Travelling from Houston to Tampa: what you need to know
Begin your journey at one of Houston's main airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Check out your options for booking a flight from Houston to Tampa departing from either of these.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) are the chief entry points to Tampa.
A direct flight from Houston to Tampa takes an average of 2 hours 9 minutes. The timezone in Tampa is UTC-4, meaning it's 1 hour ahead of Houston.
With 43 weekly flights between the two airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Houston to Tampa with Spirit Airlines at 06:00. If you're keen to make the most of your day before taking off, the last flight from IAH to TPA is with Spirit Airlines at 19:55.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your flight from Houston to Tampa.
Travelling during a peak time like a public holiday? Expect longer queues at security and check-in. To play it safe, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
When flying domestically within United States, you won't need a visa or even a passport. However, you'll have to present another form of identification, like an ID card or driver's licence. Once you've booked cheap flights from Houston to Tampa, make sure your ID is up to date.
Flying from Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
You can catch a direct flight from Houston to Tampa leaving from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Start your journey at IAH and end it at Tampa International Airport (TPA).
United Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Houston to Tampa jetting out of IAH.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from Houston to Tampa. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Memphis International Airport (MEM)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
The journey from central Houston to IAH takes around 49 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 27 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a stress-free start to your vacation? Stay near George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Houston to Tampa or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Houston to Tampa, browse these options when setting off from George Bush Intercontinental Airport:
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Memphis International Airport (MEM)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
You can get to HOU from central Houston in approximately 22 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 42 minutes to cover the 19 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Houston to Tampa? Unwind in a hotel near William P. Hobby Airport before your trip officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
Arriving in Tampa
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA) to the centre of Tampa is around 13 minutes by car. It's approximately 13 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of around 57 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to TPA if you're taking a late flight from Houston to Tampa. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is roughly 29 kilometres from the centre of Tampa. Once you've hopped off your flight from Houston to Tampa, expect a drive time of approximately 23 minutes to reach the heart of the city.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes.
After your flight from Houston to Tampa, settle in at a hotel close to PIE. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Houston to Tampa
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Houston to Tampa is C$73. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$158. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
To secure cheap flights from Houston to Tampa, book your journey 10 months before your departure date.
The cheapest month for tickets from Houston to Tampa is June. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest travel date.
Locking in a cheap ticket from Houston to Tampa is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has fallen.
Play around with filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Houston to Tampa, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Tampa
July is the most popular month for flights from Houston to Tampa. To travel when it's less crowded, go to Tampa in May.
Lock in your flight from Houston to Tampa for August if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Tampa to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
Look for cheap flights from Houston to Tampa in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 9ºC and 23ºC on average.
More about Tampa
Once you've booked your flight from Houston to Tampa, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Tampa:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Ybor City Tattoo Company, Tampa Riverwalk and The Florida Aquarium are top sights which should be on any well-planned Tampa itinerary.
Complete your Tampa trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Houston to Tampa isn't our only cool trick. Check out our car rentals in Tampa and travel at your own pace. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.