How Do You Get Around Santa Monica?
Santa Monica is located within the greater Los Angeles area, making access to the city easy by public transportation, air travel, or car. Find directions to Santa Monica, California, as well as Santa Monica transportation information below.
Airports in the Area
Only eight non-freeway miles from Santa Monica, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport, and with direct bus service, shuttles and more, makes transportation from LAX to Santa Monica easy to find. Rates for shuttles between LAX and Santa Monica start at approximately $18 per person one-way, or $40 - $60 round-trip per 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 in Santa Monica
Many public transportation services and routes have stops in Santa Monica, making access throughout Santa Monica and great Los Angeles easier than ever. The most popular forms of public transportation in Santa Monica are below:
The Big Blue Bus in Santa Monica, CA
The Santa Monica Bus system is a great way to get around town. You can also take the Big Blue Bus from the Los Angeles airport (LAX) to Santa Monica, all with the Transit App on your phone or a simple TAP card you load with fare ahead of time. TAP cards can be loaded either online at taptogo.net, or in person at a transit station or The Transit Store on 4th Street in Santa Monica.
The Metro Expo Line
Santa Monica’s Metro Expo Line makes getting around Santa Monica and Los Angeles quick and efficient, and you can also use your TAP card! You can take the Expo Line from Downtown Los Angeles all the way to Ocean Avenue to see the iconic Santa Monica Pier. There are three Santa Monica stops on the metro line:
- 26th Street, near Bergamot Station
- 17th Street, near Santa Monica College
- Downtown Santa Monica, near Third Street Promenade