Getting from Corpus Christi to Port Aransas means choosing between a seasonal CCRTA bus and driving to the SH 361 ferry in Aransas Pass. Around Corpus Christi, CCRTA routes connect downtown with North Beach and major bayfront destinations, while driving gives you another way to cover the city.
- CCRTA’s route list includes downtown, North Beach and Port Aransas services.
- The North Beach route connects Staples Street Station with North Beach.
- The Port Aransas ferry crosses the Corpus Christi Channel from Aransas Pass.
What to know about distances in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi trips can combine city streets, bayfront destinations and a coastal connection to Mustang Island. For the city portion, use CCRTA’s interactive system map or trip planner to check the route between your starting point and destination.
Driving and parking around town
Driving lets you make your own sequence of city stops, then continue toward the coast. If you plan to use CCRTA for part of your day, its trip planner and live route maps can help you check stops and schedules before setting out.
For a day focused on the bayfront and North Beach, a Corpus Christi one-day route linking those areas can help you group destinations without doubling back.
Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority buses
CCRTA serves downtown, North Beach and Port Aransas with named routes, but schedules can vary by service. Its route list includes Route 76 Downtown Shuttle, Route 78 North Beach, Route 54 Gregory/Downtown Express, Route 94 Port Aransas Shuttle and Route 95 Port Aransas Express.
Route 78 connects North Beach with Staples Street Station, and its map identifies the Texas State Aquarium and USS Lexington Museum as points of interest.
Route 76 serves downtown stops and destinations including Staples Street Station, the Texas State Aquarium, USS Lexington Museum, American Bank Center and Whataburger Field. Route 54 is described as limited service with limited stops on weekdays.
Use CCRTA’s interactive system map, trip planner and live route maps, schedules and stops to check the current details for your intended trip.
Reaching North Beach and the bayfront
Route 78 links Staples Street Station with North Beach, where its published map shows the Texas State Aquarium and USS Lexington Museum. Route 76 also serves bayfront destinations, including the aquarium, USS Lexington Museum and American Bank Center, as well as Whataburger Field.
For a day combining downtown and North Beach, check the stop locations and current schedules before choosing which route to take first. You can then use the route map to see which destinations fit into the same part of your trip.
How do you get from Corpus Christi to Port Aransas?
You can take a seasonal CCRTA Port Aransas Express or drive to Aransas Pass and cross by ferry. CCRTA describes the Port Aransas Express as daily seasonal service to Port Aransas from Corpus Christi, Ingleside or Aransas Pass. The agency says the service receives priority ferry boarding and has free Wi-Fi aboard.
By car, TxDOT’s SH 361 ferry connects Aransas Pass on the mainland with Port Aransas on Mustang Island across the Corpus Christi Channel. The crossing is about one-quarter mile and typically takes less than 10 minutes, though peak summer hours may bring longer waits. Each ferry can carry up to 20 regular passenger vehicles.
Check TxDOT’s ferry wait-time information by selecting “SH 361 Aransas Pass East” in the schedule’s left-hand navigation. For a fuller day-trip plan, the Port Aransas day trip from Corpus Christi covers routes and a simple sequence.
On board, turn off your engine, set the parking brake, travel on and off at no more than 3 mph, and follow deckhand directions.
TxDOT lists maximum combined-vehicle dimensions of 80 feet long, 13 feet wide and 13 feet 6 inches high, and an overall maximum vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds. Separate axle limits also apply: 20,000 pounds for single-axle vehicles and 34,000 pounds for tandem-axle vehicles.
Choosing transport for a short stay
For city sights served by CCRTA, check the route map and schedule before deciding whether to ride or drive. For Port Aransas, compare the seasonal bus service with driving to Aransas Pass and taking the ferry. The best fit depends on the destinations and timing in your own plan.
From Texan Hotel, Corpus Christi city centre is about a 10-minute drive. If your arrival plan includes an airport transfer, the route from Corpus Christi International Airport to Texan Hotel covers that connection.
Before you go, check the official site for current bus schedules and ferry wait times: CCRTA for transit and TxDOT for the ferry. Contact the Port Aransas ferry in advance about special-needs vessel parking accommodations.
FAQs
Does CCRTA have a bus to North Beach?
Yes. Route 78 connects North Beach with Staples Street Station, and its map identifies the Texas State Aquarium and USS Lexington Museum as points of interest.
Is there a bus from Corpus Christi to Port Aransas?
CCRTA describes the Port Aransas Express as daily seasonal service from Corpus Christi, Ingleside or Aransas Pass to Port Aransas.
How long does the Port Aransas ferry crossing take?
The crossing is about one-quarter mile and typically takes less than 10 minutes. Peak summer hours may mean longer waits.