Car rental in Galveston?

[jenhelgren]

Last time we cruised out of Galveston there was a thread that was really helpful! I just tried looking for it and it hasn't been updated since 2014. Are there any rental companies in Galveston besides Enterprise? I saw an Avis in Texas City-do any agencies offer shuttle or pick up service from the port? We are trying to plan out the Panama Canal EB in October which ends in Galveston and would like to do a one way car rental and drive home from the port. I was thinking we could possibly use the DCL shuttle to HOU and rent the car there, but that would be more time consuming and I have read/heard stories that scare me about HOU! Any advice?

 

[MUN]

Last time we cruised out of Galveston there was a thread that was really helpful! I just tried looking for it and it hasn't been updated since 2014. Are there any rental companies in Galveston besides Enterprise? I saw an Avis in Texas City-do any agencies offer shuttle or pick up service from the port? We are trying to plan out the Panama Canal EB in October which ends in Galveston and would like to do a one way car rental and drive home from the port. I was thinking we could possibly use the DCL shuttle to HOU and rent the car there, but that would be more time consuming and I have read/heard stories that scare me about HOU! Any advice?

I called Enterprise in Galveston a couple of weeks ago. The person who I spoke with said the port does not allow the rental car companies to drop off or pick up at the cruise terminal. We would need to take a cab between the agency and the port. He also said they were the only agency on the island. Ironically, the rental car agency that boasts they will pick you up, doesn't in this case.

However, if I were you, I would price out a one-way rental from Galveston to your home, vs. Houston Hobby or Texas City to your home, and factor in cab fare between the cruise terminal and the rental agencies.

Enjoy your cruise!

MUN

 

[dcassetta]

Enterprise is the only agency on the Island, and I find that the one way drop off rates are extremely high. You might find a better option by going up to Houston Hobby airport to rent the car. This is a shuttle agency that runs a timed shuttle, so less expensive http://galvestonexpress.com/galveston-taxi-rates-schedule/

 

[jenhelgren]

Thanks for that link! The price per person for the link above is $20 one way. I know when we cruised in 2013 out of Galveston DCL offered a shuttle service to the airport also. Do they still have the shuttle and does anyone know the current DCL price per person? Would we be better off renting from HOU or IAH? I have heard some scary storied from areas around HOU and am a little intimidated!

 

[MouseMomx2]

We priced out a rental through Enterprise but found it MUCH cheaper to take the DCL shuttle to IAH and rent there. I did read another thread where someone mentioned that the DCL shuttles only go to IAH, not HOU. Can anyone confirm that. It was even cheaper to do the rental from HOU and I would prefer to go there.

 

[MUN]

We priced out a rental through Enterprise but found it MUCH cheaper to take the DCL shuttle to IAH and rent there. I did read another thread where someone mentioned that the DCL shuttles only go to IAH, not HOU. Can anyone confirm that. It was even cheaper to do the rental from HOU and I would prefer to go there.

Yes, the DCL shuttle only goes to IAH, not Hobby.

 

[dismomtfj]

I have heard some scary storied from areas around HOU and am a little intimidated!

I go to Hobby all the time-you are fine picking up a car there. The only time I had someone come with me was when my daughter's plane was delayed until after midnight-even then, that was more to keep me awake.

If you are staying the night or looking for a place to eat, I would not do that near Hobby (some places near IAH aren't much better either...).

 

[Marita916]

My family is cruising out of Galveston in November, and I have been doing lots of research on transportation. From what I've gathered, Enterprise is the only car rental on the island. We will be flying into Houston, and were looking for a car rental to drive to Galveston the day before the cruise. Enterprise does not provide car rental to Galveston. They told me, it wasn't on their route. So we hired a town car/driver. After the cruise, we want to spend the day at NASA. I reserved a car at Enterprise, but it is $155 for just a 24 hour rental with a return to Houston Airport. It is outrageous! I'll check into using a DL shuttle to the airport and then a car rental. Anyone have any other suggestions for transportation?

 

[MUN]

My family is cruising out of Galveston in November, and I have been doing lots of research on transportation. From what I've gathered, Enterprise is the only car rental on the island. We will be flying into Houston, and were looking for a car rental to drive to Galveston the day before the cruise. Enterprise does not provide car rental to Galveston. They told me, it wasn't on their route. So we hired a town car/driver. After the cruise, we want to spend the day at NASA. I reserved a car at Enterprise, but it is $155 for just a 24 hour rental with a return to Houston Airport. It is outrageous! I'll check into using a DL shuttle to the airport and then a car rental. Anyone have any other suggestions for transportation?

A taxi may be cheaper and offer more flexibility. We plan on taking a taxi between Hobby and Galveston.

MUN

 

[jenhelgren]

What is the current price for the DCL shuttle to IAH? We always drive and have our car waiting for us so this is new planning for me! We are a family of 4 so the shuttle would be $80 for all of us if we rented from HOU. Is this probably our most cost effective option? We also have never been on a two week cruise and I am not looking forward to shuffling the luggage multiple times after being so spoiled by waiting at the port, DH driving up, throwing the luggage in the back and not seeing it again until we are in our own driveway

 

[dcassetta]

I think the DCL shuttle is $90 round trip to IAH.