Palm Springs from Houston, Oct 23–25: $1,615 for two, all in
The verdict
Our verdict
Worth it, because
- Nonstop from IAH in 3h 35m, landing at 11:15 AM
- $559 per person, $216 below the typical fare on this route
- Clear forecast, highs 80–83°F, hotel rated 9 with free cancellation
The catch: A checked bag is about $160 for two and isn't in the $1,615 total, though the $56 resort fee already is.
Worth it if you want two warm, clear days by a pool after a short nonstop; skip it if you're after the ocean or nightlife every night.
Worth it: a short nonstop and clear 80–83°F days make this an easy long weekend for the two of you. The whole trip is $1,615 for two, all in: flights at $1,118 plus 2 nights at WorldMark Palm Springs - Plaza Resort and Spa at $441 with its $56 resort fee, taxes and fees included, while a checked bag and spending money are extra. It runs Oct 23–25, 2026, nonstop from IAH on United, operated by SkyWest as United Express.
The total, before you go
$1,615 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two, round trip | $1,118 |
| WorldMark Palm Springs - Plaza Resort and Spa, 2 nights, two guests, taxes in | $441 |
| Resort fee, collected at the desk | $56 |
| The total, before you go | $1,615 |
| A checked bag each, round trip (not in the total) | about $160 |
$216 per person below the typical fare on this route.
Not in it: seat picks on basic fares and a checked bag (about $40 each way per bag on United, $160 for two round trip); the resort fee is counted above. Prices are what we found at the time shown; the booking site’s checkout is the binding one.
The flight
$559 per person, round trip
$1,118 for two, taxes and fees included · United. Operated by SkyWest DBA United Express · nonstop · 3h 35m
Out Fri, Oct 23, 9:40 AM – Fri, Oct 23, 11:15 AM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| United. Operated by SkyWest DBA United Express | $559 | nonstop | 3h 35m |
| United | $569 | 1 stop | 6h 5m |
| American | $569 | 1 stop | 5h 51m |
Prices checked Oct 15, 2026, 12:50 AM CDT. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
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Why now
At $559 per person, this nonstop is $216 below the typical fare on this route. That's a 28% gap, and it's the lowest fare we've seen on this route in 30 days. Across the 12 offers we saw, fares ran from $559 to $823 per person. The forecast for Oct 23–25 is clear, with highs of 80–83°F, lows of 67–71°F and a 4–6% chance of rain. The desert is past the extreme heat of June to September, and the April festival peak is months away. You leave IAH at 9:40 AM and land at 11:15 AM local time, so the first afternoon is already pool time. All three hotels we found offer free cancellation. Prices are all-in as we found them when we checked, and they can change before you book.
The kind of trip this is
This is a desert pool weekend with a side of mid-century design. Spend mornings on a hike or the tramway, afternoons by the pool and evenings on Palm Canyon Drive. It suits a couple or two friends who want warm weather, a good hotel and an easy pace without a long flight. It isn't a beach trip or a packed itinerary. Two nights is enough to reset and come home rested.
Weather in Palm Springs, Oct 23–25
Highs 80–83°F, little rain expected
| Day | High | Low | Rain chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 23 | 83 °F | 68 °F | 4% |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 81 °F | 71 °F | 6% |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 80 °F | 67 °F | 4% |
Where to stay in Palm Springs
WorldMark Palm Springs - Plaza Resort and Spa is our best-value pick: a Studio for $441 for the 2 nights ($221 a night), rated 9 from 221 reviews, with free cancellation. Its $56 resort fee is already in our total. Alcazar Palm Springs is the top rated at $665 for the stay ($333 a night), scoring 9.2 from 584 reviews. You get a Deluxe King Room with Fireplace in Downtown Palm Springs, within walking distance of the Palm Canyon Drive bars and galleries, plus $75 in fees paid at the property. Travelodge by Wyndham Palm Springs is the budget option at $197 ($99 a night) in the Uptown area, near the Uptown Design District shops and restaurants. Heads-up: it's rated 5.9 from 2,448 reviews, and $25 is due at the property.
WorldMark Palm Springs - Plaza Resort and Spa
$441 for 2 nights, two guests · $221 a night
See roomsAlcazar Palm Springs
$665 for 2 nights, two guests · $333 a night
See roomsTravelodge by Wyndham Palm Springs
$197 for 2 nights, two guests · $99 a night
See roomsAll hotels in Palm Springs for these dates
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Where in Palm Springs
- Uptown Design District: Mid-century boutique hotels and the main strip of shops and restaurants.
- Downtown Palm Springs: Walk to the Palm Canyon Drive bars, galleries and Thursday street market.
- Movie Colony / Old Las Palmas: Celebrity-era estates and adults-only pool inns.
- Rancho Mirage / Palm Desert: Large golf and spa resorts down the valley.
- Indian Wells / La Quinta: Tennis, golf and resort country near Coachella.
What to do in Palm Springs
- Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to 8,500 feet
- Spend a day hiking or driving through Joshua Tree National Park, about an hour away
- Take a mid-century modern architecture tour
- Hike the palm oases of Indian Canyons on a clear morning
- Soak in a hot-springs spa in Desert Hot Springs
Also worth it
- Hike or drive through Joshua Tree National Park
- Browse the Thursday night VillageFest street market
Tours and tickets in Palm Springs
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Getting there and around
| Airports in Houston | George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), William P. Hobby (HOU) |
|---|---|
| Airports in Palm Springs | Palm Springs International (PSP) |
| Flight time | 3h 35m nonstop |
| Distance | 1,272 miles each way |
| Time difference | -2 hours |
What 2 nights in Palm Springs costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $1,118 |
| Hotel, 2 nights (WorldMark Palm Springs - Plaza Resort and Spa) | $441 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 2 days for two | $520 |
| Total for two | $2,079 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for an upscale destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: Houston to Palm Springs
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $559 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $559 (Oct 15, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $775 |
| Price checks | 8 |
Good to know
- Passport: no passport needed for travelers from the United States: a government photo ID is enough for Palm Springs.
- Currency: US dollar (USD).
- No passport needed: it's a domestic trip, paid in US dollars.
- Palm Springs is 2 hours behind Houston, and the 1,272-mile nonstop takes 3h 35m.
- The $1,615 total covers the flights, the hotel and its $56 resort fee, but a checked bag is about $160 for two.
- All three hotels are room only, with no breakfast, and offer free cancellation.
- Season notes: Modernism Week is in mid-February, and Coachella and Stagecoach push rates to their peak in April.
Questions readers ask
Is it worth it?
Yes, for a couple or friends who want warm, clear weather after a short flight. The nonstop is $559 per person, $216 below the typical fare on this route, and the forecast shows highs of 80–83°F with a 4–6% chance of rain.
How much is the whole trip for two?
It's $1,615 all in: $1,118 for flights and $441 for 2 nights at WorldMark Palm Springs - Plaza Resort and Spa, plus its $56 resort fee, with taxes and fees included. Checked bags (about $160 for two) and spending money aren't included. We'd plan on about $520 for spending.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic flight from Houston to Palm Springs International (PSP), and you pay in US dollars.
What is the weather like?
The forecast is clear all three days. Highs are 83°F, 81°F and 80°F, lows run 67–71°F, and the rain chance is 4–6%.
Is 2 nights enough?
For a reset, yes. You land at 11:15 AM on Oct 23, which leaves time for pool afternoons plus one big outing like the tramway, Indian Canyons or Joshua Tree, which is an hour away.
What time does the flight leave?
The outbound nonstop leaves IAH at 9:40 AM and lands at PSP at 11:15 AM local time, a 3h 35m flight. Our data doesn't include return flight times, so check them before you book.
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Palm Springs in pictures
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