How early to leave DLR before flight out of Long Beach?

[Wendysofftoneverland]

So used to Disney World and not sure what to expect from southern California traffic, so as the title says, how early before flight should we leave Disneyland resort area for a Sunday afternoon flight? Trying to decide on a 1 pm flight vs a 4 pm flight on a Sunday afternoon. Not sure if we will rent car or use Karmel shuttle. Thanks!

Edited to add: flying out of Long Beach.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Where are you flying out of? That makes a big difference. Do you have TSA Precheck or Clear?

I have flown out of ONT and SNA recently and both times we flew out midday and left DLH 30 minutes before we wanted to be at the airport. With that said these 2 airports paired with TSA/Clear I can arrive 10 minutes before boarding and still be perfectly fine.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

Where are you flying out of? That makes a big difference. Do you have TSA Precheck or Clear?

I have flown out of ONT and SNA recently and both times we flew out midday and left DLH 30 minutes before we wanted to be at the airport. With that said these 2 airports paired with TSA/Clear I can arrive 10 minutes before boarding and still be perfectly fine.

Oh wow, forgot to add, flying out of Long Beach. Thought about ONT because that's the airport I had traveled through several years ago, but someone told me the drive to Long Beach from DL would be faster/better.

Don't have pre check.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Oh wow, forgot to add, flying out of Long Beach. Thought about ONT because that's the airport I had traveled through several years ago, but someone told me the drive to Long Beach from DL would be faster/better.

Don't have pre check.

I flew LGB not ONT... not sure where my mind was on that one. The drive to LGB was easy for us, 30 minutes. The airport is easy and quick even without precheck.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

So it sounds like we definitely wouldn't need to leave hotel more than 3 hrs earlier than flight time, even if we had a rental car return.

I just think about WDW and how the Mears bus picks you up 4.5 hrs before departure.

 

[VGCgroupie]

So it sounds like we definitely wouldn't need to leave hotel more than 3 hrs earlier than flight time, even if we had a rental car return.

I just think about WDW and how the Mears bus picks you up 4.5 hrs before departure.

We live life on the edge and never ever arrive that early to any airport. But since you aren't flying LAX you for sure you don't need that much time even if you like to play it safe unlike us.

The rental car area is very close, right across from the entrance doors. Airport is small so hardly any walking at all. Security lines the 2 times Ive flown there were short even for non precheck.

 

[LAS2AMS]

LGB is a small airport with limited flights, all by Southwest sans a few by Delta and one by Hawaiian. It’ll probably take you less than an hour from the time you leave your hotel until the time you reach your gate. I’d probably give myself two hours to be safe.

 

[longboard55]

One thing to watch out for. Southwest has a lot of flights out of Long Beach that leave around 8. If you have an early flight there can be a line at TSA. Mid day is a ghost town

 

[amyg1975]

If you are taking Uber or Lyft, they often take city streets back to the airport, which takes longer than normal. Just something to consider.

 

[VGCgroupie]

If you are taking Uber or Lyft, they often take city streets back to the airport, which takes longer than normal. Just something to consider.

Interesting.
As a DP: We drove ourselves and took the freeway.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

If you are taking Uber or Lyft, they often take city streets back to the airport, which takes longer than normal. Just something to consider.

How is Karmel shuttle? It sounds like that is the recommended shuttle by DL.

 

[amyg1975]

Interesting.
As a DP: We drove ourselves and took the freeway.

They always take us via the freeway to Disneyland, but rarely on the return to the airport. It usually makes me car sick because we stop at so many lights/stop signs.

 

[goooof1]

How is Karmel shuttle? It sounds like that is the recommended shuttle by DL.

We always walk out and take a taxi. They are across the street and have a flat rate to the DLR area.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

We always walk out and take a taxi. They are across the street and have a flat rate to the DLR area.

If we bring a car seat and booster seat (or 2 boosters), can we install those in a taxi? I've only done rental cars, shuttle busses and the WDW Minnie van service because of car seats.

 

[RockyMtnMouse]

It's not even 30 min from Harbor to LGB. The rental return is across the street from the terminal. Seriously, it's a shorter distance than crossing Harbor. If you think you might grab food, there are limited choices at LGB and lines could get long depending on time of day. We love LGB, especially with little kids (plus suitcases, carseats and a stroller). If you're a person who likes to get to the airport 2 hours early, leaving your hotel 2.5 hours should be good.

 

[Louis63]

I only fly into Long Beach now, 2 hrs will give you plenty of time.

 

[2tinkerbell]

You better check on the Karmel Shuttle. I don’t think they service LGB.

 

[LKing]

If you are looking for food near the LB airport, check out The Hangar at the Long Beach Exchange.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Ubered yesterday, right around 30 minutes from CCI, harbor and Katella. No surface streets except Harbor down to freeway. Onceall the noon flights took off, airport virtually empty for an hour or so. Love it. But eat before you get there...