Travelling from Washington DC to Houston: what you need to know
Kick off your journey at one of Washington DC's main airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Check out your options for booking a flight from Washington DC to Houston jetting off from either of these.
When it comes to touching down in Houston, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is a key hub. Another is William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
The average length of a direct Washington DC to Houston flight is 3 hours 20 minutes.
Houston's timezone is UTC-5, making Houston one hour behind Washington DC.
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 47 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Washington DC to Houston is with United Airlines at 19:59. Opt for the first DCA to IAH departure with United Airlines at 06:00 to make the most of your arrival in Houston.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your Washington DC to Houston flight.
You can expect longer lines in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Houston
$60 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Houston. A return flight starts from $136. These prices may change depending on availability and demand.
Get cheap Washington DC to Houston flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding the biggest deals.
May is the best month for nabbing an incredible deal on a plane ticket from Washington DC to Houston. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
There's no need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Washington DC to Houston.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Washington DC to Houston flights.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
You can book a direct flight from Washington DC to Houston jetting out of Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Set out from DCA and then land at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
Reserve your Washington DC to Houston plane tickets with United Airlines. This airline is a popular option for direct flights from DCA.
Travelling from central Washington DC to DCA takes about 45 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After a hassle-free start to your journey? Stay near Ronald Reagan National Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Washington DC to Houston or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Of all flights leaving Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% land on schedule at their destination.
DCA's address is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Rather fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? This hub offers direct flights from Washington DC to Houston, seamlessly connecting you to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Book your direct Washington DC to Houston plane ticket with United Airlines. This is one of the leading airlines that operates this route out of IAD.
You can reach IAD from central Washington DC in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to travel the 40 kilometres or so.
It's your holiday, so why not spend an extra night away from home? Think about staying at one of these hotels near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your flight from Washington DC to Houston:
Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 74%. This figure highlights how often flights departing from this airport make it to their destination on time.
You'll find IAD at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) has direct flights from Washington DC to Houston. Go straight to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) without the hassle of layovers.
Soar above the clouds with any of these airlines that offer direct Washington DC to Houston plane tickets from BWI:
From the centre of Washington DC, BWI is around 40 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 50 minutes to reach the airport by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you use public transport.
Skip the rush on your departure day — stay near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and know you'll reach the terminal with time to spare. Get settled at one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early Washington DC to Houston flight:
The on-time performance rating of BWI is 77.13%. To put it simply, that's how often flights departing this airport arrive at their final stop as planned.
Arriving in Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
The distance from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to central Houston is roughly 21 kilometres. It'll take you about 20 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Washington DC to Houston. Book one of these accommodation options near IAH instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up a George Bush Intercontinental Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and experience the lesser-explored corners of Houston and beyond.
To get the lowest price, book your ride from George Bush Intercontinental Airport about three weeks in advance of your Washington DC to Houston flight.
IAH is located at 16930 JFK Boulevard.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Central Houston is about 16 kilometres from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). As soon as your flight from Washington DC to Houston has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 20 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places to lay your head close to HOU. Tuck yourself in after your Washington DC to Houston flight at any of these well-located options:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a William P. Hobby Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Easirent, Dollar or Thrifty and be off and running.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from HOU four weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
You'll find William P. Hobby Airport at 7800 Airport Boulevard.
Best time to go to Houston
February is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Houston, while July is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to go to Houston based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Houston is August, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 40ºC (104ºF). Lock in your Washington DC to Houston ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January sees average temperatures of between 5ºC (41ºF) and 19ºC (66ºF). Look for cheap flights from Washington DC to Houston around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Houston
After booking your flight from Washington DC to Houston, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Houston:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. The Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Beck Building and Hermann Park are top attractions which should be on any well-planned Houston itinerary.
Explore more of United States
San Antonio is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored after you've seen Houston. Around 306 kilometres to the west, top sights here include The San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and San Fernando Cathedral.
Around 370 kilometres north of Houston, Dallas is another essential stop in United States. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Perot Museum of Nature and Science and Dallas Museum of Art.