Flying from Washington DC to Houston: what you need to know
Start your journey at one of Washington DC's main airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Explore your options for booking a flight from Washington DC to Houston jetting off from either of these.
When it comes to landing in Houston, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is a key hub. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is another.
The average time for a direct Washington DC to Houston flight is 3 hours 20 minutes.
Houston is one hour behind Washington DC and follows the UTC-5 timezone.
With 47 flights a week between the two airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Washington DC to Houston with United Airlines at 06:00. If you prefer to get more out of your day before you fly, the last departure from DCA to IAH is with United Airlines at 19:55.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your Washington DC to Houston flight.
Peak months like February or vacation periods such as spring break and Thanksgiving will mean longer waits at security and check-in. Play it safe and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of international departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Houston
C$78 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Houston. A return flight starts from C$143. 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)
Depart from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and fly right through to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). If you're looking for a direct flight from Washington DC to Houston out of DCA, that's where your journey can take you.
United Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct Washington DC to Houston plane tickets leaving from DCA.
Located around 6 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC, DCA can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
After a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near Ronald Reagan National Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Washington DC to Houston or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Of all flights departing from Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% land on schedule at their destination.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
You can book a direct flight from Washington DC to Houston departing Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Nonstop connections from IAD will get you to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
United Airlines offers direct Washington DC to Houston plane tickets from IAD. Book your favourite window seat and reach your destination in one go.
You can get to IAD from the centre of Washington DC in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Get your vacation started early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Washington DC to Houston, kick back in one of these hotels close to Washington Dulles International Airport:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 74.39%.
You'll find IAD at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
You can catch a direct flight from Washington DC to Houston departing from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). BWI has nonstop connections to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
Fly with one of these leading carriers that offer direct Washington DC to Houston plane tickets from BWI:
The journey time to BWI from central Washington DC is around 1 hour 30 minutes by public transport. If you're planning to travel by car, it'll take you about 50 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Rest a little longer, move a little slower, and still make your Washington DC to Houston flight with time to spare. These hotels near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport make departure day a breeze if you're flying out first thing:
Flights that take off from BWI land at their destination as scheduled 77.13% of the time.
Arriving in Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to central Houston takes about 20 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 21 kilometres away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 50 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to IAH if you have a late flight from Washington DC to Houston. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a George Bush Intercontinental Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and explore beyond Houston's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your vehicle from George Bush Intercontinental Airport about three weeks in advance of your trip.
IAH is situated at 16930 JFK Boulevard.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is about 16 kilometres from the centre of Houston. Once you've hopped off your flight from Washington DC to Houston, it takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
There are some comfortable places to lay your head close to HOU. Tuck yourself in after your Washington DC to Houston flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Easirent, Dollar and Thrifty make collecting a William P. Hobby Airport rental car easy and quick. These trusted companies are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from HOU four weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a wider range of vehicles.
William P. Hobby Airport can be found 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 options your base for exploring Houston:
The Houston Museum of Natural Science and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Beck Building are just the start of the big attractions to add to your Houston itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Hermann Park.
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.