LAX to the San Pedro and Long Beach cruise ports: airports and transfers

For most people with bags, a rideshare, a taxi or your cruise line's transfer is the simplest way from the airport to the ship. The public transport route from LAX means a shuttle and at least two Metro lines, and Princess says it can take upward of two hours to San Pedro.

First confirm your port. "Los Angeles" on a booking can mean either of two separate ports. The Port of Los Angeles says the easiest check is the seaport code on your itinerary, US LAX for Los Angeles or US LGB for Long Beach. Carnival's sailings start at Long Beach.

How far is LAX from the cruise port?

LAX is about 22 miles by road from the World Cruise Center in San Pedro and about 24 from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal.

Airport	To the World Cruise Center	To the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
LAX	About 22 miles, 30 minutes	About 24 miles, 33 minutes
Long Beach, LGB	About 15 miles, 24 minutes	About 11 miles, 17 minutes
John Wayne, SNA	About 34 miles, 47 minutes	About 30 miles, 39 minutes
Hollywood Burbank, BUR	About 37 miles, 48 minutes	About 38 miles, 50 minutes

We measured these ourselves on 1 November 2026 with the OSRM routing engine, from each airport's address to the terminal's address. They are approximate, and the times assume no traffic, so read them as the least the drive will take. A sailing from Berth 46 in the Outer Harbor adds about a mile.

The San Pedro figures for Long Beach Airport and John Wayne allow for the Vincent Thomas Bridge closure, because our routes from both crossed the bridge. We re-measured them with a stop on Harry Bridges Boulevard. The other routes did not cross it.

Published figures differ a little. The Port of Los Angeles gives about 18 miles from LAX, 10 from Long Beach Airport and 37 from Burbank to the World Cruise Center. Celebrity gives about 20 miles from LAX and 30 to 45 minutes. Princess says about 40 minutes without traffic. Carnival lists its coach from LAX to Long Beach at about an hour.

Which airport is best for a Los Angeles cruise?

For a Carnival sailing, use Long Beach Airport if your airline flies there. It is the closest airport to the Long Beach terminal, and Carnival runs a transfer from it. The airport's page lists Southwest, Hawaiian, Delta and Alaska.

For San Pedro, LAX is the usual choice, and the Port's directions start from it. Long Beach Airport is closer by road, about 15 miles against 22 even with the bridge detour, so check it if the flight suits you. We would use John Wayne or Burbank only for a clearly better flight, because both are 30 miles or more from either terminal.

Does the Vincent Thomas Bridge closure affect the drive to the cruise port?

Yes, if you drive between Long Beach and San Pedro. Caltrans closes the bridge at 12:01 am on Saturday 7 November 2026 for 16 months, and it aims to reopen in early March 2028. Detours run mainly along I-710, I-110, State Route 103 and Harry Bridges Boulevard.

• Long Beach Airport or John Wayne to San Pedro. Your driver needs a route that avoids the bridge. Ours added 1 or 2 minutes and almost no distance, before any detour traffic.
• LAX to either port. Our routes do not use the bridge, but they do use I-110 or I-710, which are detour routes, so allow more time.

The Caltrans announcement gives no delay estimate, so check a live map on the day. The terminal guide has the drive between the two ports.

Is the LAX SkyLink train open?

No. On 1 November 2026 LAX's SkyLink page said the train, its Automated People Mover, was "not open to travelers yet" and in its final testing and certification phase. The page gave no opening date, and a Los Angeles World Airports release of 7 August 2026 still called it forthcoming.

Until it opens, LAX says to keep using shuttles and current signs. SkyLink will run above the airport with six stations, so it will change how you reach your ride. It will not reach either cruise port.

Where do you catch Uber, Lyft or a taxi at LAX?

At the LAX-it lot next to Terminal 1. On 1 November 2026 LAX's pages said ride apps and taxis pick up there, and named Lyft, Opoli and Uber as the authorized ride apps.

• Walk from baggage claim following the signs, or take the free LAX-it shuttle from the inner curb on the lower level, at the green signs.
• LAX says shuttles come every 3 to 5 minutes. You can take a luggage cart to the lot, which has return racks.
• A limited number of taxis also wait in Parking Structure 3, between Terminal B and Terminal 3, and at the far end of Terminal 7.

Expect this to change. The airport board approved new rideshare fees on 10 March 2026, to start when SkyLink opens, alongside a new Ground Transport Center for rideshares and taxis. Rideshare companies will pay $6 a ride there or $12 for central terminal access, against $4 now. We found no closing date for LAX-it, so check LAX's page before you fly.

How do you get from LAX to the San Pedro cruise terminal?

A rideshare, a taxi or your line's transfer is the practical way. Princess says taxis, Uber and Lyft are readily available at LAX. We quote no taxi or rideshare price, because no operator page we could read gave one for this trip.

Give the driver the address on your boarding documents. The World Cruise Center is at 100 Swinford Street, San Pedro. Ships at Berth 46 use the Outer Harbor, and the Port gives two street names for that site, 3011 Miner Street on its Outer Harbor page and Berth 46 map, and 3011 Dave Arian Way in a June 2024 release.

If you rent a car, the Port's route runs south on I-405 and I-110 to the Harbor Boulevard exit, straight through the intersection, then right into the terminal. The Port's FAQ refers to the 2025 season, and a new SR 47 off-ramp at Harbor Boulevard opened on 30 October 2026, so check a live map on the day.

How do you get from LAX to the Long Beach cruise port?

Take Carnival's transfer, or a rideshare or taxi to 231 Windsor Way, beside the Queen Mary. On 1 November 2026 Carnival listed the LAX transfer from $34.99 a person, which is $69.98 for two by our arithmetic.

• Your flight must land by 12:00 PM, and coaches run from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
• You can buy it up to two days before sailing, by phone or in My Cruise Manager.
• Meet the coach at baggage claim 1 for Terminals 1 and 2, baggage claim 5 for Terminals 4 to 7, or outside customs for international arrivals.

Does the FlyAway bus go to the cruise port?

No. LAX's FlyAway buses run between the terminals and Van Nuys or LA Union Station. LAX says its Long Beach route is suspended, and it lists no San Pedro route.

Can you take public transport from LAX to the cruise port?

You can, though Princess says it generally is not recommended for San Pedro, because of the travel time and the transfers. Both routes start with the free LAX shuttle from the pink signs on the lower level to the LAX/Metro Transit Center.

• To San Pedro. Take the C Line to Harbor Freeway, then the J Line 950. We could not confirm a stop at the terminal entrance, so check the last stretch with Metro.
• To Long Beach. Take the C Line to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks, then the A Line to Downtown Long Beach. That station is about 2 miles by road from the terminal, by our measurement, so you still need a taxi or a ride.

Metro's fare was $1.75 on 1 November 2026, with free transfers within 2 hours when you tap.

How do you get from Long Beach Airport to the cruise terminals?

A taxi or rideshare from the curb, or Carnival's transfer if you are sailing with Carnival.

• Taxi. The stand is outside the terminal, next to Parking Structure A. On 1 November 2026 the airport listed a $50 flat rate to "San Pedro/Cruise Ships". It does not say whether that covers the Long Beach terminal. The meter was $3.10 plus $2.97 a mile and 37 cents per 37 seconds in traffic, so about 11 miles is about $36 before traffic time and tip, by our arithmetic.
• Rideshare. Lyft, Opoli, Uber, Fare and Wingz pick up on the outer curb in front of the terminal.
• Carnival transfer. It was listed from $31.99 a person on 1 November 2026. Your flight must land by 12:30 PM, coaches run from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and you meet at baggage claim 1.

Is John Wayne Airport a good choice for a Los Angeles cruise?

Only for a clearly better flight. It is about 30 miles from Long Beach and 34 from San Pedro, and Carnival's transfer page lists LAX and Long Beach Airport only.

Lyft, Uber and Wingz pick up on the top levels of parking structures A2 and B2 and on the upper level of the Terminal C structure. Taxis wait in the Ground Transportation Center between Terminals A and B, and near Column 14 in Terminal C. The airport publishes no fare to either port, and its shuttle operators need at least 24 hours' notice.

Do cruise lines run airport transfers in Los Angeles?

Some do, and Carnival is the only one we found with a published price here.

Line	What it says	Price on 1 November 2026
Carnival	LAX and Long Beach Airport to Long Beach, on sailing days only	From $34.99 and $31.99 a person
Princess	Arranges ground transfers with local partners, with staff near baggage claim	Not published
Royal Caribbean	Transfers at all ports for an additional fee	Not published
Norwegian	Airport to pier on sailing days, booked at least 4 days ahead on 800.327.7030	Not published

Norwegian says you may wait for the vehicle to fill. Transfers are priced per person and a car is not, so compare the two if you are three or more.

Can you fly to Los Angeles on the day of your cruise?

You can, but a morning flight leaves little margin. Princess strongly recommends arriving at least one day before, says the ship will not wait, and suggests a domestic flight landing at least 3 hours before departure from San Pedro. Royal Caribbean says many guests find it easiest to arrive a day early.

For the night before, see hotels near the San Pedro cruise port or hotels near the Long Beach terminal.

What is the earliest flight home after a Los Angeles cruise?

Carnival's transfer rules are the clearest guide.

Ship arrives	Earliest flight from LAX	Earliest flight from Long Beach Airport
7:00 AM	12:00 PM	11:00 AM
8:00 or 9:00 AM	1:00 PM	12:30 PM

For San Pedro, Princess's guideline for domestic flights is 6 hours 15 minutes after a 6:15 am arrival, or 5 hours 30 minutes after a 7:00 am arrival. That is 12:30 pm either way, by our arithmetic. The Port says baggage cannot be stored at the terminal, so your bags stay with you once you are off the ship.

Can you rent a car near the San Pedro cruise terminal?

Yes. The Port lists Enterprise at 235 W. 6th Street and Hertz at 222 W. 6th Street, both offering free pick-up and drop-off at the terminal. Both close on Sundays and at 1 p.m. on Saturdays.