Flights to Houston

Know Before You Go

• Buy the CityPass. If you plan on visiting Houston's most popular sites, this booklet offers excellent discounts on admission fees to all the top attractions.
• Houston is home to 20 museums and galleries all within walkable zones. Make sure you stop by the Children's Museum of Houston, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
• The city is one of the best foodie destinations in the United States. It boasts more than 11,000 restaurants, making it almost impossible to eat at the same place more than once. But if you're on a budget, visit the popular food trucks for cheap, yet delicious foods.
• Avoid the wildlife. If you come across dog packs or coyotes while hiking, don't feed them or engage. If you do, you might end up at the hospital having to get a rabies shot.
• Visit the Space Center House. It's one of the city's top attractions and where you can learn all about NASA's astronaut program as well as the origin of the famous saying: "Houston, we have a problem".

Getting Around Houston

• Houston has an extensive public transport system. Its metro and bus lines run all over the city, making it possible to get to anywhere without a car. There are also free Greenlink shuttle buses that serve the major sights downtown. This service runs every 10 minutes and is an excellent way to explore Houston on a budget.
• If you want more independence getting around, you can rent a bicycle. All you need to do is swipe your credit card at a B-Cycle station. The first hour is free, and there's an app that lists all the pickup and drop-off points.
• Houston also has a fleet of Yellow Cabs. However, their rates are quite high. Uber is a much cheaper option to get around if you want to save money.
• For those who want to hire a car, make sure you budget for parking. It's not cheap and can end up costing USD 25 a day. Outside of downtown, parking is free but in short supply.

When is The Best Time to Visit Houston?

The best time to visit Houston is from February to April. The weather is warm, hotel prices are affordable, and there are tons of festivals to enjoy. But if you visit over the city's biggest event, the Livestock Show and Rodeo, expect hotel prices to skyrocket and availability to be scarce.

Summer is one of the least popular time to visit Houston. Its hot and humid weather has earned it the nickname "most air-conditioned city in America". Not much goes on between May and August, but if you do decide to visit, you're more likely to find a deal.

September to November are Houston's fall months and a welcome reprieve from the heat. Temperatures start to drop, and hotel prices begin to rise. One thing to keep in mind is that it's also hurricane season. Check the storm warnings before you book your flights.

Winter sees temperatures hovering just above freezing. From December to January, you'll find affordable hotel rates and the city's top attractions will be void of crowds.

Airports at Houston

Bush Intercontinental Airport

Located 20 miles from Downtown Houston, Bush Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in the city. It boasts non-stop service to 116 domestic destinations and flights to more than 70 cities around the world. It's also the largest hub for United Airlines and operates 700 departures each day.

William P. Hobby Airport

Hobby Airport is Houston's second international airport. It's one of Southwest Airlines largest hubs and serves over 12 million passengers each year. The airport provides flights to more than 50 destinations in the US and well as cities in Latin America.

Getting to and From Bush Intercontinental Airport

The airport has a large taxi fleet outside of the arrivals terminal. Fares are charged according to a standard zone fee or by meter rate. There are also Uber services available that offer a slightly more affordable price.
If you're on a budget, there is a local bus route that serves the airport. Bus 102 runs Monday to Sunday, from 5:00 a.m. to midnight.

Other ways to get into the city include shared shuttle services and car rentals which can all be booked at the airport.

Getting to and From William P. Hobby Airport

A fleet of taxis is available at Curb Zone 3 outside the baggage claim area. All destinations are charged according to a zone of meter rate. If your flight lands between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. you'll be charged a night surcharge of USD 1.

If you aren't on a tight schedule, there is also a public bus that runs to and from the airport. Follow the signs to the bus terminal and hop on board bus 88. It runs from Monday to Saturday between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

The airport also has shared shuttle services and car rentals which can either be booked beforehand or at the airport.