Which Houston airport is usually cheaper: IAH or HOU?

It depends on the route. HOU often wins on many short domestic trips, while IAH can be cheaper for international flights and for routes that benefit from big-hub competition. Always compare both airports for your exact dates.

What is IAH best for?

IAH is Houston’s main international gateway and a major connection hub. It’s a strong option for Europe, Latin America, long-haul trips, and itineraries with one-stop connections.

What is HOU best for?

HOU is known for efficient domestic travel. It can be a great pick for weekend trips and nonstop routes within the U.S. where the schedule and total travel time matter more than long-haul connectivity.

Where do Houston fares drop the most often?

Houston often sees strong pricing on Mexico and Latin America routes, plus competitive domestic fares to major hubs like LAX, NYC, ORD, ATL, DEN, and LAS. Deals change weekly, so flexible dates help.

How does FlyToDash AI find cheap flights from Houston?

FlyToDash AI searches fares across both IAH and HOU, then shows you options to compare prices, trip time, and layovers so you can pick the best value for your trip.

Cheap Flights from Houston (IAH & HOU)

✈️ How to Read Your Flight Results (30-second guide)

🕒 Times & dates: Departure and arrival are shown in each city’s local time. On longer trips you may arrive the next day—double-check the arrival date on the booking page.
🧭 Total trip vs layovers: The big duration is total travel time. The timeline shows each segment and the layover gaps.
🏷️ Airlines & symbols: Logos show the operating airline. Extra icons can indicate baggage rules or conditions—click through if anything is unclear.
🛄 Visa / baggage notes: “Visa required” or bag icons are hints only. Always confirm visa and baggage details on the final booking page before paying.
🔍 Sorting & filters (when available): Tap More above results to sort by price or duration. If you don’t see it, extra sorting tools aren’t available for that search.

Houston Flight Deals: How Locals Use IAH vs HOU to Pay Less

Searching “cheap flights from Houston” can feel confusing because you’re really comparing two different airports. George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is a major hub and Houston’s main international gateway. William P. Hobby (HOU) is a popular choice for quick domestic travel. The smartest move is to check both airports for the same trip—because the cheapest option often flips depending on your destination, day of week, and whether you’re flying nonstop or connecting.

✔ Quick picker: should you start with IAH or HOU?

Start with IAH if you’re flying internationally, need one-stop connections, or want more schedule choices.
Start with HOU if you’re taking a short domestic trip and you care about simple itineraries and total travel time.
Always compare both if price is your #1 priority—Houston deals can differ a lot between airports.

✔ Routes Houston travelers often find good pricing on

Houston is especially strong for Mexico and Latin America travel and for domestic flights to major hubs. Availability changes with season, but these are common “deal-watch” routes:

Mexico City (MEX) & Cancún (CUN) — frequent competition and recurring promos
Los Angeles (LAX) & Las Vegas (LAS) — high frequency = more price movement
New York (NYC) & Chicago (ORD) — big hubs with many daily departures
Denver (DEN) & Atlanta (ATL) — strong connection options
Istanbul (IST) / Dubai (DXB) — long-haul routes that can swing a lot by date

✔ When Houston flights are usually cheaper

January–February: post-holiday demand drops (good for many domestic routes)
September: after summer peak, often better pricing
October: steady travel period before holiday surges

✔ 5 practical booking tips for Houston

Check Tue/Wed departures first—often lower than weekend patterns.
Compare nonstop vs one-stop—a single stop can drop the price, but not always.
For Mexico/Caribbean weekends: try shifting 1 day earlier/later (Fri/Sun can spike).
Don’t ignore airport costs: parking + rideshare can change the “true cheapest” option.
Use FlyToDash AI to run the same search across IAH and HOU so you don’t miss a cheaper airport.

Use the search box above to compare IAH and HOU in one place. If you’re flexible by even a day, you’ll usually see meaningful differences—especially on busy domestic routes and popular Mexico trips.

Cheap Flights From Houston (IAH & HOU)