Transfer Options from LAX Airport to Santa Monica
If your destination lies in the cosmopolitan Santa Monica, with the iconic pier housing the Pacific Park and the breathtaking ocean views, you’ll have to find your way after your landing at Los Angeles International Airport. Hence, if you are looking for premium transfer services, you should reserve a LAX airport transfer, whereas taxis provide convenient rides and car rentals guarantee an utterly independent journey. On the other hand, the only public transportation option is the bus. Verily, the Big Blue Bus, the company run by Santa Monica’s City Council, connects LAX Airport to Santa Monica.
| Options | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 45 | 42.50 | 25 min |
| Bus/Shuttle | 1.10 | 1.03 | 45 min |
LAX to Santa Monica by Taxi
LAX taxis offer adequate and safe services but aren’t as convenient as one might expect. That being said, there are three airport zones where passengers can catch their cabs, and only one of them lies outside a LAX terminal building. Thus, a taxi rank is to be found on the first level of Car Park P3 (close to T3 and TBIT), while a second one is located on the east side of T7, outside the baggage claim area. It goes without saying that passengers whose landing terminals are T7 and T8 usually head to this taxi stand. Besides these options, taxis (and ride-sharing companies) can pick up their passengers only from the LAX-it area, situated close to T1 (yet taxis can drop them off in front of the terminal buildings). To get to LAX-it areas, passengers can take the 3-5-minute free airport shuttle, departing from the Green LAX-it stops on the terminals’ Arrivals level. Alternatively, walking isn’t out of the question. As a matter of fact, T1 is just a 4-minute walk from LAX-it, T2, T7, and T8 lie within a 10-minute walking distance, and the other terminals are a 16-19-minute walk away.
LAX taxis can be of any color.
Overall, LAX taxis need around 25 minutes to traverse the 15-mile/24-km distance from Los Angeles Airport to Santa Monica. Nevertheless, LA traffic jams are notorious. Thus, during rush hours, your transfer may last from 55 minutes to even 70 minutes! Even though several taxicab companies provide set fares (at least for popular routes), LA taxis are overall metered. That being said, unless you’ve agreed with your driver on a flat rate, you should expect a 45$/42.50€ price for the ride from LAX to Santa Monica (including the 4$/3.80€ airport fee). However, if the traffic levels are high, the final fare will rise further. Furthermore, a 10%-15% is expected. Payments, on the othe hand, can be made in cash or via a debit/credit card.
LAX to Santa Monica by Bus
If you are looking for a cheap way to travel, you should definitely opt for a bus ride. The Big Blue Bus (BBB) has an available route linking LAX to Santa Monica. Actually, it has two: BBB Route 3, running 7 days a week, and Rapid 3, operating only on weekdays from 07:14 am to 08:14 am. Route Rapid 3 doesn’t run on weekends, public holidays, or during peak hours.
In any case, the Big Blue Buses depart from the LAX City Bus Center, about 0.5 miles/0.8km from the airport terminals. Hence, as soon as you collect your luggage, you’ll have to exit the Arrivals and catch the free airport Shuttle C heading to Lot South/LAX City Bus Center. You won’t face any difficulties in finding the bus stops, as they are located outside all LAX terminals marked by a PINK LAX Shuttle sign. Overall, shuttles run on a 15-20-minute frequency.
Once you reach LAX City Bus Center, you’ll have to catch BBB. BBB Route 3 is available from Monday to Friday from 05:04 am to 10:53 pm, whereas on weekends, it runs from 05:41 am to 10:54 pm. Buses run every 13 minutes (during the night, routes are scarcer). You should expect a 28-minute ride from LAX Airport to 4th Santa Monica, under light traffic. The BBB tickers cost as much as 1.10$/1/03€ if you opt for a mobile or TAP payment and allow free transfers with any other BBB line within a 2-hour period of time. Please note that TAP Cards are reloadable cards costing 2$/1.88€. They can be bought online, through the TAP App, or from the station’s automatic vendors. Furthermore, you can use the same methods to reload them, head to the authorized vendors, or call TAP Customer Service. With a TAP Card, you’ll benefit from the fare-capping system, meaning that once you pay 5$/4.70€ (within a day’s time) or 18$/16.90€ (within a week), you won’t be charged for any other onward transfers. Cash payments are accepted at BBB as well. In that case, the ticket is priced at 1.25$/1.18€, and you’ll have to pay with the exact amount of money. Regardless of the payment method, children up to 5 years of age travel for free.
The total transfer duration from Los Angeles Airport to Santa Monica will be around 45 minutes.
LAX to Santa Monica Pier
If you want to travel from LAX to Santa Monica Pier, you’ll still catch Route 3 or Rapid 3 to Santa Monica. Nevertheless, your disembarking stop will be 4th Nb & Colorado FS (Downtown SM Station). From that point, Santa Monica Pier is a 10-minute walk away.
Car Rental from LAX Airport to Santa Monica
If you want to travel from LAX to Santa Monica at your own pace or -even more so- plan to explore the surrounding attractions as well, you’ll have to resort to a LAX airport car rental. You should bear in mind that some car rental companies are located at the LAX Car Rental Center (you’ll find a free airport shuttle from your terminal), while others lie at the Remote Rental Car Depot (those companies provide complimentary shuttle rides from and to Los Angeles Airport as well), but no one is located inside the terminals. Moreover, if you book your Los Angeles car rental in advance, you’ll find lower prices and more available car models.
Your ride from Los Angeles Airport to Santa Monica will last around 25 minutes. Still, if you get stuck in traffic (unfortunately, a common reality in LA), you may need up to 70 minutes to reach your destination. As far as parking is concerned, if your accommodation doesn’t provide similar services, you should use one of the parking lots close to the beach and the Santa Monica Pier and scattered downtown. Please note that the city center’s parking lots are usually free for the first 90 minutes. Moreover, street parking is also an option (for a fee). In any case, Santa Monica is a walkable destination. Hence, many travelers park their cars in one of the Metro E Line Stations’ parking lots and use the subway to reach their journey’s end.
LAX Airport Transfers from Los Angeles Airport to Santa Monica
LAX airport transfers are considered one of the most convenient ways to travel from LAX to Santa Monica. Various providers operate at Los Angeles International Airport, offering top-notch services and tempting prices and deals. When you opt for a private airport transfer, you should expect your driver to wait for you at your terminal’s Arrivals hall. Hence, you won’t have to reach the LAX-it zone. Once you make yourself comfortable inside the vehicle of your choice, your ride will be about to begin. Customized services (depending on the required amenities and the suggested preferences) are guaranteed with a LAX airport transfer, while you’ll enjoy each minute of the smooth ride to the exact location of your destination.
FAQs
How far is LAX to Santa Monica?
LAX is just 15 miles/24km away from Santa Monica. As a matter of fact, if you follow the non-freeway route, you’ll have to traverse 9 miles/14.40km to get from Los Angeles Airport to Santa Monica. Still, this option is usually more time-consuming.
How to get from LAX to Santa Monica?
You can catch a cab or opt for a luxurious LAX airport transfer to travel from Los Angeles Airport to Santa Monica. Moreover, car rentals are usually preferred by travelers planning on exploring other surrounding areas as well. Finally, besides the various shuttles, the Big Blue Bus provides efficient and affordable transit services from LAX to Santa Monica.
Are there shuttles from LAX to Santa Monica?
You’ll find several shuttle options from LAX to Santa Monica. In general terms, their prices range. Still, the usual fare is around 20$/18.90€ per passenger. Please note that shuttle rides from LAX begin at the designated stops lying on each terminal’s Arrivals level.
How much is a taxi from LAX to Santa Monica?
Although LA taxis are overall metered, some taxi companies offer set fares as well. Still, if this isn’t the case, you should expect a 45$/42.50€ fare for your ride from LAX Airport to Santa Monica, plus a 10%-15% tip. Nevertheless, during rush hours, the duration and the cost of the ride may rise abruptly.