Getting from Houston's airports to the Galveston cruise port
Most cruisers flying to Galveston land at one of Houston's two airports. Hobby (HOU) is about 40 miles from the port. Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is about 70 miles away, or roughly an hour and a half by car.
The cheapest way to the ship is a shared shuttle, from $28 per person. Every shuttle needs a reservation 2 days ahead, so book it when you book your flight.
Fares and schedules checked . How we check
From George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
70 miles, about 1.5 hours by car
| Option | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Shared shuttleGalveston Limousine Service | $28 per person one way or $56 round trip booked online. Booking by phone costs more: $65 one way, $120 round trip. Extra bags $20 each way. | Book at least 2 days ahead, online or at 1-409-744-5466. |
| Shared shuttleRoyal Galveston Shuttle | $35 per person. No surge pricing. | Book at least 48 hours ahead. Leaves hourly from Terminal A, door A113, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Shared shuttleGalveston Express | $45 per person one way, $80 to $85 round trip. Confirm when booking: the rates page looks out of date. | Book online or call 409-762-4397. Sunday port pickups run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Cruise line transferCarnival | From $58.99 per person each way. | Buy at least 2 days before sailing. Your flight must land by 11:30 a.m., and return flights can leave no earlier than 1:30 p.m. |
| Cruise line transferRoyal Caribbean | Price not published. | Buy at least 2 weeks before sailing at 1-800-327-6700. |
| Cruise line transferNorwegian | Price not published. | Buy at least 4 days before sailing during online check-in. |
| Private carRoyal Galveston Shuttle | From $195 per vehicle. | Book at least 48 hours ahead. Runs 24 hours. |
| Uber or LyftRideshare apps | No set fare. Visit Galveston says to expect $100 or more one way. | Pickup is at the Ride App zones on the arrivals level, such as Terminal A door A-114. |
From William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
40 miles, 45 minutes to 1 hour by car
| Option | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Shared shuttleGalveston Limousine Service | $28 per person one way or $56 round trip booked online. By phone: $55 one way, $100 round trip. Extra bags $20 each way. | Book at least 2 days ahead. Pickup at Curb Zone 4 outside baggage claim. |
| Shared shuttleRoyal Galveston Shuttle | $35 per person. | Book at least 48 hours ahead. Pickup at passenger pickup #3, about an hour after each IAH departure, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Shared shuttleGalveston Express | $45 per person one way, $80 to $85 round trip. Confirm when booking: the rates page looks out of date. | Book online or call 409-762-4397. |
| Cruise line transferCarnival | From $41.99 per person each way. | Buy at least 2 days before sailing. Your flight must land by noon. Pickup is near baggage claim 4. |
| Cruise line transferRoyal Caribbean | Price not published. | Buy at least 2 weeks before sailing at 1-800-327-6700. |
| Private carRoyal Galveston Shuttle | From $195 per vehicle. | Book at least 48 hours ahead. |
| Uber or LyftRideshare apps | No set fare. Visit Galveston says to expect about $75 or more one way, higher on busy cruise days. | Pickup is at Curb Zone 5. Use the door nearest carousel 4. |
From Downtown Houston
50 miles, about 1 hour by car
| Option | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Private carRoyal Galveston Shuttle | $195 one way for a van that seats up to 5, $275 for a Suburban that seats 6. Tolls and taxes included. | Book at least 48 hours ahead, or 2 to 4 weeks ahead for Friday to Sunday sailings. For a noon boarding, the company suggests leaving downtown around 9:15 a.m. |
| Shared shuttleNone | No scheduled shared shuttle runs from downtown. The shared shuttles leave from the airports. | Take a private car, a rideshare, or drive. |
| DriveYour own car or a rental | Park at the port or a private lot. | Take I-45 South across the causeway to Exit 1C, Harborside Drive. |
Want a private car or shared van booked ahead? Compare airport-to-port transfers in Houston and Galveston from several companies on Viator.
Booking.com Taxis also books a private car from the airport to the terminal at a price fixed when you book. The driver tracks your flight and waits if it's late, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Good to know
- Every route ends on I-45 South over the Galveston Causeway, then Exit 1C to Harborside Drive. Allow extra time for bridge traffic on sailing days.
- On the way home, shared shuttles leave the port between about 8:30 a.m. and noon. Royal Galveston Shuttle says a shared ride may not get you to the airport in time for a flight before 1 p.m. Carnival tells guests not to book return flights before 1:30 p.m.
- There is no practical public transit to the port. Houston METRO does not serve Galveston, and the island trolley does not stop at the cruise terminals.
- SuperShuttle no longer operates. It shut down its U.S. service at the end of 2019, though older guides still list it.
Fly in the day before if you can
Carnival's own transfers require your flight to land by 11:30 a.m. at IAH or noon at Hobby. A delayed morning flight plus causeway traffic can leave very little margin. Flying in the day before and staying at an island hotel with a port shuttle removes that risk.
Common questions
Which airport is closest to the Galveston cruise port?
Hobby Airport (HOU), about 40 miles and 45 minutes to an hour away. Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is about 70 miles, roughly an hour and a half by car.
How much is an Uber from IAH to the Galveston cruise port?
There is no set fare. Visit Galveston says to expect $100 or more one way from IAH and about $75 or more from Hobby. Prices rise on busy cruise days.
Is there a bus from Houston to the Galveston cruise terminal?
Not one that works for cruisers. Houston METRO does not run to Galveston, and the island trolley does not stop at the port. Use a shared shuttle instead.
What is the latest flight I can take home after a Galveston cruise?
Carnival says not to book a return flight before 1:30 p.m. Shared shuttles leave the port between about 8:30 a.m. and noon.