If you are flying into Houston TX and planning to cruise from Galveston TX, let us help you with your transportation. Here in Houston we have two main airports
1. George Bush International Airport in Houston (IAH)
2. Houston William Hobby International Airport (HOU)
This article will help you find transfers for honeymooners, a family of 4 or a whole family reunion, even a group of friends wanting to have a good time. There are many options available for getting from these airports to the cruise terminal in Galveston. These options include cruise line bus transfer, private shuttle, limousine or private car, 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’ll be surprised what the competition can do with prices and extras, so try to find the best value for your money.
Below I list all the available options, starting with the classic taxi ride and ending with the luxury limousine.
Taxi transfer between Houston airports and Galveston cruise terminal
One-way taxi transfer from Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) and Galveston Cruise Terminal, which is approximately 40 miles, will cost around $105 on average. (Not counting traffic delays which would make it a bit higher)
For George Bush International (IAH), the cab ride will cost around $179 since the Bush airport is much further north than Galveston, which is about a 70-mile drive. (Not counting traffic delays which would make it a bit higher)
*Fares for the taxi ride were obtained from the Houston yellow cab dispatcher by phone on April 12, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Cruise Line Shuttle Service Between Houston Airports and Galveston Cruise Terminal
As of April 12, 2013, the transfer fee from the Houston airports to the Galveston Cruise Terminal, as listed on the Carnival website, using the cruise line transfer from IAH to Galveston is $45 per person each way ($90 round trip) and $35 per person each way. one way ($70 roundtrip) from Hobby Airport to Galveston.
Car rental from IAH or Hobby to Galveston Cruise Terminal
Many people rent a car to drive from the Houston airports to Galveston. You can find all the major car rental places at both airports. You can get a rental car between the Galveston Cruise Terminal and the airports for around $65 per day. Car rental agencies have shuttles to take you to and from the ship.
For groups of 5 or 6, this is usually a good deal if you arrive in Houston early and want to visit other places in Houston or Galveston, and want a car for convenience, but if you factor in the costs and inconvenience related to the car rental turns out to be a bad deal. Think about gasoline, driving in an unknown city; I don’t know the traffic jam areas, the cost of parking in Galveston, the transfer from the airport to the rental place, the transfer from the parking lot to the cruise terminal. Well the cost for a 7 day cruise would be around $450 for car rental, $80 for gas, $60 for parking, for a total cost of around $600. If none of that bothers you, then you’re good to go.
Shared Private Transfer from Galveston Crusie Ship to Hobby or IAH Airports.
Most of the time, this is the cheapest way to get from the Houston airports to the Galveston cruise terminal. If you have a large group, or if you are traveling with your family, this option can be a very affordable transportation option. The fare per person to transfer from Houston Hobby to the Galveston Cruise Terminal is approximately $35, and from George Bush International (IAH) to Galveston, it is approximately $45, assuming you are a group of 5 or 6 passengers.
TownCar or Limousine from Houston Hobby/IAH to Galveston Cruise Terminal
Another good option, which most 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 excellent service at very competitive prices. For example, many limousines in Houston offer a Towncar transfer from the Hobby Airport to the Galveston Crusie Terminal or, in that case, to most of the east side of Galveston Island for $110.00 (for 3 passengers, it costs around $36 each), which is really affordable for a limo service, and very comfortable luxury Towncar. Transportation from George Bush International (IAH) to the Galveston Cruise Terminal or another part of the island costs $149 for a Towncar and $175 for a 7-passenger SUV, so do the math. They also offer 10 passenger vans at very competitive prices. And again it’s a limo service, and most of the time, it’s cheaper than a taxi ride.
Other advantages of the limousine service are:
- You don’t need to wait in line like you do for taxis.
- They greet you inside the terminal with a sign with your name on it.
- You can pay for the service in advance, it helps if you want to pay for your parents, for example.
- They can accommodate large groups.
- They provide professional drivers.
- They offer online booking
- They monitor your flight in case you arrive early, or if you are late, so you will always have a driver waiting for you.
- They can be hired by the hour to provide transportation around the city.
- They provide car service discounts when you book online (some companies)