Flying to Houston suits the traveller who does their homework. Book domestic routes 4-6 weeks out for the best fares; international routes reward 8-12 weeks of advance planning. The city's size means you'll want a rental car or a comfortable relationship with Uber. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots: summer humidity is real, and the city floods more than its boosters tend to advertise.
What works well
- Major United hub
- Strong BNPL cover
- Diverse food scene
What to watch
- Summer heat & humidity
- Car-dependent city
Five terminals and an underground Skyway train mean IAH rewards travellers who plan their connections rather than wing it, especially through those dense United banking hours. January fares dip to $120, which suits anyone happy to trade Christmas lights for cheaper seats. Affirm, Afterpay and Klarna all work at checkout, so splitting the cost of that NASA detour is straightforward. Just budget for a rental car once you land; this is not a city that rewards showing up on foot.





