George Bush Intercontinental to Tampa International
786 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 1h 59m with 5 airlines operating direct service from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) to Tampa International (TPA). Cheapest fares are usually in January (around $119 return), with peak prices in August (around $357). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.
Flying from George Bush Intercontinental
Houston George Bush Intercontinental is United Airlines' second-largest hub after Newark, with five terminals and a Skytrain people mover connecting them. METRO's bus 102 runs from the airport to downtown Houston in around 50 minutes; light rail does not extend to IAH. International long-haul through Houston is heaviest to Latin America (over 30 destinations) and Europe, with Lufthansa, KLM, Air France and British Airways all operating daily and growing Middle East service via Qatar, Emirates and Turkish.
Arriving in Tampa
Tampa International is 6 miles west of downtown Tampa. HART bus 30 runs every 30 minutes to downtown for $2; the SkyConnect automated train links the main terminal to a consolidated rental car centre on the airport grounds. Fares to TPA peak around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff games and during spring break (March); summer is cheaper despite Gulf-coast humidity. The Brightline rail extension to Tampa is planned for late 2026.
Who flies IAH to TPA?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| United Airlines | UA | 1h 59m | Economy |
| American Airlines | AA | 1h 59m | Economy |
| Spirit Airlines | NK | 1h 59m | Economy |
| Frontier Airlines | F9 | 1h 59m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 1h 59m | Economy |
5 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly IAH→TPA
Synthesised from 12-month price aggregates. Cheapest months in green, peak in red.
Estimated baseline. Prices update on a 30-day cadence as Travelpayouts data refreshes. Cheapest day-of-week typically Tuesday.
Houston to Tampa FAQs
Direct flights from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) to Tampa International (TPA) take approximately 1h 59m for the 786-mile journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.
January is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $119. August is the peak — expect prices 2–3× higher. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares; last-minute prices on this corridor rise sharply inside two weeks of departure.
5 carriers operate direct service from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) to Tampa International (TPA): United Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — United Airlines typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
No — United States is domestic travel for US citizens. A US passport is not required for the 50 states, DC or US territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands), though Real ID-compliant ID is required at TSA from May 2025.
Tampa International (TPA) is the primary international airport for Tampa. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus, taxi or rideshare depending on traffic and time of day. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.