Houston flights and travel guide

The city of Houston might very well be the reason for the catch phrase, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” When you step off your Houston flight, you'll be graced with the U.S. energy headquarters, the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest city in America. It is home to the fourth largest multi-airport system in the U.S., has the nation’s third largest fleet of taxis and, of course, is home to NASA – the world’s leading space and aeronautics research center. Do you need another reason to book cheap flights to Houston?

Visitors booking flights to Houston will no doubt be entertained. Whether it’s golfing, sports, business or education, Houston has it all. Prepare to rally if your Houston flight falls during baseball season. Houston is big sports town – after all, it is the site of the Houston Astrodome, home to MLB Houston Astros, and the country’s first retractable-roof stadium, Reliant Park. Hop a flight to Houston to visit The Museum of Fine Arts, the sixth largest museum in the country, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. If you’re flying to Houston for business, make sure to set aside some time for a quick game of golf at one of Houston’s 165 golf courses.

NASA, the rodeo, museums, the Astrodome, elegant restaurants and barbecue spots — Houston has plenty to offer. And Houstonians are among the world’s friendliest people. Never hesitate to ask for directions or information; this town, for all its sophistication, still shows the spirit of the frontier days when the pioneers all pitched in to lend a helping hand.

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Houston climate

Houston is a year-round city so no matter when you book your Houston flight, you’re sure to enjoy good weather. The weather is pleasant from autumn through spring. If you can stand the heat, cheap plane tickets to Houston are commonly found during the summer months when the temperature is very hot and very humid. Thunderstorms are frequent in late summer and occasionally Houston experiences a tornado. Houston is also vulnerable to hurricanes, so be cautious about booking flights to Houston during hurricane situation, which is usually June through November. Winters are generally mild, but there can occasionally be very sudden cold weather in late autumn and winter, when frigid winds whistle down off the plains.

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Best Time to Fly to Houston

The ideal times to take a flight to Houston are early spring and fall. In October and at least early November, the weather is often still warm enough for summer clothes, but the humidity is gone.

Most visitors prefer to avoid the hot, humid summer from June until September. Travelers on a budget are sure to find

to Houston during the summer months. Book your hotel accommodations at the same time as your Houston flight –

in Houston book up fast during the off-season.

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Getting downtown Houston

It’s easy to get around Houston via car. Travelers booking flights to Houston would do well to reserve rental cars. The city is easily to navigate and you can often find joint rental car and airfare deals. If your stay in Houston is short, leave your Houston flight and hop a cab downtown to your hotel. Both Houston airports provide taxis, private limousines, scheduled buses and shuttles, and access to public transport from the airport. For up-to-date shuttle information and fares, see the airport Web site.

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). The airport is sited 22 miles north of Houston.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). The airport is 9 miles southeast of the city.

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Getting around Houston

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Houston Travel Information

• Space Center Houston is the official visitors’ center for NASA's Johnson Space Center. The tram tour and the 4-hour tour show you working parts of the space center, and sometimes you can see astronauts in training. The Astronaut Gallery has a number of actual flight suits and pictures of all astronauts and crews. Films, simulations, and interactive displays give you the feel of being in space. Plan to spend at least half a day. If you take the 4-hour tour, consider a full day.
• The Houston Museum of Natural Science has excellent permanent exhibits (including good dinosaurs, a planetarium, and a Foucault pendulum) and often has outstanding traveling exhibits. The star attraction is the rainforest environment in the Butterfly Collection, with hundreds of butterflies eating, flying, or resting (sometimes on you).
• The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH), near the science museum, has an admirable permanent collection, including a sculpture garden, and also hosts outstanding traveling exhibits. It’s worth visiting just for the architecture, a mixture of early 20^th century traditional and outstanding modern, including two additions by Mies van der Rohe. For a guide to sculpture and other public art owned by the city, check out www.houstontx.gov/municipalart.
• If your Houston flights are delayed don’t despair. The Houston airports have a reputation of being a “city within a city”. Take a stroll through any airport terminals and you’ll find dozens of specialty retail shops, fine dining and Wi-Fi service. Be sure to watch the time so you don’t miss your Houston flight.
• Now part of the MFAH, Bayou Bend is a wonderful museum house set in 14 acres of lovely garden. It showcases the American antiques, some as old as the 1600s, collected by Miss Ima Hogg. (Yes, it’s pronounced “I’m a hog.” The tour explains how her father, Governor Jim Hogg, did that to her—and also that she did not have a sister called Ura; that’s just a Texas tall tale.)
• East Texas has similar terrain to Louisiana, and Houston has several bayous, watercourses that are quite deep and narrow, except during heavy rains. At places like Bayou Bend, they are a lovely part of the natural environment. In downtown Houston, they have sloping concrete banks to reduce flooding, but they are still sometimes home to wildlife such as shore birds like herons or even the occasional alligator.
• The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo takes place in late February and early March. But there are also other rodeo and livestock-related events throughout the year. Check the Web site: www.hlsr.com.
• Galveston, an hour’s drive from Houston, is a small beach resort town. In addition to the beaches, its attractions include the Victorian buildings in the historic district.

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Houston airports

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

Alternative airports (distance in miles):
Austin (143); San Antonio (191)

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