Flight + Hotel
Flights
Cars
Room Only
Houston
United States
The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria
44 star hotel
- 7 nights
- Preferred Room 2 Queen
- Flights incl.
FromCA $1,549/ person · incl taxes & fees
Houston, United States
Space City · Museum District & Montrose · Galveston day trips · Flight + hotel
Cruises(opens in a new tab)
Coming soon
Flight + HotelFlightsCars
Flight + Hotel · Flights Included
Vacation Packages to Houston
City-break stays with return flights from Canada — pick your length of stay
View all packagesFlying from
At a glance
Everything you need to know about Houston
Houston is Texas's biggest city and one of the most diverse in the United States — a sprawling, food-obsessed metropolis where the world-class Museum District, the NASA Johnson Space Center and a glittering Uptown skyline sit alongside some of America's best Tex-Mex, Vietnamese and barbecue. Spend your days at Space Center Houston, the free-entry Museum of Fine Arts and the leafy trails of Buffalo Bayou Park, then dive into the bars and galleries of Montrose or the rooftop patios of Downtown. It's also the launch pad for Galveston's Gulf beaches and the Kemah Boardwalk. Spring and fall are the marquee seasons, with warm, comfortable days between the humid summer months.
Houston, TexasClimate
Climate
9–35°C · warm, humid, subtropical
JanDec
PeakShoulderAvoid
Mild, pleasant winters and warm springs and falls; July through September are hot and sticky, often around 35°C with high humidity.
Currency
US Dollar
1 CAD ≈ 0.73 USD · cards accepted everywhere
Entry
Visa-free
Valid passport; no visa or ESTA for Canadians by air
Top Experiences in Houston
Space & scienceSpace Center Houston & the Museum District
Tour NASA's mission control and touch a moon rock at Space Center Houston, then spend an afternoon among the free-entry Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the serene Menil Collection.
Food & nightlifeMontrose bars, Tex-Mex & Viet-Cajun feasts
Bar-hop the galleries and patios of Montrose, feast on legendary Tex-Mex and smoked brisket, and dig into Houston's famous Vietnamese and Viet-Cajun crawfish scene in one of America's most diverse food cities.
Day tripGalveston Island & the Kemah Boardwalk
Drive south to Galveston's Gulf beaches, historic Strand District and Pleasure Pier, or ride the rides and eat waterfront at the Kemah Boardwalk on Galveston Bay.
Essential info for Canadian travellers
Passport & entry: Canadian citizens travelling to the US by air need only a valid passport — no visa or ESTA is required.
Currency: The US Dollar (USD) is used everywhere. Cards and tap-to-pay are widely accepted; keep small bills for tips, taquerias and food halls.
Power & plugs: The US uses 120V/60Hz with Type A/B plugs — identical to Canada, so your devices work without an adapter.
Time zone: Houston runs on Central Time (CT) — one hour behind Toronto year-round.
Getting around: Houston sprawls, so a rental car or rideshare is easiest; the METRORail Red Line links Downtown, Midtown and the Museum District, and Uptown/Galleria is a quick hop from either airport.
Best time to visit Houston
Feb – AprPeak season
Warm, comfortable days, blooming azaleas and events like the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo — the most popular window.
May – SepHot & humid
High heat and humidity near 35°C with afternoon storms; good for lower rates and indoor museums and malls.
Oct – NovPeak season
Cooling, sunny days make autumn ideal for Space Center visits and Galveston day trips.
Dec – JanShoulder season
Mild, quiet winters with lower rates and the occasional cool snap.
Where to stay
Houston neighbourhoods & districts
Where you base yourself shapes your Houston trip — from the high-rise energy of Downtown to the shopping of Uptown/Galleria and the arts-and-nightlife buzz of Montrose. Here's how to choose.
Downtown & Discovery Green
City centre
High-rise hotels beside the Theater District, sports arenas and the tunnels, with Discovery Green park and the METRORail Red Line on your doorstep.
Best for
- First-timers
- Sports & shows
- Transit access
Museum District & Hermann Park
Inner Loop south
Leafy streets around 19 museums, the Houston Zoo and Hermann Park — walkable, calm and steps from Rice Village dining.
Best for
- Culture lovers
- Families
- Walkability
Montrose & Midtown
Inner Loop
Houston's hippest quarter for galleries, indie boutiques, patio bars and some of the city's best restaurants, plus the tranquil Menil Collection.
Best for
- Food & drink
- Nightlife
- Couples
Uptown / Galleria
West of downtown
Upscale hotels around The Galleria — Texas's largest mall — with polished dining and easy access to both airports and the Inner Loop.
Best for
- Shopping
- Longer stays
- Comfort
Beyond the city
Day trips & excursions from Houston
Houston is the perfect base for the Gulf coast, space history and bayou nature. Every excursion below can be booked through ShopTravel or your hotel concierge.
CoastGalveston Island Beaches & the Strand
Full day · 9 hrs~80 km southeast · 1 hr by coach
Spend a day on the Gulf at Galveston — swim off the seawall, ride the Pleasure Pier and wander the Victorian shopfronts of the historic Strand District.
Insider tips
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen
- Ride the ferry to Bolivar for dolphins
Space & ScienceSpace Center Houston Deep Dive
Half day · 5 hrs~40 km southeast · 45 min by coach
Go behind the scenes at NASA's Johnson Space Center on the tram tour of historic Mission Control and the astronaut training facility, plus hands-on exhibits and real spacecraft.
Insider tips
- Book the NASA tram tour ahead
- Allow extra time for the Level 9 tour
Family FunKemah Boardwalk & Galveston Bay
Half day · 5 hrs~50 km southeast · 45 min by car
Ride the coaster and Ferris wheel, eat fresh Gulf seafood on the water and take a bay cruise at the lively Kemah Boardwalk on Galveston Bay.
Insider tips
- Buy an all-day ride pass to save
- Come for sunset over the bay
NatureBrazos Bend State Park & Alligators
Full day · 8 hrs~70 km southwest · 1 hr by coach
Walk the bayou trails past wild alligators, herons and Spanish moss, then stargaze through the telescopes at the George Observatory in this classic Texas nature escape.
Insider tips
- Keep a safe distance from wildlife
- Pack insect repellent and water
● Limited availability — book now
Your Houston city break awaits
Flight + hotel packages with return flights from Canada, starting at
No booking feesBest price guaranteeCancel up to 30 days beforeCanadian-owned & operated
From Toronto (YYZ)
CA $1,549
CAD/person
Good to know
Houston travel FAQ
Everything Canadian travellers ask before booking
Do Canadians need a visa for Houston?
No. Canadian citizens travelling to the US by air need only a valid passport — no visa or ESTA is required.
How long is the flight from Canada to Houston?
It's about 4 hours nonstop from Toronto to Houston, with year-round one-stop connections from major Canadian cities. Houston is served by HOU (William P. Hobby) and IAH (George Bush Intercontinental).
When is the best time to visit Houston?
Spring (February–April) and fall (October–November) offer the most comfortable weather and marquee events like the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Summers are hot and very humid.
Do I need a car in Houston?
Houston sprawls, so a rental car or rideshare is the easiest way to get around. The METRORail Red Line does connect Downtown, Midtown and the Museum District if you stay central.
What currency should I bring?
Houston uses US Dollars (USD). Cards and mobile pay are accepted everywhere, but keep small bills for tips, taquerias and food halls.
What is Houston known for?
It's Space City — home to NASA's Johnson Space Center — plus a world-class Museum District, one of America's most diverse food scenes, and the Uptown/Galleria shopping district.
What day trips can I take from Houston?
Popular day trips include Galveston Island's Gulf beaches, Space Center Houston, the Kemah Boardwalk on Galveston Bay, and Brazos Bend State Park for bayou nature and stargazing.
Can I book excursions through ShopTravel?
Yes — you can add trips like the Galveston beach day and Space Center tour to your booking at checkout.