Fly into Hou - Cruise from Galveston

[caribsun]

What's the best way IYHO to get to the pier in Galveston from Hobby Hou. We will arrive 1 day early. Should we spend a night near the airport and catch a hotel shuttle back to Hobby for the transportation to the pier. Or get a hotel near the pier the day that we fly in. What way would be more convenient.

[arf2005]

Stay in Galveston. If you have time you could go to the beach or the old part of town. Much more interesting/scenic than the area around Hobby.

[clarabell]

I'm so glad you are asking this - we have the exact same question! Our RC cruise from Galveston is in November and we don't know how best to get there from the airport. Our biggest hurdle is that we are bringing 2 toddlers that should use car seats - and we do not want to bring them with us all the way from Denver and we found out that car rental places at Hobby do not offer car seats! So, how should we get to the port from the airport with 2 toddlers without spending a fortune or dragging 2 car seats?????

[dbali]

I don't recommend that anyone stay near Hobby as that is NOT a good part of town. IMO either stay in Kemah/Clear Lake area (on the way to Galveston) or stay in Galveston. A limo is probably much cheaper than taking a cab, as Galveston is about 30 to 45 minutes from the airport. You might also want to check on a one way car rental.

[clarabell]

Ok, since our last posting we finalized our travel to and from Houston-Galveston for our November cruise. We are flying Southwest into Houston Hobby Airport a day early and staying at the Marriott at Hobby Airport (free shuttle) for only $98/night with AAA card. The next morning we have a limo picking us up at the hotel and driving to Galveston port for $140 (plus tip) each way through South Coast Rentals and they will also drive us back afterwards.

 

We (2 adults) have 2 toddlers to tote around and the issue of car seats and cost where big for us. By arriving a day early - we can take our time getting to the ship for not too much $. By renting a limo - they provide free car seats (unlike Enterprise, which was otherwise very affordable and a good option, we would use them if they had car seats for us) and it's cheaper than the ship's shuttle ($90 round trip each, even each child!).

 

I hope gives you an idea for your situation. Just trying to help. :)

[clearlakecruisers]

The area around Hobby Airport isn't too attractive, but it's not scary either. It's about 30 minutes from there to Galveston. If you are taking a shuttle from Hobby and don't plan to get a car, you could certainly stay at one of the newer hotels/motels in that area (look for ones on I-45S). If you are going to get a car, there are, as the previous poster indicated, lots of options in the Clear Lake/NASA area and in Galveston itself. There is shuttle service offered by CoachUSA (www.bookcoachusa.com) for $59/pp round trip from Hobby to the cruise pier.

[clarabell]

Ok, since our last posting we finalized our travel to and from Houston-Galveston for our November cruise. We are flying Southwest into Houston Hobby Airport a day early and staying at the Marriott at Hobby Airport (free shuttle) for only $98/night with AAA card. The next morning we have a limo picking us up at the hotel and driving to Galveston port for $140 (plus tip) each way through South Coast Rentals and they will also drive us back afterwards.

 

We (2 adults) have 2 toddlers to tote around and the issue of car seats and cost where big for us. By arriving a day early - we can take our time getting to the ship for not too much $. By renting a limo - they provide free car seats (unlike Enterprise, which was otherwise very affordable and a good option, we would use them if they had car seats for us) and it's cheaper than the ship's shuttle ($90 round trip each, even each child!).

 

I hope gives you an idea for your situation. Just trying to help. :)

[baabtx]

Clarabell - Clearlakecruisers is right - it's not that bad where you will be at over at the Marriott, but I'd just hang around the Hotel for the evening and relax (not much else in the area). But it's a shame you may be missing out on the Strand in Galveston or staying in Clear Lake and paying a quick visit to the Johnson Space Center (Challenger Center).

[houstoncruisers2001]

Clarabell - Clearlakecruisers is right - it's not that bad where you will be at over at the Marriott, but I'd just hang around the Hotel for the evening and relax (not much else in the area). But it's a shame you may be missing out on the Strand in Galveston or staying in Clear Lake and paying a quick visit to the Johnson Space Center (Challenger Center).

Galveston hasn't exactly made the "safest city in America" list.

[sfsd]

We did the same when we cruised last Oct. We flew in a day early stayed at the Marriott and used a limo service for transportation (4 of us). We chose a different company but enjoyed the flexibilty of chosing the time to travel to port Enjoy your cruise!