Galveston’s Cruise Terminal is located on the north side of Galveston Island, on Galveston Channel that separates the island from Pelican Island. There are currently two cruise terminals. The new Royal Caribbean Terminal 3 is under construction and scheduled for completion in fall of 2022.
The cruise port is adjacent to downtown Galveston, so driving there requires going through the business district.
Galveston Cruise Terminal 1 Address: 2502 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX.
Galveston Cruise Terminal 2 Address: 2702 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX.
Driving Into Galveston: If you’re coming from Houston, then you’ll enter Galveston Island via I-45 (Gulf Freeway). The Interstate ends after you’re on the island and becomes Broadway/Avenue J. You’ll notice that cross streets are numbered, with the numbers getting lower as you head further into town. Anytime after you get to 51st Street you can turn left to go over to Harborside Drive (Route 275), which runs parallel to Broadway and leads directly to the Galveston cruise terminals.
Passenger and Luggage Drop Off at Cruise Terminals: There are porters available at the cruise terminals to handle your luggage if you would like to drop it off prior to parking.
Parking: The official Port of Galveston cruise parking lots are located a few blocks west of the terminals, at the intersection of 33rd Street and Harborside Drive. Shuttle service to the cruise terminals is provided. Discount rates are available if you reserve your parking spot in advance. Port of Galveston also has a park and walk garage located across the street from the cruise terminals and an Express Lot (park & walk) located adjacent to Terminal 2.
There also are several privately-owned lots located near the terminals. These are a bit smaller than the official lots, so reservations are recommended.
Galveston Park N Cruise is located at 2514 New Strand Street, about a block away from the cruise terminals. They offer both indoor and uncovered parking. They’re close enough that you can drop off everything at the port, drive across the street, park and walk back to the ship.
EZ Cruise Parking is a couple blocks south of the terminals, at 2727 Santa Fe Place between 26th and 28th streets. They’ll shuttle you and your stuff to and from the cruise ship terminal, or you can save a little money and take the “park and walk” option (dropping of your luggage at the cruise terminal first is a good idea if you’re going to walk).
Lighthouse Cruise Parking They offer covered (it’s not “indoor” parking, but “car port”-style roofs) and uncovered outdoor parking. They’re located about a half mile from the cruise terminal at the corner of 29th and Market Streets (309 29th Street). Complementary shuttle service for up to 5 passengers is included in the parking fee.
Driving Distances to Galveston Cruise Port:
Houston: 55 miles
Dallas: 290 miles
San Antonio: 250 miles
Austin: 215 miles
Corpus Christi: 230 miles
Visit the Port of Galveston’s official website for additional information.
Getting There By Air: There’s an airport in Galveston, but unfortunately it isn’t served by commercial airlines. The next closest is Houston’s Hobby Airport, about 40 miles away. You can rent a car from there or catch a limo/shuttle (reservations recommended). The more popular airport in the Houston metro area (and with more frequent flights than Hobby) is Houston Intercontinental (IAH). That one’s on the north side of town, which means it’s about 70 miles from the port in Galveston.