Houston to Tampa (IAH–TPA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
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 21m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: CM, NZ, VA | 32 | 738, 739, 7M8, B38M, B39M | 2h-2h22 | Star Alliance | CM, NZ, VA | |
| F9 Frontier Also: Y4 | 0 | – | – | – | Y4 |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Tampa from Houston
| Metric | IAH→TPA | HOU→TPA | CLL→TPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from IAH | – | 24 mi | 74 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 78 | 22 | – |
| Flight time | 2h 21m | 1h 45m | 1h 47m |
| Departure OTP | 81% | – | – |
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 United Airlines and Frontier. With 78 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IAH to TPA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IAH to TPA is about 2 hours 21 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 786 miles (1,265 km). There are approximately 78 weekly flights outbound and 91 return, totaling 169 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Louis Armstrong New Orleans, San Antonio and Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Houston (HOU), College Station (CLL) and Austin (AUS).