Confused about tranportation in Galveston

[jjje]

Hello fellow Disney enthusiasts! My family and I will be taking our first cruise ever on March 1st and we are sailing out of Galveston. Thanks to all the wonderful advice I've read on these boards I think I have every detail planned except for one (rather large) one. We are flying into Houston the night before our cruise. We will arrive rather late in the evening. What would be the best way for us to get to the port in Galveston? Shuttle? Taxi? That night? In the morning? I realize "best" is a subjective thing but I suppose for us it means "not costing an arm and a leg or ending with us running late." Thank you all so much in advance for your help.

 

[Jax]

Since you arrive late in the evening I would recommend staying at the Marriott at the Houston airport and then taking the Disney transportation from the Houston airport to the cruise port the next day.


Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

 

[toontoy]

We have taken Execucar to Galveston and it was nice and convenient. I believe super Shuttle also runs if you are looking for a shared ride.

Galveston is a fun place and depending upon how late you are arriving it has many fun hotels. We stayed at the Hilton and had an ocean view room and they did provide a complimentary shuttle the following morning to the pier. The hotel was part of the San Luis resort and I would check rates with them, they shared the shuttle. It was nice since they had many things to do within walking distance. Sadly we didnt have enough time to visit old town but many like that as well. Its also closer to the pier.

It was a little over an hour from IAH to galveston though so depending upon your flight time you would have to make the call if you wanted to stay at the airport or in Galveston.

 

[Luv2Diz]

Our flight lands late the evening before the cruise. We plan to take the hotel shuttle to our hotel near Hobby airport. In the morning we will take the hotel shuttle back to the airport.

We will then take the DCL transfer to the port. Transfers cost $30 per person each way...Cheaper and easier than renting a car for us.

 

[kcashner]

We haven't done Galveston yet, but when doing Orlando and arriving late the evening before, we find that staying in the airport area and treking to the port in the morning works best for us. Consider that your flight might be delayed, making you even later than planned.

 

[Ichiban]

We are in a similar situation, flying into IAH late the night before our cruise. Originally, we were planning to stay near the airport and use the transfers in the morning, but after reading about Houston traffic I am leaning toward staying in Galveston that night and hiring a private car service to take us there. We are a group of 5, so the price of the car is about the same as the DCL transfers would be for us.

 

[TinksMomma]

I'll tell you what we did, and what we would recommend...

We Did
Rented a car from Enterprise, drove to Galveston the night before. Stayed at the Comfort Suites (highly recommended). Returned car in the morning and took shuttle to the port.

What I would recommend
Take car service to Galveston, stay at hotel that offers shuttle or better yet stay at one of the Disney approved hotels and use Disney transfers (worry about luggage less!)

 

[BEARCATS07]

I'll tell you what we did, and what we would recommend...

We Did
Rented a car from Enterprise, drove to Galveston the night before. Stayed at the Comfort Suites (highly recommended). Returned car in the morning and took shuttle to the port.

What I would recommend
Take car service to Galveston, stay at hotel that offers shuttle or better yet stay at one of the Disney approved hotels and use Disney transfers (worry about luggage less!)

Two Questions.
Did enterprise offer a shuttle to the port? When we called we were told they didnt have a shuttle but then again this was just the reservation center not the actual location.

How do you know what hotels are "Disney" approved and have Disney transfers?

 

[TinksMomma]

Two Questions.
Did enterprise offer a shuttle to the port? When we called we were told they didnt have a shuttle but then again this was just the reservation center not the actual location.

How do you know what hotels are "Disney" approved and have Disney transfers?

When we asked they said no also. My Dad and Hubby went to return it and expected to take a taxi back, but instead were given a ride back by one of the employees, which was super nice!!

Here is the info on the hotels you can book with Disney Transfers:
From the Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush InterContinental Airport or the Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport to the Port of Galveston-$60.

From the Hotel Galvez & Spa or The San Luis Resort Spa & Convention Center to the Port of Galveston will now be provided via complimentary hotel shuttle service. Upon arrival at the Hotel Galvez & Spa or The San Luis Resort Spa & Convention Center, Guests are kindly requested to visit the Disney Cruise Line Hospitality Desk to select their desired shuttle departure time

 

[BEARCATS07]

When we asked they said no also. My Dad and Hubby went to return it and expected to take a taxi back, but instead were given a ride back by one of the employees, which was super nice!!

Here is the info on the hotels you can book with Disney Transfers:
From the Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush InterContinental Airport or the Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport to the Port of Galveston-$60.

From the Hotel Galvez & Spa or The San Luis Resort Spa & Convention Center to the Port of Galveston will now be provided via complimentary hotel shuttle service. Upon arrival at the Hotel Galvez & Spa or The San Luis Resort Spa & Convention Center, Guests are kindly requested to visit the Disney Cruise Line Hospitality Desk to select their desired shuttle departure time

Thanks for the info. We thought about renting a car since we get in early on Friday so we could explore Gaveston.

 

[TinksMomma]

Thanks for the info. We thought about renting a car since we get in early on Friday so we could explore Gaveston.

You are welcome! We rented out of Houston Hobby and weren't charged a drop fee. The thing that was a pain is the car lot is not located at the airport and you have to take a shuttle. I guess I've been spoiled by MCO!

 

[jjje]

Seeing all these options written out is very helpful. I've done Disney World enough that I feel like I could plan the whole trip in my sleep but this cruise stuff is a whole new world to me. Thank you!

 

[BEARCATS07]

You are welcome! We rented out of Houston Hobby and weren't charged a drop fee. The thing that was a pain is the car lot is not located at the airport and you have to take a shuttle. I guess I've been spoiled by MCO!

YUCK!! We have been spoiled by MCO!!!

 

[suprgymbo]

My concern is about Houston traffic in the morning. We also arrive late in the evening but we are leaning towards getting transportation t o Galveston that night. It'll be the last thing we want to do but I don't wanna deal with crazy traffic and worry about getting to port.

 

[scubadiver]

We fly out Friday for a cruise. Disney was charging $30 per person, each way. As a family of 4 the cost was $120 each way. I found a town car that is charging a flat $90 each way. They will take us from Houston Hobby to anywhere on Galveston.

 

[wickedpixie13]

My concern is about Houston traffic in the morning. We also arrive late in the evening but we are leaning towards getting transportation t o Galveston that night. It'll be the last thing we want to do but I don't wanna deal with crazy traffic and worry about getting to port.

Eh, Houston traffic is really only bad during the week. We live in the suburbs north of houston (right by Bush airport) and are just driving in that morning. It takes about 90 mins, so even with traffic, leave 2-3 hours and you shouldn't have a problem. It's Houston, not Los Angeles (where we used to live and there was traffic 24/7.) Just my two cents.

 

[Tiggs14]

We fly out Friday for a cruise. Disney was charging $30 per person, each way. As a family of 4 the cost was $120 each way. I found a town car that is charging a flat $90 each way. They will take us from Houston Hobby to anywhere on Galveston.

Can I ask who you booked with?

 

[luv2sleep]

Is there shuttle service from the airport to the Hotel Galvez? If you don't hire a town car or rent a car, what other ways are there to get to the Galveston area? Are there Super Shuttle vans waiting at the airport to take you there?

 

[Wildernessbride2005]

We also rented one way from Enterprise. Threre was not a shuttle to the port. We had to call a cab. The driver was super slow to increase our rate. Be aware. We knew the way and he definitely took the long way.

 

[BEARCATS07]

We also rented one way from Enterprise. Threre was not a shuttle to the port. We had to call a cab. The driver was super slow to increase our rate. Be aware. We knew the way and he definitely took the long way.

What was the final bill from cab.