Travelling from Houston to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Kick off your travels 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.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the major entry points to Los Angeles.
The average time for a direct Houston to Los Angeles flight is 3 hours 35 minutes.
Los Angeles is two hours behind Houston and is in the UTC-7 timezone.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to {"defaultCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","accusativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","nominativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","dativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport"} (LAX) is the most traveled route. When looking for your flight from Houston to Los Angeles, you can pick from 94 services every week between IAH and LAX.
To ensure you get on your Houston to Los Angeles flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling during a peak month like July? High seasons (like Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year and spring break) can add an hour at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
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 $76. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $152. 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 end it at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Direct Houston to Los Angeles plane tickets are available from a good range of airlines at IAH. Your nonstop flight awaits with one of these options:
IAH is about 21 kilometres from central Houston. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 50 minutes.
Need a handy hotel near George Bush Intercontinental Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Houston to Los Angeles, these accommodation options will have you moments from your check-in counter:
78.42% of flights taking off from George Bush Intercontinental Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
You'll find IAH at 16930 JFK Boulevard.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Prefer to fly from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)? This popular hub offers direct flights from Houston to Los Angeles, seamlessly connecting to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Southwest Airlines offers direct Houston to Los Angeles plane tickets from HOU. Book your preferred window seat and get to your destination in a single hop.
With public transport, you can travel from central Houston to HOU in around 1 hour 40 minutes. The airport is roughly 16 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 20 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your flight from Houston to Los Angeles? Relax in a hotel near William P. Hobby Airport before your holiday officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
Flights from William P. Hobby Airport have a strong track record for punctuality, with 81.06% of them arriving as planned.
You'll find HOU at 7800 Airport Boulevard.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles takes around 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 55 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near LAX if you're coming in on a late flight from Houston to Los Angeles. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Travel at your own speed with a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and see more of Los Angeles and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by reserving your vehicle from Los Angeles International Airport around one week before your travel date.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
The centre of Los Angeles is located around 29 kilometres from Van Nuys Airport (VNY). After your flight from Houston to Los Angeles has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 35 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Houston to Los Angeles, unwind at a hotel close to VNY. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or long cab queues. Grab a Van Nuys Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare offers from Budget, Dollar and Hertz.
Generally, the earlier you book, the bigger the savings and variety of vehicles. Secure your ride from VNY as soon as 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
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Los Angeles right here. Check out these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Houston to Los Angeles:
Griffith Observatory and The Broad are just two of the leading attractions to put on your Los Angeles must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
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 kilometres 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 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. No journey is complete without dropping by Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.