Houston to Tampa (IAH–TPA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
IAH–TPA is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines and Frontier lead the route. The flight covers 786 miles in approximately 2h 4m. Beyond nonstop, 131 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: CM, NZ, VA | 34 | 738, 739, 7M8, B38M | 2h04-2h21 | Star Alliance | CM, NZ, VA | |
| F9 Frontier Also: Y4 | 4 | 32Q | 2h18 | – | Y4 |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Tampa from Houston
| Metric | IAH→TPA | HOU→TPA | CLL→TPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from IAH | – | 24 mi | 74 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 87 | 23 | 1 |
| Flight time | 2h 4m | 2h | 1h 47m |
| Departure OTP | 67% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
IAH: CDT · TPA: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Houston, it's 7:00 PM in Tampa.
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.
Uber and Lyft pickup is on the lower level curb; typically $20–30 to downtown Tampa and $45–60 to St. Petersburg. Taxis at the rank run $25–35 to Tampa center. The HART bus (Route 30X) connects to downtown for $2.25 but is infrequent; check schedules before relying on it.Rental car counters are in the arrivals hall with a shuttle to the consolidated rental facility. I-275 provides direct access north to downtown and south toward St. Pete. The airport's people mover system is free and connects all areas of the terminal complex.
Humid subtropical climate. Tampa is called the "lightning capital of North America." Afternoon thunderstorms are nearly daily from June through September, causing frequent ground stops and gate holds during summer afternoons. Summer afternoon flights routinely run late.
Hurricane season (June–November) poses storm surge and wind risk. Direct hits are rare, but evacuations periodically affect the region. Winter (December–February) is mild at 14–23°C with very low disruption risk. Spring (March–May) is the most comfortable season.
IAH–TPA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IAH to TPA
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) are connected by nonstop service from Frontier and United Airlines. With 87 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IAH to TPA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IAH to TPA ranges from 2 hours 4 minutes to 2 hours 21 minutes. The route covers a distance of 786 miles (1,265 km). There are approximately 87 weekly flights outbound and 112 return, totaling 199 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
131 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 3 hours via APF. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Houston (HOU), College Station (CLL) and Austin (AUS).