All Things Galveston (Updated - 5/21/14)

[slatterie]

Thanks to all the previous posters for all the information.

Ok...What is a realistic time driving from Dallas to Galveston? We (me, DH, DD age 4.5) plan to leave around noon the day before the cruise (on a Thursday). Once we get through 75 downtown Dallas to 45 its a straight shot to Houston. Whats the easiest and least stressful route to Galveston (if there is one)? Any tolls? We have a tolltag. I know traffic in Houston is just as bad as Dallas and to avoid rush hour. I'm thinking after a couple of stops/avoiding rush hr it may be well after 7 before we get to our hotel in Galveston. Or could it be later? We are returning on a Saturday so I am not as worried as we can stop somewhere on the way back and return home Sunday.

I know the "official" parking lot is many blocks away from the terminal. How long (time) is it so if DH and Gramps drop us off (2 vehicles) will it take them to come back to the terminal? We have the 11-11:30 boarding I believe so should we get there by 10:30 when the doors open? I know if they get delayed and we don't board when called I know we can go later, just curious on how quickly they get back to us.

TIA!

 

[s232271]

Thanks to all the previous posters for all the information.

Ok...What is a realistic time driving from Dallas to Galveston? We (me, DH, DD age 4.5) plan to leave around noon the day before the cruise (on a Thursday). Once we get through 75 downtown Dallas to 45 its a straight shot to Houston. Whats the easiest and least stressful route to Galveston (if there is one)? Any tolls? We have a tolltag. I know traffic in Houston is just as bad as Dallas and to avoid rush hour. I'm thinking after a couple of stops/avoiding rush hr it may be well after 7 before we get to our hotel in Galveston. Or could it be later? We are returning on a Saturday so I am not as worried as we can stop somewhere on the way back and return home Sunday.

I know the "official" parking lot is many blocks away from the terminal. How long (time) is it so if DH and Gramps drop us off (2 vehicles) will it take them to come back to the terminal? We have the 11-11:30 boarding I believe so should we get there by 10:30 when the doors open? I know if they get delayed and we don't board when called I know we can go later, just curious on how quickly they get back to us.

TIA!

Takes us about 5 hours with no stops.....

 

[ChloroFiend]

5 hours seems about right, without stops and traffic. The speed limit on much of 45 is 75mph. There's not much between Dallas and Houston; a bit around Corsicana and then it gets pretty rural.

If you were to leave at noon, you'd almost certainly hit Houston's rush hour which is going to add some time. I'd add at least an hour to the estimates for that.

 

[m&m's mom]

5 hours seems about right, without stops and traffic. The speed limit on much of 45 is 75mph. There's not much between Dallas and Houston; a bit around Corsicana and then it gets pretty rural.

If you were to leave at noon, you'd almost certainly hit Houston's rush hour which is going to add some time. I'd add at least an hour to the estimates for that.

What?? Sure there is. Buckee's!!! Love that place!

 

[Macmaro]

We live southeast of Dallas and did the Magic for Thanksgiving. It left on Saturday and we drove down the day of. I have a 5 year old so we had a couple of potty stops and the obligatory stop at Woody's for Jerky and snacks. It took us just over 5 hours. We left about 5 AM and we had a port arrival time of 11:30. We got to the EZCruise parking lot at about 10:30AM. We breezed through the entire way on the 45 right to the island. Of course that was on a Saturday so your experience will probably vary. Drive safely.

 

[carmie3377]

What?? Sure there is. Buckee's!!! Love that place!

We love Bucees too! We used to live in Houston area and traveled to Dallas several times a year. Would always stop at Bucees during the week. Weekend however was way too busy. Heck, just getting off 45 became hard due to the popularity of Bucees. And they absolutely have the best bathrooms at ANY stop anywhere on the highway!!'

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

5 hours seems about right, without stops and traffic. The speed limit on much of 45 is 75mph. There's not much between Dallas and Houston; a bit around Corsicana and then it gets pretty rural.

If you were to leave at noon, you'd almost certainly hit Houston's rush hour which is going to add some time. I'd add at least an hour to the estimates for that.

I'd add at least 2 hours if you hit Houston at rush hour. an hour to get from The Woodlands down to the city and at least another hour to get from downtown to Galveston. No tolls, unless you take the beltway which wouldn't be any faster at rushhour. If you're feeling brave and are willing to find the entrance you can use the HOV lane from downtown to Dixie Farm Road.

 

[hwilliams5]

So just a word of advice, the Holiday Inn at sunspree does NOT have a "complimentary" shuttle and parking, even after they told me they did. You have to pay 10 dollars a person for the shuttle. But the funny part is, the shuttle only drops off, it will not pick you up! I booked this hotel online after I called the hotel and was told about the free parking and shuttle, only to find out it is not free......and you have to find your own way back to your car after your cruise.

OH no! I'm so sorry to hear this! Does anyone know about the Hotel Galvez shuttle? I called the hotel and was informed that they have a cruise shuttle and the valet will park our vehicle in the "cruise parking" at the hotel. Just curious if anyone has had any experience with this? I would hate for this to happen to me too!

 

[Yvet]

At Hotel Galvez the shuttle is free but parking isn't.

 

[s232271]

At Hotel Galvez the shuttle is free but parking isn't.

I found this on their website
Park and Cruise Package With Free Parking & Shuttle
If you're going to be cruising out of Galveston, we can make your sailing smoother with free valet parking for your car and transportation to and from the cruise terminal! The Park and Cruise Package at the Hotel Galvez & Spa - A Wyndham Grand Hotel includes overnight accommodations, roundtrip transportation to and from the cruise terminal, and complimentary valet parking for the duration of your trip. Offer includes:
Overnight accommodations
Free valet parking for your car for duration of your trip
Free transportation to and from the cruise terminal
To Book:Click the Reserve button to book online. Promo Rate Plan: PKGPKG

 

[hwilliams5]

Thank you to everyone for your help! I feel so much better after your reading your replies.

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

I found this on their website
Park and Cruise Package With Free Parking & Shuttle
If you're going to be cruising out of Galveston, we can make your sailing smoother with free valet parking for your car and transportation to and from the cruise terminal! The Park and Cruise Package at the Hotel Galvez & Spa - A Wyndham Grand Hotel includes overnight accommodations, roundtrip transportation to and from the cruise terminal, and complimentary valet parking for the duration of your trip. Offer includes:
Overnight accommodations
Free valet parking for your car for duration of your trip
Free transportation to and from the cruise terminal
To Book:Click the Reserve button to book online. Promo Rate Plan: PKGPKG

Check the pricing before you book it as a package, though. We changed our minds about a rental car and parking, but when that was still our plan it was less expensive to book the room (with a AAA discount) and pay for parking separately than to book the Park & Cruise package.

 

[Yvet]

Yeah i shall refrase...

The shuttle is free for every guest.
Parking isn't free unless you book a cruise package but you pay way more for the package then only the room so you still pay for parking...

 

[nunzia]

I have read the whole thread! (slow day at work). I'm late to the party. We had planned a May DLR trip then DH boss said, nope can't go then, so last minute cruise! We are on the 8 night leaving Apr 26. We're driving in so need a hotel night before and also place to leave car during the cruise. After reading all the reviews I have it narrowed down to Hotel Galvez, Hotel Treemont, Country Inn & Suites and the Hilton. Any pros and cons to list? Need a shuttle and hotel parking, also being close to pier and easy walking to restaurants. Don't care about the stuff that's close to the Galvez..but interested in stuff listed at the Strand? Suggestions welcome..
I saw early in this thread an 8 night including WDW listed in May..was this cancelled? When I started looking, the Apr 26 departure is the last for that particular cruise.
Also, is there a way to avoid Houston driving in from the west on I-10? I think I see a bypass kind of thing but need a better map to be sure.
There don't seem to be many trip reports for anyone that has taken the 8 night..am I missing them?

 

[cw21726]

I have read the whole thread! (slow day at work). I'm late to the party. We had planned a May DLR trip then DH boss said, nope can't go then, so last minute cruise! We are on the 8 night leaving Apr 26. We're driving in so need a hotel night before and also place to leave car during the cruise. After reading all the reviews I have it narrowed down to Hotel Galvez, Hotel Treemont, Country Inn & Suites and the Hilton. Any pros and cons to list? Need a shuttle and hotel parking, also being close to pier and easy walking to restaurants. Don't care about the stuff that's close to the Galvez..but interested in stuff listed at the Strand? Suggestions welcome..
I saw early in this thread an 8 night including WDW listed in May..was this cancelled? When I started looking, the Apr 26 departure is the last for that particular cruise.
Also, is there a way to avoid Houston driving in from the west on I-10? I think I see a bypass kind of thing but need a better map to be sure.
There don't seem to be many trip reports for anyone that has taken the 8 night..am I missing them?

If you're coming in on a Saturday don't sweat I-10. It's 45 S that gets a little iffy and there's no viable way around that. If you take Beltway 8 you'll hit like 4 toll booths and it'll take longer than just going into downtown and catching 45s.

Check with TranStar for road closures just in case. http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/roadclosures/

 

[mareed]

I saw early in this thread an 8 night including WDW listed in May..was this cancelled? When I started looking, the Apr 26 departure is the last for that particular cruise.
Also, is there a way to avoid Houston driving in from the west on I-10? I think I see a bypass kind of thing but need a better map to be sure.
There don't seem to be many trip reports for anyone that has taken the 8 night..am I missing them?

The May 10th 8 night cruise is still there right now, and it's the last one. The second cruise of this itinerary is in progress right now and returns Sat, so there's only one that's been completed (Jan 18-26), so that's likely why you don't see many trip reports.

 

[slatterie]

I'd add at least 2 hours if you hit Houston at rush hour. an hour to get from The Woodlands down to the city and at least another hour to get from downtown to Galveston. No tolls, unless you take the beltway which wouldn't be any faster at rushhour. If you're feeling brave and are willing to find the entrance you can use the HOV lane from downtown to Dixie Farm Road.

That is what i was afraid of...much like Dallas. Sigh..Oh well part of the "adventure" I guess. Thanks for the info.

Yes DH is aware of Bucee's and its a mandatory stop on our trip.

 

[nunzia]

If you're coming in on a Saturday don't sweat I-10. It's 45 S that gets a little iffy and there's no viable way around that. If you take Beltway 8 you'll hit like 4 toll booths and it'll take longer than just going into downtown and catching 45s.

Check with TranStar for road closures just in case. http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/roadclosures/

We are coming in on a Thursday..cruise leaves Friday. Drove through Houston once a million years ago and it seemed pretty frantic even then.

 

[nunzia]

The May 10th 8 night cruise is still there right now, and it's the last one. The second cruise of this itinerary is in progress right now and returns Sat, so there's only one that's been completed (Jan 18-26), so that's likely why you don't see many trip reports.

Well, for heaven's sake..there it is! I don't know how I missed it before..

 

[courtnvm]

Nunzia, we are doing the same. We are driving in on a Thursday from Austin for our Friday cruise, but we can't decide what time to leave. If we plan on a 4 hour drive (with a stop at the new Buccee's in Bastrop), then it's my opinion that we leave by noon, to avoid traffic in Houston. I'm having trouble convincing both my husband and my girlfriend's husband. The guys think that us girls just want to start our vacation that much earlier. If it were up to me, we would be out of here at 8am and we would hit every outlet center between here and there!!