Submit feedbackSubmit feedbackComplete travel information for your December journey
In December, Houston’s airports (George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby) handle a mix of business, leisure, and holiday travelers heading to the Washington area. Peak travel occurs around the week of Christmas and New Year’s; to find cheaper flights, target early-December travel dates or midweek departures. Flights into Washington (All Airports) (WASA) offer access to downtown D.C., Baltimore, Alexandria, and Annapolis—ideal for holiday sightseeing. Allow extra time for security, especially the evenings before major holidays, and check for weather advisories for the D.C. region. Use fare comparison tools, sign up for airline newsletters with Houston departure alerts, and consider red-eye or early-morning flights to avoid crowds.
Houston (All Airports) (HOUA) typically refers to William P. Hobby, George Bush Intercontinental, and nearby reliever fields when booking multi-airport options. For travel to Washington (All Airports) (WASA) you may see options that depart from Hobby (HOU) or Bush Intercontinental (IAH); always confirm the operating airport on your ticket and boarding pass. This helps minimize transfer time and ensures you arrive at the correct terminal.
Nonstop flights between Houston and the Washington area average about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours; connecting itineraries range from 4 hours to 8+ hours depending on layovers. Flight duration varies with departure airport (HOU vs IAH), headwinds, airline routing, and whether you fly into Reagan National (DCA), Dulles (IAD), or Baltimore-Washington (BWI).
Yes — December offers both peak holiday travel days and off-peak windows. Booking early (6–8 weeks) and avoiding peak holiday dates like the week of Christmas tends to yield the best fares; consider mid-December or early December for lower prices. Use fare alerts, flexible dates, and compare flights into DCA, IAD, and BWI to find the cheapest Houston to Washington flights.
December increases passenger volume due to holiday travel, so expect longer TSA lines at peak times; arrive 2 hours before domestic departures and 2.5–3 hours for connections that require re-clearing security. Check airline baggage allowances in advance—low-cost carriers often charge for check bags—and enroll in TSA PreCheck if available to speed screening.
From Houston (All Airports) (HOUA) travelers commonly access Galveston, Sugar Land, Katy, Conroe, and Pearland as nearby destinations; the airport complex also serves business travelers heading to The Woodlands and College Station. When planning transfers or rideshares, include these cities as pickup/drop-off options to streamline your ground connections.
Houston winter weather is usually mild, but December can bring heavy rain or rare cold fronts that slightly disrupt schedules. Washington-area airports often face snow, ice, or low visibility in December, which can cause inbound delays or cancellations; monitor forecasts and buy flexible/changeable tickets for December travel.
December arrivals to the Washington area land at Reagan National (DCA), Dulles (IAD), or Baltimore-Washington (BWI), each offering distinct advantages: DCA for proximity to the National Mall, IAD for international and connection-heavy flights, and BWI for budget fares and rail access. Winter storms can affect arrivals, so monitor airline notifications and local weather. For faster downtown access from DCA, take the Metro; from IAD the Silver Line and airport shuttles connect you to D.C.; BWI has Amtrak and MARC trains into Baltimore and Washington. Holiday attractions like the National Christmas Tree, ZooLights, and seasonal markets increase ground transport demand—book rideshares or shuttles in advance.
Washington (All Airports) (WASA) covers Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), Washington Dulles International (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall (BWI). For easiest access to downtown D.C. and the National Mall, Reagan National (DCA) is the closest; Dulles serves international and many domestic connections, while BWI often has lower fares and good rail connections to the city.
In December, ground transit options include Metro from Reagan National (DCA), the Silver Line Express and metro connections from Dulles (IAD via Silver Line), and Amtrak/MARC or MTA from BWI. During holiday events, plan for shuttle delays and increased rideshare surge pricing; pre-book a departure shuttle or check the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) updates for holiday schedules.
December brings winter storm risk to the Mid-Atlantic, so delays and cancellations can be more frequent than other months. Storm-related cancellations, de-icing procedures, and ground congestion can affect arrivals; sign up for airline alerts, allow buffer time for connections, and consider travel insurance for critical holiday trips.
From Washington-area airports you can reach Baltimore, Annapolis, Alexandria, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Richmond by car or rail. December visitors often combine D.C. sightseeing (National Mall, Smithsonian, Capitol) with nearby holiday attractions like Annapolis harbor lights and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor festivities.
Holiday travel increases passenger volumes at DCA, IAD, and BWI; expect longer baggage claim waits and tighter security checkpoints. If you have checked luggage, factor in an extra 20–30 minutes for retrieval during peak holiday operations and confirm any special entry requirements for carry-on items when traveling with gifts or food.
To find cheap December flights into the Washington area, compare all three arrival airports (DCA, IAD, BWI), be flexible with days (avoid the week of Christmas), and set fare alerts for HOUA to WASA routes. Consider flying midweek, using low-cost carriers to BWI, or taking a red-eye into DCA or IAD to reduce costs.
