Los Angeles International Airport to Port of Long Beach
Getting from Los Angeles International Airport to Port of Long Beach — 30-75 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 Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX is about 25 miles north of the cruise terminal — 30-75 min by car depending on traffic. Without traffic that's 30-40 minutes; with typical LA congestion on the 405 and 710, budget the full 75.
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, call ahead — the local off-site lots refuse RVs too, and the nearest facility that takes them serves a different port about 25 minutes away. 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 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
Rideshare pickup at LAX is the LAX-it lot, reached by a free shuttle from every terminal — it is not curbside, so budget extra time to find the shuttle stop. Carnival's official shuttle runs a scheduled departure tied to the boarding window, not on demand, so confirm your pickup time when you book. LAX is a major international gateway — budget 60-90 minutes for immigration and customs before you even reach the shuttle to LAX-it. If you are flying in from outside the US, sort your entry authorization before you book: most visa-waiver travelers need an approved ESTA, it is not issued at the airport, and without one the airline will not board you. Apply through the official CBP site at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — never a paid intermediary.
Once you arrive, find your terminal:
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