Flying from Houston to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Kick off your journey at one of Houston's main airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Explore your options for booking a flight from Houston to Los Angeles jetting off from either of these.
When it comes to touching down in Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a key hub. Another is Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
A direct flight from Houston to Los Angeles takes on average 3 hours 38 minutes. The timezone in Los Angeles is UTC-7, which is 2 hours behind Houston.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 128 weekly flights to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Houston to Los Angeles is with Spirit Airlines at 23:09. Go for the first IAH to LAX departure operated by Spirit Airlines at 05:00 if you're more of an early bird.
Give yourself enough time to catch your flight from Houston to Los Angeles. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak period like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To give yourself peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
For a flight within United States, you don't need a visa or even a passport. However, you'll have to bring another kind of identification, such as an ID card or driver's licence. Once you've booked cheap flights from Houston to Los Angeles, make sure your ID is up to date.
Flying from Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Set out from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on a nonstop flight from Houston to Los Angeles. From IAH, you can fly directly to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
At IAH, there's a good selection of carriers operating direct flights from Houston to Los Angeles, such as:
We make it easy to book a flight from Houston to Los Angeles that includes a stopover. To see all your options leaving from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ)
IAH is about 27 kilometres from central Houston. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 49 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel close to George Bush Intercontinental Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Houston to Los Angeles, these stays will have you moments from check-in:
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Maximise your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Houston to Los Angeles. Visit family or friends or tick another city off your bucket list. Whatever you'd like to do, here's where you can stop between George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Los Angeles:
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ)
You can arrive at HOU from central Houston in approximately 22 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 42 minutes to travel the 19 kilometres or so.
You're off on holiday, so why not book an extra night away? Consider kicking back in one of these accommodation options near William P. Hobby Airport the day before your flight from Houston to Los Angeles:
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the centre of Los Angeles is about 32 minutes by car. It's approximately 32 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of roughly 54 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Houston to Los Angeles, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near LAX:
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
The centre of Los Angeles is about 32 kilometres from Van Nuys Airport (VNY). After your flight from Houston to Los Angeles has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 34 minutes.
You can also opt for public transport, which typically takes 1 hour and 41 minutes.
After your flight from Houston to Los Angeles, settle in at a hotel near VNY. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Houston to Los Angeles
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Houston to Los Angeles is Rs10,904. For a return flight on this route, the best price is Rs28,446. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
Book 9 months before you travel. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from Houston to Los Angeles.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for flight tickets from Houston to Los Angeles. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll get notified straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for cheap tickets from Houston to Los Angeles every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Houston to Los Angeles. Simply enter your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
May is the quietest month for flights from Houston to Los Angeles, while July is the busiest. Work out the best time to go to Los Angeles based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Book your flight from Houston to Los Angeles for August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC to 32ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, book a cheap ticket from Houston to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC and 26ºC.
More about Los Angeles
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Los Angeles right here. Check out these hotels after locking in your flight from Houston to Los Angeles:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are leading attractions which should be on any well-planned Los Angeles itinerary.
Complete your Los Angeles trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Houston to Los Angeles isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in Los Angeles and see the sights your way. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.
