10 Tips to Find Cheap Flights from Houston to Cancun
Follow these 10 tips from Hopper to find cheap flights from Houston to Cancun and you could save up to $721 per round-trip ticket!
Hopper Editors - Thu Oct 26 2017
Tropical Cancun is a quick flight from Houston, making it an ideal international getaway for Texans. A painless 2.5-hour jaunt across the Gulf of Mexico will get Houston locals to one of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations in no time. Whether you’re hoping to simply relax by a resort pool, visit the Mayan ruins or snorkel in the area’s coral reefs, Cancun has an exotic-but-close appeal for travelers flying out of Houston. Plus, flights average about $400 but can oftentimes be as low as $313 if you look hard enough. Check out Hopper’s tips for ways to find cheap flights from Houston to Cancun for the best deals.
Photo by alobos Life/Flickr.
1. The cheapest day to fly from Houston to Cancun is on a Tuesday, saving up to $38
If your schedule allows, fly to Cancun on a Tuesday and save up to $38 per ticket, as this is the cheapest day to fly, according to our research. That savings can be used towards a couple rounds of tequila shots at local-favorite Las de Guanatos. All locations of the popular bar and restaurant feature drink specials like seven beers in a bucket for 100 pesos or two-for-one micheladas (beer cocktails). The tortas ahogadas (baguette sandwiches with a savory Mexican sauce) pair perfectly with a beer (or seven).
2. Save up to $38 by returning on a Thursday
You can save another $38 if you decide to return from your vacay on a Thursday. Of course, you may not be ready to return from Cancun if you just got there on a Tuesday. But if you’re considering staying 10 days, why not make it 9 days?
3. The cheapest day to buy a flight from Houston to Cancun is on a Saturday, saving up to $60
Although weekends are often busy with errands, chores and family and friend obligations, booking a flight to Cancun on a Saturday can save you up to $60 per ticket. That’s a lot to save just for buying your ticket on the right day. That money can be used towards whale shark snorkeling in Cancun. During the summer, visitors can swim with the largest fish in the world, measuring up to 40 feet. Don’t let the animal’s name fool you either. The whale shark is completely harmless and feeds only on plankton.
4. The cheapest time to book a flight from Houston to Cancun is 21 days in advance, saving up to $400
Travelers looking to travel to Cancun should try to book at least 21 days in advance, as they can save up to $400 if they do so. Ticket prices start to increase dramatically when booked less than two weeks in advance. So, while the beach is beckoning, try to hold off on any last-minute trips. The savings from planning ahead could almost pay for your entire stay.
5. The cheapest time to fly from Houston to Cancun is in March, saving up to $45
While the Spring Break crowd may not be your scene, flying from Houston to Cancun in March can save you up to $45 compared to traveling in the fall months. That savings can be used towards booking a couple nights at an off-the-beaten-path resort that will offer more of an oasis than a beach party. Or you can opt to take a day trip to Tulum or Cozumel to escape the college party vibe.
6. Fly out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) for the best deals
Flights out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport usually offer the best deals, averaging about $400. Flights are typically about $70 less than Houston’s other airport, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and the flight connections are much better from George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
7. United has the cheapest direct flights from Houston to Cancun, while US Airways has the best deals overall
Non-stop flights to Cancun are only 2.5 hours, while one-stop flights can take more than six hours. Both United and US Airways have the best deals on flights, depending on how you want to travel from Houston to Cancun.Non-stop flights from Houston to Cancun average about $500 on United, which offers the best non-stop deals. However, US Airways offers the cheapest flights overall, averaging about $393. Plus, US Airways offers less hidden fees than many other airlines, like Spirit.
Airlines offering direct flights from Houston to Cancun:- United makes the journey in 2.5 hours for $505 round trip, on average.
Airlines offering connecting flights from Houston to Cancun:- US Airways makes the journey in 6 hours via Charlotte for $326 round trip, on average.- American makes the journey in 7 hours via Dallas or Miami for $340 round trip, on average.- Aeromexico makes the journey in 6.5 hours via Mexico City for $505 round trip, on average.
8. Frequent fliers on US Airways can use between 35,000 miles to book a round-trip ticket to Cancun
US Airways regulars that have 35,000 and 55,000 miles can use them towards a flight from Houston to Cancun. Don’t have any miles on US Airways? Well, after a round-trip flight to Cancun on US Airways via Charlotte, travelers will get about 3,900 frequent flier miles for future flights.
9. Check out Hopper’s When to Fly and Buy Reports for up-to-date information
Hopper’s When to Fly and Buy Reports give travelers the most current money-saving tips on flights from Houston to Cancun. Our research is derived from about 2.7 million searches for flights on the route each month and uses averages from the searches to offer insights. The report shows the difference in price between both non-stop and multi-stop, round-trip flights, detailing the most affordable dates available on specific airlines. Visitors to the site can even create a price alert that will email them when prices during certain dates or on certain airlines get less expensive.
10. Take a look at Hopper’s Airline Fees Calculator to get the real cost of your ticket
While airlines continue to find ways to add on last-minute fees, charging for checked luggage and early check-in processing, Hopper’s Airline Fees Calculator can show you exactly how much each airline is really offering. The $25 cost of just one checked bag can really add up, depending on whether or not you’re taking the whole family, and some airlines, like Spirit, even charged for carry-ons!
Keep in mind that a cheap flight from Houston to Cancun is about $406 round trip
Cancun is one of the most popular international destinations for Houstonians and there are lots of flights and airlines to choose from, so it’s helpful to keep in mind that a great deal on the route is about $406 round trip. So if you’ve found a flight in that price range, stop searching and just book it. If you want to find that, you may want to create an alert via Hopper so that you don’t have to spend hours of time finding the right price for your vacay.