October departures from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) are convenient with frequent nonstop and direct flights to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Atlanta's fall calendar — college football weekends and Oktoberfest-style events — can increase passenger volumes, so plan to arrive early and check TSA PreCheck for faster screening. Typical nonstop flight time is about 2 hours 15 minutes; evening flights may be less impacted by air-traffic congestion. Cheap fares often appear for midweek departures; compare IAH and William P. Hobby (HOU) options if your Houston itinerary is flexible. Nearby destinations commonly accessed from ATL include Savannah, Charlotte, Birmingham, Nashville, Orlando, and Miami—use multi-city searches or open-jaw itineraries to combine Atlanta with nearby southern destinations during your October trip.
October arrivals at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) are typically comfortable—Houston temperatures are warm compared to Atlanta, and fall brings numerous cultural events and outdoor activities. Expect ride-share traffic surges near festival dates; pre-book rental cars or use official taxi/ride-share zones. For travelers planning onward travel, consider alternate Texas airports such as William P. Hobby (HOU), Austin-Bergstrom (AUS), or San Antonio (SAT) for competitive fares or shorter drives. Carry a lightweight layer for cooler evenings and monitor tropical weather updates, though hurricane impacts usually taper in October.