Los Angeles International Airport Near Port of Long Beach
Getting from Los Angeles International Airport to Port of Long Beach — 35 min, 25 miles
Transfer Options
Hotel Shuttle Services
Several Long Beach hotels offer Park & Cruise packages that include one night, parking for the duration of your cruise, and a shuttle to the terminal. The Cove Hotel and Residence Inn Downtown are the most popular options.
Book the Cove Hotel's Park & Cruise package if you want the best value — they've been doing this for years and have the shuttle timing down. Verify shuttle departure times when you book. Most run on a schedule, not on demand.
Uber/Lyft from Anywhere
Rideshare is widely available throughout Long Beach and greater LA. The terminal has a designated drop-off area. Pricing varies wildly depending on where you're coming from and LA traffic conditions.
Check prices the night before and again in the morning — surge pricing on embarkation days (especially Saturdays) is real. If you're coming from LAX, compare the Uber price to Carnival's $30 shuttle. For groups of 3+, UberXL is almost always cheaper than individual shuttle tickets.
From Long Beach Airport (LGB)
LGB is only about 5 miles from the cruise terminal — roughly 10-15 minutes by car. It's a tiny, stress-free airport with one terminal, and you'll be at the port before you know it. Limited airline options (JetBlue, Southwest, Delta, American) but if your route works, it's the obvious choice.
LGB has no jet bridges — you walk across the tarmac to the terminal. It feels retro in the best way. If you can fly Southwest or JetBlue here instead of LAX, do it. You'll save an hour of stress and $30+ on the transfer.
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX is about 25 miles north of the cruise terminal. Without traffic, that's 30-40 minutes. With LA traffic (and there's always traffic), budget 45-75 minutes. The 405 and 710 freeways are your route, and both are notorious for congestion.
If your flight lands after 3 PM on a weekday, you'll hit peak rush hour traffic and the ride could take 90+ minutes. Book an early flight or plan to stay overnight near LAX or in Long Beach. Carnival offers an official shuttle for $30/person — decent deal for solo travelers, but a group of 3+ should just grab an Uber.
Driving & Port Parking
The terminal is at 231 Windsor Way, right next to the Queen Mary. Take I-710 South, exit at Harbor Scenic Drive (Exit 1A), and follow it all the way to the end. At the Queen Mary entrance, stay far right for the cruise terminal lane. The parking garage is $23/day.
The garage has a strict 7-foot height limit — no SUVs with roof racks, no trucks with shells, no RVs. If your vehicle is oversized, you'll need off-site parking. Drop luggage and passengers at the terminal curbside before parking. The walk from the garage to the terminal is covered and short.
Long Beach Transit
Long Beach Transit runs the Passport shuttle on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, which is free and connects downtown Long Beach to the waterfront area near the terminal. The AquaBus water taxi also connects Shoreline Village to the Queen Mary area for $1.
The Passport shuttle doesn't go directly to the cruise terminal — you'll still need to walk or grab a short rideshare from the Queen Mary area. Fine if you're traveling light, but not practical with heavy luggage.
Cost Comparison
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Shuttle Services | Park & Cruise packages typically run $150-250 total for one night + 7 days parking + shuttle | Cruisers who want a relaxed morning and don't want to deal with port parking |
| Uber/Lyft from Anywhere | From downtown LB: $8-12. From LGB airport: $12-20. From LAX: $40-65. From Anaheim/Disneyland: $30-45. | Flexibility and door-to-door service |
| From Long Beach Airport (LGB) | Uber/Lyft: $12-20. Taxi: ~$20-25. | Cruisers who can find a flight into LGB — the easiest transfer by far |
| From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | Uber/Lyft: $40-65 depending on traffic and surge. Taxi: ~$70. Shared shuttle: $30/person (Carnival shuttle). | Most fly-in cruisers — LAX has the widest flight selection |
| Driving & Port Parking | $23/day in the terminal garage. No reservations needed — first-come, first-served. | Cruisers driving from Southern California |
| Long Beach Transit | Passport shuttle: Free. AquaBus: $1. Regular bus fare: $1.25. | Budget-conscious cruisers already staying in downtown Long Beach |
Local Tip
LAX is about 25 miles from the World Cruise Center, but with LA traffic that means 45-75 minutes on the 405 and 710 freeways. Uber or Lyft runs $40-65 depending on traffic and surge pricing. Carnival offers an official shuttle for $30 per person, which is a solid deal for solo travelers, but groups of three or more should just grab an UberXL. Avoid landing after 3 PM on a weekday -- you'll hit peak rush hour and the ride could stretch past 90 minutes.
Once you arrive, find your terminal:
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