Getting from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Long Beach

Welcome Pickups

Your friend on the ground

April 4, 2024

Los Angeles, fondly known as the City of Angels, is famous for its all-star Hollywood lifestyle, beautiful year-round weather, and its stunning beaches. Another city renowned for its beaches is Long Beach. Just 35 km (22 mi) away from Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach is a popular tourist spot, favoured for its waterfront attractions and diverse cultural offerings.

There are three options for your transportation if you’re planning to travel from LAX Airport to Long Beach: taxi, bus, or metro rail. Taking an airport taxi is the quickest and most convenient option, getting you to your destination in 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. On the other hand, the bus and metro are a more cost-effective option, but with a much longer journey time of up to 90 minutes and 2 hours, respectively – not including potential wait times.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Los Angeles at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

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Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€99	30min	24/7
Taxi	€65	35min	24/7
Metro	€8	90min	24/7
Bus	€8	120min	04:00–02:00

How to get from LAX to Long Beach by taxi

Taking a taxi is the most convenient form of transportation from LAX Airport to Long Beach. Depending on the traffic conditions and time of day, the commute takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Taxis are available 24/7 from three different spots at Los Angeles Airport.

Taxi fare from LAX Airport to Long Beach

Taxis run on a taximeter that starts with a base fare (usually around $2.85 (€3), plus an additional airport fee of $4 (€4), and then a per-mile charge as you travel. The final cost of a taxi from Los Angeles Airport to Long Beach can vary depending on many factors, like the operator, traffic conditions, the time of day, and the specific location in Long Beach you’re heading to, but the average trip’s cost is $70 (€65).

Photos (1)

Cost

$70 (€65)

Trip Duration

30 Min.

The actual fare may vary depending on traffic, unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Time

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at LAX Airport.

Where do I get a taxi from?

You can get a taxi from three different spots at Los Angeles Airport. A designated taxi pickup point, LAX-it, is located next to Terminal 1; you can walk to it or ride the free airport terminal shuttle there, which can be found just outside the baggage claim area. The second pickup area is in Parking Structure 3, between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. The third option is outside of the baggage claim area, near Terminal 7.

Convenience

Out of all the transportation options from LAX to Long Beach, taking a taxi is the only direct route, and hence the fastest. You can get a taxi at any time from the airport; if you book in advance, you can also secure a flat rate instead of relying on a taximeter fee and avoid waiting in lines for an available taxi during rush hour.

Editor’s Note

All drivers accept cash and most will also accept all major cards, but it’s best to double-check with your driver before setting off.

Useful Tips

In the USA, it is customary to tip your taxi driver between 15-20%, especially if the driver has helped you with your luggage.

Local taxis have a maximum capacity of up to 4 passengers for a standard (sedan-sized) vehicle.

How to get from LAX to Long Beach by metro

Los Angeles Airport offers a free shuttle service that you can find at the pink LAX signs outside all terminals. Take the shuttle labelled “Metro Green Line/C Line” to the Aviation/LAX Metro Rail Station. Once you get to this station, transfer by continuing along the Metro Green Line in the direction of Norwalk and exit at Harbor Freeway Station. At Harbor Freeway Station, transfer to the Metro Blue Line/A Line toward Long Beach.

Metro fare from LAX Airport to Long Beach

The Pink LAX Shuttle bus to Aviation Station is free.

To board the metro at Aviation Station, you must have a ticket, and the cost of a single-ride ticket is $1.75 (€2) with free transfers for up to 2 hours. To buy a ticket, you need to buy a re-loadable TAP card, which costs $2 (€2). You can purchase a TAP card at any metro station from the TAP vending machines. The total cost of the TAP card and a single-ride fare is $3.75 (€4).

Photos (1)

Cost

$3.75 (€4)

Trip Duration

1 Hr. 30 Min.

The metro runs every 7-8 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes after 20:00.

Convenience

Time

Value for Money

The metro runs from 04:00 until 00:0 on Sunday through Thursday, and until 02:00 on Friday and Saturday.

Where do I find the metro?

From Arrivals, follow the Ground Transportation signs to the Pink LAX Shuttle sign and wait for the free airport-operated “Metro Green Line/C Line” shuttle to the Aviation/LAX Metro Rail Station. You can board the metro (Green/C Line) at this station.

Convenience

If you value comfort, this might not be the most convenient option for you, especially if you are travelling with heavy luggage. The schedules for the metro rail are subject to changes if there is construction underway or you are travelling on a public holiday.

Timetables

Metro Rail Schedule

Editor’s Note

Once you've purchased a TAP card you can download the TAP app and easily load your card up using your smartphone.

Useful Tips

Check the most updated schedules and routes on the official Metro Los Angeles website or use a transit app for real-time updates before you travel.

There is usually a designated space for luggage located at the end of metro rail cars.

How to get the bus from LAX to Long Beach

From your transportation from LAX to Long Beach you can also take the bus. There is a free shuttle bus service provided by Los Angeles International Airport terminals to the Lot South/LAX City Bus Center. Then from the LAX City Bus Center station, you can take the 232 bus to Long Beach. The trip by bus may take up to 2 hours, or a bit longer during extreme traffic.

How much is the bus fare from LAX to Long Beach?

The airport-operated shuttle from LAX to the Lot South/LAX City Bus Center is free. A single-ride ticket that can be used on the 232 bus to Long Beach costs $1.75 (€2) per passenger (including unlimited transfers for up to 2 hours).

To buy your ticket, you need to purchase a rechargeable $2 (€2) TAP card. The cost of a TAP card and single-ride fare is $3.75 (€4).

Photos (1)

Cost

$3.75 (€4)

Trip Duration

2 Hr.

The bus from LAX City Bus Center runs every 13 minutes during the week and every 28 minutes on weekends.

Convenience

Time

Value for Money

The bus from LAX City Bus Center runs from 04:22 to 23:47 on weekdays and 05:04 to 23:45 on weekends.

Where do I get the bus from?

Upon exiting Arrivals, wait at the Pink LAX Shuttle sign, which is located at the front of every terminal, and board the free airport-operated Lot South/LAX City Bus Center shuttle. From the LAX City Bus Center station, you can take the 232 bus to Long Beach. There will be 91 stops.

Convenience

The bus is not the most convenient option for your transportation from LAX to Long Beach. The bus schedules are not always reliable, you may experience long wait times for the next departure and further delays en route to your destination during peak traffic hours.

Timetables

Bus Line 232

Timetable

Editor’s Note

You can buy a TAP Card at every bus station. You can also pay the driver with cash, but only if you board a bus with front-only operating doors. Keep in mind that you’ll need exact change if you pay in cash since bus drivers don't carry change.

Useful Tips

Keep in mind that the airport-operated shuttle service to the bus centre does not operate from 02:00 to 04:00.

Transfers are included for up to 2 hours only when you pay with a TAP card.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Los angeles. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€99.0

NIGHTTIME

€119.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

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Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How can I get from LAX to Long Beach?

There are three ways to get from LAX to Long Beach. Taxi, metro, and the public bus. The metro and bus are the cheapest options but take the longest to cover the 35 km route.

Taking an airport taxi is the most convenient and quickest way to get to Long Beach.

 How far is it from LAX to Long Beach?

The distance from LAX to Long Beach is 35 km (22 mi). It takes around 30-40 minutes by taxi, a minimum of an hour and a half by metro and around 2 hours by bus, excluding waiting times.

Can I get an Uber from LAX to Long Beach?

Yes, you can get an Uber from LAX to Long Beach. However, the wait times can be long when there’s high demand, and during peak hours, you may encounter last-minute ride cancellations and significant rate fluctuations due to traffic. For the most convenient way to get from LAX Airport to Long Beach, you can secure a personalised door-to-door ride ahead of time with Welcome Pickups.

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How to get from LAX to Long Beach by taxi

Taxi fare from LAX Airport to Long Beach

Photos (1)

Cost

$70 (€65)

Trip Duration

30 Min.

Convenience

Time

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at LAX Airport.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from LAX to Long Beach by metro

Metro fare from LAX Airport to Long Beach

Photos (1)

Cost

$3.75 (€4)

Trip Duration

1 Hr. 30 Min.

Convenience

Time

Value for Money

The metro runs from 04:00 until 00:0 on Sunday through Thursday, and until 02:00 on Friday and Saturday.

Where do I find the metro?

Convenience

Timetables

Metro Rail Schedule

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get the bus from LAX to Long Beach

How much is the bus fare from LAX to Long Beach?

Photos (1)

Cost

$3.75 (€4)

Trip Duration

2 Hr.

Convenience

Time

Value for Money

The bus from LAX City Bus Center runs from 04:22 to 23:47 on weekdays and 05:04 to 23:45 on weekends.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

Bus Line 232

Timetable

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from LAX to Long Beach?

How far is it from LAX to Long Beach?

Can I get an Uber from LAX to Long Beach?

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