Plan Your Trip to Galveston

Plan your vacation in Galveston, TX with tips on the best restaurants, activities, and more!

Our team at Visit Galveston's passion is helping you discover the best experiences across our island community. Our team of destination experts has the local connections and insider information to make sure you find the best restaurants, places to stay, and things to do that will make your trip memorable for the entire family.

Travel Planning Tools

Advice from Local Experts

Looking for more information on how you can get the best out of your Galveston island experience? Connect with us on social media to stay in the loop on all the amazing things that are happening in Galveston throughout the year.

When is the Best Time to Visit Galveston?

Forget about FOMO! We've got something going on all-year-round! Be sure to check out our annual Lone Star Motorcycle Rally; Dickens on the Strand holiday street festival; FeatherFest- Nature and Birding Photography Festival; our Juneteenth dedications, walks, celebrations and more.

To catch the best weather during your trip, visit Galveston in the spring and fall. You’ll find reduced humidity, fewer crowds, better lodging pricing (Sun-Thurs, year-round) and more often than not the water is glistening blue or crystal clear due to the wind direction.

What are the Best Things to Do in Galveston?

From kayak adventures to museums galore, there's never a dull moment when you visit Galveston. Be sure to check out our vast array of sandy beaches and our rich history as the birthplace of Juneteenth.

For more activities to plan your ideal getaway, check out our Things to Do and Itineraries pages curated just for you.

What is the Weather Like in Galveston?

Our mild temperatures range anywhere from 65 degrees in the winter to 85 degrees in the summer. Find out whether to bring a sweater or sunblock during your visit on our Weather page.

How do I Get Around Galveston?

Public Transportation

Hop on the Galveston Trolley for only $1 (free for children!)

Seawall Loop – Trolley travels between Stewart Beach and Moody Gardens along the Seawall.

Downtown Loop – Trolley travels between The Strand and the Seawall. North & South Bound stops are available on 25th St., Postoffice Street, 20th St., and The Strand.

Fun Rental Options

Take advantage of Galveston’s rental options to make the most of your next outdoor adventure by visiting our Rentals page.

Rent a Car, Shuttle or Ride-Share


Limo or luxury car: Rates vary from around $150 each way for a luxury car from Houston Hobby up to $400 each way for a stretch limo from Bush International.

Shuttle: Round-trip rates range from around $40 to $100 per person.

Uber and Lyft: Rates range from about $100+ round trip per car from Houston Hobby to $165+ round trip from Bush International. Fares increase during busy times.

Rental car: Rates vary.

View Getting Here & Transportation for more information.

Where can I Park in Galveston?

Downtown: must pay to park using the PayByPhone App from 9 am to 6 pm.

Seawall: must pay to park using the PayByPhone App from 10 am - 6 pm.

Visitors embarking on a cruise can park their vehicles at local parking companies. For more details on cruise parking, click here.

Which Cruise Lines Sail from Galveston?

Three main cruise operators run trips from Galveston: Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International. Norwegian Cruise Line has reported it will homeport their new liner, the Prima, in Galveston in 2023.

Those who want to extend their vacation can stay at one of the highly rated hotels in Galveston. Most offer connecting shuttles to and from the cruise terminal so you don’t need to worry about parking and can continue to enjoy your break.

For more information, visit Cruising.

How do I get to Galveston?

Located about an hour south of Houston and connected to the mainland by a causeway, Galveston is as easy to get to as an island can be.

Follow I-45, also referred to as the Gulf Freeway, continuing southeast from Houston to Galveston over the Galveston Causeway to the Gulf.

Some of the ways to travel to, from, or on the island include Uber or Lyft, shuttle, limousine, rental car or personal vehicle.

The closest international airport to Galveston is William P Hobby Airport. Located on the southern side of Houston, it’s only about an hour drive from the terminal to the beach.

For more information visit Getting Here.