Getting to the Long Beach Cruise Terminal from the airport
Long Beach Airport is the closest, about 10 miles from the terminal: a taxi is roughly $32 to $40 on the meter, and Carnival's transfer $31.99 per person. From LAX, 22 miles away, Carnival's transfer is $34.99 per person and a taxi $72 or more.
At LAX, taxis and rideshares pick up only at the LAX-it lot next to Terminal 1. The FlyAway bus no longer goes to Long Beach.
Fares and schedules checked . How we check
From Long Beach Airport (LGB)
10 miles, 15 to 25 minutes by car
| Option | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| TaxiLong Beach Yellow Cab | Metered: $3.10 plus $2.97 a mile, roughly $32 to $40 by our estimate. There's no flat rate to the Long Beach terminal. | Taxi stand outside the terminal next to Parking Structure A. |
| Uber or LyftRideshare apps | No published fare. | Pickup on the outer curb in front of the terminal. |
| Cruise line transferCarnival Cruise Line | $31.99 per person each way. | Your flight must land by 12:30 p.m.; meet at Baggage Claim 1. Book up to 2 days ahead. |
From Los Angeles International (LAX)
22 miles, 30 minutes to an hour or more by car
| Option | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line transferCarnival Cruise Line | $34.99 per person each way, about an hour. | Your flight must land by noon; pickups 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at baggage claim. Flights home no earlier than noon to 1 p.m., depending on when the ship docks. |
| TaxiLAX taxis | LAX estimates $72 or more to downtown Long Beach, depending on traffic. No flat rate. | Taxis and rideshares pick up only at the LAX-it lot next to Terminal 1; take the free shuttle with green signs from the arrivals curb. |
| Uber or LyftRideshare apps | No published fare; travel guides suggest $30 to $40, more with surge pricing. | Pickup only at the LAX-it lot. |
| TrainMetro C and A Lines | $1.75 with free transfers: free Metro Connector shuttle to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, C Line to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks, A Line to downtown Long Beach, then a short taxi over the bridge. | Over 1.5 hours; only practical with light bags. |
From John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA)
30 miles, 40 minutes to an hour by car
| Option | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| TaxiCabco Yellow | No published fare; roughly $85 by our estimate. | Ground transportation center on the arrivals level. |
| Uber or LyftRideshare apps | No published fare. | Pickup on the top levels of parking structures A2 and B2, and the Terminal C structure. |
From Downtown Long Beach
2 miles, about 5 minutes by car
| Option | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| BusLong Beach Transit Passport | Free. | Runs Fridays to Sundays only, from downtown over the bridge to the Queen Mary area. |
| TaxiLong Beach Yellow Cab | Metered, about $10 to $15 by our estimate. | Call (562) 444-4444 or use a hotel taxi stand. |
Want a private car or shared van booked ahead? Compare airport-to-port transfers in Long Beach from several companies on Viator.
Booking.com Taxis also books a private car from the airport to the terminal at a price fixed when you book. The driver tracks your flight and waits if it's late, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Good to know
- Long Beach's cruise terminal (Carnival, beside the Queen Mary) isn't the Port of Los Angeles terminal in San Pedro. Give drivers 231 Windsor Way.
- LAX's FlyAway bus no longer runs to Long Beach.
- Taxis and rideshares at LAX pick up only at the LAX-it lot, not at the terminal curbs.
- There's no official luggage storage at the Long Beach terminal.
Common questions
How do I get from LAX to the Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
Carnival's transfer is $34.99 per person, about an hour. A taxi from LAX is $72 or more, according to the airport, and Uber or Lyft about $30 to $40 without surge pricing. Both pick up at the LAX-it lot.
What's the cheapest way from Long Beach Airport to the cruise terminal?
For one or two people, Carnival's $31.99 transfer or a metered taxi of roughly $32 to $40. For a group, a taxi or rideshare is cheaper per person.
Is there a free shuttle to the Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
Long Beach Transit's free Passport bus runs from downtown to the Queen Mary area, but only Fridays to Sundays.