IAH to Galveston Shuttle
Shared $30/person · Private from $195 · Hourly 8 AM–5 PM · Private 24/7
Royal Galveston Shuttle picks up from Terminal A, Door A113 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and drops off directly at all four Galveston cruise terminals, hotels, and vacation rentals. 70 miles · approximately 2 hours shared · 90 minutes private. No surge pricing. Flat rates year-round.
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Houston IAH to Galveston
Shuttle at a Glance
Everything you need to know about the shared and private shuttle from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to the Galveston cruise port, hotels, and vacation rentals.
IAH to Galveston Shuttle Rates
Flat rates year-round. No surge pricing on cruise days, weekends, or holidays. Price you see is price you pay.
| Service | One Way | Round Trip | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
Shared Shuttle Per person · Terminal A, Door A113 · Stops at Hobby Airport en route Most Popular |
$30/person |
$60/person |
8 AM – 5 PM Hourly departures |
Private Economy Van — up to 5 Per vehicle · Direct transfer · Pickup at your arrival terminal |
$195 |
$390 |
24 hours 7 days a week |
Private Economy Van — up to 7 Per vehicle · Direct transfer · Pickup at your arrival terminal |
$260 |
$520 |
24 hours 7 days a week |
Private Economy Van — up to 10 Per vehicle · Direct transfer · Pickup at your arrival terminal |
$345 |
$690 |
24 hours 7 days a week |
How Does the Shuttle Compare to Uber from IAH?
Based on Uber’s own published average rates for the Houston to Galveston route (source: uber.com, updated April 2025).
- Flat rate — no surge pricing ever
- Port of Galveston permitted
- Direct cruise terminal drop-off
- WiFi and water on request
- Fixed hourly schedule 8 AM–5 PM
- On-demand any time
- Direct drop-off
- Surge pricing on cruise days
- UberXL for groups: ~$115
- Not Port of Galveston permitted
- Available 24/7
- Pickup at your arrival terminal
- 60-minute airport grace period
- Same price for 1 to 5 passengers
- Hotels & vacation rentals served
What to Do When You Land at IAH
Exact arrival instructions for shared shuttle passengers. Private shuttle passengers will be picked up at their respective arrival terminal.
If you landed at Terminals B, C, D, or E: Take the free Skyway (elevated train) or Subway (underground train) to Terminal A. Allow at least 45 minutes for the transfer including navigation time.
70-mile route from IAH to Galveston via I-45 South — approximately 2 hours shared · 90 minutes private
Which IAH Terminal Did You Land In?
Shared shuttle passengers must reach Terminal A before their scheduled departure. Here’s the fastest route from each IAH terminal to Door A113.
IAH to Galveston Shuttle Schedule
Shared shuttle departs Terminal A, Door A113 every hour from 8 AM to 5 PM. Book at least 48 hours in advance.
Which Ship Are You Sailing On?
Royal Galveston Shuttle drops off directly at your cruise terminal entrance. Here are the ships and terminals currently sailing from Galveston in 2026.
Symphony of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Carnival Dream
Carnival Miracle
2025–2026
Not sure which terminal your ship uses? Let us know your cruise line when booking and we will confirm your terminal and drop you off at the correct entrance.
IAH to Galveston Hotel & Vacation Rental Transfers
Not cruising? Royal Galveston Shuttle also serves Galveston hotels, Seawall properties, Airbnbs, and vacation rentals from IAH Airport.
For a full list of hotel drop-off locations, Seawall property coverage, and vacation rental transfer details, see our Houston to Galveston shuttle page. Not sure whether shared or private is right for your hotel? Use DockDoc™ to get a recommendation based on your flight and accommodation.
Not Sure Which IAH Shuttle to Book?
DockDoc™ is a free cruise arrival planning tool built by Royal Galveston Shuttle. Enter your IAH flight time and cruise or hotel destination and it builds your exact airport-to-destination timeline — telling you which shuttle to take, when to leave, and whether shared or private is right for your specific trip. No other Houston to Galveston shuttle provider offers anything like it.
What IAH Passengers Say About Us
“I booked a private shuttle- I appreciated the great communication. Responsive customer service when I called ahead with a question. And the safe, reliable transport to Galveston. I would highly recommend to anyone needing cruise transport from IAH to Galveston.”
IAH to Galveston Shuttle Questions Answered
Specific questions about taking a shuttle from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Galveston cruise terminals, hotels, and vacation rentals.
Where exactly is the pickup point at IAH for the shared shuttle to Galveston?
Shared shuttle pickup is outside Terminal A baggage claim at Door A113. If you land at a different terminal, take the free Skyway or Subway to Terminal A and allow at least 45 minutes for the transfer before your scheduled departure.
What if my flight lands at Terminal B, C, D, or E at IAH?
Take the free Skyway (elevated train) or Subway (underground train) to Terminal A. Both connect all IAH terminals at no cost. Allow at least 45 minutes before your scheduled shared shuttle departure. If arriving from Terminal D (international arrivals), add extra time for customs clearance.
How long does the Houston IAH to Galveston shuttle take?
The shared shuttle takes approximately 2 hours from IAH to Galveston. It makes one stop at Hobby Airport (approximately 15 minutes, about 1 hour after IAH departure) before continuing to Galveston. The private shuttle takes approximately 90 minutes with no stops — direct from your arrival terminal to your Galveston destination.
What happens if my flight into IAH is delayed?
Contact us as soon as you know about the delay. For shared shuttle passengers, we will try to move you to the next available hourly departure based on seat availability. If you purchased Missed Shuttle Protection, you can rebook on the next same-day departure or request a refund if no seats are available. Private shuttle passengers have a 60-minute airport grace period before waiting fees apply.
Can I book a same-day shuttle from IAH to Galveston?
We require bookings at least 48 hours in advance. Same-day bookings are not accepted online. If you have a last-minute need, call us directly at (409) 500-2336 to check availability. Morning departures during peak cruise season fill quickly — advance booking is strongly recommended.
Is there parking at IAH if I drive there and take the shuttle back?
Yes. IAH has several parking options including short-term, long-term, and economy parking. You can drive to IAH, park your vehicle, take the shared shuttle to Galveston for your cruise, and return via shuttle to IAH when you disembark. Visit fly2houston.com for current IAH parking rates and reservations.
Does the shuttle from IAH serve Galveston hotels and vacation rentals?
Private shuttle: Yes — drops off at any hotel, Airbnb, VRBO, or vacation rental on Galveston Island from $195.
Shared shuttle: Serves hotels along the main Galveston corridor — Seawall Boulevard, Harborside Drive, and up to 63rd Street at $30 per person. If your accommodation is outside this corridor, private shuttle is the right option.
What time should I book my IAH shuttle for a same-day cruise departure?
Most Galveston cruises begin boarding around noon. The 8 AM or 9 AM shared shuttle from IAH puts you at the port between 10 AM and 11 AM — comfortable time before boarding. If your flight lands after 10 AM, a private shuttle is the better option since it picks you up directly at your terminal on your own timeline. Use our DockDoc™ planner for a step-by-step timeline based on your specific flight.
Is WiFi available on the IAH to Galveston shuttle?
Complimentary WiFi and water are available on request on both shared and private shuttles. Let your driver know when you board and they will assist.