The Seawall Trolley Bus can be a fun and novel way to travel down the Seawall if you can figure out where when and how to catch it.
When
Seasonally the schedule changes, but currently the Seawall Trolley Bus runs from 10am to 5pm on Thursday, and 10am to 8pm Friday through Sunday.
(In the summer, it runs on Wednesday as well. Fall and Winter, it only runs weekends. and has reduced hours.)
Where
You can ride all the way from Stewart Beach to Moody Gardens (or vice versa). You also have the option to get on or off anywhere in between.
There are plenty of stops to choose from along this route including (but not limited to) 21st St, 25th St, 39th St, 45th, 61st, and 81st (see maps below).
How Much
Adults can ride for just $1 (cash)
Kids and seniors for .50 cents
(Under 3 yrs old ride free)
Important to Know
CASH ONLY if you want to ride.
No card payment accepted.
Have exact change or round up.
Transfers
A free transfer to the Downtown Loop (Rail Trolley) is available at 21st Street & Seawall Boulevard.
The Downtown Loop includes stops at 20th and Market, Strand and 23rd (Saengerfest Park), 25th and Strand (Railroad Museum and Transit Terminal).
Caveat
If you wish to ride the trolley, it can be a great experience. But if you are counting on it to show up and or be on time, you should know it can be hit or miss.
As a local who’s ridden it many times, I can honestly say that it’s great when it comes – But it is good to also have a backup plan if it doesn’t. There are times I’ve been waiting on it at its scheduled time with no trolley in site before finally giving up and taking an uber.
Storms may affect routes too, as in inclement weather, the trolley may not run.
Holidays can also affect routes. You can check for Service Alerts here.
Maps and Schedules
On the map below the red line shows the Seawall loop and the blue line shows the Downtown loop.
Take the schedule below with a grain of salt, but here is an approximation.
