Cheap flights to Houston, TX from $47

Houston Travel Guide

The city of Houston might very well be the reason for the catch phrase, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” Houston is home to the U.S. energy headquarters, and it is 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 trips 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.

Houston is also very attractive, livable, and fun. There are many parks and smaller green spaces and many unusual public sculptures and fountains. Usually, the first thing visitors notice when they step off their flight to Houston is the in-your-face architecture with no end to the odd juxtaposition of elegant and mundane, functional and whimsical. Buildings show a decided degree of originality: the name of Texas Children’s Hospital is spelled out on its sloping lawn in brightly colored letters and a Mayan pyramid tops a skyscraper.

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.

Getting to and around the city of Houston

As long as you’re spending most of your Houston time downtown, you won’t need to rent a car. Houston’s downtown and museum district are small and compact, and many hotels have shuttles to help you get around. The city’s public transportation system is very good. The Metro has both bus and light rail services. If you do decide to venture out, you’ll want to rent a car. Finding your way around shouldn’t be too difficult. The city is smartly laid out, streets are clearly marked and the roads are well kept. The only trouble you’ll have is with traffic. Houston drivers are notoriously ruthless and fast, and you’ll want to stay off the road during rush hour.

Tips for your stay in Houston

• 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 Sciencehas 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^thcentury traditional and outstanding modern, including two additions by Mies van der Rohe.
• 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 Texashas 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 Showand Rodeo takes place in late February and early March. But there are also other rodeo and livestock-related events throughout the year.
• 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.

Finding Flights from Houston

Had enough of the Texas heat? Hitch a ride on a flight out of Houston on American, Delta, United and other popular airlines.

Check out these popular routes out of the city:

Cheap flights from Houston to New York City 

Cheap flights from Houston to Los Angeles 

Cheap flights from Houston to Seattle 

Cheap flights from Houston to London 

Give yourself plenty of time to reach George Bush International Airport, which is 22 miles north of downtown. Houston METRO buses service the airport for easy access without driving. The airport has five terminals, so you need plenty of time to clear security and get to your gate. Take the above-ground Skyway or underground Subway to move from one terminal to another if needed.