Houston to Managua (IAH–MGA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
IAH–MGA is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. United Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 1,366 miles in approximately 3h 6m. Beyond nonstop, 10 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines | 14 | B38M | 3h06-3h21 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
IAH: CDT · MGA: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in Houston, it's 5:00 PM in Managua.
US passport holders enter Nicaragua visa-free for up to 90 days. No advance application is needed. Nicaragua is part of the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, meaning the 90-day period is shared across all four countries. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. A tourist card (tarjeta de turismo) costing $10 is purchased on arrival at Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua. A return or onward ticket is required.
The 90-day CA-4 clock starts when you enter any of the four member countries and does not reset when crossing borders between them. For stays beyond 90 days, exit to Costa Rica or another non-CA-4 country for at least 72 hours, then re-enter for a fresh 90 days. Granada, on the shore of Lake Nicaragua, is the main tourist hub with colorful colonial architecture. Leon has Nicaragua's largest cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast draws surfers. Ometepe Island, formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua, is reachable by ferry from San Jorge (1 hour).
Direct flights from Miami (MIA) to Managua run about 3 hours on American Airlines and Avianca. Houston (IAH) to MGA runs about 3 hours 30 minutes on United. Fort Lauderdale also has service. Nicaragua uses the Nicaraguan cordoba (NIO), trading at roughly 37 NIO per $1. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, Granada, and San Juan del Sur. ATMs dispense cordobas and are available in cities. Card payments work at hotels and restaurants but cash is preferred at markets and smaller businesses. Chicken buses (repurposed US school buses) are the cheapest inter-city transport at NIO 30 to NIO 100 ($0.80 to $2.70). Express minibuses between Managua and Granada cost NIO 50 ($1.35) and take 1 hour.
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.
IAH–MGA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IAH to MGA
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Augusto C. Sandino (Managua) International Airport (MGA) are connected by nonstop service from United Airlines. With 14 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
IAH to MGA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IAH to MGA ranges from 3 hours 6 minutes to 3 hours 21 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,366 miles (2,198 km). There are approximately 14 weekly flights outbound and 21 return, totaling 35 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
10 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 9 hours via SJU. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.