Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Long Beach Cruise Terminal are in the same metropolitan area, but at 20 miles apart they are not neighbours. Depending on traffic — which in LA can be genuinely brutal — the drive ranges from 25 minutes at off-peak times to well over an hour during rush hour or on a congested Saturday morning.
This matters more than it does at most ports. Getting the transfer wrong can mean a stressful start to your cruise or, in worst cases, missing the ship entirely. This guide covers every realistic option for making the LAX-to-Long Beach transfer in 2026, with honest cost and timing assessments for each.
Understanding the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal operates from 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. Carnival is the primary line using this terminal.
A few things to know before you plan your transfer:
The terminal is not in downtown Long Beach — it's in the industrial port area, which affects rideshare pickup logistics on the return journey. The surrounding area has limited options for getting a rideshare on short notice on a disembarkation morning, so plan your return transfer in advance.
Traffic on the I-405 (the main route from LAX toward Long Beach) is among the worst in the country during peak hours. If your flight arrives on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, budget significantly more time than Google Maps suggests.
Option 1: Uber or Lyft
For most travellers, a rideshare is the simplest and most cost-effective option for the LAX to Long Beach transfer.
- Typical cost: $35–$65 (standard); $50–$90 (XL for groups/luggage)
- Travel time: 25–70 minutes depending on traffic
- Best for: Couples and small groups with manageable luggage
Pickup at LAX has become significantly easier since the opening of the LAX-it rideshare lot. After collecting your bags, take the free shuttle from your terminal to the LAX-it lot, then request your Uber or Lyft from there. Do not request your ride from inside the terminal — you'll spend a lot of time waiting in the wrong place.
Note for 2026: LAX-it is being phased out — once the airport's SkyLink automated people mover opens, standard rideshare and taxi pickups move to a new Ground Transportation Center, and airport access fees are increasing. Check the current pickup location before you fly.
The 20-mile distance means rideshares to Long Beach cost more than most airport-to-cruise-port transfers. An Uber for two people with luggage will typically run $50–$70. Split between two or three passengers, this is still competitive — but a family of four paying for an XL starts to approach private transfer pricing.
Surge pricing applies during peak departure times. Saturday mornings between 9am and 1pm typically see elevated pricing as cruise passengers all try to reach the terminal simultaneously.
Option 2: Taxi
Taxis from LAX to Long Beach are metered and available from the designated taxi queue outside each terminal's baggage claim.
- Typical cost: $55–$80 (metered fare plus tip)
- Travel time: 25–70 minutes
- Best for: Travellers who prefer not to use apps; anyone with significant luggage
Taxis typically cost $10–$20 more than a standard Uber for this route but avoid surge pricing. For a solo traveller or couple on a Saturday morning when Uber is surging, the price difference can actually flip in the taxi's favour. The trade-off is that taxis are less convenient — you're limited to what's in the queue rather than the entire driver pool.
Option 3: Shared Shuttle
Several shuttle companies operate shared van services between LAX and the Long Beach terminal, including Prime Time Shuttle and SuperShuttle-affiliated services.
- Typical cost: $25–$40 per person
- Travel time: 60–120 minutes (multiple stops)
- Best for: Solo budget travellers; people who don't mind waiting
The economics of shared shuttles only work for solo travellers. A couple paying $25–$40 each is already at Uber pricing — without the flexibility. The shared model means waiting at the airport for other passengers to be collected, then making multiple hotel or terminal stops before yours. On a cruise embarkation morning when you want to arrive on schedule, this unpredictability is a real drawback.
Book in advance online — same-day availability is unreliable for shared shuttles.
Option 4: Private Transfer Service
Private car and van services book a dedicated vehicle for your group with a driver who meets you at arrivals and takes you directly to the terminal.
- Typical cost: $80–$130 for a sedan or SUV
- Travel time: 25–60 minutes (direct, no stops)
- Best for: Families, groups of 4+, travellers with a lot of luggage, anyone who wants certainty
For a family of four or a group of friends, a private transfer often works out cheaper per person than four individual Ubers — and significantly less stressful. The driver monitors your flight, meets you at arrivals with a sign, helps load luggage, and takes you directly to your terminal.
Companies like Blacklane, Super.com, and numerous local LA operators offer this service. Book 24–48 hours in advance to secure your preferred vehicle type. Confirm the exact terminal address (231 Windsor Way, Long Beach) when booking — some drivers default to downtown Long Beach addresses.
Option 5: Rental Car
LAX has one of the largest rental car facilities in the world, located off-airport and accessible via free shuttle from each terminal.
- Cost: Rental rate + fuel + parking or drop-off fees
- Travel time: 25–60 minutes to terminal
- Best for: Travellers spending days in LA before the cruise; groups where driving makes sense
Driving from LAX to the Long Beach terminal is straightforward — take the I-105 East to I-710 South, exit at Harbor Scenic Drive, follow signs to the terminal. The drive is simple once you're past the airport.
The complication is what you do with the car at the terminal. Long Beach Cruise Terminal does not have on-site parking for rental vehicles. Your options are to return the car to a Long Beach rental location before boarding (adding time and complexity) or to use a car rental company that allows one-way drop-offs near the port.
Enterprise and Hertz both have locations in Long Beach — call ahead to confirm one-way policies and any associated fees. Budget for an Uber from the rental return to the terminal if they're not adjacent.
Rental cars make most sense if you're spending 2–3 days exploring Los Angeles or the surrounding area before your cruise and want flexibility to see Venice Beach, Santa Monica, the Getty, or other attractions at your own pace.
Option 6: Car Rental Return + Uber Combination
A common approach for fly-drive-cruise travellers: rent a car at LAX, explore Southern California at your own pace, return the car to a Long Beach or Torrance rental location the morning of embarkation, then take a short Uber to the terminal.
Enterprise at 3200 East Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach is roughly 2 miles from the terminal — a $10–$15 Uber. Hertz and Avis also have Long Beach locations. Call ahead to confirm they can accept your rental return early morning on embarkation day.
Option 7: Stay Near the Port (Eliminates the Transfer Problem)
The cleanest solution to the LAX-Long Beach transfer challenge is to stay in Long Beach the night before your cruise. Several hotels near the terminal offer park-and-cruise packages with complimentary morning shuttles to the pier.
This approach eliminates the stressful airport-to-port transfer entirely. You take your time getting to Long Beach the night before, check in, sleep well, and walk or shuttle to the terminal in the morning.
See our guides to park-and-cruise hotels near Long Beach and hotels near the Long Beach cruise terminal for specific recommendations.
Traffic: The Variable That Changes Everything
LA traffic is not like traffic elsewhere. The I-405 — the main freeway between LAX and the Long Beach area — is one of the most congested highways in the United States. Here's what to expect:
- Best time to travel: Before 7am or after 7pm on weekdays; before 8am on weekends
- Worst time: Friday 3–7pm (avoid if possible), Saturday 9am–1pm during peak cruise season
- Alternative route: Surface streets via Lincoln Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway are slower on average but more predictable when the freeway is gridlocked
The practical implication: if you're flying in the morning of embarkation on a Saturday, give yourself at least 90 minutes from wheels-down to terminal arrival. If your flight is delayed, you may not make it. Flying in the night before removes this risk entirely.
LAX to Long Beach: Option Comparison
| Option | Cost (1–2 people) | Time | Pre-booking? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uber/Lyft | $35–$65 | 25–70 min | No | Most travellers |
| Taxi | $55–$80 | 25–70 min | No | No-app preference |
| Shared shuttle | $25–$40/person | 60–120 min | Yes | Solo budget travellers |
| Private transfer | $80–$130 | 25–60 min | Yes | Groups, families |
| Rental car | Varies | 25–60 min | Yes | Pre-cruise LA explorers |
| Stay near port | Hotel rate | 5–10 min | Yes | Fly-in night before |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shuttle from LAX to the Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
No direct public shuttle runs between LAX and the Long Beach Cruise Terminal. Shared van shuttles are available from companies like Prime Time Shuttle, but these make multiple stops and take 60–120 minutes. For most travellers, Uber or a private transfer is faster and comparable in cost.
How long is the drive from LAX to Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
The distance is approximately 20 miles. In light traffic this takes 25–35 minutes. On a Saturday morning during cruise season, allow 60–90 minutes. LA traffic is genuinely unpredictable — build in a buffer.
Where exactly is the Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
The terminal is at 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. Give this specific address to any driver — "Long Beach Cruise Terminal" can cause confusion. The terminal is in the port area, not downtown Long Beach.
Can I park at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
Yes — the terminal has on-site parking for personal vehicles, but not for rental car returns. Daily rates apply for the duration of your cruise. See our Long Beach cruise port parking guide for current rates and advance booking options.
What rideshare pickup area should I use at LAX?
Use the LAX-it lot — take the free shuttle from your terminal (signs are clearly marked in baggage claim). Do not request your Uber or Lyft from inside the terminal building. The LAX-it lot is where all rideshare pickups are coordinated and wait times are typically shorter there than if you try to get a pickup from the terminal curb. (Note: this is changing as the airport's SkyLink people mover opens — check the current pickup point before you travel.)
