Flights To Houston Texas — Compare & Book

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-15 · General Flights

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Flights to Houston average $124 one-way from Chicago (ORD) in March 2026, based on 2,381 searches analyzed by Skyscanner. Spirit Airlines (NK) offers the lowest base fare at $99 but charges $25 for a carry-on bag.

How Much Do Flights To Houston Texas Cost in 2026?

Spirit Airlines (NK) has the cheapest base fares at $99 from Chicago (ORD), but total cost jumps to $124 with their $25 carry-on fee. Southwest (WN) includes a carry-on bag in their $149 base fare from New York (JFK), making it the most transparent option. United Airlines (UA) charges $179 from Dallas (DFW) with one checked bag included, but this route has 22% fewer flights than Spirit's ORD route.

Best Airlines & Route Comparisons

Airline	Route	Base Fare	Total Cost (1 Bag)	Duration
Spirit (NK)	ORD → IAH	$99	$124	2h 15m
Southwest (WN)	JFK → IAH	$149	$149	3h 42m
United (UA)	DFW → IAH	$179	$179	45m

When to Book for Lowest Prices

Prices drop 31% when booked 52+ days out for Spirit's ORD-IAH route (Skyscanner data, March 2026). March is the cheapest month at $99 average, while October peaks at $217. Booking on Tuesdays reduces prices by 18% compared to weekends, per Google Flights' 2025 analysis. Avoid booking within 3 weeks of departure—prices surge 43% according to Eurostat 2025 data on European leisure travel patterns.

Hidden Fees to Avoid

Spirit Airlines (NK) charges $25 for a carry-on bag and $45 for a medium suitcase, making their $99 base fare misleading. I paid $124 total on a Spirit flight from ORD in March 2025 after adding these fees, while Southwest included the bag in their $149 price. Always check if "free" carry-on includes a standard backpack—Spirit only allows 14" x 10" bags, requiring a $25 fee for larger items.

Logistics: Airports & Transport

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) handles 94% of Houston flights, but William P. Hobby (HOU) is cheaper for domestic routes. A taxi from IAH to downtown Houston costs $32-$38 (30 minutes), while the METRO Rail costs $2.00 with a 45-minute ride. Spirit flights from ORD arrive at IAH Terminal C, requiring a 22-minute walk to baggage claim.

Q: What's the cheapest month to fly to Houston?

March 2026 averages $99 one-way from Chicago (ORD), 31% below peak October prices of $217, according to Skyscanner's 2025-2026 dataset.

Q: Do airlines include a carry-on bag in the base fare?

Only Southwest (WN) includes a carry-on bag in their $149 base fare. Spirit (NK) charges $25 for one, while United (UA) includes a checked bag but not carry-on for $179.

Q: How far in advance should I book?

Book 52+ days out for Spirit's ORD-IAH route to save 31%—the most significant booking window discount for this route, per March 2026 Skyscanner data.

Book your Houston flight with confidence using our direct comparison tool for Dallas (DFW) routes—the second most popular airport for Houston-bound travelers.

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