Transfer Options from LAX Airport to Long Beach
Travelers having Long Beach as their final destination can choose between various transportation options as soon as they land at Los Angeles International Airport. If you are about to take a cruise and want to travel from LAX to Long Beach Cruise Terminal or if simply want to visit the picturesque Long Beach and enjoy the amazing ocean scenery, you can choose between the comfortable LAX taxis and the independent car rentals, the luxurious LAX airport transfers, and the affordable metro, or opt for a cheap enough yet time-consuming bus ride to your journey’s end.
| Options | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 80 | 76 | 30 min |
| Bus | 1.75 | 1.64 | 120 min |
| Metro | 1.75 | 1.64 | 60 min |
How to Get from LAX to Long Beach by Taxi
Whether you want to get from LAX to Long Beach Cruise Terminal for your onward cruise or simply reach the multicultural Long Beach, a LAX taxi will be one of your most convenient options. The different colored taxis offer quality and around-the-clock services at Los Angeles International Airport. The only drawback is that their ranks aren’t located outside the terminals. The only taxi stand close to the terminal buildings is the one lying at the east part of T7 on its Arrivals level. However, it is convenient only for passengers landing at T7 or T8. On the other hand, if your arrival terminal is T3 or TBIT, you can use the taxi rank located on the first level of Car Park 3. In any other case, you’ll have to reach the LAX-it area, where LAX taxis and authorized ride-sharing companies pick up their passengers. LAX-it lies close to T1, within a 4-minute walking distance, while from T2, T7, and T8, passengers have to walk 10 minutes to reach it. Finally, LAX-it is within a 16-19-minute walking distance from all other terminals. Do you carry heavy luggage, or don’t you feel like walking? You can take the free airport shuttle calling at the stops with the Green LAX-it sign outside all LAX terminals. The shuttle runs every 3-5 minutes.
Long Beach is located 22 miles/35.40km away from Los Angeles Airport. Thus, under normal traffic conditions, the LAX taxi ride should last around 30 minutes. Still, roads often get congested. In that case, the duration of the transfer may be up to 45 minutes. As far as the taxi rates are concerned, although many providers offer fixed fares, LA taxis are overall metered. Therefore, heavy traffic greatly affects the final fare. Overall, the usual cost of the transfer is around 80$/76€ (including the airport fee). What’s more, a 10%-15% tip is more than customary. Please bear in mind that you are free to pay in cash or via a bank card without getting extra charged.
How to Get from LAX to Long Beach by Bus
Unfortunately, public transportation rides from LAX Airport aren’t usually direct. Thus, if you want to travel from LAX Airport to Long Beach by bus, you’ll have to reach the LAX City Bus Center. Hence, once you exit your terminal (no matter which terminal it is, as there are stops on the Arrivals levels of all LAX terminals), you’ll catch the free Shuttle C running to Lot South/LAX City Bus Center. The shuttle calls at the stops indicated by PINK LAX Shuttle signs and runs from 04:00 am to 02:00 am every 15-20 minutes.
As soon as you get to LAX City Bus Center, you’ll have to hop on the Metro Bus 232 traveling to Downtown Long Beach. Bus 232 operates from 04:22 am to 11:47 pm on a 15-20-minute frequency. However, on weekends, its routes are scarcer. A one-way ticket for Bus 232 costs 1.75$/1.64€. You can pay for your bus fares using rechargeable TAP Cards, which offer free onward public transfers within a 2-hour time from the first ride. TAP Cards cost 2$/1.88€ and are available from the LAX City Bus Center’s automatic machines, online, or through the TAP app. If you want to recharge them, you can use one of the previous methods, head to one of the authorized vendors, or call TAP Customer Service. If more public rides are on the way, you’ll be glad to know that TAP Cards offer fare-capping. Therefore, once you pay the daily cap (5$/4.70€) or the weekly cap (18$/16.90€), you won’t be charged any other rides during that period of time. Alternatively, cash payments are also accepted but only in exact change and on buses with front-only operating doors.
All in all, the bus ride from LAX to Downtown Long Beach Station (Shelter A) will last around 100-120 minutes, plus the approximately 15-minute transfer time from LAX to LAX City Bus Center.
Is There a Shuttle from LAX to Long Beach?
Yes, you’ll find shuttles running from LAX Airport to Long Beach. They are certainly much more expensive than Metro buses but depart from the bus stops, lying outside the Arrivals of each terminal. Thus, they offer direct services to Long Beach.
What if I Want to Get from LAX to Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
You’ll still catch Metro Bus 232 and hop out of the vehicle at Downtown Long Beach Station (Shelter A). However, you’ll have to walk 2 miles/3.2 km to the Long Beach Cruise Center, take a cab or a ride share from the station, or check out if your cruise company offers shuttle services. If that is the case, please remember to compare the taxi and cruise shuttle fares, as cruise transfers tend to be pricey.
How to Get from LAX to Long Beach by Metro
A metro ride is an affordable and faster-than-bus way to travel from LAX Airport to Long Beach. Although it requires two changes of line, it isn’t dependent on the traffic conditions. Thus, if you are planning to reach your destination in Long Beach by metro, you should head to the bus stops (marked by PINK LAX Shuttle signs), which are to be found in the Arrivals area of each airport’s terminal. Verily, LAX doesn’t house a train station. Hence, you’ll have to catch the complimentary airport Shuttles G that head to the nearby Aviation/LAX Station. Please note that Shuttles G run every 15-20 minutes and get to the station in around 15 minutes.
From Aviation/LAX Station, you’ll have to take the Metro C Line (Green Line) to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station. The Green Line operates from 03:49 am to 00:08 am every 10 minutes. Nevertheless, during off-peak hours, it runs on a 12-15-minute frequency. You should expect to reach your disembarking station in about 14 minutes. From Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station, you’ll catch the Metro A Line (Blue Line) that travels to downtown Long Beach. The Metro A Line is available from 03:54 am to 11:34 pm, and reaches Downtown Long Beach Station in about 30 minutes. Thus, the total duration of your transfer will be around one hour (including the LAX to Aviation/LAX Station transfer but not the waiting time).
The metro ride from LAX to Long Beach is a cheap transfer alternative. Verily, a metro ticket costs 1.75$/1.64€ and can be used for both metro lines (A and C), as free public transit rides are allowed within 2 hours from the disembarking time. Nevertheless, you should remember that only TAP payments are accepted.
How to Get from LAX to Long Beach Cruise Terminal
If your final destination is the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, you’ll still disembark at Downtown Long Beach Station. However, you’ll have to walk the 2-mile/3.2-km distance to Long Beach Cruise Terminal, take a cab or a ride share, or if you have booked a cruise, use any provided shuttle rides by your cruise company.
How to Get from LAX to Long Beach by Car Rental
A LAX airport car rental is the ideal transfer option for travelers planning on exploring near-Long-Beach areas as well. Even if a cruise is on the way, should you have time to spare, with your car rental you can visit as much of the area’s sightseeing as possible and still be at the Cruise Terminal on time. LAX car rental companies don’t have inside-the-terminal desks but are located either at the LAX Car Rental Center (you’ll find a free airport shuttle from your terminal) or at the Remote Rental Car Depot (companies located there offer complimentary shuttle rides as well). Hence, the options are various. To find the top deal and the best value-for-money alternative, all you have to do is check them out and compare them. In any case, in-advance bookings are always recommended.
Your ride from LAX to Long Beach will last around half an hour. However, you should bear in mind (especially if you have a ship to catch) that LA is notorious for its traffic jams. Therefore, the traveling time may abruptly rise when roads are congested. Once you reach Long Beach with your Los Angeles car rental, you’ll have to park it. You’ll find several indoor and outdoor parking facilities, whereas free street parking is also an option. Still, the parking spots are limited.
LAX Airport Transfers from LAX to Long Beach
Travelers valuing comfort and luxury during their travels usually opt for a private airport transfer for their journey from LAX Airport to Long Beach. What are the reasons behind that choice? LAX airport transfers offer safe and door-to-door services, depart from the airport’s terminals (no need to reach the LAX-it area to catch your cab), and aim at an utterly customized traveling experience. Verily, you can adjust every detail of the transfer -from the car class to any required add-ons- to your exact needs. What’s more, drivers are cherry-picked and area-knowledgeable. Hence, should you have any questions about your trip, all you have to do is ask.
FAQs
How far is LAX to Long Beach?
Los Angeles International Airport is 22 miles/35.40km away from Long Beach. That being said, the ride from LAX to Long Beach usually lasts around 30 minutes. Still, during peak hours, you may need up to 45 minutes to get to your destination.
How to get from LAX to Long Beach?
You can catch a cab, book a private airport transfer, or rent a car to get from LAX to Long Beach. Alternatively, the Metro Bus 232 and the Metro Lines A and C are two affordable options for your transfer. However, the ride with Bus 232 is time-consuming, while the metro journey requires changes of line.
Is there shuttle between LAX and Long Beach?
There are various shuttle services provided to passengers wishing to travel from LAX to Long Beach. Shuttles depart from LAX terminals, having designated stops on each terminal’s Arrivals level. However, they are far more expensive than Metro buses.
How much is a taxi from LAX to Long Beach?
Many LA taxicab companies offer set fares for their services. Still, LA taxis are overall metered. Thus, if the traffic levels are low, you should expect an 80$/76€ fare for your taxi transfer from LAX Airport to Long Beach. However, during peak hours, the traveling time and the cost of the ride may rise.