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How to Get Here: Directions to Santa Monica

Santa Monica is located within Greater Los Angeles, making access to the city easy by public transportation, air travel or car. Find directions to Santa Monica below.

Attention Americans: As of October 1, 2020, all domestic travelers will be required to have REAL ID-compliant identification (or an approved alternative such as a U.S. passport) in order to board commercial flights. In other words, your traditional drivers license or state ID will not suffice, you will not be permitted through the security checkpoint, and you will not be able to fly. Learn how to get a REAL ID here.

Airports

Only eight non-freeway miles from Santa Monica, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport, with direct bus service,  shuttles and other transportation. Rates for shuttles between LAX and Santa Monica start at approximately $15 per person one-way, $30-40 round-trip per person ($10-20 for each additional person) not including tip. Shuttles are located on the lower level of the airport.

LAX
BUR
SNA
LGB
ONT
Los Angeles International Airport Hollywood Burbank Airport John Wayne Airport Long Beach Airport Ontario International Airport
8 mi / 13 km 23 mi / 37 km 52 mi / 83 km 32 mi / 51 km 56 mi / 90 km

 

For up-to-date information on the projects taking place at LAX, click here.

Public Transportation

Santa Monica transportation shares public services and routes with other systems within the Los Angeles area, making access widely available.

OPTIONS
TRAIN
LIGHT RAIL
BUS
Operator Amtrak Metro Expo Line Big Blue Bus
Schedule Daily service from San Diego and San Francisco. Daily service with operating hours varying from approximately 4am until 2am 24-hour service.
Route Name Coast Starlight

Pacific Surfliner

Southwest Chief

Sunset Limited

 EXPO LRT Rapid 10 (#10 Express)
Connections Stop at Union Station

Connection required (Light rail or Big Blue Bus).

 Direct route from Downtown LA (Union Station) to Downtown Santa Monica. Direct route from Downtown LA (Union Station) to Downtown Santa Monica.
Travel Time n/a 46 min 45 min – 90 min

 

Car

Greater Los Angeles is a large metropolitan area with heavy traffic levels at certain times of day. Numerous routes are available to reach Santa Monica, with the Interstate system (I-10 / I-5) and the Pacific Coast Highway (US-1) being the most popular routes.

Once in Santa Monica, real-time parking information, Santa Monica directions and a downloadable app are available through the City of Santa Monica.

COMING FROM
DOWNTOWN LA
ANAHEIM
SAN DIEGO
SANTA BARBARA
MALIBU
Main Road I-10 I-5 I-5 US-1 US-1
Type Interstate Highway Interstate Highway Interstate Highway Scenic Highway Scenic Highway
Avg. Travel Time 20 – 45 min 45 min – 1:15 hrs 2:00 – 2:30 hrs 1:45 – 2:00 hrs 30 min

Taxi Cab Services

Santa Monica offers a number of franchised taxi companies available for your travel needs, all of which offer a flat rate fare from Santa Monica to LAX ranging from $30-35 depending on your location in the city and not including tip (approximately 15% of fare). A $4 surcharge is levied on trips originating from LAX.

Rideshare

On-demand ridesharing companies, Lyft and Uber, are available for transportation to Santa Monica and can drop-off and pick-up at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Fare estimates from LAX to Santa Monica start at approximately $20.

 

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