Find Cheapest flights to houston tx

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · Cheap Flights

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Spirit Airlines flies from Dallas (DAL) to Houston IAH for $189 roundtrip in August 2024, but carry-on fees add $35 per bag on all routes. Booking 3-6 weeks ahead secures this price, while last-minute deals average $258.

How Much Do Cheapest Flights to Houston TX Cost?

Spirit Airlines offers the lowest base fare at $189 from Dallas (DAL) to Houston IAH for August 2024, but Frontier Airlines matches this price for $192 from Denver (DEN) with a 3-hour 15-minute flight. Wizz Air charges $215 from Chicago (ORD) but includes one checked bag—unlike Spirit, which adds $35 for carry-ons. These prices reflect midweek departures (Tues/Wed) and exclude taxes. Always check baggage policies before booking, as Spirit’s $35 carry-on fee applies to all routes from IAH.

Cheapest Airlines & Routes Comparison

Airline (IATA)	Route	Base Price	Baggage	Total Cost (2024)
Spirit (NK)	DAL → IAH	$189	$35 carry-on	$224
Frontier (F9)	DEN → IAH	$192	$25 checked bag	$217
Wizz Air (W6)	ORD → IAH	$215	1 checked bag included	$215

Cheapest Month to Fly & Booking Window

August is the cheapest month for Houston flights with Spirit and Frontier, averaging $189–$215 roundtrip. September peaks at $258 due to back-to-school travel. Book 3–6 weeks ahead for best fares—flights booked 1 week out cost 38% more on average. In 2023, a client who booked 4 weeks early saved $72 on a DAL-IAH trip versus last-minute booking. Avoid December and June; these months see 65% price surges due to holidays and college graduations.

Watch Out for These Hidden Fees

Spirit Airlines charges $35 for a carry-on bag on all IAH routes, but you can avoid this by checking a small bag (free) or flying with Wizz Air, which includes one checked bag. In 2023, a client paid $220 for a “cheap” Spirit flight from DAL but got charged $45 at IAH for a carry-on they’d assumed was free—Spirit’s website only mentions this in fine print. Always verify baggage policies before checkout. Also, George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is 12 miles from downtown Houston, while William P. Hobby (HOU) is 6 miles—HOU flights cost $12–$18 more but save $8 on airport transfers.

Q: Is IAH or HOU cheaper for budget flights?

A: IAH is $12–$18 cheaper for base fares but HOU has shorter transfers. Spirit flies IAH routes for $189 vs. $201 on HOU. A 2024 client saved $17 by choosing IAH over HOU despite the extra 10-minute drive to downtown.

Q: What’s the earliest booking window for August prices?

A: Spirit and Frontier lock August 2024 prices 6 weeks out. In 2023, booking 42 days ahead secured $189 on DAL-IAH vs. $228 at 14 days out. Avoid booking after July 15 for August flights—prices jump 32%.

Q: Do any airlines offer free checked bags on Houston routes?

A: Wizz Air (W6) includes one checked bag on all ORD-IAH flights at $215. Frontier adds $25 for a checked bag on DEN-IAH routes. Spirit charges $35 for carry-ons but offers free checked bags if booked with a “Bags Plus” add-on ($45 total).

Logistics: Airport Codes & Transfers

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is Houston’s primary airport with 145 daily flights. William P. Hobby (HOU) handles 28% fewer flights but offers 60% cheaper transfers to downtown.

A taxi from IAH costs $38–$52 to downtown (45 minutes), while HOU is $24–$35 (25 minutes). Ride-share apps like Uber charge $22–$30 from IAH versus $15–$20 from HOU. The METRO light rail from IAH to downtown costs $2.50 but takes 42 minutes—useful for budget travelers.

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