If you are flying into Houston TX and are planning to cruise out of Galveston TX, lets us help you with you transportation. Here in Houston we have two major airports
- George Bush International Airport in Houston (IAH) http://www.fly2houston.com/IAH
- William Hobby International Airport in Houston (HOU) http://www.fly2houston.com/hobby
This article will help you find transfers for newly weds, a family of 4 or a whole family reunion, to a group of friends wanting to have a good time :-)…There are many options available to transfer from these airports to the cruise ship terminal in Galveston. http://www.portofgalveston.com/index.aspx?nid=87. These options include cruise line bus transfer, private shuttle bus, private town car or limousine, taxi, and car rental.
First, you need to do some homework, and check out all the options available to you, and at what price. You will be surprise at what competition may do to the prices, and extras, so try to find the best value for your bucks.
Below I am listing all the available options, starting with the classic taxi ride and ending with the out of thoughts luxury limousine one.
Taxi Cab Transfer between Houston Airports and Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal
One way cab transfer from Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) and Galveston Cruise Terminal which is about 40 miles rides will be about $105 on average. (Not counting the traffic delays which would run it a bit higher)
For George Bush International (IAH), the cab ride will be about $179 since Bush airport is much farther to the north from Galveston, which is about 70 miles ride. (Not counting the traffic delays which would run it a bit higher)
*Rates for the cab ride were obtained from Houston Yellow cab dispatcher over the phone on April 12, 2013 at 6:30 pm.
Cruise Line Shuttle transfer between Houston Airports and Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal
As of April 12, 2013, the rate of transfer from Houston airports to Galveston cruise ship terminal as listed on Carnival website: http://www.carnival.com/cruise-transfers/galveston.aspx using cruise line transfer from IAH to Galveston is $45 per person one way ($90 round trip), and $35 per person one way ($70 round trip) from Hobby airport to Galveston.
Car Rental from IAH or Hobby to Galveston Cruise Terminal
Many people do rent a car to drive from Houston airports to Galveston. You can find all the major rental car places in both airports. You can get a rental car between the Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal and the airports for about $65 a day. The rental car agencies have shuttles to take you to and from the ship.
For groups of 5 or 6, it is usually a good deal if they are arriving to Houston early, and they want to visit other places in Houston or in Galveston, and they want to have car for the convenience, but if you calculate the total expenses and the inconvenience related to the car rental, it turns out to be a bad deal. Think about gas, driving in unfamiliar city; do not know the traffic jam areas, parking cost in Galveston, getting the shuttle from the airport to the rental place, getting the shuttle from the parking to the cruise terminal. Well the cost for 7 days cruise would be about $450 for the car rental, $80 gas, $60 parking, for a total cost of about $600. If none of that bother you, then you are good to go.
Shared Private Shuttle from Galveston Crusie Ship to Hobby or IAH airports.
Most of the time, this is the most economical way to transfer from Houston airports to Galveston cruise terminal. If you have a large group, of if you traveling with your family, this option can be a very affordable transportation option. The rate per person to transfer from Houston Hobby to Galveston cruise terminal is about $35, and from George Bush International (IAH) to Galveston, it is about $45, assuming you are a group of 5 or 6 passengers. Check out Galveston Shuttle, http://www.galveston-shuttle.com they provide the private shuttle services for a very good prices, for groups of 3 or more.
TownCar or limousine from Houston Hobby / IAH to Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal
Another good option, that most of the people don’t think about because of the stigma associated with the limousine service being for rich people or very expensive. In fact Limousine companies provide an excellent service for very competitive prices. For example Transgates Limousine in Houston www.transgates.net offer a Towncar Transfer from Hobby airport to Galveston Crusie terminal or in that matter to most of the East side of Galveston Island for $110.00 (For 3 passengers, it is about $36 each) which is really affordable for a limo service, and very comfortable Luxury Towncar. The transfer from George Bush International (IAH) to Galveston Cruise Terminal, or other part of the island is $149 for a Towncar, and $175 for an SUV which can hold 7 passengers, so you do the math. They also provides 10 passengers van for very competitive prices. And again it is a limousine service, and most of the time, it is cheaper than a cab ride.
Other advantages of limousine service are:
- You do not need to wait in line as you do for cabs
- They greet you inside the terminal with a sign with your name on it.
- You can pay for the service in advance, it help if you want to pay for your parents for example.
- They can accommodate large groups
- They provide professional drivers
- They offer online reservation
- They monitor your flight in case you come early, or you are delayed, so you will always have a driver waiting for you.
- They can be hired hourly to provide you with transportation around the city
- They provide car service discounts when booked online (some companies)
Written by: Jon Limo
Edited by: Connie Cabrera.
Read 867 times
