HOUSTON IAH AIRPORT TO GALVESTON?? TAXI??

[Lori0512]

What is the best way for 4 of us to get to a hotel in Galveston from IAH airport?
Anyone know the app. cost of a taxi?
Also are there taxis/limos waiting at Galveston port to take you back to Houston?
We are staying one night pre and post cruise.
Also any help on reasonable and nice hotels in Galveston and Houston near IAH airport would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the help.

Lori

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;10;31;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Until our Oct 31st, 2004 Vision of the Seas Mexican Riveria Girl's Cruise!!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2005;02;13;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Until our Feb 13th, 2005, Parents "80th" Birthday Cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas!!

Voyager of the Seas (Jan 2004)
Sovereign of the Seas (Feb 2003)

[lschott]

Hi Lori,

I live in Houston near IAH. IAH is approximately 70 miles north of Galveston. Cab fare will not be cheap based on the mileage, but with some research you may be able to find something affordable such as a shuttle bus. with a party of 4 you can split the cost at least. Have you thought of booking your transportation thru the cruiseline? As far as hotels near IAH, there is a Marriott, Hilton, a Wyndham, Hotel Sofitel and some other cheaper places close to the airport off JFK BLVD and Greenspoint. Galveston does not have a lot of choices for rooms- San Luis and Treemont are very nice. Then there is the Galvestonian which is condo-like. There are some B&B's. Cabs and shuttles are available from the pier. The Strand in Galveston is very quaint and historic. There are some good seafood joints along the pierfront areas. If I think of anything else, I will let you know.

Lisa and I'm counting the months til my next cruise.

[lschott]

I thought of another place to stay in Galveston- The Harbor House on the pier- it's very nice and within walking distance to some gread restaurants etc.
When are you going on your cruise?

Lisa

[isujim]

Lori:

Try Galveston Limo out of the airport. I think their website is Galvestonlimo.com. They run vans every 30 minutes from both Houston Hobby and Bush International.

Jim

Nordic Prince 8/88
Viking Serenade 3/93
Enchantment 3/01
Rhapsody 9/02
Splendour 4/03
Rhapsody, 9/03
Brilliance, 4/04

Until Our Caribbean Princess Cruise
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;06;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]


Until Hawaii on Inifinity
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=dc143c&cdt=2005;4;6;23;59;00&timezone=GMT-1100[/img]

Until Vision/Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2005;10;23;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[trish1c]

We were thinking about a cruise out of Galveston. I found a lot of helpful links on the AP web site. Sorry I don't have a link for you. Limo was only slightly more pp for 4 people than cruise line's transportation & seemed much more convenient IMHO.

For a cheap hotel, I think I remember a Knight's Inn near the AP for about $39 per night. I'm sure it's bare bones.

Trish

[cjankowski]

We found that a limo/cab ran about 110.00 so we choose to do a enterprise rental car from the airport with drop in Galveston. On retrun trip they pick you up at pier and then you drop off at airport. You can do this for 39.00 a day. I can help you with info if you wish. I have the numbers. If you like email me: [email]cjankowski@magliner.com[/email]. Also we stayed in Houston at the Holiday Inn for 70.00 a night. Hope this helps.

Rhapsody of the Seas-Jan 2004
Voyager of the Seas-Sept 2004

[clingandclatter]

The one thing I'd warn you about with renting a car one way is make sure you get a big enough car for all your luggage!

We (4 girls!) flew into IAH and did the rent a car thing through Enterprise. We'd originally booked a midsize for $60 each way + taxes - with a one way "drop" they charge some fee on top of the normal rental fee. However, we flew in the weekend of the Final Four basketball tournament and the first car we "got" was smaller than midsize. The Enterprise guy saw a full size car and tried to fit our stuff into that & still no go. Eventually we got a Tahoe for the same price and that fit all our stuff. We figured we'd need the same for the way back & didn't think we'd get a deal and had been told it's normally about $100 one-way for the Tahoe + taxes + gas money since you need to fill up the tank before you drop it off.

We had taken a taxi from the Enterprise location to the cruise line and he offered to take us back to IAH after the cruise for $100 instead of the $110 (taxis have a fixed price of $110 from Galveston - IAH, don't let them try & charge you more). So when it was time to leave, we called his number on the card he gave us & told us that he was already waiting for us to come off the ship. It was a better deal to take the minivan taxi for $120 with tip than probably $150 after all the charges with the rental.

Sorry this is so long...

~*~ Disney Wonder 9/02 ~*~ [url="http://community.webshots.com/album/133720649ZDrjtW"]RCCL Splendour of the Seas 4/04[/url] ~*~

[Lori0512]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Thanks all of you for the wonderful information. It helps to know we can pre-reserve with transportation after cruise.
It also helps to know the amount is preset, so we don't get socked at the end of the ride. I still haven't figured which hotel yet, for sure. I did make reservations at the Holiday Inn Express, because they allow parking for my folks, have cont. bkfst and free shuttle to pier. If you consider all these extras, it comes out to be a pretty fair deal.
If I find something better as time goes on, I can always cancel.

Lisa, My cruise is booked for Feb. 13, 2005 on Rhapsody of the Seas.
Lori

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;10;31;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Until our Oct 31st, 2004 Vision of the Seas Mexican Riveria Girl's Cruise!!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2005;02;13;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Until our Feb 13th, 2005, Parents "80th" Birthday Cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas!!

Voyager of the Seas (Jan 2004)
Sovereign of the Seas (Feb 2003)

[lschott]

Lori,

Hope you enjoy your cruise and have some fun in Galveston. We, too, cruise on the Rhapsody, but on October 17th of this year.

Lisa

[besito20]

We'll be going to Galveston this December and we've been looking for cheap airfare to Houston Hobby....its sooooo expensive(about $365 pp)!! ((We are coming from L.A.)) Its cheaper to fly to Miami!!

On an average, how much have you guys paid for taxi or rental from Houston Hobby to Galveston?
Seems like flying to IAH would be the same eventually after all the total costs.

12/12/04 Rhapsody of the Seas~~~Our first balcony!!!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;12;12;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]

9/24/04 Monarch...Ladies weekend!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=dc143c&cdt=2004;9;24;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[Grandma Dazzles]

Mentioned several times previously - seems it's still helpful. Galveston Limo (actually a shuttle service) does an excellent job. Would highly recommend them. They have a web site which pretty much gives their schedule and prices. We used them last year and would definitely use again. They are a standard airport to Galveston shuttle - not just for the cruise ship.

[Lori0512]

We are finding the same problem with airfare cost. About $350.00pp from Minneapolis, Mn.
Unbelievable!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

I have been told not to expect it to get much cheaper. Idon't know if I should book now or wait and hope for a better price? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

Lori

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;10;31;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Until our Oct 31st, 2004 Vision of the Seas Mexican Riveria Girl's Cruise!!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2005;02;13;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Until our Feb 13th, 2005, Parents "80th" Birthday Cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas!!

Voyager of the Seas (Jan 2004)
Sovereign of the Seas (Feb 2003)

[clingandclatter]

I believe that a taxi from Hobby to Galveston is fixed price $60 (not per person, total for entire party in the taxi).

~*~ Disney Wonder 9/02 ~*~ [url="http://community.webshots.com/album/133720649ZDrjtW"]RCCL Splendour of the Seas 4/04[/url] ~*~

[pd933]

besito20 and cruisefloozy have you looked into Southwest Airlines They have seem to have better fares than UAL, AA etc, but sometime the schedule is not the greatest. They fly into Hobby (hou).

Countdown to sailing away on the Rhapsody
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;9;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]

[wolfganghowell]

There's another limo company to try for transfers. I found them researching a New Orleans trip and they also provide airport transfers from both Houston airports to the cruise terminal. It's called Extreme Elegance Limousines and I think the website is the same. Price was very reasonable. You can book online for round trip transfers. We're using them next week in New Orleans so I'll let you know if we have a problem!

Century 99-00
Rhapsody 11/00
Rhapsody 10/01
Infinity 2/02
Millennium 11/02
Millennium 11/03
Rhapsody 11/04

[FlorenceItaly]

There have been MULTIPLE bad reviews of Extreme Elegance, so beware....not showing up at the pier, etc. I have not experienced this personally, but have read this on several boards here.

Marie

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England
RCI - Mariner of the Seas,
Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)
RCI - Rhapsody of the Seas
October 2004


RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005
Celebrity Mercury, April 2005
Caribbean Princess, Sept 2005
(CC Group Cruise)

[B J]

We stayed in a Howard Johnson Express in Galveston(new) on May 8th and the price was $65.00. It's on the same street as the pier. Taxi was $10.00. Harbor House is really nice but a little pricey. There are several nive hotels on the island. The Hotel Galvez is really nice for one!

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

Vision of the Sea/ Alaska Northbound 9/3/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=FFA000&cdt=2004;9;3;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]

[Lori0512]

Marie, I have also read many not so good reviews about Extreme Elegance and my guard has gone up. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] Don't want a hassle on vacation.

wolf, Let us know how it goes for you.

pd933, Southwest does not fly out of MSP, (yet) but thank you for the suggestion.

Lori

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;10;31;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Until our Oct 31st, 2004 Vision of the Seas Mexican Riveria Girl's Cruise!!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2005;02;13;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Until our Feb 13th, 2005, Parents "80th" Birthday Cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas!!

Voyager of the Seas (Jan 2004)
Sovereign of the Seas (Feb 2003)

[besito20]

pd933,

I just checked Southwest....$345 pp outta LAX [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]..and they are only taking reservations until Oct. 29th...so we'll just have to wait till later on the this summer to see if prices go on.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

12/12/04 Rhapsody of the Seas~~~Our first balcony!!!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;12;12;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]

9/24/04 Monarch...Ladies weekend!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=dc143c&cdt=2004;9;24;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]