Houston to Cancún (IAH–CUN) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
IAH–CUN is served by 3 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines, Frontier and Spirit Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 812 miles in approximately 2h 4m. Beyond nonstop, 81 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines | 49 | 739, 7M9, B39M | 2h04-2h34 | Star Alliance | – | |
| F9 Frontier | 7 | A20N | 2h15 | – | – | |
| NK Spirit Airlines | 7 | 32A | 2h44 | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Cancún from Houston
| Metric | IAH→CUN | HOU→CUN | AUS→CUN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from IAH | – | 24 mi | 140 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Weekly flights | 63 | 21 | 31 |
| Flight time | 2h 4m | 2h 5m | 2h 20m |
| Departure OTP | 75% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
IAH: CDT · CUN: EST
When it's 6:00 PM in Houston, it's 6:00 PM in Cancún.
US citizens enter Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days for tourism. Complete the immigration form (FMM) online or on arrival; the online version speeds up processing. Passport must be valid for the duration of stay.
Duty-free allowances: USD 500 in goods. Mexico prohibits importing certain foods and medications without documentation. Declare cash over USD 10,000.
IAH has no direct rail link to downtown Houston. The IAH Express bus runs from Houston Amtrak/Greyhound station via Park & Ride to Terminal C (60–90 min, $1.25 with METRO Q card). This is the only transit option; Houston's rail network does not reach the airport.Taxis from downtown Houston cost $50–70 and take 40–60 minutes. Ride-hails (Uber, Lyft) are typically $35–55. IAH sits 23 miles north of downtown on the North Freeway (I-45); traffic is heavy during morning and evening rush. Remote economy parking lots serve all terminals via shuttle.
Authorised airport taxis operate from a voucher desk inside each terminal. Fares to the Hotel Zone run MXN 350–550 (USD $17–28) and to downtown Cancún MXN 200–300. Purchase tickets inside before exiting to avoid touts. ADO buses depart from outside Terminal 2 to downtown Cancún for MXN 102 and continue to Playa del Carmen and Tulum.The Tren Maya connects Terminal 4 to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the broader Yucatán Peninsula. Car rental desks are located in all terminals; driving is straightforward on Highway 307.
Tropical climate with two distinct seasons. Dry season (December–April) brings warm, sunny weather at 25–32°C with low humidity, the peak tourist season and most reliable flying conditions. Wet season (May–November) is hot, humid, and prone to heavy afternoon downpours; thunderstorms can cause short ground delays.
Hurricane season runs June through November, peaking in September–October. Major storms (e.g., Wilma 2005, Zeta 2020) can close the airport for 12–48 hours. Monitor forecasts carefully from August through October. September is statistically the highest-risk month.
IAH–CUN Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IAH to CUN
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Cancún International Airport (CUN) are connected by nonstop service from Frontier, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines. With 63 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IAH to CUN Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IAH to CUN ranges from 2 hours 4 minutes to 2 hours 44 minutes. The route covers a distance of 812 miles (1,307 km). There are approximately 63 weekly flights outbound and 57 return, totaling 120 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
81 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 4 hours via DAL. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Houston (HOU) and Austin (AUS).