Detroit skyline across the Detroit River. Flights from Houston to Detroit

Route guide

Cheap Flights from Houston to Detroit

Flights from Houston's IAH to Detroit Metro, with IAH Subway and Skyway trains, the Detroit terminal for each airline, and how to leave DTW by car or bus.

IAH to DTW · 1,075 mi · 2h 54m est.

IAH to DTW
1,075 miles
2h 54m nonstop (estimated)
4 airlines in our fare results

Photo: Andrew Heneen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Houston to Detroit flight insights

Average flight time

~2h 54m (estimated)

IAH → DTW

Cheapest cached price

$153

Checking live fares…

Prices shown may not be current. Last checked: Oct 19, 2026.

Planning a trip from Houston to Detroit? The average flight time on this route is ~2h 54m (estimated). The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $153 (last checked Oct 19, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ.

Houston to Detroit covers a straight-line distance of about 1,075 miles. Based on that distance, a nonstop flight would take approximately ~2h 54m (estimated). Actual flight time varies by airline, aircraft and routing.

Houston to Detroit at a glance

IAH to DTW is about 1,075 miles in a straight line. The curved line is an illustration; the route your airline flies may differ.

Route Quick Facts

Quick facts for flights from Houston to Detroit on Eazair
Origin	Houston (IAH)
Destination	Detroit (DTW)
Average Flight Time	~2h 54m (estimated)
Current Lowest Fare	$153
Fares Last Checked	Oct 19, 2026
Distance	1,075 miles (IAH to DTW)
Time in Detroit	1 hour ahead of Houston
Airlines in our fare results	4

Local time in Detroit is 1 hour ahead of Houston. Houston is on Central Time, Detroit on Eastern Time.

Flight deals from Houston to Detroit

Flights on this page run from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Hobby (HOU), about 11 miles southeast of downtown, is a different Houston airport. Delta, United, American and Frontier have appeared in EazAir's fare checks for this route. In Detroit, Delta arrives at the McNamara Terminal and American, United and Frontier at the Evans Terminal; IAH terminals are not listed here, so check your boarding pass.

METRO Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct runs seven days a week, about every 30 minutes, and stops at Terminal E, Level 2, outside Door E201. Before security, the free Subway train links the terminals every 3 minutes from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; after security, the Skyway runs every 2 minutes. Terminal D drop-off is on Level 1, and its checkpoint keeps modified hours that vary by day. CLEAR is at Terminal A North and Terminal C.

At McNamara, the ExpressTram runs along the mile-long Concourse A, and its Terminal Station leads to baggage claim and ground transportation. Rideshare pickup there is on Level 4 of the McNamara Parking Garage: cross the Skybridge and take the Ground Transportation Center elevators from Level 6 down to Level 4. At Evans, cross the Skybridge to Level 1 of the Big Blue Deck. Detroit Air Xpress runs to downtown Detroit from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

EazAir logged its first fare check for Houston to Detroit on 28 Sep 2026, asking for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult on a flight 30 days later. With one check, there is no pattern to read. Frontier's lowest fare and United Basic Economy include only a personal item, while Delta and American basic fares allow a carry-on. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for Houston to Detroit flights

Departure · Houston

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)

Central Time

Other airports near Houston: William P. Hobby (HOU)

Arrival · Detroit

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)

Eastern Time

About Detroit

Areas to know in Detroit

Corktown
Midtown
Downtown / Greektown

Weather in Detroit

Cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers.

Houston to Detroit: airport and fare guide

Checked on 17 Oct 2026 against the airport, airline and transit pages listed under Sources. Airports and airlines change these details, so confirm them with your airline before you fly.

EazAir searches Houston with the IAH code, and Houston has more than one airport, so check the airport code on every result.

Houston Hobby (HOU) is a separate airport about 11 miles southeast of downtown.

Leaving from Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)

METRO Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct links downtown Houston, including the George R. Brown Convention Center, with IAH, stopping at Terminal E, Level 2, outside Door E201.
IAH lists drop-off on Departures Level 2 at Terminals A, C and E, and on Level 1 at Terminal D.
Terminal B passengers check in, drop bags and clear security at Terminal C while the Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed, according to the airport's alerts page.
IAH lists TSA PreCheck at Terminal A North from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., Terminal C North from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Terminal E from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., with CLEAR at Terminal A North and Terminal C.
The Terminal D checkpoint has modified hours that vary by day, so check IAH's security page, which also shows checkpoint wait times.

Arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)

Airline	DTW terminal
Delta	McNamara Terminal
American	Evans Terminal
United	Evans Terminal
Frontier	Evans Terminal
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

DTW says some boarding passes may show the McNamara Terminal as EM and the Evans Terminal as WE.

DTW has two separate terminals, McNamara and Evans. The Terminal to Terminal/Westin Shuttle leaves about every 10 minutes from each Ground Transportation Center and the Westin Hotel entrance.
In McNamara, the ExpressTram runs along the mile-long Concourse A: South Station for gates A1 to A28, Terminal Station for A29 to A55 and North Station for A56 to A78.
McNamara's Terminal Station also gives access to check-in, baggage claim, ground transportation and the tunnel to Concourses B and C.

Getting from DTW	Where to board	Where it goes
Detroit Air Xpress	Evans: Ground Transportation Center. McNamara: Departures Level near Door 1. Runs every day from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.	Downtown Detroit.
SMART and FAST buses	Same stops. SMART Route 125 and FAST Michigan Route 261 serve both terminals; SMART Route 280 serves Evans only.	Downtown Detroit and surrounding suburbs.
Michigan Flyer and AirRide	Same stops. Inside both terminals, follow the Public Transit signs.	Ann Arbor (both) and East Lansing (Michigan Flyer).
Rideshare	McNamara: Level 4 of the McNamara Parking Garage, across the Skybridge and down the Level 6 Ground Transportation Center elevators. Evans: Level 1 of the Big Blue Deck, across the Skybridge.	Wherever you booked.
Taxis	McNamara: middle of the Ground Transportation Center on Level 4. Evans: upper level of the Ground Transportation Center.	Your destination.

What the lowest fares include

Fare	Carry-on	Checked bag	Seat	Changes
Delta Main Basic	Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and one personal item free.	Delta charges for checked bags on domestic flights unless you qualify for a waiver, such as Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.	Assigned after check-in. You may be able to buy a seat ahead of time for a fee.	Refunds are not allowed after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. Delta says a change or cancellation may be possible for a fee, with any value left as an eCredit.
American Basic Economy	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included, except for some AAdvantage status members and eligible cardmembers.	A free seat is assigned at check-in, or you can pay to choose one.	Generally not allowed. American describes a 24-hour window and some credit options on its Basic Economy page.
United Basic Economy	Not included on domestic flights. One personal item only, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.	Not included; check United's bag fee calculator.	Assigned by United before boarding.	Changes may not be allowed. Refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking, under United's 24-hour policy; after that, partial travel credit.
Frontier, without a bundle	Not included. One personal item only.	Not included. Prices vary by travel date and when you buy.	Costs extra, or a seat is assigned after check-in.	Not covered here. Check Frontier's rules before you book.

Based on the airlines' own pages, checked on 17 Oct 2026. Fees are left out because they change often. Check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

How EazAir measured fares on this route

EazAir's first fare check from Houston to Detroit was on 28 Sep 2026. Each check asked partner travel sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days after the check. Results can include connecting flights. One check cannot show a pattern. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

Houston Airports: IAH alerts (Terminal B lobby) (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: METRO Downtown Direct (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: IAH security (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: IAH pick up and drop off (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
METRO: Airport bus nonstop (Route 500) (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Airline directory (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Transfer between terminals (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Shuttle services (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Public transportation (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Rideshare (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: ExpressTram (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Taxis and luxury sedans (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Michigan Flyer (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta Main Basic (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Fares and discounts (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Carry-on baggage (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Bags (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: Basic Economy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
United: Basic Economy FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Frontier: What is included in my fare (last modified 25 Mar 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Frontier: Bag options (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Frontier: Bundles (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
EazAir fare checks for IAH to DTW, 28 Sep 2026 to 28 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does this page search IAH or Hobby?

It searches George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). Hobby (HOU) is a separate airport about 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston, so check the code on each result.

What are the TSA PreCheck hours at IAH?

IAH lists PreCheck at Terminal A North from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., Terminal C North from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Terminal E from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where do taxis pick up at Detroit Metro?

At McNamara, taxis dispatch from the middle of the Ground Transportation Center on Level 4. At Evans, they dispatch from the upper level of its Ground Transportation Center.

How do I get from DTW to downtown Detroit?

Detroit Air Xpress runs to downtown Detroit every day from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Airport buses stop on the McNamara Departures Level near Door 1 and at the Evans Ground Transportation Center.

Do the lowest fares on this route include a carry-on?

Delta and American do: Delta says Main Basic passengers can bring one carry-on free, and American Basic Economy includes one. United Basic Economy and Frontier's lowest fare include a personal item only.

How far is it from IAH to DTW?

IAH and DTW are about 1075 miles apart in a straight line. Flight times vary by airline, direction and routing, so check the scheduled time shown with each result.

Airline bag fees

Baggage allowances differ significantly between fare classes (Basic/Light vs. Standard/Flex) and can change over time. Always verify the exact allowance for your specific fare with the airline before you fly.

Checked bag fees from each airline's own website
Airline	Carry-on, basic economy	1st checked bag	2nd checked bag	Source
American Airlines	Included	$45	$55	aa.com, Sep 24, 2026
United Airlines	Not included	$40	$50	united.com, Sep 24, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Included	$45	$55	delta.com, Sep 24, 2026
Southwest Airlines	Included	$45	$55	southwest.com, Oct 27, 2026
JetBlue	Included	$45	$59	jetblue.com, Sep 24, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Included	$45	$55	alaskaair.com, Sep 24, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	flyfrontier.com, Sep 24, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	suncountry.com, Sep 24, 2026

Domestic US fees per bag, each way, when paid online in advance. "Varies" means the airline prices bags by route and date.

Travel tips

Arrive early for domestic flights

TSA generally recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic departure, more at larger hub airports during peak travel periods.

Pack a mixed carry-on

Keep a change of clothes, chargers, and any essentials in your carry-on rather than only your checked bag, in case of a delay or a bag that doesn't arrive with you.

Screenshot your confirmation

Save a screenshot or PDF of your booking confirmation and boarding pass before you travel, in case you lose signal or battery at the airport.

Check in online when it opens

Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. Checking in early can help with seat selection and, on some airlines, boarding group assignment.