Which Houston airport is cheapest?

Which Houston Airport is Cheapest?

When planning a budget trip from Houston, you have two main options: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Both airports offer a wide range of destinations and competitive one-way fares. Let's break down which airport might be better for your next adventure.

Comparing Fares and Direct Flights

For many popular destinations, you'll find that both IAH and HOU offer similar one-way fares. For example, a one-way ticket to New York costs $64 from either airport, though neither offers a direct flight at that price. Similarly, flights to Los Angeles, Miami, Denver, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Raleigh, and Phoenix all show identical lowest one-way fares from both IAH and HOU.

Both airports serve 47 destinations and have 15 nonstop routes. This means that for many common routes, your choice between IAH and HOU might come down to convenience rather than price. If you're looking for direct flights, both airports have them for destinations like Los Angeles ($56), Miami ($28), Denver ($76), Las Vegas ($82), Atlanta ($17), Fort Lauderdale ($18), Raleigh ($53), and Phoenix ($60).

When to Choose One Airport Over the Other

Since the lowest one-way fares are often the same for popular routes from both Houston airports, there's rarely a situation where traveling to the farther airport will save you money on the ticket itself. Your decision will likely hinge on which airport is more convenient for you to reach, or which offers better flight times for your schedule.

For example, if you live closer to IAH, there's no financial incentive to travel to HOU for a flight to Atlanta, as both offer a direct flight for $17. The same applies to destinations like Miami (direct, $28) or Las Vegas (direct, $82). Focus on the total travel time, including your commute to the airport, to decide which option makes the most sense for your budget and schedule.