- Must visit
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
One of the largest art museums in the US, with major collections spanning antiquities to contemporary works across multiple buildings in the Museum District.
Cheapest price
$48
Average price
$67
Fastest journey
5 h 45 m
Average duration
6 h 40 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
486 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from McAllen, TX to Houston, TX is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from McAllen, TX to Houston, TX will cost around $67 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $48.
Of the 4 buses that leave McAllen, TX for Houston, TX on Sat, Jun 20, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 486 km distance in an average of 6 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 45 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 8 h 10 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.








Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from McAllen, TX to Houston, TX among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $44. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 19m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $44, and a flight costs an average of $242.
Distance: 301 miles (486 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$63 Average price Cheapest | $461 Average price | $71 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 4m Average total duration 6h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration Fastest 1h 19m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from McAllen, TX to Houston, TX:
A bus is $398 (€326) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from McAllen, TX to Houston, TX costing on average $461 (€377).
Other travel options to Houston, TX take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 34m.
Tickets start at around $63 (€51) compared to roughly $71 (€58) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $8 (€7). The journey takes 6h 34m versus 5h 35m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Greyhound, Valley Transit.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Valley Transit | Departure Time 06:35AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:20AM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
The table below shows live departures for McAllen, TX to Houston, TX buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:20 PM McAllen, Central Station | 8h10 | 10:30 PM Houston, Harrisburg Blvd (Greyhound Bus Station), TX | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
![]() | 6:35 AM McAllen, Central Station | 5h45 | 12:20 PM Houston, Southwest Fwy (Chevron), TX | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:35 AM McAllen, Central Station | 6h05 | 12:40 PM Houston, Harrisburg Blvd (Greyhound Bus Station), TX | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:20 AM McAllen, Central Station | 6h40 | 6:00 PM Houston, Harrisburg Blvd (Greyhound Bus Station), TX | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from McAllen, TX to Houston, TX run on average 3 times per day, taking around 6h 34m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $44 (€36) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 301 miles (486 km) distance in 5h 35m.
Distance 301 miles (486 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price $44 (€36) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 5h 35m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 77 days |
Discover the best of Houston — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Houston trip today.
One of the largest art museums in the US, with major collections spanning antiquities to contemporary works across multiple buildings in the Museum District.
The official visitor center for NASA Johnson Space Center, known for spacecraft displays, astronaut history, and tram tours to working NASA facilities.
A renowned free art museum with strong surrealist, Byzantine, and modern collections, set in a quiet campus popular with locals.
A major urban park with skyline views, trails, public art, and bayou scenery, widely considered one of Houston's best outdoor spaces.
A lively downtown park hosting art, events, gardens, and seasonal activities, making it one of the city's most visited public gathering spaces.
Houston's leading cultural area, packed with major museums, walkable streets, and one of the best concentrations of attractions in the city.
Slow-smoked beef brisket with a peppery bark, a cornerstone of Houston barbecue culture shaped by Texas smoking traditions.
Grilled skirt steak served sizzling with tortillas and fixings; Houston helped popularize Tex-Mex fajitas nationwide.
Soft tortillas filled with eggs, potatoes, cheese, or meats, reflecting Houston’s everyday Tex-Mex breakfast culture.
Established upscale steakhouse known for prime beef, polished service, and an extensive wine program.
Widely praised Houston barbecue spot known for brisket, ribs, and classic Texas sides in a lively, casual setting.
Well-known restaurant serving refined regional Mexican cuisine in an elegant but welcoming setting.
Moderate by U.S. big-city standards. Dining and transport are manageable, but hotels and car-related costs can add up.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis/rideshares 10-15%, hotel staff USD 2-5, and round up for coffee only if desired.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from McAllen, TX to Houston, TX by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Houston, TX, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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