Uber or another ride sharing service I’d say.
If you arrive that late perhaps best to find some lodging for the night and make your way to Galveston in the morning.
In general there’s very minimal public transport options in the Houston area so your best bet is usually going to be Uber or a similar service.
Yeah there should be Ubers around at that time.
I mainly have used Uber but perhaps someone will have a suggestion on another app that’s better or cheaper.
Would you be able to come up with an approximate fare price from IAH to Galveston island? Honestly that's one of the scariest aspects of using Uber at the time.
You can download the app and “schedule” a future pick up to get an idea of the cost and then cancel if you end up not wanting to book it. (And this is honestly your best option.)
I can't seem to use schedule option since it requires me to verify and It just keeps saying my account is temporarily disabled, if you could, would you be able to try it for me and let me know?
I tried the schedule option a while back and they accepted it but then never showed so I wouldn't rely on for the actual ride. Had to make my own way to airport at the last minute.
Uber runs *from* the airport 24/7, you'll be alright that way. For reference I had a business trip recently where my plane didn't land until after midnight at IAH, but I was still able to pretty easily walk to the uber pick up point (section of the parking lot at the airport near the baggage claim) and call a ride.
Won't be cheap I'd expect ~$100 or so for that kind of distance, but not much else runs at that time of night so it's not like there's many other options.
Uber didn't seem to be at the time, but prices can vary depending on surge pricing. Said surge is usually for busier times though which I can't see happening late at night.
Similar to Uber. Just an alternative. If you can't get one, try the other. Install the app on your phone.
I have no opinions on either. It all depends on the driver, not so much the carrier. Prices are similar.
Note: I should also mention that I arrive very late at night around midnight so I'm not sure how this would affect the fare's price and availability surrounding the airport transports.
Metro [bus route 102](https://www.ridemetro.org/riding-metro/transit-services/local-bus/route-details/102-bush-iah-express): terminal C at IAH to downtown. Last stop of the day leaves at or before 1am, so it's possible you could catch that all the way downtown, shaving off a bunch of miles cheaply.
But all other routes are done by that time, most starting back up around 5am.
There have been several attempts to make a continuous bus route to Galveston, but they keep failing (and they're rarely publicized widely until they're already gone). There might be a way one morning to go from Metro to a League City/Galveston County park and ride, and then onto this https://www.utmb.edu/transit but I don't know.
You don’t want to be dropped off downtown after midnight holding your luggage and trying to arrange an Uber - just go straight from IAH to Galveston in the Uber
Agree! Do NOT take the bus option into Houston at that hour (or really most times). I wonder if ya can hang at IAH to catch the Galveston Express??
https://galvestonexpress.com/
Carnival Cruises operates a shuttle from the airport to the cruise terminal, that may be an option.
There are other van/bus shuttle services also.
Otherwise it's basically Uber, which is expensive.
Never thought about the cruise transportation option. Do you need cruise tickets to use it? https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/galveston/transportation-iah-airport-to-port-115031
Don't know, it would be worth contacting them to ask. There are also a few private parties running a cruise shuttle like service from Hobby, one is called "lady cruise shutters" or something. See them on cruise Facebook groups often. I think they charge about $30 a person if on one of their scheduled routes, more for special pickups.
Uber fare? You can open the app and mess around with the routes at various times of the day to figure this out. I see the cheapest fares are about $80 right now.
You can do an aiport shuttle to Galveston. [https://galvestonexpress.com/galveston-taxi-rates-schedule/](https://galvestonexpress.com/galveston-taxi-rates-schedule/)
[Found this, $28.00.](https://galvestonlimo.com/airport-shuttle/) It's a scheduled service so there could be a wait, also some baggage limitation involved. It's an option to research anyway.
Lyft is cheaper than Uber, usually. Google maps can show you public transportation options (though they will vary greatly by time of day) but I don't expect them to be great. Best case scenario maybe Lyft to a park and ride going to Galveston but I actually don't think they have any that actually go all the way there anymore.
Unfortunately there's no public transportation that will get you to Galveston, you will have to take some private services.
Also prepare to be disappointed with Galveston, it's the worst beach town I've ever been too and I work down there every day.
Tons of history, events and outdoor activities. Small town feel with a lot of charm.
Most people just shit on it because the water is brown more days than not.
The town itself is really cool. The beach is just ok though. It gets a lot of sediment from rivers to the east of Houston so it’s not your typical blue water.
I went to university down there, and it was a blast. while I don't go there for Holiday, I loved living there in my 20's.
If you have a drives license renting a car may actually be the cheapest option. There is also the galveston express shuttle.
It is a really small town when you ignore the tourist so all the locals know each other, and if it is the same as when I lived there 60% the waiters and bartenders are University kids at Texas A&M.
Im arriving very late at night, around 11 pm, I suppose to price would differ at night than in the morning? Do you suggest I sleep in the airport and take the uber by the morning?
Not OP but if you're going to be longer than say a week I would probably suggest look into getting a rental car. Unfortunately Houston and especially Galveston can be very rough to get around between the two without having a private vehicle or rideshare taxi service like Uber. There are a handful of bike lanes and sidewalks on the island so I would feel comfortable enough on a used bike and uber if it was for say up to a couple weeks and just on the island, but more than a handful of days needing to get between Galvy and say downtown houston and it gets expensive quick riding uber. If you're planning on doing more riding/driving on and off the island outside of just to and from the airport then I may suggest check rental car sites like Avis/Budget Enterprise TURO etc and see if that could possibly be cheaper or more convenient for you.
It really comes down to if an Uber or Lyft driver will accept the ride to Galveston that late at night. I know many post talk about the ease of getting an Uber but finding a driver who is willing to drive over an hour one way may be the limiting factor.
Uber or another ride sharing service I’d say. If you arrive that late perhaps best to find some lodging for the night and make your way to Galveston in the morning. In general there’s very minimal public transport options in the Houston area so your best bet is usually going to be Uber or a similar service.
do you have any ride sharing service suggestions? Would there by Uber drivers available at such a late time in the night?
Yeah there should be Ubers around at that time. I mainly have used Uber but perhaps someone will have a suggestion on another app that’s better or cheaper.
Would you be able to come up with an approximate fare price from IAH to Galveston island? Honestly that's one of the scariest aspects of using Uber at the time.
According to Google, at least $100 +
If it remains around that price then I say its still somewhat reasonable
You can download the app and “schedule” a future pick up to get an idea of the cost and then cancel if you end up not wanting to book it. (And this is honestly your best option.)
I can't seem to use schedule option since it requires me to verify and It just keeps saying my account is temporarily disabled, if you could, would you be able to try it for me and let me know?
It showed a rate of around $66 for a basic Uber.
Thats crazy cheap compared to what google said, is this the final prize or does Uber usually include taxes at the end?
I tried the schedule option a while back and they accepted it but then never showed so I wouldn't rely on for the actual ride. Had to make my own way to airport at the last minute.
uber prices on google maps are always higher
Uber runs *from* the airport 24/7, you'll be alright that way. For reference I had a business trip recently where my plane didn't land until after midnight at IAH, but I was still able to pretty easily walk to the uber pick up point (section of the parking lot at the airport near the baggage claim) and call a ride. Won't be cheap I'd expect ~$100 or so for that kind of distance, but not much else runs at that time of night so it's not like there's many other options.
Is it expensive at all at night time compared to day time?
Uber didn't seem to be at the time, but prices can vary depending on surge pricing. Said surge is usually for busier times though which I can't see happening late at night.
There is also Lyft service.
how is it?
Similar to Uber. Just an alternative. If you can't get one, try the other. Install the app on your phone. I have no opinions on either. It all depends on the driver, not so much the carrier. Prices are similar.
Would flying into Hobby be an option? It's on the south side of town, a little closer to Galveston. may be a cheaper to get to Galveston from there.
Not really, IAH is my only option :/
Note: I should also mention that I arrive very late at night around midnight so I'm not sure how this would affect the fare's price and availability surrounding the airport transports.
Metro [bus route 102](https://www.ridemetro.org/riding-metro/transit-services/local-bus/route-details/102-bush-iah-express): terminal C at IAH to downtown. Last stop of the day leaves at or before 1am, so it's possible you could catch that all the way downtown, shaving off a bunch of miles cheaply. But all other routes are done by that time, most starting back up around 5am. There have been several attempts to make a continuous bus route to Galveston, but they keep failing (and they're rarely publicized widely until they're already gone). There might be a way one morning to go from Metro to a League City/Galveston County park and ride, and then onto this https://www.utmb.edu/transit but I don't know.
you're saying I should take the metro to downtown Houston and call an uber from there to Galveston?
100% your best bet. The more miles you ride with public transportation, the cheaper it is.
Might be hell having to do that at midnight though
You don’t want to be dropped off downtown after midnight holding your luggage and trying to arrange an Uber - just go straight from IAH to Galveston in the Uber
Indeed. It's not worth the money saved. Go straight from the airport.
Agree! Do NOT take the bus option into Houston at that hour (or really most times). I wonder if ya can hang at IAH to catch the Galveston Express?? https://galvestonexpress.com/
Carnival Cruises operates a shuttle from the airport to the cruise terminal, that may be an option. There are other van/bus shuttle services also. Otherwise it's basically Uber, which is expensive.
Never thought about the cruise transportation option. Do you need cruise tickets to use it? https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/galveston/transportation-iah-airport-to-port-115031
Don't know, it would be worth contacting them to ask. There are also a few private parties running a cruise shuttle like service from Hobby, one is called "lady cruise shutters" or something. See them on cruise Facebook groups often. I think they charge about $30 a person if on one of their scheduled routes, more for special pickups.
Do you know the approximate fare price from IAH to Galveston island perhaps?
Uber fare? You can open the app and mess around with the routes at various times of the day to figure this out. I see the cheapest fares are about $80 right now.
You can do an aiport shuttle to Galveston. [https://galvestonexpress.com/galveston-taxi-rates-schedule/](https://galvestonexpress.com/galveston-taxi-rates-schedule/)
These arent available at night time when I arrive unfortunately :/
[Found this, $28.00.](https://galvestonlimo.com/airport-shuttle/) It's a scheduled service so there could be a wait, also some baggage limitation involved. It's an option to research anyway.
look into this service: [https://galvestonlimo.com/airport-shuttle/](https://galvestonlimo.com/airport-shuttle/)
Lyft is cheaper than Uber, usually. Google maps can show you public transportation options (though they will vary greatly by time of day) but I don't expect them to be great. Best case scenario maybe Lyft to a park and ride going to Galveston but I actually don't think they have any that actually go all the way there anymore.
U cute tho? Send pics
Unfortunately there's no public transportation that will get you to Galveston, you will have to take some private services. Also prepare to be disappointed with Galveston, it's the worst beach town I've ever been too and I work down there every day.
I'm here for experience but at least its a beach town haha
Don’t pay this comment any mind. The island see millions of visitors a year and it is a great island town.
Ah okay, is there some aspects of the island i should be excited about?
Tons of history, events and outdoor activities. Small town feel with a lot of charm. Most people just shit on it because the water is brown more days than not.
The town itself is really cool. The beach is just ok though. It gets a lot of sediment from rivers to the east of Houston so it’s not your typical blue water.
I went to university down there, and it was a blast. while I don't go there for Holiday, I loved living there in my 20's. If you have a drives license renting a car may actually be the cheapest option. There is also the galveston express shuttle. It is a really small town when you ignore the tourist so all the locals know each other, and if it is the same as when I lived there 60% the waiters and bartenders are University kids at Texas A&M.
Sounds fantastic although im 20 so im unable to drink yet haha
Well for reference all 80& of the students are under 21 too, yet they find a way.......
Well you picked one of the worst places in the us to get experience lol
I bet Uber will be in excess of $250
that much?! why so?
I live just off the island and took an Uber to IAH this morning during rush hour and it was $77. It’s not unreasonable.
Im arriving very late at night, around 11 pm, I suppose to price would differ at night than in the morning? Do you suggest I sleep in the airport and take the uber by the morning?
I’ve arrived after midnight before (I travel regularly for work) and I’ve always been able to get an Uber, even if I had to wait a few minutes.
sounds reassuring to hear, do you suggest using Uber or Lyft at midnight?
I don’t know that there’s much difference. I use Uber because I don’t want multiple apps, but I think most drivers are on both.
Thank you for your suggestions, do you have any related suggestions for getting around in the US , near texas galveston specifically?
Not OP but if you're going to be longer than say a week I would probably suggest look into getting a rental car. Unfortunately Houston and especially Galveston can be very rough to get around between the two without having a private vehicle or rideshare taxi service like Uber. There are a handful of bike lanes and sidewalks on the island so I would feel comfortable enough on a used bike and uber if it was for say up to a couple weeks and just on the island, but more than a handful of days needing to get between Galvy and say downtown houston and it gets expensive quick riding uber. If you're planning on doing more riding/driving on and off the island outside of just to and from the airport then I may suggest check rental car sites like Avis/Budget Enterprise TURO etc and see if that could possibly be cheaper or more convenient for you.
Just looked at the uber app, quoted me $55
Thats very cheap, I might have to check again at midnight
It really comes down to if an Uber or Lyft driver will accept the ride to Galveston that late at night. I know many post talk about the ease of getting an Uber but finding a driver who is willing to drive over an hour one way may be the limiting factor.
Thats fair, worst case scenario then ill sleep at the airport