Is Houston Safe in January 2026?

Unlicensed livery drivers position themselves outside downtown Houston hotels and the Toyota Center offering flat-rate rides after concerts and sporting events. They charge $50–$100 for rides that Uber or Lyft would price at $15–$25. Some drivers collect payment upfront and then take roundabout routes, or insist on additional cash upon arrival claiming the original quote did not include tolls or parking.

How to avoid: Use only the official Lyft or Uber pick-up zones designated by your hotel or venue. Open your rideshare app before leaving the building to match your driver name and plate. Do not accept flat-rate offers from drivers who approach you outside venues — legitimate rideshare drivers wait at designated zones and do not solicit on foot.

Fake Uber or Lyft drivers approach travelers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport baggage claim, confirming the passenger's name and offering a ride at a fixed rate. Passengers end up in unlicensed vehicles with no GPS tracking or safety accountability.

How to avoid: Always verify the driver's name, car make and color, and license plate through the app before entering any vehicle. Rideshares must be picked up at the designated app-based ride zone, not at baggage claim.

Downtown Houston hotels frequently charge mandatory resort or destination fees of USD 25–50 per night that are not included in the booking rate displayed on travel sites. These are revealed only at check-in.

How to avoid: Before confirming any Houston hotel booking, search the hotel's website directly for their resort fee policy. Call to confirm the total nightly rate including all fees before paying.

Opportunistic thieves on bicycles or mopeds target pedestrians using their phones on sidewalks in the Montrose neighborhood, particularly along Westheimer Road near bars and restaurants. The snatch happens at speed with no warning, and the thief is gone before bystanders can react. Incidents peak on weekend evenings when foot traffic is high and attention is divided.

How to avoid: Keep your phone in a pocket or bag when walking between venues rather than using it while strolling. If you need to use your phone, step against a building wall facing outward so no one can approach from behind. Use Find My iPhone or Google Find My Device before traveling so you can remotely lock the device immediately.

Several restaurants and bars in Houston's Midtown entertainment district add unauthorized charges to bills, including items not ordered, inflated prices for daily specials not listed on the menu, and automatic gratuities applied on top of an already-included service charge. The charges are buried in itemized receipts and staff rely on patrons being too distracted or intoxicated to notice. Credit card statements sometimes show higher amounts than the signed receipt.

How to avoid: Photograph the menu before ordering and review every line of your bill before paying. Use a card rather than cash so you have a dispute record, and check your statement within 48 hours for unauthorized additions.