With no nearby airport, most cruisers embarking from the Port of Galveston choose to drive there — and when they get there, they need to park somewhere. Luckily, parking at the Galveston port is easy and affordable.
There are eight official parking lots and one garage at the port, near the terminals and/or with free shuttle service to the terminals. There are also at least four nearby, third-party parking lots and garages that provide shuttle service to the port.
Here’s what you’ll need to know before you arrive or make parking reservations.
Parking at the Port of Galveston
The nearest commercial airport to the Port of Galveston is the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston. The cruise port is about a 45-minute drive away from the airport.
As such, you can’t just fly into the Houston airport and then take an Uber or taxi to the port, like you might in Fort Lauderdale (unless, of course, you have a really big travel budget).
Many cruisers who absolutely must fly into the airport (such as if they’re coming from a few states away) to take a cruise opt to rent a car at the airport and then drive from the airport to the cruise port and park.
The airport offers a robust number of car rental providers, on-site, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar Car Rental, Easirent, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty.
Port Galveston Parking Lots and Garages
There are myriad Galveston cruise parking lot and garage options, and which you choose to park in will depend on what cruise terminal you’re departing from.
To make booking the correct, most convenient parking option easy, when you pre-book your parking on the Galveston port website, a form will ask you to select the ship you’re sailing on, such as Carnival Jubilee or Carnival Dream, and then it will direct you to the correct lots or garages for booking.
If you’re cruising out of Cruise Terminal 25 or 28, there are two parking lots with a free shuttle, at 160 33rd Street and 224 33rd Street; a parking lot with no shuttle, at 2702 Harborside Drive; and a parking garage at 150 Rosenberg.
If you’re cruising out of Cruise Terminal 10, there are three parking lots with a free shuttle, at 1152 Royal Caribbean Way, 1201 Royal Caribbean Way and 1390 Royal Caribbean Way.
There’s a Pier 12 Parking Lot on Royal Caribbean Circle that does not have its own free shuttle pick-up spot, but it is within walking distance of some. A covered, “premium” parking lot is on Royal Caribbean Circle, with no shuttle service.
Port of Galveston parking lots are police-patrolled 24/7. ADA handicap-accessible parking is available in all lots. As mentioned, once you’ve parked, shuttle buses are available to transport you and your baggage to and from the cruise terminal.
However, shuttle service is not available at the parking garage or lots that are within walking distance of the terminal.
Port of Galveston parking lot and garage rates are based on availability, but it’s not impossible to find parking for $20–$30 per day, which would put your cost at around $175–$230 total, depending on your cruise length.
Unofficial Port of Galveston Parking Options
You don’t have to park directly at the port if you would prefer to shop around. Here are a few other options.
EZ Cruise Parking provides a variety of parking options, including lot parking, covered parking, handicap parking and electric vehicle parking, with shuttle service to and from the port. However, the business does not provide pricing online and you have to request a reservation in order to receive a quote.
Port Parking also offers parking options in Galveston, with indoor and outdoor parking, and prices starting at as little as $10 per day. This service provider also offers RV parking, electric vehicle parking/charging and shuttle services.
Discount Cruise Parking provides shuttle service to the port that runs every 15 minutes or so. Helpful staff are available if you need help moving your luggage. Depending on the cruise and length of time you’ll be gone, you can expect rates starting at under $100 total.
Falstaff Cruise Parking provides indoor and gated parking facilities, with a 24/7 shuttle. At the time of publish, the online reservation system is not available, though, so you may need to call for quotes.
Whichever third-party parking provider you book with, look out for additional surcharges before signing the bottom line. Particularly look at info regarding cancellations and any cancellation fee.
Options if You Don’t Want to Park
It is possible to find shuttles that will take you directly between the cruise port and the Houston airport.
Galveston Express is one such service. It offers round-trip shuttle service seven days a week starting at $40 per person, with discounts for seniors and children.
Another is Island Breeze Shuttle, with rates starting at $105 one way, with prices increasing based on your number of passengers, as well as your time of arrival.
You may also be able to find transportation via your cruise line. For example, Carnival Cruise Line offers airport-to-pier and vice versa transportation (but there are some time restrictions and your flight must arrive between certain time periods to use the shuttle).
You can purchase this service through My Cruise Manager. Other cruise lines that provide transport between the airport and the port include Royal Caribbean and Disney.
I, however, do not recommend this option, as it may put you under a bit of a time crunch, particularly if your flight is delayed or canceled.
Parking at Nearby Hotels
Lastly, many hotels in popular port cities offer free parking for the duration of your cruise, if you have a hotel booking at the start of your cruise, the night before your departure date.
I personally find this option very desirable, particularly because I always advise, if you’re flying into a city for a cruise, that you arrive a day before the cruise embarks.
This ensures you actually make the ship. (I’ve heard way too many horror stories about cruisers not making their ship simply because their flight was just an hour or two delayed!)
Plus, I like being able to settle in and relax a bit before the cruise leaves the next day. You can go out in the afternoon or evening and experience the port city and its entertainment and dining, and get your vacation started a little earlier, and relax before your cruise leaves (versus reaching the cruise ship in a totally stressed state, because you were hurrying to get there).
Some of the hotels in Galveston, Texas, that offer free parking during your cruise include the Inn at the Waterpark and The Tremont House.
