Galveston Port Guide
Exploring the Galveston Cruise Port: Parking, Shuttles, and More
The Galveston Cruise Port, located in Galveston, Texas, is officially named “Port of Galveston." It serves as a central cruise departure point along the Gulf Coast, often servicing cruises headed to the Western Caribbean, including ports of call such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Progreso, and Roatan. The port located on Galveston Island, situated off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico.
Many of the major cruise lines sail from the Port of Galveston, including Carnival, Princess, Disney, MSC, and Norwegian. These ships dock at one of two terminals: Cruise Terminal 25 or 28. Royal Caribbean has its own pier, Cruise Terminal 10, which is the newest terminal at the port.
Port of Galveston Address
The address of Port of Galveston varies depending on your departure terminal. Cruise Terminal 25 is 2502 Harborside Drive, Cruise Terminal 28 is 2702 Harborside Drive. and Cruise Terminal 10 is 1152 Royal Caribbean Way.
It’s important to note that the newer Cruise Terminal 10 is about a mile away from the other two terminals. Cruisers can consult their cruise documents to determine the specific terminal from which their sailing departs, or they can consult signage at the port.
Alcohol Rules in Galveston
If sailing from Galveston, it's important to note that drink packages work a little differently here than what you may be used to if you're more familiar with cruising from other departure ports, like those in Florida.
There are some very specific (and, for cruisers, frustrating) rules around drink packages and duty-free alcohol purchases. Due to state law, specifically the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (TABC) 28.07, cruisers are bound to some unique parameters related to taxation of alcohol and the timing of when drink packages take effect.
When Drink Packages Take Effect
First, depending on the cruise line you’re sailing with, cruisers may be unable to take advantage of a drink package, such as Carnival’s CHEERS! package immediately upon their sailing, and it may not take effect until the ship is in international waters. In contrast, Royal Caribbean makes alcohol through drink packages available immediately, but within a limited menu.
This difference is due to various cruise lines choosing to purchase and hold different types of licenses and purchase from different alcohol distributors, which can lead to variances in how these rules are applied.
Taxes on Alcohol in Galveston
Another difference in alcohol when sailing from Galveston is related to taxation. Also, due to TABC requirements, cruisers who buy duty-free alcohol or tobacco must pay state tax upon their return. State tax is also applied to any beverage purchases (alcohol or otherwise) while the ship is in US waters.
Getting to the Galveston Cruise Port
Most cruisers who come in by air to sail out of Port Galveston fly into George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), neither of which are close to the cruise port.
Hobby is the closest airport, at 41 miles, and IAH is around 70 miles. The direct route to the cruise port from both airports is via Interstate 45. Unfortunately, traffic and construction are common, so the average time from IAH airport to the cruise port can exceed an hour and a half.
Given that Galveston is quite a distance from Houston and its airports, hotels in the Houston area do not generally offer shuttle service, even for a fee, although some of the Galveston hotels do. Here are the best ways to get from the Houston area airports to the Galveston Cruise Port:
- Cruise Line Transfer: Most cruise lines offer transfer service, and Carnival’s service from IAH to port, as one example, is $59 per person. This is booked directly through your cruise line.
- Rideshare: When it comes to getting to the port, I typically recommend using Uber, but in this case, the long distance means that the ride can cost $65-110, depending on the time of day and other factors, but that is for up to four passengers.
- Private Transfer: Cruisers can book their own private transfer service, which is much more convenient than cruise line transfer service or hotel transfer services, which is typically on a bus or shuttle with other cruisers. Get Transfer offers transfer service for up to three people from IAH to Port of Galveston starting at $97, or cruisers traveling in a larger group can book a private van for up to eight people starting at $149.
- Public Transportation: There aren’t any easily accessible public transportation options to get to Port of Galveston.
Galveston Cruise Port Parking
The Port of Galveston offers official parking in several locations. All of the port’s parking facilities are secure and patrolled around the clock, with ADA handicap-accessible spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking starts at $18 per day, with valet services available at an additional cost and a higher daily fee for oversized vehicles. Advance parking reservations are not required here, but the port offers discounted pricing through its advanced reservations parking program. Disabled veterans are eligible for a parking discount.
Parking at Cruise Terminals 25 and 28 in Galveston
The Port of Galveston provides three multi-level “park and walk” garages for cruisers departing from Cruise Terminals 25 or 28. Travelers cruising from Terminal 25 generally park at either the SMP Garage located at 150 25th Street or the Pier 25 Lot at 2502 Harborside and those departing from Terminal 28 will find parking closest to the terminal at the Express Lot at 2702 Harborside.
All three “park and walk” locations are a short walk across the street to the two respective cruise terminals and provide covered and uncovered spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, there are two lots (Lot A and Lot B) a bit further from the two Galveston cruise terminals, and the port offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the cruise terminal, making it easy for passengers to get to the ship.
Parking at Cruise Terminal 10 in Galveston
Royal Caribbean cruisers sailing from Terminal 10 can park either the Port of Galveston’s North or South lots and the Pier 14 lot. These addresses are: North Lot, 1152 Royal Caribbean Way; South Lot, 1201 Royal Caribbean Way; and the Pier 14 Lot, 1390 Royal Caribbean Way.
Galveston Cruise Schedule
The Port of Galveston cruise schedule is located on the port’s website. Scroll to the bottom of the page to view .pdf schedules by year.
Things to Do in Galveston Before a Cruise
If you stay in Galveston the night before your cruise or have a morning to kill before your cruise, The Strand is a great place to explore and enjoy a pre-cruise meal or drinks. This is Galveston’s historic district, lined with ornate late 1800s buildings filled with restaurants, art galleries, museums, shops, and more, and it’s just blocks away from Terminals 25 and 28.
Rainforest Cafe is another option close to the port that is great for families, although it is about 4 miles away and not within walking distance.
Another family-friendly site is the Galveston Railroad Museum, which provides interactive exhibits less than a mile from the cruise port. The museum has forty pieces of rolling stock, a substantial collection of dining car china, and two incredible model railroad layouts. It also runs weekly caboose rides on Saturdays, which can be fun for cruisers with younger kiddos.
Best Galveston Hotels for Cruisers
Most cruisers who come to Port of Galveston by plane fly into George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), neither of which is close to the cruise port. While it may seem tempting to select a hotel near the airport and transport to Port of Galveston on embarkation day, I advise against this for three reasons.
First, the Houston-area hotels aren’t exactly in the best locations, mainly Hobby. Second, the distance between the airports and port is 41 miles (Hobby) and 70 miles (IAH), and the traffic and construction on Interstate 45 are both notoriously bad, meaning that the time from the airport to the cruise port can exceed an hour and a half. Finally, unlike in Galveston, there isn’t much to do near Houston airports.
I advise cruisers to stay at a hotel in Galveston, although properties near the cruise port during peak times can spike in price. If that occurs, budget-conscious cruisers might consider finding a hotel halfway down I-45 between Houston and Galveston to put them closer to port but not pay as much for a hotel stay. As for hotels in Galveston proper, my top recommendations for affordable options are below.
Hotels near Port of Galveston
Holiday Inn Resort Galveston on the Beach
Address: 5002 Seawall Blvd, Galveston Island, TX
Port of Galveston is on Galveston Island, and this hotel is on that island and nearby, at just 3.5 miles. The property features an ocean view, balcony rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a heated outdoor pool. It’s oceanside, meaning it’s just a short walk across the street to the beach, where loungers and umbrellas are available for rent.
Many restaurants are within walking distance, including Rainforest Cafe. Parking is available for $70 for the week for up to 8 days, and there is a “Park, Stay and Go” rate that includes a shuttle to the port, parking, and one night’s stay. The shuttle to the port is $15 per person, compared to an Uber, which runs $15-30 for up to four people.
The Tremont House Hotel Galveston
Address: 2300 Ship Mechanic Row St, Galveston, TX
The Tremont House brings character and charm as Galveston’s only downtown historic hotel in The Strand, and it’s consistently one of the top-rated properties in the area. The Strand is Galveston’s historic district, lined with ornate late 1800s buildings and filled with restaurants, art galleries, museums, shops, and more.
It’s one of the few hotels that’s feasibly walkable to port, just two blocks, although they offer shuttle service for $15 per person (an Uber, in comparison, is $8-15 for up to four people). Guests receive complimentary Wi-Fi and continental breakfast, and parking is available at $100 for a week (up to seven days).
Harbor House at Pier 21
Address: 28 Pier 21, Galveston, TX 77550
Another property located less than a mile from the port (0.9 mi.) is Harbor House, which is technically walkable to the port, depending on the terminal from which you’re sailing. They offer a shuttle service at $15 for two people, free Wi-Fi, and continental breakfast.
An Uber runs around $9-15 for up to four people. For cruisers driving in, parking is $15 per night. Some restaurants are around the hotel, but the best bet is to walk the three blocks to The Strand.
Best Galveston Hotels for Cruisers
Please note that I spent a lot of time researching these properties, including calling them to get the most accurate and up-to-date information. While I try to keep my hotel posts updated and current, this is all subject to change. If you see anything that needs updating, please email me so I can keep my posts as current as possible.
