Located at 123 Rosenberg St, Galveston, Texas 77553, Galveston Cruise Port lies around 50 miles southeast of Houston. With an annual passenger traffic of around 2 million, it is also one of the busiest ports in the country. Major expansion projects are currently happening at the port, which will improve its terminal facilities. The port is about 42 and 72 miles from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH).
But with decent passenger traffic and major cruise lines serving the port, it is fair to expect a decent rush at its terminals during cruise days. So, if you’re a first-time traveler through the port, you may get confused navigating through Galveston cruise terminals. Nothing to worry about! We will guide you easily through the Galveston Cruise Port, its terminals, and where to find the parking!
Terminal 25, Terminal 28, and Terminal 10 are the three terminals in Galveston Cruise Port. The port has many onsite parking options close to the three terminals. Economy, Express, North, Pier, and South lots, and SMP Garage are the onsite parking areas at Galveston Port. However, the parking spots may get filled quickly if you don’t reach the port on time. And the onsite parking rates aren’t that cheap.
So, booking one at an offsite lot near the port is best if you want to guarantee your parking spot at a cheaper rate.
| Port Galveston Cruise Parking Lot | Duration | Parking Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Lot | Per Day | $16 |
| Express Lot | Per Day | $19 |
| SMP Garage | Per Day | $19 |
| North Lot | Per Day | $22 |
| Pier 14 Lot | Per Day | $25 |
| South Lot | Per Day | $20 |
| Cruiseparking.com | Per Day | $10.95 |
Located at 2502 Harborside Drive, this terminal primarily serves Carnival Cruise Lines. Princess Cruises also uses this terminal. The terminal was formerly known as Terminal 1.
Located at 2702 Harborside Drive, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) mainly uses this terminal. Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line also use this terminal. The terminal was formerly known as Terminal 2.
This terminal is exclusively for the cruise ships of Royal Caribbean International.
These are some hotels you can find near Galveston Port.
| Hotel | Distance from Galveston Cruise Terminal (in miles) | Shuttle rate |
|---|---|---|
| The Tremont House | 0.2 | Package |
| Harbor House Hotel and Marina | 0.4 | Free |
| The George Manor | 0.8 | Paid |
| Grand Galvez | 1.4 | Not Available |
| Best Western Plus Seawall Inn & Suites | 2.4 | Not Available |
| Scottish Inns Galveston | 2.6 | Paid |
| Holiday Inn Resort Galveston - On The Beach | 3.2 | Paid |
| Hilton Galveston Island Resort | 3.6 | Free |
| Beachfront Palms Hotel | 3.9 | Not Available |
| Quality Inn & Suites Beachfront | 4 | Not Available |
The following are some restaurants located close to the port.
| Restaurant | Distance from Galveston Cruise Port (in miles) |
|---|---|
| Riondo’s Ristorante | 0.08 |
| Fisherman’s Wharf | 0.3 |
| Willie G’s Seafood & Steaks | 0.4 |
| Katie’s Seafood House | 0.5 |
| Trattoria La Vigna | 0.5 |
| Rudy & Paco Restaurant and Bar | 0.5 |
| BLVD. Seafood | 1.6 |
| Gaido’s | 2.4 |
| Blake’s Bistro | 3.3 |
| Porch Cafe | 3.7 |
As you approach the terminal, you’ll notice many porters ready to help you with your luggage. If you need to check luggage, leave it with the porters, and it will be delivered to your cabin later that evening. Then, you enter the terminal and have your boarding documents checked by the cruise crew.
Then you’ll have to go through security. Later, your bag undergoes checking via an X-ray machine, and you go through a metal detector in the terminal. If there are no potential issues, you can proceed with the check-in process. Some cruise lines offer an online check-in process, which isn’t mandatory. Ideally, the security and check-in process at the port takes around 15-20 minutes.
These are the ways by which you can reach the port.
One of the reasons Galveston is such a popular cruise port is that many people live within a few hours of it. So, traveling to the cruise port is more convenient without bothering with airports or flights. Also, having your vehicle will allow you to reach the port whenever you want, leave whenever you want, and not depend on any other means.
If you’re traveling to the port from the north or west, use Interstate 45 south to Galveston Island, then take Exit 1C toward Harborside Drive. Turn left onto Harborside and follow the signs to reach the terminal from where you board the cruise.
If you’re coming from the east, take State Highway 87 West to Galveston Island. Take the Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry system to Ferry Road/Hwy 87. Turn right onto Harborside Drive and drive for five minutes to Terminal 10 or around ten minutes to Terminals 25 and 28. Follow the signs to reach your respective terminal.
You can fly in for your cruise via George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. From IAH, getting a taxi to the port will cost you around $190 for a one-way journey. At the same time, a taxi from the HOU Airport to the cruise port costs you between $130-$170.
Rideshare services are another option to reach the cruise port from IAH and HOU Airprots. An Uber ride from IAH to Galveston Cruise Port can cost you between $50-$80 for a one-way trip. At the same time, an Uber/Lyft ride from HOU Airport to the Galveston Port will start at $50 for a one-way trip. However, these estimated rates can differ based on the rideshare service you choose, the car type, and the time you travel to the port.
Some hotels offer shuttle service to the port on the day of your cruise. Some hotels even offer a free shuttle service.
Some cruise lines offer a shuttle from IAH and HOU Airports. Also, many private shuttle services take you from the airports to the cruise port.
There are few public transportation options between Houston and Galveston. Amtrak operates a bus; however, you can buy the tickets with a train ticket. Galveston Express provides an affordable public shuttle service between Houston and Galveston, with pick-up and drop-off at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Houston Hobby Airport. There is daily service to the Port of Galveston cruise terminals.
For more information on Port of Galveston Parking
Cruiseparking.com offers the best prices, making sure that you get the most value for your money.
