SBA

$160 Find Cheap Flights from Houston to Santa Barbara - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$353
Typical prices: $434-$706
Alaska Airlines
Mon 2/5Tue 2/6
IAH - SBA • 2 stops
Cheapest one-way
$160
Typical prices: $219-$476
American Airlines
Sun 12/2
IAH - SBA • 1 stop
Nonstop flights
There are currently no direct flights between Houston and Santa Barbara. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
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Top routes
Cheapest • 6% average savings
Most popular
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When to travel
Cheapest • 43% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $340 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 5h 26m (one-way)
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We hope you love your trip to Santa Barbara!
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Houston to Santa Barbara

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Houston to Santa Barbara

Tue, Feb 2 - Tue, Feb 9
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:30 pm - 11:39 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SBA Santa Barbara
35h 09m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 11:58 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
15h 51m2 stops San Diego Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$353Alaska Airlines
Fri, Feb 5 - Sat, Feb 6
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:30 pm - 11:39 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SBA Santa Barbara
11h 09m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 11:58 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
15h 51m2 stops San Diego Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$353Alaska Airlines
Wed, Feb 3 - Sat, Feb 6
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:30 pm - 11:39 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SBA Santa Barbara
35h 09m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 11:58 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
15h 51m2 stops San Diego Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$353Alaska Airlines
Fri, Feb 5 - Tue, Feb 9
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:30 pm - 11:39 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SBA Santa Barbara
35h 09m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 11:58 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
15h 51m2 stops San Diego Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$353Alaska Airlines
Wed, Feb 3 - Tue, Feb 9
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:30 pm - 11:39 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SBA Santa Barbara
11h 09m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 11:58 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
15h 51m2 stops San Diego Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$353Alaska Airlines
Tue, Feb 2 - Sat, Feb 6
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:42 am - 11:39 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SBA Santa Barbara
17h 57m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 11:58 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
15h 51m2 stops San Diego Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$353Alaska Airlines
Tue, Feb 2 - Mon, Feb 8
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:30 pm - 11:39 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SBA Santa Barbara
35h 09m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 5:03 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
32h 56m2 stops San Diego Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$383Alaska Airlines
Tue, Jan 5 - Tue, Jan 5
United Airlines Logo
7:20 am - 11:50 amIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SBA Santa Barbara
6h 30m1 stop San Francisco
United Airlines Logo
4:10 pm - 12:28 amSBA  Santa Barbara-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
6h 18m1 stop San Francisco
$396United Airlines
Fri, Nov 20 - Sun, Nov 22
United Airlines Logo
7:40 am - 12:03 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SBA Santa Barbara
6h 23m1 stop San Francisco
United Airlines Logo
10:50 am - 8:50 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
8h 00m1 stop Los Angeles
$408United Airlines
Thu, Nov 12 - Mon, Nov 16
American Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 11:45 amHOU  Houston Hobby-SBA Santa Barbara
7h 45m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
12:35 pm - 11:16 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-HOU Houston Hobby
8h 41m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$637American Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Houston to Santa Barbara flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Houston to Santa Barbara?

Round-trip flights from Houston to Santa Barbara typically range from $434 to $706. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $353, on Alaska Airlines.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Houston to Santa Barbara?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Houston to Santa Barbara. It’s 32% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 99% higher.

Key details for Houston to Santa Barbara flights

Low season

June

Cheapest flight

$160
Beat the crowds with an average 49% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 61% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Houston George Bush Intcntl Airport to Santa Barbara

When to book flights from Houston to Santa Barbara

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Houston to Santa Barbara based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Houston to Santa Barbara flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Houston to Santa Barbara?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Houston to Santa Barbara:

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Houston to Santa Barbara?

    A nonstop flight from Houston to Santa Barbara takes 00m, covering 1,464 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Houston to Santa Barbara?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Houston to Santa Barbara flight?

    Round-trip flights from Houston to Santa Barbara range from $434 to $706, with an average of $567 over the past 12 months. Anything below $434 counts as a good deal.

  • How are flight prices from Houston to Santa Barbara looking right now?

    One-way fares from Houston to Santa Barbara are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $237, which is 14% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)?

    Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $71 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Budget
    • Hertz
    • Dollar
    • Alamo
    • Thrifty

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Houston to Santa Barbara?

    Flights from Houston to Santa Barbara may depart from several airports in Houston area, including Houston Hobby (HOU) and Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH). Flights usually arrive at Santa Barbara (SBA).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Houston to Santa Barbara pass through?

    One-stop flights from Houston to Santa Barbara most commonly connect through:

    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 44% of one-stop connections
    • Los Angeles (LAX) - 33% of one-stop connections
    • San Francisco (SFO) - 15% of one-stop connections
    • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 4% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Houston to Santa Barbara?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 66% on flights from Houston to Santa Barbara. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $388 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $1,132, a difference of $744.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Houston to Santa Barbara?

    Flying via Los Angeles (LAX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 5h 26m, compared with 5h 34m via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) and 5h 37m via Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS).

  • What is the time difference between Houston and Santa Barbara?

    Santa Barbara is 2 hours behind Houston (Pacific Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Your guide to booking Houston to Santa Barbara flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Monday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $388, about $744 less than Monday fares (66% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Houston to Santa Barbara trip for January. Fares historically average $322 round-trip in that month - typically $407 less than the most expensive month, which is October (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Santa Barbara Airport.

    • The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

More options for your flight from Houston to Santa Barbara

Complete your trip to Santa Barbara with a hotel stay or car rental