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Travel 2016
On this page you can find travel information about:
- Cruise
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- Airport
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- Public Transport
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- Driving
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- Renting a Car
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- When to Arrive/Depart
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- Hotel
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- Preparing For Your Visit
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- Attractions
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- Travel Insurance
Cruise
TECHSPO At Sea 2025 kicks off on the evening of Sunday, April 10th, 2016 onboard Royal Caribbean ‘Liberty of the Seas’ Cruise Ship, departing Port of Galveston, Texas and ends the morning of Sunday, April 7th, 2016. Many attendees plan to stay a few days extra and make a vacation out of their stay in New Orleans (Port Canaveral), Florida.
Airport
The George Bush International Airport (airport code IAH), is 68 miles from Port of Galveston, Texas and is the arrival for many passengers making their way to cruise ships in the port. Alternatively, the William P.Hobby Airport (airport code HOU), is 42 miles from Port of Galveston, Texas.
Public Transport
Transportation from the Airport
There is no Public transportation from Port of Galveston to Houston or Houston airport to Port of Galveston, you have to use a shuttle (many available), taxi or rental car.
Some shuttle providers are;
Galveston Limousine – offers daily scheduled service from the Houston airports to the island as well. Rates run $100 round-trip per person from IAH ($70 for senior citizens) and $80 round-trip from HOU ($60 for seniors). The shuttles depart only three times daily, so you might be waiting for some time at the airport before leaving with this option.
http://www.galvestonlimousineservice.com/
Cool Tours – offers a shuttle between Houston airports and the Galveston cruise terminal as well. Prices change regularly, but can be affordable compared to other options — especially if traveling with a larger group.
https://cooltoursgalveston.com/shuttle-cruise-package-from-hobby-airport-hou/
Island Breeze Shuttle – provides a shuttle for $150 roundtrip for two passengers from Hobby and $190 roundtrip from Intercontinental.
http://www.islandbreezeshuttle.com/rates/
Driving
Driving to Port of Galveston
Some shuttle providers are;
Driving yourself to Port of Galveston is pretty simple and one of the easier ports to get to from anywhere in Texas. It’s located on the south coast of Texas.
It is worth mentioning most of the driving directions take you on S.R. 528 (Beachline Expressway), which is a toll road. We recommend having exact change to expedite the process if you do not have a SunPass.
From George Bush International Airport (IAH) 68 miles
- Exit the airport and turn right onto Eastex FRWY/US-59
- Merge onto US-59 S via the ramp on the left
- Take I-45 south to Exit 1C, and turn left (east) onto Harborside Drive/Hwy 275.
- Continue for approx. 4.7 miles to Kempner / 22nd street (the road leading into the Cruise Ship Terminal entrance), and turn left
- The area adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage only.
From William P.Hobby Airport (HOU) 42 miles:
- Get on I-45 from Hobby Airport Loop, Airport Blvd and Gulf Fwy (3.0 mi)
- Continue to Galveston (35.9 mi)
- Take Harborside Dr to 25th St/Rosenberg St
- The area adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage only.
Renting a Car
If you are flying into Houston or another Texas airport, one option to get to Port of Galveston is to rent a car. Often, doing a one-way car rental is the cheapest option and all the major car rental companies offer this option.
When reserving your car, make sure you indicate to return the car in a different location and look for locations in Galveston. The major rental car companies have locations within 5 miles or so of the cruise terminals.
If you do rent a car it is recommended to first drive the car to the cruise terminal, drop off the luggage and everyone else in your party there. Then, the driver should drive the rental car back to the car rental location and take the free shuttle back to the pier.
The reason for this is many people opt to bring the car to the car rental location first and lines can develop for the shuttles since the shuttles aren’t very big. If just one person needs a ride back with no luggage, it can be much easier to hop into the first shuttle back to the terminal since you don’t have to worry about fitting luggage or family.
When to Arrive / Depart
It is recommended to arrive in Houston Saturday, March 31th, 2016 (the day prior to the Cruise Embarkation date) and depart Houston no earlier than the afternoon of Sunday, May 17th after the Cruise has returned to Port of Galveston, Texas.
Hotel
If you require accommodation in Port of Galveston prior to boarding the cruise, some nearby hotels include;
- Casa Del Mar Beachfront Suites – http://www.casadelmartx.com/
- Four Points by Sheraton Galveston – http://www.fourpointsgalveston.com/
- Hilton Galveston Island Resort – http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/texas/hilton-galveston-island-resort-GLSGIHF/
- Holiday Inn Resort: Galveston On the Beach – http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/texas/hilton-galveston-island-resort-GLSGIHF/index.html
- Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center – http://www.moodygardenshotel.com/
- The Tremont House, A Wyndham Grand Hotel – http://www.thetremonthouse.com/
- The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center – http://www.sanluisresort.com/
- Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel – http://www.hotelgalvez.com/
- Harbor House at Pier 21 – http://www.harborhousepier21.com/
- The Galvestonian – http://www.galvestonian.com/
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Galveston – http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/texas/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-galveston-beach-GLSDTDT/
- Springhill Suites by Marriott Galveston – http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/glssh-springhill-suites-galveston-island/
- Courtyard by Marriott Galveston Island Gulf Front – http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/glscy-courtyard-galveston-island-gulf-front/
- Four Seasons on the Gulf – http://www.fsotg.com/
Preparing For Your Visit
Houston is a sprawling metropolis in Texas, extending to Galveston Bay. It’s closely linked with the Space Center Houston, the coastal visitor center at NASA’s astronaut training and flight control complex. The city’s relatively compact Downtown includes the Theater District, home to the renowned Houston Grand Opera, and the Historic District, which pairs 19th-century architecture with trendy restaurants. For more information on shopping, dining and playing in Houston please visit http://www.visithoustontexas.com/
Houston Attractions
Houston CityPASS
There is a weekend before and after the TECHSPO At Sea 2025 so plenty of time if you want to stay longer in New Orleans (Port Canaveral), Florida and enjoy what it has to offer. TECHSPO has partnered with CityPASS which offers the most affordable way to explore New Orleans (Port Canaveral), Florida with a CityPASS so travelers can save up to 47% on top attractions for one low price!
Travel Insurance
SquareMouth
TECHSPO recommends attendees book personal travel insurance through SquareMouth a leading Travel Insurance Comparison site.
Click here to get instant free quotes for Travel Insurance at SquareMouth.
