Long Beach vs. SNA airport

[tinksdreamwishes]

hi again! Was wondering how long it would take to get to GCH from Long Beach Airport on a friday morning arriving around 8 am.... I found a good deal on Jet Blue that would save me almost a 100. But I am aware of the fact that Jet Blue allows 1 checked luggage vs. Southwest- which allows 2 checked luggage. Southwest arrives at SNA around 7:40 am... and usally takes 20 min to get to the hotel. But again it is a friday morning... and it is also July 2nd. The friday of 4th of July weekend. Also I would be leaving to go back to the airport on Sunday July 4th- late afternoon. Do you think the traffic would be heavier going to Long Beach airport vs. SNA airport? I know this sounds confusing trying to explain it all. I really trying to get to the GCH before 9 am. (to take advantage of getting into DCA at opening for Fastpasses for WOC). Any help would be great!

 

[Flitterific]

Hi! I've only flown to SNA so I am not sure how much help I can provide. However, I want to ask you if you factored in the price of transportation to and from the airport to GCH? Super Shuttle from SNA to DLR is only $10/way (but there are also tons of coupons out there for $2 off/way but it is a lot more expensive from Long Beach. But just for your information, Long Beach airport is approximately 20 miles away from DLR while SNA is about 14 miles away. Perhaps someone local can tell you about the traffic conditions.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I've only flown in to LGB and I love it! We're flying *Jet Blue* in on 7/2 as well *in the evening.

 

[Lissame]

We have flown into all of the airports--Long Beach, SNA, LAX...and although SNA is a bit closer, it also seems to be more expensive for us to fly in to.

Love flying into Long Beach. Love JetBlue (and Southwest). LongBeach is so small, you don't have to get there as early and it is so much more low key.

 

[jlmarr]

But just for your information, Long Beach airport is approximately 20 miles away from DLR while SNA is about 14 miles away. Perhaps someone local can tell you about the traffic conditions.

LGB is 14 miles as the crow flies, but that matters only if you're renting a car. If not then SNA would probably work out best due to the DL Express, which isn't available from LGB.

 

[egritz]

Every extra mile in LA can cause extra commute minutes! If your decision is based purely on needing to get to DCA early, I would do SNA & then a Taxi to your hotel....if $ does factor in a bit, then maybe use Super Shuttle (it will be a bit longer than the taxi if your hotel isn't one of the first stops). If you're renting a car, then that is going to add time too. If $$ is more of your issue, then I'd price out the cost difference for Super Shuttle using the different airports.

 

[lilpooh108]

Friday mornings are usually lighter in traffic. I actually think on a Friday before a holiday weekend it's not going to be that bad b/c alot of ppl take Fridays off before the weekend.

The 405 freeway won't start jamming up out of Long Beach going south until you hit Westminster area...I dunno where your hotel is (it's late and I"m reading really fast)...but I would estimate that it will take you about an hour or so from LGB to central orange county (taking the 405). If you must take the 5, that's a whole other story...Google map it...the driving estimates are pretty accurate (they also include estimates if there is traffic).

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

thank you- this is great info! I guess I will take the SNA route. Seems like it will get me closer! I will prolly splurge and get the Taxi too. The last time I took Super Shuttle they waited till they had enough folks to fill up the van before leaving then they stopped everywhere! A taxi to GCH would prolly be around $50 for 2 adults? Whatcha think?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

thank you- this is great info! I guess I will take the SNA route. Seems like it will get me closer! I will prolly splurge and get the Taxi too. The last time I took Super Shuttle they waited till they had enough folks to fill up the van before leaving then they stopped everywhere! A taxi to GCH would prolly be around $50 for 2 adults? Whatcha think?

I have no clue about taxi costs but we use a car company to get us from LGB to our DLR area hotel ~ he charges $45 + I give him a $5 tip ~ whether we have 3 people or 6 and he stops for a grocery run if I need to/want to do one. Our driver is Ron and his business card says VIP Service (Kim Sontha Transportation). The number is (562) 396-8106 (company number) OR the number where he has always answered is 562-895-6713. We've had a Toyota Highlander & Lexus SUV for our past trips. What about flying in the evening before? That's what DD and I are doing ~ I want to get a good nights sleep - we have busy 1st day *DD's Birthday! ~ MM @ 7am and we'll end the day with WOC!

 

[Brady's Mom]

We've flown to SNA and LGB and we love both airports. We also rent a car every time we go so I don't have any experience with shuttles and other stuff.

BUT - I do know that it is super easy to get to DLR from LGB. We get on Willow Ave and take it East to Harbor. Willow becomes Katella and takes you all the way to DLR. It took us about 30 minutes to get from the airport to the resort.

I don't remember exactly how we got to DLR from SNA - but I am sure we took the freeway. It took us about 20 minutes to get from SNA to DLR.

We love both airports - but can almost always get better fares into LGB so we go there more frequently than SNA. And we love JetBlue.

 

[SeattleTink]

Both are great airports and are easy to navigate.

I fly into whichever has the cheapest airfare.

You cannot go wrong with either one, in my opinion.