About flights from Houston (HOU)
Hobby Airport is the scrappy, efficient alternative to Houston's bigger IAH, and honestly? I prefer it. Sitting just 10 miles from downtown, it's Southwest Airlines territory through and through, which means low base fares, no bag fees on your first two checked bags, and a terminal that actually makes sense to get through. With 73 direct routes across North America, you're not working with a mega-hub, but you don't need one if you're flying domestic or heading south into Mexico and the Caribbean. Think of HOU as a specialist, not a generalist. It does what it does extremely well.
Quick stats for HOU
- Direct destinations: 73
- Countries served: 7
- Continents reached: 1 of 6
- Average flight distance: 1,465 km
- Longest non-stop: San Juan (SJU) — 3,211 km (~4h 1m)
- Shortest non-stop: Austin (AUS) — 238 km (~18 min)
- Reach score: 65/99
Why fly to Houston?
Southwest's dominance here is both a limitation and a genuine advantage. You'll find competitive fares to 64 U.S. cities, and the airline's Rapid Rewards points stack up fast if you're a regular. The international reach punches above its weight too. Costa Rica shows up twice in the route map, meaning you've got options for timing and price comparison without connecting through Miami or Dallas. The longest nonstop is San Juan at 3,211 km, which is a legitimately solid Caribbean haul for a regional airport. On the short end, the Austin run at 238 km is almost comically brief, but it beats driving I-10 on a Friday afternoon. If Mexico is your goal, there are three direct routes worth checking before you default to IAH.
Longest non-stop flights from HOU
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from Houston:
- San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) — 3,211 km, approximately 4h 1m
- Seattle, USA (SEA) — 3,045 km, approximately 3h 48m
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) — 2,987 km, approximately 3h 44m
- Oakland, USA (OAK) — 2,637 km, approximately 3h 18m
- Sacramento, USA (SMF) — 2,610 km, approximately 3h 16m
Short-haul flights from HOU
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from Houston:
- Austin, USA (AUS) — 238 km, approximately 18 min
- Corpus Christi, USA (CRP) — 300 km, approximately 23 min
- San Antonio, USA (SAT) — 309 km, approximately 23 min
- Dallas, USA (DAL) — 386 km, approximately 29 min
- Dallas, USA (DFW) — 398 km, approximately 30 min
Top countries by direct connections from HOU
William P. Hobby Airport connects to 7 countries. Here are the most served:
- USA — 64 destinations (Albuquerque, Asheville, Atlanta, Austin and 60 more)
- Mexico — 3 destinations (Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, San Jose Cabo)
- Costa Rica — 2 destinations (Guanacaste, San Jose)
- Belize — 1 destination (Belize City)
- Jamaica — 1 destination (Montego Bay)
- Dominican Republic — 1 destination (Punta Cana)
- Puerto Rico — 1 destination (San Juan)
Where to fly from Houston
Flights to USA
Houston has 64 direct routes to USA:
- Austin (AUS) — 238 km
- Corpus Christi (CRP) — 300 km
- San Antonio (SAT) — 309 km
- Dallas (DAL) — 386 km
- Dallas (DFW) — 398 km
- Harlingen (HRL) — 447 km
- ...and 58 more destinations
Flights to Mexico
Houston has 3 direct routes to Mexico:
- Cancun (CUN) — 1,275 km
- Puerto Vallarta (PVR) — 1,413 km
- San Jose Cabo (SJD) — 1,607 km
Flights to Costa Rica
Houston has 2 direct routes to Costa Rica:
- Guanacaste (LIR) — 2,346 km
- San Jose (SJO) — 2,469 km
Tips for travelers at HOU
Getting to Hobby is straightforward. The METRORail doesn't serve it directly, so your real options are rideshare, a taxi, or driving yourself. Parking on-site runs cheaper than IAH, which matters if you're doing a week-long trip. Budget travelers should book Southwest fares on Tuesdays or Wednesdays when load factors drop. Winter is peak season for Caribbean and Mexico routes, so prices spike November through February. If you're chasing warm weather, search 6 to 8 weeks out and set a fare alert. Also, Hobby's security lines move fast compared to most airports its size. Arrive 75 minutes before departure and you'll be fine.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Houston
What's the best way to get from Hobby Airport to downtown Houston?
You can take a rideshare like Uber or Lyft for about $15-25, use the METROLift bus system for around $3, or rent a car—downtown is only about 7 miles away, so it's a quick 15-20 minute trip depending on traffic.
When is the best time to fly from Houston to get cheaper fares?
Tuesday through Thursday flights are typically cheaper than weekend flights, and flying mid-morning or late evening usually beats peak travel times—aim for these windows to save the most on your ticket.
How many direct flights can I get from Hobby Airport?
Hobby Airport offers 73 direct destinations, so you've got plenty of non-stop options whether you're heading to major US cities, the Caribbean, or Mexico without needing a connection.
Do I need a visa to travel from Houston to international destinations?
Visa requirements depend entirely on your citizenship and destination country, so check the specific requirements for where you're going—the US State Department website or your airline can provide guidance for your particular situation.
What's a helpful tip for Hobby Airport?
Hobby is smaller and less crowded than IAH, so you can usually get through security and to your gate quickly—arrive 90 minutes early for domestic flights and you'll have plenty of time to spare.
Is flying from Hobby cheaper than flying from Houston's other airport?
Hobby often has cheaper fares and lower parking costs than IAH since it's a smaller airport with less congestion, plus you'll save time getting in and out—it's worth comparing both airports when booking your Houston flights.
Plan your trip from Houston
Browse the complete list of 73 destinations below to find your next flight from William P. Hobby Airport. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.