Houston airport to Galveston port?

[markpeg92]

We just booked the Conquest on Easter Sunday (April 8th), and we're flying in from Chicago. Can anyone share the most economical way to get to the port? Carnival wants $80 pp for transfers (that's $400 for family). Seems a little steep.

Thanks for any info.

[mrdood]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!!!

 

All of the port information, hotels, transportation, excursions, etc. are kept in a separate forum, lots of transportation ideads for Galveston in the forum here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=414

 

Carnival xfers are the worst... you have to wait till the bus is filled, my parents were very frustrated with that in Galveston...

 

Renting a van, keeping it for a week, paying for parking, would be cheaper, and many times more convenient...

[yst347]

Rent a car at the airport from Enterprise and drop it off in Galveston. Do the reverse when you return. If you book online you will be charged a drop-off fee. If you call Enterprise they won't charge the fee,

 

With four you could take a cab for about half the price of the Carnival transfers.

[TEXASMUNK]

You did not say whether you were comingn into Hobby or Bush....

 

You also might try Galvetonlimo.com

[sodell]

We just booked the Conquest on Easter Sunday (April 8th), and we're flying in from Chicago. Can anyone share the most economical way to get to the port? Carnival wants $80 pp for transfers (that's $400 for family). Seems a little steep.

Thanks for any info.

 

Hi MarkPeg,

we're doing the same the week before.We live closer to ord, but only non stops are to Bush. SWA is the only non stop to Hobby (unless there's something I haven't unearthed). Have you booked your airfare?

 

 

About the car rental. Unfortunately, both Hertz & Enterprise (Galveston Island) are closed on Easter.Too bad we couldn't return it for you :)

[cruisinchick06]

we are doing the one way rental each way thru Hertz....they have a shuttle that will take you to the port after you drop off your car.....we are flying in sat night then driving to Galveston in the morning.

[CruisefromNY]

Try Gulfcoastlimo.com.

 

We used them for our cruise this past October.

 

Private limo from the airport and we shared the return trip with two cruisers we met on board.

The service was excellent! The price was very reasonable. It was a great experience. We would not hesitate to use them again.

 

It is a family run business. Nicole, the daughter handles the reservations. Robert, the owner was the person who picked us up each time. We had the nicest chats with him! Time flew!

 

Hope you have a great cruise. We loved the Conquest!

[Chat Noir]

Looks like you have some good advice for booking your transfer. I really just want to say, DON'T use Carnival transfers, especially if you're arriving early. We sat at the airport waiting... waiting... waiting... for the Carnival shuttle.

We ended up being nearly last in line for embarkation (literally just prior to setting sail), despite the fact that it was still morning when we arrived at Houston.

Would've been nice to limo it to the ship as soon as landing in Houston, and have the afternoon onboard. Especially considering costs are about the same.

[ihavecandy123]

We live near Houston. Are you flying into Bush international or Hobby airport?

Either way, even a cab or probably even a limo service would be cheaper than what Carnival is offering!! From Bush, Galveston is only about an hour, if that. Good Luck.

[KaferKruzer]

Check out Galveston Limousine Service

http://galvestonlimousineservice.com/cruise.html

[southbayer]

Yeah I'm flying into Bush Int'l... I guess the easiest thing to do is rent from Enterprise and then drop off the next day in Galveston, then cab it to the port... Does anyone know how far the port is from Enterprise in Galveston ? And would anyone know if it would be better to arrive in Galveston Cruise Port early 8-9am, or 11-12pm ????

 

Never been to this neck of the woods before, any help would sure be appreciated, thanks.

 

J.R.

[SmileyFaceM]

Enterprise will use a van to take you to the cruise ship.

[markpeg92]

Thanks for all the replies. We're flying into Bush. It's farther from the port, but more flights available. We definately won't use the transfers now. I love people from Texas, but I hope the cruise isn't all "Hook 'em Horns!". I went to U. of Iowa, and you Longhorns know the rest of the story. (this year anyway) :) Thanks again!

[markpeg92]

Hi MarkPeg,

we're doing the same the week before.We live closer to ord, but only non stops are to Bush. SWA is the only non stop to Hobby (unless there's something I haven't unearthed). Have you booked your airfare?

 

 

About the car rental. Unfortunately, both Hertz & Enterprise (Galveston Island) are closed on Easter.Too bad we couldn't return it for you :)

We booked through Continental....they were the only nonstop that got us in early enough and out late enough (2:30pm)

[katgilm]

We are flying in to Hobby airport. I called Enterprise and there is a $60 drop off fee in addition to the rental cost. There are five of us traveling. I called yellow taxi and was informed that the price would be $93 plus 15% gratuity (This is for a towncar that would seat all of us and our luggage!) For us then, the cheapest was taking yellow taxi towncar. Transfer prices I checked for shuttle transfers were $35 each way per person or $60 per person roundtrip.

[sodell]

If you jump over to the "Gulf Coast Port" thread, there's plenty of discussion regarding no dropoff fee if you call enterprise direct.

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=429486

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=414

[DASA]

markpeg please join us for our roll call for this cruise. have a member asking the same question right now from california.

[southbayer]

yeah I'm flyin in thru continental too, non stop into IAH

We booked through Continental....they were the only nonstop that got us in early enough and out late enough (2:30pm)

[katgilm]

I did call Enterprise direct and they told me there was a $60 drop off fee. (Perhaps, I need to call the local Enterprise office directly rather than the main Enterprise reservations number...)

 

Kathi

[Host Kewlguy]

Every time I try to call the local Galveston Enterprise office on Broadway, I keep getting connected to the national number.