How to Take Public Transportation from LAX to the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal

I need to address one thing before you prematurely pat yourself on the back for successfully navigating big city public transit with a suitcase that only squeezed by under the 50lb weight limit because you decided at the last minute you could survive with 9 pairs of shoes instead of 10, only to discover that you showed up at the wrong cruise terminal in your coordinated track suit and sneakers: “What do you mean Carnival doesn’t sail from here?!?”

Cruising from Los Angeles can be confusing because there are multiple airports you can fly into and there are two separate cruise terminals, one in Long Beach owned by Carnival and one in San Pedro that’s used for most other cruise lines (double check your booking).  This post is only for those flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and cruising from the Los Angeles cruise terminal located in San Pedro (also known as the “World Cruise Center”).

Why I Decided to take Public Transportation from the Los Angeles Airport to the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal

So now that we’ve cleared that up, you might be wondering why I decided to take public transportation from the Los Angeles airport (LAX) to my Princess cruise departing from the San Pedro cruise terminal.  Three reasons. 

1. I’m cheap.

In researching transportation options, I discovered that the shared shuttle service I used to rely on for an affordable ride from LAX to the World Cruise Center is no more – driven out by ride share companies and the increasing difficulty of navigating a giant airport like LAX.  So now my options were the following:

Princess transfers: $34 each way

Ride share (Uber or Lyft): $30ish each way

Taxi: $65ish each way

I started thinking of all the other ways I could spend $60-$130 on my cruise and now every time I see an Uber driver I picture them with devil horns, trying to steal cocktails right from my hands.

Not today, Satan, I mean Uber.  I’ll be taking public transportation at $2.50 each way and using the money I save on daily drink specials! 

2. I like to live dangerously. 

No, I don’t.  Like, not at all.  In fact, right after my birth my dad was like, “Doc, aren’t you going to cut the cord” and the Doc was like, “I did, she seems to have been born with a tiny, built-in seatbelt.”  But after 40+ years of wearing a seatbelt and two years of playing it safe re: Covid – barely leaving my apartment (except to cruise, obviously), social distancing, masking, testing, vaxxing, boosting, and nightly bleach baths with all my groceries (that one’s a joke – please don’t do that), I’ve decided to swing dramatically in the other direction (because moderation is so un-American) and fly out on the same morning as my cruise (something I’ve been advising against for years), not purchasing insurance (again, something I almost never do, but this cruise somehow fell through the cracks), and taking three different forms of public transportation from LAX to the cruise pier.  Speaking of which…

3. I wanted to see how many forms of transportation I could take in a single day.

Six: car, plane, shuttle, light rail, bus, boat. I was shooting for seven, but I’m kind of relieved that hurling myself down the atrium staircase on the Majestic Princess didn’t result in an ambulance or helicopter ride.  They just stitched me up in the medical center.  But it turns out I really should have purchased that travel insurance!

How do I take Public Transportation from LAX to the World Cruise Center in San Pedro for my cruise?

Taking public transportation from the Los Angeles Airport to the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal (also known as the World Cruise Center or San Pedro cruise terminal) involves three steps.

Step 1

Take the Green Line Shuttle (G Shuttle) from the airport to the Aviation/LAX metro rail station to board the C Line (Green Line).  This shuttle service is run by LAX, is free, and serves to connect LAX to the Los Angeles metro rail. 

Where do I catch the Green Line Shuttle? 

You will catch the shuttle under the the pink sign that reads “LAX Shuttles” on the lower/arrivals level (where baggage claim is located) in front of each terminal.  Here’s a photo of where I stood outside terminal 6:

 

What does the shuttle look like?  Here’s what the shuttle looks like (there are several different types of shuttles that will drive by – only get on the one that says greenline):

The number of stops and the length of your ride will depend on which terminal you board, but it won’t be long (it was roughly 10 minutes from terminal 6) and will be obvious when you need to get off (it’s the last stop, you’ll see the Metro Rail above you, and everyone will be getting off). 

Step 2

Board the Metro Rail C Line (Green Line) Eastbound toward Norwalk. 

Here’s what it looks like where you board:

You’ll be on the Metro Rail for approximately 10 minutes.  Exit the Metro Rail at the Harbor Fwy Station (the 4^th stop – there will be a clear announcement of the stop and signage).  Walk downstairs to board a southbound bus.

*Sometimes on Saturdays part of the Metro Rail will be shut down for track maintenance. There will be a free shuttle bus that will take you to another station to board.

Step 3

At the Harbor Freeway Station/Harbor Transitway, board the southbound 950 J Line (Silver) express bus traveling toward San Pedro.  Make sure you only board the bus numbered 950.  Do NOT board the 910 bus.

Here’s a photo of the bus stop where you’ll board the 950 bus:

And here’s a photo of which bus you’re looking for:

Exit the bus at Beacon and 1^st Street (the 7^th stop).  You’ll be on the bus for approximately 26 minutes.

Here’s a photo of where you’ll be getting off:

Step 4

Walk to the cruise terminal.  It’s a very short, obvious walk.  Just turn west on 1^st street and walk less than a block until you see the cruise terminal.

Hopefully you’ll see your ship and can sprint toward her like you’re about to embrace after returning from war.  If not, you either showed up on the wrong day or at the wrong terminal (I know I can get wordy and bury the lead, but you really shouldn’t have skipped my first two paragraphs).

How much does it Cost to take Public Transportation from the Los Angeles airport to the L.A. Cruise Terminal?

$2.50 ($5 round trip) fare

+

$2 to purchase a TAP card

How do I Pay to Take Public Transportation from LAX to the World Cruise Center?

You have three options (two require prior planning, but will save you time and the third you can do when you arrive in Los Angeles):

1. You can pre-order and load a TAP card and have it delivered to you in the mail.

I chose to go this route because my phone wasn’t compatible with the app and I wanted to avoid waiting in line to purchase a TAP card on the ground in L.A. Go HERE to create a TAP account and to order your card.  Note that the amount you load on your card won’t show up in your account until you tap your card for the first time.  Also note that you also must use your TAP card at least once within 25 days of purchase, so don’t order it too early.

2. You can download the TAP App to your smart phone.

Go HERE for information on the Tap App.

3. You can purchase and load a TAP card at a kiosk at the Metro Line station.

Can I pay with cash?

No, neither the Metro rail or the express bus will take cash – you must use a TAP card or the TAP App on your phone for this route.

Don’t forget to TAP!

Be sure to tap your card on the reader before you board the light rail train and as you’re entering the express bus. You haven’t actually paid until you do that! Don’t get arrested for theft of services and miss your cruise!

Would I take public transportation from LAX to the cruise terminal again?

Yes! Under the same circumstances, with a very early arrival into Los Angeles giving me lots of room to allow for delays (I wouldn’t do this with a flight scheduled to arrive into Los Angeles after 11am), no tight flight connections, and traveling light and solo (I might think twice about doing this with my young son and all his stuff), I’d do it again! It was far easier than expected and I arrived to the terminal in plenty of time to be one of the first passengers onboard!

How do I get from the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal back to LAX after my cruise?

First off, why would you want to? I recommend doing this instead:

But if that doesn’t work (it never has for me before, but I keep trying), here’s how you get back to LAX from the cruise terminal using public transportation:

Step 1

Walk to the bus stop at 1st and Beacon. You’ll want to stand on the other side of the street this time. Here’s a photo of the stop:

Step 2

Board the northbound 950 J Line (Silver) express bus traveling toward El Monte Station via Downtown.

Exit the bus at the Harbor Freeway Station/Harbor Transitway (the 7th stop – you’ll be on the bus for approximately 29 minutes).

Step 3

Board the Metro Rail C Line (Green Line) West Bound toward Redondo Beach Station.

Exit the metro train at Aviation/LAX (the 4th stop – you’ll be on the train for approximately 10 minutes).

Step 4

Board the Greenline Shuttle to LAX Terminals. Get off at the appropriate terminal (look up which terminal your airline departs from in advance).

Now what?

Now you cry and pout and book yourself on another cruise! And with that…

Class Dismissed.

Homework (10 points): Read 20 Pro Tips To Save Money On A Cruise Ship and 20 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Choosing A Cruise Cabin.

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