How to Get to the Port of Galveston for Your Next Cruise

Often overshadowed by its Floridian cousins, the Port of Galveston is the country’s fourth busiest and fastest-growing cruise port.

A large cruise ship is docked at the Port of Galveston, visible in the background. Several parked cars and palm trees line the foreground, while a clear blue sky provides a picturesque backdrop for those navigating this vibrant area.

Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean sail multiple ships from the port year-round, while Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises sail from Galveston seasonally.

In 2025, MSC will homeport a ship in Galveston.

Getting to Galveston Cruise Port

The Port of Galveston is accessible from Interstate 45 (the Gulf Freeway). Driving south on I-45, you will cross the bridge to Galveston Island and then take exit 1C toward Harborside Dr/Teichman Rd.

At the light, take a left onto Harborside Drive (also marked SH 275). Continue on this road for 4.5 miles, and you’ll soon see the cruise ships on your left.

If dropping off or picking up cruisers, turn left on 22nd/Kempner St. and follow signs to the terminal.

From the Houston Airport(s)

A blue sign on the wall reads "Welcome to Houston" in white capital letters. Below, rows of black chairs are neatly arranged. A framed picture hangs to the left, subtly hinting at nearby attractions like navigating through the bustling Port of Galveston just beyond.

Cruisers often complain that Houston has two major airports, yet neither is close to Galveston.

If you can, plan to fly into William P. Hobby Airport, much closer to Galveston than George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

It’s about a 50-minute drive (42 miles) to the cruise terminal from Hobby or a 1- and 15-minute drive (70 miles) from Bush. However, it will depend mainly on the airline you prefer to fly to. Southwest Airlines pretty much dominates Houston Hobby.

William P. Hobby Airport is the closest airport to Galveston, Texas, making it the preferred choice for families looking to minimize travel time and simplify their journey to the port.

With only a 50-minute drive, families can avoid the longer commute from Bush.

However, I-45, the only way onto Galveston Island, is under perpetual construction, so always give yourself extra time to get to the port.

(Seriously. The interstate has been under construction for over 60 years and is still not over.)

Cruise Line Transfers

A two-story building resembling a cruise ship is flanked by palm trees and a designated area for Cruise Parking. Several vehicles, including a white shuttle bus and various cars, are parked in front. The sky is partly cloudy, and there are people near the building's entrance in Galveston, Texas.

Carnival’s transfer fee is $42 per person to/from Hobby or $59 per person to/from Bush. Prices are subject to change.

Families traveling with Carnival Cruise Line may find booking the shuttle from Galveston Island more convenient.

This shuttle offers reliable group transportation and ensures a stress-free start to your vacation.

Prices for Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line transfers are not listed online.

However, all cruise lines have rules regarding the latest time your flight may arrive on embarkation day (usually 1:00 p.m.), so be careful when scheduling flights.

Uber/Taxi

From the back seat, you watch as the driver skillfully maneuvers the car, navigating with a smartphone displaying a map towards the Port of Galveston. The dashboard reveals a built-in screen, while their steady hand remains on the steering wheel.

The estimated cost of an Uber from Hobby to the cruise terminal is approximately $60.

Remember that this could be a low estimate if a larger vehicle (UberXL) is needed for luggage, etc.

However, $55 is much better than the $42 per person price of Carnival’s transfer if you travel with others.

According to Bush, the estimated cost of an Uber is approximately $80. Again, this is subject to many factors, but it is generally still more cost-effective than going through the cruise line.

Taxis are less economical but potentially still cheaper than cruise transfers. A cab from Hobby to the port is estimated at ~$110, while a cab from Bush could run ~$185.

You can also use services like Welcome Pick Ups. The service is a little pricier, but the drivers will meet you inside the airport, and the transportation is typically on the higher end.

Parking Prices

A parking lot filled with multiple cars under a clear sky. The cars include a dark-colored Volkswagen on the left and a dark-colored Nissan on the right. Visitors, perhaps fresh from Disney's Animal Kingdom, fill the mostly full lot, with other vehicles visible in the background.

Fees are determined per day and range between $18 and $25. This depends on the kind of parking you’d like. Premium-covered garage parking will cost you more.

For more information, the Port of Galveston website is a great resource for parking planning.

You can use the site’s search feature to select your ship and sailing date and view the availability of various parking lots, their spaces (covered vs. uncovered), and their costs.

A large white cruise ship is docked at the Galveston port in Texas. Nearby, several buses and vehicles from Best Cruise Parking are stationed. The sky is partly cloudy. Yellow bollards and a covered walkway are visible in the foreground, where a person with luggage stands near a pole.

However, several independent parking complexes near the cruise terminal offer rates that are competitive and even lower than this.

EZ Cruise Parking is a popular and budget-friendly option that offers free shuttle services to the cruise terminals. The company has over 7,000 reviews and a 4.9 rating on Google Reviews.

It’s particularly convenient for larger families with additional luggage, as their shuttles accommodate multiple passengers.

Hotels with Parking

There are a variety of hotels on Galveston Island that offer free parking if you book an overnight stay.

The San Luis Resort, Holiday Inn Resort, and Hilton Galveston Island Resort offer this and a complimentary roundtrip shuttle to/from the cruise terminal.

While these hotels are all located on the other side of the island, they are beachfront. The cruise terminal is still less than 4 miles away, so the shuttle would only take 10-15 minutes.

For more information on Galveston Island hotels, Galveston’s website lists which charge fees and which don’t.

Tips:

As mentioned, I-45 has been under construction for over 60 years. Don’t underestimate the fact that you’ll likely get stuck in traffic.
Plan and give yourself extra time on the road to get to the port.
Prepaying or making an advanced parking reservation almost always saves you money, so book ahead.
Book a pre-cruise stay in Galveston. You can leave your car at the hotel; there’s so much to see and do on the island!