If you’re flying into Los Angeles to take a cruise out of Long Beach, getting from the airport to the cruise terminal can be challenging. Depending on which route you take, the airport is between 22 and 26 miles from the cruise terminal, so you definitely can’t walk.

Fortunately, this is LA, and there are plenty of transportation options for you to choose from. We’ll cover all of the options for you in this article, as well as the different routes that can be taken from LAX to Long Beach Port.

Routes

Before you choose your transportation, it’s helpful to know what route you’ll be taking. There are three main routes that people choose, although if you’re using Google maps you may be directed along neighborhood roads and scenic routes to avoid traffic.

I-405

This is the shortest route, which makes it the most popular. Beginning at LAX (1 World Way, LA, CA, 90045), you will take World Way out to S Sepulveda Blvd. World Way is a one-way street, and the only road into or out of LAX, so don’t worry about getting on the wrong road. World Way only allows you to drive on one direction, and you’ll either keep driving in circles or get on the exit for Sepulveda.

From S Sepulveda, use the middle lane to take the ramp for I-105 East, and then use the right lane on I-105 to take exit 2 for I-405. Keep right at the fork to stay on 405 S toward Long Beach. After 13 miles you’ll take exit 32B onto I-710 south, and then take exit 1A onto Harbor Scenic drive. Then just follow the signs directing you to the cruise terminal.

I-105E

This route begins just like the last one, except instead of taking exit 2 off I-105 onto I-405, you stay on I-105 a bit longer. After driving on I-105E for about six miles, use the right two lanes to merge onto I-110 south. You’ll continue on I-110 for a bit over 4 miles and then use the right three lanes to merge onto I-405 south. From here on out the route is the same is the last one.

I-105E and I-710S

Again, this route starts by getting onto I-105E from the airport. This time you’ll stay on I-105 for twelve miles before taking exit 13 to merge onto I-710S toward Long Beach. Then it’s a straight shot to the harbor, where you’ll take exit 1A and follow the same instructions we laid out for the first route.

Most people plan on taking the I-405 route, but sometimes the other routes, while longer in terms of distance, will have light traffic. Check your map app before you leave the airport to see which route is currently the fastest.

Transportation Options

Now that you know how to get from the airport to the cruise terminal, it’s time to take a look at the different transportation options available to you. There are a lot of options you can choose from, and we’ll try to give you all the information you need to make the best choice.

Also Read: Full Guide on Long Beach Cruise Terminal Parking

Rental Cars

LAX, like any major airport, has rental car services readily available. If you’re flying in the same day that your cruise is leaving, a rental car may not be worth it. Many people, though, choose to fly in a day or two in advance so there’s no risk of a flight delay causing them to miss their cruise.

If that’s the case, a rental gives you a lot of freedom to explore LA and Long Beach before your cruise leaves. If you like, you can even park the car in the parking garage at the cruise port while you’re on the ship.

The cost of a rental car is often much less than people expect, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can be very expensive, since they increase their prices during times of high traffic including the routes from LAX to Long Beach Port.

It’s worth it to check on the rental car prices. Select the rental service you prefer to use and check with them to see what it would cost to pick up the car at LAX at the beginning of your trip and drop it off at the end.

If you go this route, you will also have to pay for parking in the parking garage at the cruise port terminal. There are no place at the port to drop off a rental car, so that isn’t an option. You’ll have to park it somewhere, and the parking garage costs $17 per day (that price does fluctuate, though).

Or, if you’re arriving early and you’ve booked a hotel, many of the hotels offer free parking for the duration of your cruise if you book with them. Check with your hotel; you may just have free parking.

Uber

Uber is the most popular ride share service, and that means that you will almost always be able to find a driver nearby. Using Uber is dead simple; download the app if you don’t already have it, and add a payment method. Then you select a destination and request a ride (your phone should automatically supply your current location.

Uber has a base fee for each ride, and then charges you both by the minute and by the mile. In other words, there is one minimum fee you will always pay, and then the remainder of the cost is based on how long the ride lasts and how much distance is covered. The nice thing about this is that you pay for the whole car, not per person. In most of the airport shuttles, you are paying per person.

You’ll pay just under $30 on average for an Uber ride from LAX to the Long Beach Cruise terminal. Remember, though, that Uber’s pricing increases during times of high demand. That means you could be paying significantly more than that.

If you’re traveling by yourself, or there are only two or three people in your party, Uber may not be cheaper than a shuttle. It will still offer more convenience, though. Uber comes when you call, and in a busy airport like LAX there’s likely to be an Uber nearby all the time. Shuttles leave on a predetermined schedule, and they often make multiple stops at different terminals, hotels, and possibly even another airport before taking you to your destination.

Lyft

Lyft works the same way as Uber, and calculates your payment the same way, too. It usually isn’t much different in price; it’s a little bit cheaper, averaging around $26 to get from LAX to the Long Beach Cruise terminal.

Just like Uber, Lyft will increase its rates during times of high demand, so the cost may be much higher. It usually doesn’t increase them as much as Uber does, and when demand is high the price gap between Uber and Lyft may be significant.

A lot of people consider Lyft to be less safe than Uber, though there isn’t any evidence to support that. What is true is that Lyft has less stringent standards for the cars their drivers use, allowing older models than Uber will. They also often encourage their drivers to allow passengers to sit in the front seat, creating a more casual, “friendly” atmosphere. Some people like this, others find it very offputting.

That said, most Lyft drivers also drive for Uber, so in practice, there are rarely any real differences in the quality of the ride.

According to RideGuru prices start from $38 from LAX to the Long Beach Port. It will depend on the type of vehicle chosen. Take a look here.

Taxis

Taxi is a lot more expensive than Uber or Lyft at over $85. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider it, though. There are taxis waiting outside baggage claim at every terminal at LAX, so they can be even easier to find than Uber/Lyft, and if you’re in a rush that might be important.

For a lot of people, taxis offer more peace of mind, too. Uber and Lyft drivers are just people looking to make extra money, and just about anybody can do it. Both companies vet their drivers, but at the end of the day using those services can often feel like paying a random stranger to drive you around.

Taxi drivers feel more professional, and seem to have more oversight. In short, taxis seem safer to many people. If that’s the case, the extra cost might worth it. There are usually plenty of taxis at the airport, too, since it’s a busy airport in a major city. You shouldn’t have to wait long at all to get a taxi, so if you’re in a hurry, they might be the best option.

Bus

The bus route from LAX to the Long Beach Cruise Port costs $9 per person. For smaller parties, it’s almost certainly the cheapest way to get there. Few people choose to do it, though, because it will take a long time.

When there’s little to no traffic, it’s an hour and half bus ride. that’s because it involves a minimum of two different bus routes. Depending on the bus you take and the time you get on it, you may also have to fit a train ride in, too. There are two bus stops in LAX, one at Terminal 1 and another at Terminal 4.

It’s an option, and if there’s only two of you, or if you’re traveling alone, it will definitely save you money from LAX to Long Beach Port. It just won’t be fast, and may not be all that convenient, either.

Shuttles

Airport shuttles might be the most popular choice for getting from LAX to the Cruise terminal. They aren’t typically the cheapest, and they charge per person, which can quickly drive the price up. So, why the popularity?

Convenience, mostly. Many companies allow you to schedule your pickup in advance, which means the shuttle is usually waiting for you when you arrive. Mostly though, it’s about the luggage.

Uber and Lyft drivers are using their personal cars, and while they both offer larger vehicles for larger parties, a family of four going on a week-long cruise may be worried about fitting their luggage into the car. The same goes for taxis. On a bus, you have to carry you luggage with you, and that gets old fast.

Shuttles, meanwhile, have plenty of room for your whole family and all of their luggage. They’re hassle-free and easy to find. Many of them also offer rides to Disneyland, so if yo have time before or after your cruise you can add that on.

Carnival has it’s own airport shuttles, too. These cost $30 per person, one way. So a total of $60 per person. Clearly, these get expensive fast. They also can only take you directly from the airport to the cruise line, and will only run on the day that you are boarding your ship. If you are flying in early, the Carnival shuttles are not an option (private shuttles companies are, though).

The advantage of the Carnival shuttles is that, if you are flying in the same day your ship leaves, it’s easy to book and find the shuttle. You might even be able find a package deal with the shuttle built in to the price of the trip.

Independent Shuttles/Car Services

The cruise line and airport shuttle services aren’t the only game in town. Los Angeles is home to a huge number of shuttle and car services, and these are often a much better deal for larger groups. In fact, you will usually get a better rate if booking for a larger group than a smaller one.

The only downside to these is that, because there are so many of them, there are bound to be some less-than-dependable ones. Do your research and pay attention to customer reviews before booking a shuttle. Most of these services will also expect you to tip the driver.

These shuttle services can usually take you to multiple locations. You can have them take you to the cruise terminal or the hotel, or many of them will run to the major local tourist spots, too.

Hotel Shuttles

If you’re flying in early and spending a night or two in a hotel, check and see if they have a shuttle service. A lot of the hotels in Long Beach do, and they can pick you up at the airport and take you to the cruise terminal. These shuttles are almost always free, too, so if the hotel offers it, you should definitely take advantage of it.

LAX to Long Beach Port Conclusion

One of the best things about taking a cruise out of Long Beach is that the airport and cruise terminal is set up to make it very easy for travelers to get from the airport to the cruise port and back. There are plenty of options, catering to all kinds of needs.

Passengers flying in the day their ships can book a ride with Carnival’s own shuttle service and rest assured that they have a ride that will get them to the terminal in plenty of time for them to board the ship. Airport shuttle services are also available to take you there, although they may have a few more stops along the way.

Hotel shuttle services, if you’ve booked a hotel in Long Beach, are possibly the best transportation choice, since they’re free. The only catch is that these can only be used if you’ve booked a hotel room, and not everybody does that.

Uber and Lyft are growing in popularity when it comes to LAX to Long Beach Port and will probably surpass shuttle services as the most popular way to get from the airport to the cruise terminal soon if they haven’t already.

They offer a lot of conveniences since there are usually plenty of them hanging around both the airport and the cruise port, and they don’t charge per person like most of the shuttle services do. For a lot of people, rideshares are the only transport they’ll use on a vacation, and for good reason. They’re affordable, and they can pick you up and drop you off anywhere.

Because this is Los Angeles, and there are huge crowds of tourists coming into the area daily, private shuttle and car services are abundant, too. These can be more expensive than rideshares, but the customer service may be better and the drivers are trained professionals. Shuttles of all kinds also typically have much more room for luggage, so larger groups or people leaving on a longer cruises may need to choose a shuttle over a car.

Finally, if you have the time and not much luggage, the bus is an option. It isn’t a great option, but it is an option.

The mode of transport you choose really depends on your personal preferences and when you fly in. If you’re flying in the day your cruise leaves, you may not have another choice but to use Carnival’s shuttles, since they are guaranteed to get you to the Cruise on time. And, if the shuttle is delayed, the ship is more likely to wait for it’s own shuttles than for an Uber.

Other than that, the things to consider are cost, convenience, and your own comfort. We can’t recommend one type of transportation to everyone, because these are all personal preferences. Instead, you’ll have to use the information here to make the best choice for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re planning a cruise along the West Coast, odds are you’ll be leaving from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal in Long Beach, CA. It isn’t the only cruise terminal on the West Coast, but it’s one of the biggest and busiest.

Over 300 cruises depart from this terminal each year, which means hundreds of thousands of passengers come through it. Fortunately, because it’s so large, Carnival has found plenty of way to streamline and simplify the process of check-in and boarding, so once you arrive everything should be pretty straightforward.

Whether you’re cruising down to Mexico or out to Hawaii, Long Beach is your starting point. With so many people going through the terminal, there are bound to be lots of questions. First-time cruisers, especially, probably want to know as much as they can learn before they arrive at the terminal.

Whether you want to know more about the facilities, or you have questions about which ships leave from Long Beach, we’ve got you covered.

1. Cruise Lines that Sail from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal

One of the first things that people will often ask is which cruise lines sail from the Long Beach Terminal. Carnival is the only cruise line that uses this terminal. Every other cruise line uses the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, on the other side of the harbor.

If you’ve booked a cruise with any other cruise line, this article isn’t for you. The Long Beach Terminal exclusively serves Carnival cruise ships. Actually, it serves six Carnival Cruise ships.

Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Splendor all call the Long Beach Cruise Terminal home.

In fact, they have no other home. The Long Beach Cruise terminal is the exclusive home port of Carnival Cruises on the West Coast. The Splendor is moving to Australia soon, though, and Long Beach will be left with five ships.

2. The Terminal was Expanded in 2017-2018

Since it’s been one of the busiest cruise terminals in the country for a while now, it makes sense that Carnival would be pouring money into expansion projects. In fact, prior to the expansion it was only home to four ships- Panorama and Splendor are new arrivals to the West Coast.

The expansion included remodeling and redecorating the interior of the iconic geodesic dome, which was originally built as a museum facility for Howard Hughes’s plane, the Spruce Goose.

By taking over the entire dome and increasing the space available for passengers, they improved the ease and efficiency of the check-in and boarding operations so that the whole process is easy and painless now.

Part of the expansion plans include work being done in Ensenada, Mexico, one of the stops on the three- and four-day cruises to Mexico. These expansions will include shopping centers and restaurants. All of this is part of a broader plan to increase the Long Beach cruise business in general.

Carnival is the largest vacation company in the world, and it’s going to keep getting bigger for the foreseeable future. That’s a good thing for cruise-lovers, because Carnival knows what they’re doing.

The expanded cruise terminal in Long Beach is a great start, and it significantly enhances the experience of leaving on a cruise through that port.

3. There is Parking Available

The Long Beach Cruise Terminal has a five-story, 1,450 space parking garage. This is perfect for people who prefer to drive themselves or who live in the Los Angeles area. You can drive yourself to your cruise, and then easily drive yourself home afterward.

To park in the cruise terminal’s parking garage, the cost is $17 per day. For oversize vehicles, you’ll be charged an additional $17 for each extra space your vehicle uses.

The current $17 per day rate applies to all spaces. There is no difference in price based on what level you park in or if you need a handicap spot. There are also no discounts for compact or fuel-efficient cars.

The rate applies to the space, not the car. If your car takes up two spaces, you’re paying double the rate.

One final note on payment- the money is due in full when you leave and can be paid in cash or via all major credit cards.

Because the parking garage is part of the cruise terminal, it’s under the same security umbrella as everything else. In addition to the overall terminal security, the sheer volume of activity and the near constant presence of people make it difficult to go around breaking into cars there.

If you want to park your car in the terminal parking, you really don’t need to worry about security. It is by all accounts a very safe place to leave your vehicle for the duration of your trip.

Unfortunately, you can’t call in to reserve a parking space ahead of time. Parking in the terminal is first come, first serve. It might be a good idea to arrive early to make sure you have a spot if you’re worried about that.

There are height restrictions, as with any parking garage. For most cars this won’t be a problem, but for those arriving in an RV you may need to use the adjacent outdoor parking lot.

The top floor is uncovered, so if you’re worried about exposing your car to bad weather, try to park on one of the lower levels.

When you arrive at the terminal, the porters who take your luggage should also direct you to the parking garage if you’re having trouble finding it.

You do not need to reserve a parking space in advance for this garage, and, with its huge capacity, finding a parking spot shouldn’t be a problem.

4. The Queen Mary

The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is home to the Queen Mary, a historic retired cruise ship.

Although it looks just like the Titanic to most people, the Queen Mary was built much later and is larger. The ship is 90 years old now, and at one time was the most luxurious and technologically advanced cruise ship in the world.

During World War II, The Queen Mary was converted into a troop ship, and over the course of the war carried over 15,000 allied troops into battle. After the war, the ship was converted back into an ocean liner and spent the next twenty years as a luxury cruise ship. By 1967 the Queen Mary was retired and permanently docked at Long Beach.

These days, the Queen Mary is one of the most unique hotels in the country. If you arrive in Long Beach a day or two before your cruise leaves, you can book a room here.

If you don’t have time to stay in one of the rooms, the ship is also a floating museum with activities and exhibits for the whole family. These include history exhibits, fine dining, and even ghost tours of the supposedly haunted ship.

The Queen Mary is famous for being haunted, and there are daily, or, rather, nightly, ghost tours along with other events catering to those who are interested in the paranormal.

There are also several restaurants and bars on board, and you don’t need to book a room to eat there.

Sir Winston’s is a fine dining option with ocean views and an award-winning menu. The Chelsea Chowder House and Bar is much more casual, although the food is no less delicious. The Promenade Cafe specializes in breakfast and lunch and is far and away the fastest and most family-friendly of the restaurant options.

If you happen to be leaving on a Sunday, the Royal Sunday Brunch is a true spectacle. The meal is served in the Grand Salon, and the array of food is incredible.

If you don’t have time for even that, it’s still fun to get a few pictures with such a beautiful old ship in the background.

5. Terminal Amenities

There plenty of restrooms in the terminal itself, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

There are no places in the terminal for you to store your baggage, but you can arrange to check your baggage in to the ship early if you call ahead. You should also call ahead if someone in your group will need wheelchair assistance.

If you arrived early than you planned but don’t have the time or energy to explore attractions like the Queen Mary, don’t worry: the terminal provides free WiFi.

6. Restaurants

The terminal itself doesn’t have restaurants, but there are plenty nearby. The Queen Mary and other hotels, like the Hotel Maya, have excellent restaurants and these are the closest ones to the terminal.

There are also several restaurants along the waterfront across the harbor from the terminal, although these aren’t much help if you’ve already checked in. If you think you’ll need to eat before you board your cruise, eat before you arrive at the terminal.

Most cruises begin boarding around 1pm, and have boarding completed well before dinner time. Eating lunch before you arrive is a good idea, but once you’ve arrived, you will probably not need to worry about finding something to eat. Once you’re on the cruise, there will be plenty of dining options.

7. Arriving at the Terminal

When you arrive at the terminal, look for the people wearing red caps. These are the porters. The porters are the people who will help you with your luggage, including taking to the ship if you’ve arranged to check it in advance. They can also direct you to the parking garage and answer any questions you may have.

It’s smart to arrive fairly close to the time when your ship is leaving. That doesn’t mean you should get there five minutes before but arriving early won’t have many advantages unless you’re a day or two early and staying in one of the local hotels.

That’s because this is a busy terminal, and even though it has been expanded to hold more people in, you won’t be allowed inside if you arrive too early. You’ll have to sit outside and wait in the heat and the sun.

Instead, look at your ticket. Each ticket should tell you when to arrive at the terminal. For each cruise there’s a fairly small window for check-in and boarding. That’s because the process is surprisingly efficient, so they don’t need to have you there for a long time.

Arrive when your ticket tells you to, and you’ll be able to go right into the terminal, check in, and sit in the cool, air-conditioned building until it’s time to board the ship.

8. Hotels Nearby

In addition to the Queen Mary, there are many other hotels nearby for travelers to stay before or after your cruise.

Hotel Royal, located in downtown Long Beach, was built in 1923 and has retained much of its original design. Each room is decorated differently, and you can choose between suites, kitchenettes, and private rooms.

A uniquely designed, European-style hotel, the Varden is one of the highest-rated hotels in Long Beach. The sign stills reads “Dolly Varden Hotel,” but this building has been extensively renovated and redesigned. It now blends both historic and contemporary features into an elegant design.

Hotel Maya, owned by Hilton, offers stunning rooms with ocean views, and has beach access. Hotel Maya also offers kayak and jet ski rentals so you can really enjoy the water. The Hotel Maya is the closest hotel other than the Queen Mary to the Cruise Terminal, so it’s convenient, too.

Located a mile from the beach in downtown Long Beach, the Hilton offers spacious rooms and a beautiful pool. Perhaps the best part for those leaving on a cruise is their “Stay, Park, Sail” deal. Book a room with the Hilton before your cruise, and they’ll let you leave your car at the hotel for the duration of your cruise, driving you to and from the terminal in their own shuttle.

Hotel Current features hand-painted artwork from local artists in every room. The Snooze and Cruise package offers free parking for the duration of your cruise when you book one night in one of their rooms prior to the cruise. As part of this package, the hotel will offer shuttle service to the cruise terminal.

The Hyatt Regency offers stunning ocean views. You can view the Queen Mary across the water from many of the rooms. With a full bar, incredible views, and comfortable rooms, this is one of the most popular hotels in the area, and it fills up fast. If you want to stay here, book your room early.

With these tips and facts at your disposal, you should be ready for your trip. The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is one of the busiest cruise terminals in the world, with over 300 cruises departing from it each year. With all of the people and ships moving through it, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed but remember that Carnival has the check-in and boarding processes down to a science at this point.

There’s plenty to see and do around the Long Beach Terminal, so arriving early to check out the sights and enjoy the luxury hotels and fine dining options is always a good choice. With its proximity to LA, the Long Beach Cruise Terminal offers a lot more than just a place to board your cruise ship.

It’s a perfect chance to add a few adventures to your cruise vacation, since there’s always something new to see or eat in Los Angeles. Even if you’ve been before, you’ll find something fun and exciting.

While the terminal itself is really little more than a giant dock, a parking garage, and a massive building for handling the check-in and boarding, it’s surrounded by all kinds of exciting places.

Whether you want to tour the Queen Mary, see the Aquarium of the Pacific, or just take in the Southern California sun on the beach, there’s a place to do that nearby.

As long as you show up on time with your ticket and your baggage, you should be good to go.

Frequently Asked Questions