Traveling from Houston to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Start planning your vacation by checking out the most convenient departure point for your flight from Houston to Los Angeles. Explore your options for taking off from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), two of the city's main airports.
When it comes to touching down in Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a major gateway. Another is Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Around 3 hours 35 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Houston to Los Angeles flight.
Los Angeles's timezone is UTC-7, making Los Angeles two hours behind Houston.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 94 departures a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Houston to Los Angeles is with Spirit Airlines at 23:02. Go for the first IAH to LAX departure operated by United Airlines at 05:10 to maximize your time in Los Angeles.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your Houston to Los Angeles flight.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight when you fly during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Houston to Los Angeles
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Houston to Los Angeles is AED 145. For a return flight on this route, the best price is AED 291. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
To secure cheap Houston to Los Angeles flights, reserve your journey two months before your departure date.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for landing a great bargain on plane tickets from Houston to Los Angeles. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Houston to Los Angeles is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when a better deal is available.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Houston to Los Angeles flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
You can book a direct flight from Houston to Los Angeles taking off from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Begin your journey at IAH and touch down at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Direct Houston to Los Angeles plane tickets are offered by a variety of airlines at IAH. Get on board with any of these:
IAH is about 21 kilometers from central Houston. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the center, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 50 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Houston to Los Angeles? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near George Bush Intercontinental Airport:
Of the departures from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, 78.42% land on schedule at their destination.
IAH's address is 16930 JFK Boulevard.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
You can book a direct flight from Houston to Los Angeles departing William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Nonstop services from HOU will take you to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Southwest Airlines offers direct Houston to Los Angeles plane tickets from HOU. Book your favorite window seat and reach your destination without any detours.
HOU is around 16 kilometers from central Houston. It'll take you 20 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
You're off on vacation, so why not enjoy an extra night away? Think about staying at one of these hotels near William P. Hobby Airport the day before your flight from Houston to Los Angeles:
William P. Hobby Airport is known for its commitment to punctuality. 81% of flights departing here land precisely when expected.
You'll find HOU at 7800 Airport Boulevard.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles is roughly 19 kilometers. It'll take you around 30 minutes to reach the center driving.
Traveling to the center on public transport will take you around 55 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Houston to Los Angeles, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these accommodation options near LAX:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and experience the lesser-explored corners of Los Angeles and beyond.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle from Los Angeles International Airport about one week ahead of your Houston to Los Angeles flight.
The address for LAX is One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
After your flight from Houston to Los Angeles has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city center in about 35 minutes by car. Central Los Angeles is approximately 29 kilometers from Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the center will take you 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
After your flight from Houston to Los Angeles, rest your head at a hotel near VNY. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or cab lines. Pick up a Van Nuys Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Check out the rates and availability from Budget, Dollar and Hertz.
Generally, the earlier you book, the more you save and the better your options. Reserve your ride from VNY the moment you know your dates.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
July is the most popular month for flights from Houston to Los Angeles. To steer clear of the crowds, head to Los Angeles in May.
Before locking in your Houston to Los Angeles tickets, think about what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Los Angeles, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Houston to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Houston to Los Angeles, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
All great vacations should include a little sightseeing. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are essential stops on your Los Angeles itinerary.
Explore more of United States
San Diego is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be explored after you've seen Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometers to the south-east, its top attractions include San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
San Jose is another standout destination in United States and is around 499 kilometers north-west of Los Angeles. No journey is complete without dropping by Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.