Our new Wi-Fi improvements will allow customers to make the most of their travel experience by staying connected at HOU and IAH, including all 5 terminal areas and the Consolidated Rental Car Facility at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

In addition, expanded coverage will include parking garages and gate areas where travelers can connect while boarding and deplaning flights. Improvements will deliver higher bandwidth, fast and easy connection, and a complimentary service model that will not compromise the user experience.

Wi-Fi improvements are scheduled to begin at Hobby Airport in January 2014, with all facilities at IAH to come shortly after in the following months. The goal of the Houston Airport System is to have free, unlimited Wi-Fi service available at both airport facilities by the Fall of 2014.

It is the Houston Airports’ mission to connect the people, the businesses, the cultures and the economies of the world to Houston. Strong, dependable and free Wi-Fi service is a key part of our strategy in moving forward towards the accomplishment of this goal.

However, cruise line transfers can be somewhat restrictive and expensive if paying for more than one person. Some don’t provide transfers except on cruising day. So if you fly in a day early, you will be without a ride. Meanwhile, they are also priced on a per person basis. So if a family of four is looking for a transfer, the costs can add up quickly. A $70 per-person round-trip ride from Houston’s Hobby Airport would cost $280… and that’s before you even step foot on the ship.

For that reason, we suggest other modes of transportation to Galveston, unless you are traveling in a small group.

If you still want to know about transfers from your cruise line, simply click on the name of your line to see their options:  Carnival | Royal Caribbean |Disney 

Independent Shuttles – There are other shuttle services to and from the airport, namely SuperShuttle – the big blue vans you always see around airports. Renting a van runs about $175 round-trip for up to 10 passengers if going from Houston Intercontinental. Rates are about $125 from Houston Hobby. If you don’t have as many passengers, you can also reserve a smaller car for up to 3 people at a slightly lower rate.

Galveston Limousine offers daily scheduled service from the Houston airports to the island as well. Rates run $100 round-trip per person from IAH ($70 for senior citizens) and $80 round-trip from HOU ($60 for seniors). The shuttles depart only three times daily, so you might be waiting for some time at the airport before leaving with this option.

Cool Tours offers a shuttle between Houston airports and the Galveston cruise terminal as well. Right now the rides are private shuttles, but may expand to offer scheduled shared service. Rides from Hobby airport cost $145 round-trip for the first passenger and $35 for each additional adult (kids under 12 are $15, seniors 55+ are $25). Rides from Bush Intercontinental to the cruise terminal are $255 round-trip for the first passenger and $35 for each additional adult (kids under 12 are $15, seniors 55+ are $25).

Private Car Services –Private car services can often be your best bet getting to and from the airport. These services can meet just about any budget and accommodation level.

We can’t list prices here because there are actually so many options. Many of these companies run regular shuttles from the Houston airports to Galveston on cruise days. They also have a range of services from shuttle vans to private limo rides.

While still a little pricey, private rides will offer a comfortable car, personal driver, and can pick you up/drop you off at nearly any time. You also don’t have to share a car with anyone you don’t want to.

There are dozens of services in Houston that provide private cars, and costs can range from $150 round-trip to several hundred dollars, depending on the car you wish to use. While the headline price may be higher, it is often cheaper to go this route when dealing with larger parties.

We can’t list all of the private services, but what follows are some of the more popular ones. If you search around, you might find others that have lower prices for the specific level of service you’re looking for.

Companies offering transfers from Houston airports to the Galveston terminal: Galveston Shuttle, Karr Limousine, Action Limousine (Note: All of these companies have “Limo” in the name, but offer more options than pulling up to the port in a stretch limousine!)

Always be sure to get a complete “out the door” price quote from any car service so that you aren’t hit with any unforeseen charges.

Taxi — Taxi fare round-trip from the airport to the Galveston cruise terminal can cost upwards of $250-300 from Bush Intercontinental Airport and $150-200 from Hobby Airport. (Rates vary depending on traffic.) That’s on the expensive side, but remembers that usually up to four or five passengers can ride for that price. That makes the cost cheaper per person than the cruise line shuttles. Plus, with a taxi you don’t have to reserve ahead and you can leave whenever you are ready, instead of waiting on a shuttle to fill up.

BEFORE YOU HEAD TO THE AIRPORT

Once you’re on the road, there’s no turning back, so it’s important to make sure everything is squared away while you’re still at home.

• Double- and triple- check to make sure you have everything your child may need.
• Pack something that reminds your child/children of home, such as a baby blanket or a favorite stuffed animal.
• Talk things through with your child, and let them know what to expect throughout the travel process so they aren’t overwhelmed.
• Do a “practice run” of the security process, including waiting patiently while Mom and Dad remove their own shoes.

Keep Them Entertained

A great way to keep children entertained on a trip is bringing new toys along  – ones they aren’t already familiar and bored with. Another attention grabber is a portable DVD player, laptop, tablet, iPad, or smartphone. Pre-load child-friendly games, movies, or television shows for longer trips to keep your children occupied for hours. Not only will you be thankful, but so will the travelers around you.

Don’t forget to pack your child’s favorite snacks since there may not be food at the airport that he or she likes, or can eat.

Keep Things Simple             

As a parent of young children, it’s easy to go overboard and pack things you’ll never even touch. Be sure not to pack too many items, since it is much easier to keep track to less baggage and a little one at the same time.

For more help with packing, check out our packing tips and luggage policy.

On Our Vehicles

When traveling in our vehicles, your family’s safety is our number one priority. If federal, state, or local law requires your child be secured in a child safety seat, we can provide you with one based on first come first served.

At the Airport

When you arrive at the airport, remind your child that the process is going to be fun, and try to remain stress free. If you look like you are calm and having fun, then your child will hopefully, too! When going through security checkpoint, TSA has set up a slightly different set of rules for parents and their children. To find out more about TSA’s children screening procedures, check out their traveling with children informational page.

Here Comes the Airplane!

You’ve prepared snacks, toys, and things to do for your child, so the plane ride should just be another form of play time. If tempers flare up, or the children get restless, just remember to breathe and remain attentive. Your focus on your child shows  surrounding passengers that you care about the impact your child is having and are doing your best to improve the situation. The calmer and kinder you remain, the more likely others will follow suit.

Even if traveling through the airport or on the plane proves rough for you and your little one, there is still the rest of your vacation to enjoy.

What are some of your favorite tips on traveling with children? Please share them in the comments below.

Plan Ahead

Regardless of when you travel, waiting until the last minute can ruin an otherwise pleasant experience. Planning ahead gives you time to look for good deals or find discounts and sales you may not have otherwise been able to take advantage of.

Pro-tip: Transportation is easy to overlook when compared to the high cost of hotel reservations and plane tickets, but this oversight can leave many feeling panicked on arrival. Consider your options and, if you’re interested in booking a shared-ride shuttle, we serve over 40 airports in the U.S., Mexico, France and the UK.

Lock Up Tight

When traveling, anxiety can come from something far away – your home. Worrying about whether you locked your front door or if you left a window open can put a serious damper on your festivities. Be sure to make a checklist of to-do items before leaving and run through it carefully before you head out.

Purchase a Light Timer

Keeping lights on 24/7 can be as inviting to a burglar as unnatural darkness and piles of newspapers. It can also do a serious number on your electricity bills. Purchase a simple light timer, which will put the lights in your home on a regular schedule, giving the appearance that someone is home to turn them on for evening activities and off for bedtime.

Ask a Friend to House Sit

Ask an available friend or relative to keep an eye on your place. This could mean driving by every few days, feeding your cat, or bringing your mail or newspaper inside. You can also pay for a house- or pet-sitter, if it’s in your budget. Avoid hiding your key under your doormat, though, as that’s the first place burglars often look. Instead, give the spare key directly to the trusted friend, relative or house sitter before you leave.

It’s especially important to have someone check on things if you have an older home. There’s nothing worse than coming home from a nice trip to the damage caused by a slow leak in your roof or water heater.

Travel Light

If you’re staying with family or friends over the holidays, you will probably leave with more than you came. Paying luggage fees for heavy bags – or even an extra bag you bought along the way – add up quickly. Limiting how much you bring reduces the chance you’ll lose an item or be pick-pocketed while distracted. The less you have, the easier it is to keep track of your belongings, especially when traveling with children.

Save your money for something fun, and remember to pack light!

Buy Gifts with Travel in Mind

To pack light without seeming like a Scrooge, consider buying gift cards or shipping gifts directly to their recipients. If they’re traveling, too, they’ll appreciate both the thought and not having to haul the gift home!

Check Your Bags and Carry Your Presents

If you must bring physical gifts while flying, pack your presents in your carry-on. They’ll be able to pass through security much more quickly, and there’s less of a risk that TSA will have to tear open your beautifully-wrapped boxes. You may even want to wait and wrap those boxes at your destination, just in case.

Don’t Spend It All In One Place

Or really, don’t carry it all in one place. When traveling to an unfamiliar area, spread your cash, credit and debit cards, and travelers’ checks across multiple bags and your person. If you keep everything together, and it ends up getting lost or stolen, it’s much more difficult to replace things when you’re away from home. Also, scan any important documents and travel itineraries, and send them in an e-mail to yourself as back up.

Check Your Insurance

If you travel to a far-away location and expect to do anything adventurous – e.g. alpine skiing or zip-lining in Costa Rica – check with your medical insurance provider that your plan covers medical help abroad, including things like helicopter evacuation.

Hey, you never know!

Practice Common Sense

When it comes down to it, stress-free holiday safety boils down to thinking about something before you do it. Be safe about your decisions. Avoid broadcasting your travel online, as it may invite theft at home. If you’re going to partake in holiday cocktails, have a designated driver and, if one’s not readily available, a private car service like TransGates Limousine is the perfect DD.

And above all: remember to have fun!

How do you get through holiday travel while keeping your sanity? We’d love to hear your tips in the comments below!