Recommended time to allow for drive to SNA

[heidica]

Our return flight home out of SNA will be at 5:40pm on Tuesday August 25th. If we want to get to the airport 2 hours prior to our flight by 3:40pm, what time should we leave the DLR? We plan on taking a taxi to the airport. I've read that with no traffic, it's about a 20-30 minute drive, so I was thinking of doubling that and allowing an hour and leave at 2:40pm since it will be during the afternoon commute. Does that sound about right? Should I allow more time?

 

[OKW Lover]

I think you're going to be fine with that. Perhaps too conservative.

 

[Imdboss]

You are going to have way more time than necessary. It's a pretty quick airport to get through. We usually leave our hotel about 1.5 to 1.75 hours before our flight and have plenty of time. We've taken many weekday flights that leave around 5:30 and have never had a problem with traffic.

 

[lvdis]

If I can jump on here too, How much time is recommended for going to SNA from DLR? We will be taking a cab on a Thursday morning with a 9:25 am Southwest flight out of SNA. Thanks!

 

[brandoncozart]

we had a 4:25 flight, called an Uber at 2:45, and were at SNA by 3:15. super easy, super quick, and SNA is a breeze to get through.

 

[DLgal]

You can probably leave the DLR around 3:45pm and be just fine. Seriously, SNA is a tiny airport with VERY efficient security screening. Even with rush hour traffic, it will only take you about 30-40 min to get to SNA.

 

[heidica]

Ok, thanks everyone. I appreciate all the advice and tips. Brandoncozart you mentioned Uber. Don't know why, but I never thought about using Uber to get back to the airport. I've never used it before. How would it work if I have to deal with a car seat? I can just install it real quick (plan on bringing our own). Is that something that gets noted when you arrange for the Uber car?

 

[freckles04]

Can I piggyback on this question? We are thinking about using the Disneyland Express from our hotel to SNA. Our flight leaves at 2:20pm. Should we choose the 10:10 DL Express bus or the 12:10 bus? The former seems way too early and the latter seems like it would be cutting it close. Any thoughts?

 

[brandoncozart]

Ok, thanks everyone. I appreciate all the advice and tips. Brandoncozart you mentioned Uber. Don't know why, but I never thought about using Uber to get back to the airport. I've never used it before. How would it work if I have to deal with a car seat? I can just install it real quick (plan on bringing our own). Is that something that gets noted when you arrange for the Uber car?

Uber has a service called uberFAMILY that has cars with car seats for a $10 surcharge. It's not available in all cities, and I don't remember ever seeing the option in Anaheim.

If you have your own car seat, it'd probably be fine just to hook it all up once your driver gets to you. I've had friends that have done that, but I don't have personal experience with it. If you want to be extra sure you could always call your driver when they accept to pick you up just to give them a heads-up. But I haven't heard of it being a problem.

 

[lvdis]

we had a 4:25 flight, called an Uber at 2:45, and were at SNA by 3:15. super easy, super quick, and SNA is a breeze to get through.

So, it sounds like getting there an hour ahead of your flight is plenty of time? Does it typically only take 30 minutes to get to the airport? Thanks!

 

[Disney Dory]

Can I piggyback on this question? We are thinking about using the Disneyland Express from our hotel to SNA. Our flight leaves at 2:20pm. Should we choose the 10:10 DL Express bus or the 12:10 bus? The former seems way too early and the latter seems like it would be cutting it close. Any thoughts?

The 12:10 would be okay. We have used the Disneyland Express from our hotel to SNA several times and though the Disneyland Express does stop at other hotels, we have always gotten to the airport with time to spare!

 

[MillauFr]

So, it sounds like getting there an hour ahead of your flight is plenty of time? Does it typically only take 30 minutes to get to the airport? Thanks!

Yes and yes. I've driven there in rush hour traffic and it only adds about 10 minutes to the usual 25 minutes of travel time. We get on the HOV lane entrance at Katella and the I-5/SR 55 HOV connector works great and saves time.