Transportation starting time at the George Bush Airport

[Love2Cruise2015]

Hi Fellow Disney Cruisers! My family and I will be sailing, for the first time, from Galveston Texas, this December and I was wondering if anyone could let me know what time is it recommended/suggested to be at the airport for DC transportation and/or what time does Disney transportation start running at the George Bush intercontinental airport in Texas to the Galveston port ?
Any tips or tricks for sailing from the Galveston Port or flying into George Bush Intercontinental airport would be appreciated

 

[CarolynFH]

We're sailing out of Galveston in January, and the Ground Transportation page (https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/ground-transportation/) says for your cruise in December this year,

Guests Arranging Independent Air Travel

For the Galveston to Galveston sailings in 2023, we recommend the following flight-time guidelines:

• Latest arrival time to George Bush Intercontinental Airport on embarkation day: 1:00 PM
• Earliest departure time from George Bush Intercontinental Airport on debarkation day: 12:30 PM

So I can't help with the earliest time of departure from Bush on embarkation day, only with the latest!

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

We're sailing out of Galveston in January, and the Ground Transportation page (https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/ground-transportation/) says for your cruise in December this year,

Guests Arranging Independent Air Travel

For the Galveston to Galveston sailings in 2023, we recommend the following flight-time guidelines:

• Latest arrival time to George Bush Intercontinental Airport on embarkation day: 1:00 PM
• Earliest departure time from George Bush Intercontinental Airport on debarkation day: 12:30 PM

So I can't help with the earliest time of departure from Bush on embarkation day, only with the latest!

LOL Thank you anyway Enjoy your cruise

 

[lanejudy]

I think it’s a little over an hour trip, which is similar to MCO—>Port Canaveral. So based on that I would expect transfers might begin running around 9-9:30am.

 

[Lesverts]

So when people cruise out of Galveston they generally stay near the airport? Or is it easier to stay in Galveston?

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

So when people cruise out of Galveston they generally stay near the airport? Or is it easier to stay in Galveston?

This is my families first time sailing from Galveston (we are used to Vancouver and Orlando) so we are staying near the airport and taking Disney transportation from the airport to the cruise line.

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

I think it’s a little over an hour trip, which is similar to MCO—>Port Canaveral. So based on that I would expect transfers might begin running around 9-9:30am.

Thank you- that is very helpful

 

[NAB]

So when people cruise out of Galveston they generally stay near the airport? Or is it easier to stay in Galveston?

We took an Uber to the Habour House in Galveston from the airport. It was a bit pricey but we just walked with our luggage to the port it was really easy.

If you go in the night before there is a lot of shops and restaurants to in the area. Cool to see the ship right there. Habour House is right at the pier.

 

[CarolynFH]

This is my families first time sailing from Galveston (we are used to Vancouver and Orlando) so we are staying near the airport and taking Disney transportation from the airport to the cruise line.

We live near Bush airport, but if we were flying in, this is what we'd do. Traffic on I-45 heading down to Galveston can be a mess sometimes, and I figure that if we're on DCL transportation they'll know we're coming and hold the ship if need be!

 

[SteveMouse]

George Bush Airport (IAH) is on the north side of Houston. Galveston is to the southeast of Houston. On a Sunday morning, it is drivable in about an hour and 15 minutes. On a weekday? Throw a dart. It could take over 2 hours if there's an accident or two.

Houston Hobby Airport is much, much closer to Galveston and is on the same side of Houston.

 

[CarolynFH]

George Bush Airport (IAH) is on the north side of Houston. Galveston is to the southeast of Houston. On a Sunday morning, it is drivable in about an hour and 15 minutes. On a weekday? Throw a dart. It could take over 2 hours if there's an accident or two.

Houston Hobby Airport is much, much closer to Galveston and is on the same side of Houston.

That's true, and flying into IAH adds an extra stretch of I-45 to the journey, I-45 being the problem. But AFAIK DCL doesn't offer transportation from Hobby to Galveston.

 

[Akck]

When we sailed out of Galveston, we took the Galveston Express out of Hobby the morning of our cruise. We were staying with family, so it was easiest for them to drop us off there. They drop off at the port terminal plus nearby hotels and they transport to/from Bush.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Is there an update from the original poster about what there experience was? I too am saying close to the airport and will be taking Disney Transportation from the airport. Where in the airport do we meet? What time does it start?

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

Is there an update from the original poster about what there experience was? I too am saying close to the airport and will be taking Disney Transportation from the airport. Where in the airport do we meet? What time does it start?

For us, we stayed at a Holiday Inn near the airport. We took their transportation back to the airport and met a representative in the luggage arrival area of the terminal that we arrived at. They then had us take the tram to the hotel that was connected to the airport. The Disney transportation left from the hotel. At the terminal, they had people lining up outside based on their port arrival times. It did not feel as organized as what we experience in Orlando.
I hope this helps!

 

[mpetersen]

We flew in to IAH and rented a car for a day. This allowed us to explore the area (Bucees!! And Houston space center), then stay at the holiday inn near the airport. We returned the rental car to IAH and took Disney transport to Galveston which was about an hour ride but very relaxing. The only downside was the waiting to get on the Disney bus but it’s to be expected.

 

[Deaconfan]

Just sailed on the Magic from Galveston last week. We flew into IAH on Friday for our Sunday embarkation and had a car service to the Grand Galvez. The traffic down to Galveston was heavy and stop and go. Our driver got off the interstate and worked her way through downtown as the interstate traffic was stopped. Took about 1:45 to make the trip.

We took DCL transportation back to IAH after the cruise. Our flight was at 12:18 and I was a bit nervous about getting back in time to make the flight. The buses started running at 7:30a and we were on the first one to depart. We were checking our bags at 9:15a.

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

Just sailed on the Magic from Galveston last week. We flew into IAH on Friday for our Sunday embarkation and had a car service to the Grand Galvez. The traffic down to Galveston was heavy and stop and go. Our driver got off the interstate and worked her way through downtown as the interstate traffic was stopped. Took about 1:45 to make the trip.

We took DCL transportation back to IAH after the cruise. Our flight was at 12:18 and I was a bit nervous about getting back in time to make the flight. The buses started running at 7:30a and we were on the first one to depart. We were checking our bags at 9:15a.

Out of curiosity, who did you use for your car service from IAH to Galveston? Would you recommend?

I’m shopping for November right now and want to balance price with good service.

 

[Deaconfan]

We used Cruise Driven. Actually called Salt Water Moms but they were all booked and recommended Cruise Driven. Mackenzie is the owner and she was very responsive and made it quite easy. Nice, safe driver who was right on time.

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

We used Cruise Driven. Actually called Salt Water Moms but they were all booked and recommended Cruise Driven. Mackenzie is the owner and she was very responsive and made it quite easy. Nice, safe driver who was right on time.

Thank you!