount Fare Card and METROLift customers using a METROLift Fare Card on eligible services.
You can pay on METRORail with a physical or virtual RideMETRO Fare Card, a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, a 3-Hour Pass, or a Day Pass.
With an eligible payment method, transfers between services of equal or lesser value are free for up to 3 hours. A transfer to a higher-cost service requires paying the fare difference within that period.
METRO says all its services are ADA accessible. Bus features include ramps or lifts, priority seating, and wheelchair securement areas. Before departure, check METRO’s service alerts in the RideMETRO app or subscribe to alerts by email or mobile phone.
FAQs
Which METRORail line serves the Southmore-area stations?
TSU/UH Athletics District, Elgin/Third Ward, and UH South/University Oaks are Purple Line stations.
How do you reach the Museum District by rail?
From the Green or Purple lines, transfer to the Red Line in downtown Houston and ride southbound to Museum District Station.
Can you use a contactless payment method on METRORail?
Yes. METRORail accepts Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as major credit or debit cards and RideMETRO fare products.