Houston Metro: Your Guide to Not Getting Stranded (Unless You're Really Committed to That Bar Crawl)
Ah, Houston. The city of humidity, heartthrobs (thanks Beyoncé), and a public transportation system that, well, let's just say it won't win any awards for punctuality on a cosmic scale. But fear not, fellow night owls and early birds (because apparently those exist in Houston too), for I am here to unravel the mystery: what time does the dang Houston Metro stop running?
Weekdays: Business as Usual (Though Not Really Usual)
Monday through Thursday, things are pretty standard. The METRORail, your trusty mechanical steed, calls it a quits at midnight. So, you can squeeze in a happy hour after work, catch a late-night movie (though what movie theaters are even open that late anymore?), or, you know, get home after that third helping of chili fries (no judgment here).
Bus riders, listen up: Your situation is a bit more fluid (pun intended, because buses move on roads, and roads have...fluids...sometimes). Individual bus routes have different end times, so you'll need to consult the METRO website or their magical app (because let's face it, a bus schedule on your phone is practically magic these days) to see when your specific route throws in the towel.
Pro Tip: Don't be that guy (or gal) sprinting down the sidewalk with a backpack full of textbooks, narrowly missing an unsuspecting grandma with a grocery cart, only to find out your bus left 2 minutes ago. Plan ahead, people!
Weekends: When the Party (and the Metro) Doesn't Quite Stop
Now, weekends are where things get interesting (or terrifying, depending on your perspective). Fridays, the METRORail goes all night owl on you, running until a respectable 2:20 am. So, hit the clubs, catch that midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (because, Houston), or just use it as an excuse to avoid rush hour traffic the next morning.
But hold on to your cowboy hats, partners, because Saturdays and Sundays are a whole different ball game. The party (well, the METRORail party) ends a bit earlier at 2:20 am on Saturday and a much tamer 11:40 am on Sunday. So, if you're planning a weekend bender that stretches into the wee hours of Sunday morning, you better have a designated driver (or a very understanding Uber driver).
Remember: These are just the general guidelines. Always check the METRO website or app for any schedule changes or service disruptions. Because let's be real, in Houston, anything can happen (including a rogue tumbleweed causing a major bus delay).
So there you have it, folks! Your crash course on Houston Metro hours. Now you can conquer the city's public transportation system without the fear of getting stranded (unless, of course, you miss the last train and end up philosophizing with a lonely owl at some random bus stop. But hey, that could be an adventure too, right?).