What Months Are Cheapest for Flights to Houston in 2026?
In the US, KAYAK's 12-month data at the time of writing shows January is the cheapest month to fly into Houston's Bush Intercontinental (IAH) at about $273 round trip, and October the cheapest into Houston Hobby (HOU) at about $349. Summer and spring cost the most. Pick the month, compare Priceline, Expedia and Trip.com, then book through ShopBack US.
Published: 8 October 2026 · Author: Ziling Liu, Personal Finance Editor, ShopBack
ShopBack US is a free cashback app and website. You go through ShopBack, book on sites like Priceline, Expedia or Trip.com as usual, and part of what you spent comes back to you as cash. Sign up for ShopBack before you search for your Houston dates.
What months are cheapest to fly to Houston?
The cheapest months to fly to Houston are January for Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and October for Hobby (HOU), based on KAYAK's 12-month fare data at the time of writing. The summer months and early spring are the priciest at both airports.
Houston has two main commercial airports, and their fare patterns are not the same, so it helps to look at each one:
| Houston airport | Cheapest month (avg round trip) | Most expensive months | 12-month average round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) | January, about $273 | June ($377), July ($362) | About $333 |
| William P. Hobby (HOU) | October, about $349 | March ($416), June ($412) | About $383 |
Source: KAYAK flight route pages for IAH and HOU, median prices for each month over the past 12 months, checked 8 October 2026. KAYAK says it removes the top 0.1% of prices as outliers before taking the median.
In plain terms, a January round trip into IAH averaged about $104 less than a June one on KAYAK's numbers, and an October trip into Hobby averaged about $67 less than a March one. If your dates are flexible, those are the months to look at first.
Cheapest month for flights to Houston: the price data for 2026
The data points to two cheap windows: right after the holidays in January, and early fall in September and October. Here is what KAYAK publishes for each airport, at the time of writing:
- IAH low season is September, with an average 42% drop in travelers, and the high season is April, with an average 15% rise in travelers, according to KAYAK.
- Hobby's cheapest month is October, and KAYAK lists December as its low season by traveler numbers and April as its high season.
- Thursday is the cheapest day to fly to both airports: about $334 round trip into IAH and $372 into Hobby. The priciest day is Monday for IAH ($418) and Sunday for Hobby ($455).
- Last-minute fares cost more. KAYAK says last-minute fares to Hobby, booked within 2 weeks of departure, are typically 62% higher than its $383 average.
Low season and cheapest month are not the same thing. Low season means fewer travelers, while the cheapest month is the one with the lowest median fare. For your wallet, the cheapest month is the number to follow, and the low season is a hint that hotels may be easier to find too.
These are averages across every US origin. Your own route from Atlanta, Chicago or Los Angeles can follow a different curve, so treat the table as a starting point and check real fares for your city.
Flights to Houston: IAH or Hobby?
Most flights to Houston land at either George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) north of downtown or William P. Hobby (HOU) to the south east, and the cheaper one depends on your route. Both are run by the City of Houston's Houston Airport System.
According to KAYAK at the time of writing:
- IAH receives about 475 flights a day and 3,328 a week. United Airlines is the most popular airline there among KAYAK users, followed by Frontier and American Airlines.
- Hobby receives about 145 flights a day and 1,017 a week. Southwest operates the most nonstop flights into Hobby, about 950 a week, followed by Delta and American Airlines in popularity.
On the 12-month averages, IAH came out about $50 cheaper per round trip than Hobby ($333 against $383). That does not mean IAH wins on every route. If you live in a Southwest city, a nonstop into Hobby can still be the better buy. Search both airport codes for the same dates, or search the city as a whole so both show up in one list.
A quick check before you pick: look at the cost of getting from each airport to where you are staying. A slightly cheaper fare into the airport on the wrong side of town can be cancelled out by a longer ride.
Flights to Houston in 2026: dates to plan around
For a Houston trip in late 2026 or early 2027, the dates that matter most are the January price dip and the big November shopping days when fare sales tend to appear.
- Thanksgiving week (Thursday 26 November 2026) is a busy travel week across the US, so expect higher demand for flights around it.
- Black Friday is Friday 27 November 2026 and Cyber Monday is Monday 30 November 2026. Booking sites and airlines often run sales around these days.
- Travel Tuesday is Tuesday 1 December 2026, the day after Cyber Monday, which many travel brands use for travel deals.
- January 2027 is, on KAYAK's past data, the cheapest month for IAH, and it sits just after the holiday rush.
So a simple plan works well. Pick a January or October trip, start watching fares about five to eight weeks out, and use the late November sale days to book if a good price shows up. For more on timing, read our guide on when to book US flights.
Flights to Houston best deals in the US for 2026
The best deals on flights to Houston usually come from flexible dates, a Thursday departure, booking about five weeks ahead and comparing both airports. Fare sales help, but timing does most of the work.
- Pick the cheap month first. January for IAH and October for Hobby, on KAYAK's 12-month data.
- Fly on a Thursday if you can, the cheapest day on KAYAK's averages for both airports.
- Book about five weeks out. KAYAK says booking at least 5 weeks ahead saved around 34% for IAH and 46% for Hobby against last-minute fares.
- Compare IAH and Hobby for the same dates.
- Check the booking site's own savings. Priceline VIP, Expedia's One Key and Trip.com's member rewards each have their own perks, covered below.
- Plan the trip, then book through ShopBack. Open the booking site from ShopBack US before you pay, so cash comes back on the same booking.
Other travel sites you can book through on ShopBack US include Booking.com and Hotels.com, alongside Priceline, Expedia and Trip.com.
Priceline, Expedia and Trip.com: booking flights to Houston in the US
Priceline, Expedia and Trip.com all sell flights to Houston from across the US, and each runs its own official programme you can use before you add ShopBack as a step.
Priceline
Priceline's loyalty programme, Priceline VIP, is free to join, and every Priceline account holder is already a member, according to Priceline. Tiers move up with completed trips:
| Priceline VIP tier | How you reach it |
|---|---|
| Blue | 2 completed trips |
| Gold | 5 completed trips, or holding the Priceline Rewards Visa card |
| Platinum | 20 completed trips |
Priceline says VIP members get exclusive hotel savings, rental car discounts and an Express Deal coupon after every trip, and it backs bookings with its Best Price Guarantee. Its VIP Family account lets each family member's bookings count toward the family's status. For a Houston trip, those hotel and car perks matter as much as the flight.
Expedia
Expedia's free rewards programme is One Key, which it shares with Hotels.com and Vrbo. Members earn OneKeyCash on eligible bookings and can use it on later trips across the three brands. Expedia also sells flight and hotel packages, which are worth pricing against a separate flight and hotel for the same Houston dates.
Trip.com
Trip.com sells flights, hotels and trains and runs its own member rewards, where members collect Trip Coins on eligible bookings and can use them toward later trips. Trip.com also lets you set price alerts on a route, which suits a flexible January or October search.
Each site shows the fare, taxes and bag rules before you pay. Read the fare type carefully, because basic economy fares on some airlines leave out seat selection or a carry-on.
Priceline vs Expedia for flights to Houston: price comparison 2026
For the same flight, Priceline and Expedia often show similar fares, because both sell the airlines' published prices; the difference for your wallet tends to come from each site's programme, packages and the fare rules.
| What to compare | Priceline | Expedia |
|---|---|---|
| Free loyalty programme | Priceline VIP (Blue, Gold, Platinum by completed trips) | One Key, shared with Hotels.com and Vrbo |
| What members get | Hotel and car discounts, Express Deal coupons after trips | OneKeyCash on eligible bookings |
| Flight and hotel packages | Yes | Yes |
| Price promise | Best Price Guarantee | Check Expedia's own terms |
Priceline suits travelers who book hotels and cars often and want tier perks that grow with each trip. Expedia suits travelers who also use Hotels.com or Vrbo and want one rewards balance across them.
For a fair price comparison, open both sites on the same day, search the same flight number and fare type, and write down the total with taxes and bag fees. Then add any package saving or member perk you would really use. Whichever site wins, go through ShopBack US before you pay.
How ShopBack US lowers what you pay for a Houston trip
ShopBack is a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops. You still book with Priceline, Expedia or Trip.com at their price, and ShopBack sends part of what you spent back to you as cash.
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles you have to redeem with one airline.
Here is a worked example with an illustrative rate: on a $500 Houston flight and hotel booking at an illustrative 5%, $25 comes back, so the effective price is $475. Rates differ by store and by booking type, and some bookings such as flight-only fares may earn a different rate or none, so check the live rate and terms on the Priceline, Expedia or Trip.com page on ShopBack US before you book.
The steps are short:
- Open ShopBack US in the app or on the website.
- Pick Priceline, Expedia or Trip.com and activate it.
- Book your Houston flight, hotel or package in the same session, as usual.
- Cash comes back to your ShopBack account once the booking is confirmed by the store.
Our guide on earning cashback on travel bookings covers the details, and the US travel cashback hub lists more travel stores.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest month to fly to Houston?
It depends on the airport. According to KAYAK's data for the past 12 months at the time of writing, January is the cheapest month to fly into Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) at an average of about $273 round trip, and October is the cheapest month for Houston Hobby (HOU) at about $349. Compare both airports for your dates, then book through ShopBack US so part of what you pay comes back as cash.
What is the most expensive time to fly to Houston?
Summer and spring usually cost the most. KAYAK's 12-month data at the time of writing lists June ($377) and July ($362) as the priciest months for IAH, and March ($416) and June ($412) for Hobby. KAYAK also names April as the high season for both airports.
Is it cheaper to fly into Hobby or Bush Intercontinental?
On KAYAK's 12-month averages at the time of writing, round trips into IAH averaged about $333 and round trips into Hobby about $383. Your own route can differ, because Southwest runs most of Hobby's nonstop flights while United is the most popular airline at IAH, so search both airports for the same dates.
How far in advance should I book flights to Houston?
About five weeks ahead is a good target. KAYAK says travelers who book at least 5 weeks in advance saved around 34% on IAH flights and around 46% on Hobby flights compared with booking last minute, based on its data at the time of writing.
What day of the week is cheapest to fly to Houston?
Thursday, according to KAYAK's 12-month data at the time of writing. Thursday round trips averaged about $334 into IAH and about $372 into Hobby, while Monday ($418) was the priciest day for IAH and Sunday ($455) for Hobby.
Are Priceline, Expedia and Trip.com good places to book flights to Houston?
All three sell flights to Houston from across the US and each has its own way to save. Priceline has a free VIP programme with tier perks, Expedia has its free One Key rewards programme, and Trip.com has its own member rewards. Compare the same flight on each site, then go through ShopBack US before you pay.
Should I book a flight and hotel package for Houston?
It can be worth checking. Expedia and Priceline both sell flight and hotel packages, and a package price can come in under the two parts booked separately. Price the flight alone, the hotel alone and the package for the same dates, then pick the lowest total.
When are the Black Friday and Travel Tuesday dates in 2026?
In 2026, Thanksgiving is Thursday 26 November, Black Friday is Friday 27 November, Cyber Monday is Monday 30 November and Travel Tuesday is Tuesday 1 December. Booking sites and airlines often run fare sales around these days, so it is a good window to price a January or October Houston trip.
How does ShopBack lower the price of a Houston flight?
ShopBack is a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops. Open Priceline, Expedia or Trip.com from ShopBack US, book as usual, and part of what you spent comes back as cash. The live rate and terms, including which bookings qualify, are on each store's ShopBack page.
Is cashback the same as airline miles?
No. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles that you have to redeem with one airline or hotel group.
Key takeaways
- January is the cheapest month for IAH (about $273 round trip) and October for Hobby (about $349), on KAYAK's 12-month data at the time of writing.
- June, July and March are the priciest months, and April is the high season at both airports.
- Thursday is the cheapest day to fly in, and booking about five weeks ahead saved around 34% to 46% against last-minute fares on KAYAK's data.
- Compare IAH and Hobby, and compare Priceline VIP, Expedia One Key and Trip.com member rewards for the same trip.
- Plan the trip, then book through ShopBack US: Priceline, Expedia, Trip.com.
Related reads
- When to Book US Flights
- Earn Cashback on Hotels and Flights
- US Travel Cashback Hub
- The US Sale Calendar
Book travel through ShopBack US: Priceline · Expedia · Trip.com · Booking.com · Hotels.com
Disclaimer
The views in this article are those of the author and are for general information only. This article is not affiliated with or endorsed by Priceline, Expedia, Trip.com or KAYAK. Fare averages are based on KAYAK's published 12-month data at the time of writing and will change; real fares depend on your origin, dates and airline. Loyalty programme terms, packages and sale dates can change, so check each site before you book. Cashback rates on ShopBack vary by store and campaign; check the current rate and terms on each store's ShopBack page before you book.
Related guides
When to Book US Flights
Domestic US flights are cheapest 1 to 3 months out; international 2 to 6 months. Cashback on partner OTAs adds a rebate on top.
Earn Cashback on Hotels & Flights
Click through ShopBack before you book a flight, hotel, or activity. Cashback pays after the trip completes and the cancellation window closes.
US Travel Cashback Hub: Earn Cashback on Hotels, Flights and Activities (2026)
Earn cashback on hotels, flights, activities and car rentals across Booking.com, Trip.com, Klook, Agoda, Vrbo, Hotels.com, Expedia, Skyscanner and 12+ more US travel partners on ShopBack.
Save on Expedia
Where the real Expedia US savings come from: One Key member pricing and OneKeyCash, Bundle deals, Member Only Deals, and how to stack ShopBack cashback on top of any Expedia promo, member price, or bundle discount when booking flights, hotels, cars, and packages.
US 2026 Sale Calendar
Time purchases around Prime Day, Back-to-School, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Full US sale calendar with cashback timing.
