Shuttle vs Taxi from LGB

[rentayenta]

We use a taxi or uber. Both super easy. LGB is by far the best airport option around. Anywhere. Ever!

 

[amyg1975]

All this talk of LGB made me want to check flight prices. Guess what I just booked?! $29 flights, and $59 flights from Oakland, and we had enough points so we only paid for one $29 flight.

 

[Darkbeer1]

All this talk of LGB made me want to check flight prices. Guess what I just booked?! $29 flights, and $59 flights from Oakland, and we had enough points so we only paid for one $29 flight.

Way to go, LGB is awesome, great old school airport with some wonderful history.

Be prepared to pick up your luggage under a sheltered outdoor area...

And on the way back, LGB new security facility was built for the current TSA requirements, and a lot easier than most airports.

http://www.lgb.org/

Enjoy your visit.

EDIT - Please post your thoughts about LGB after your trip

 

[lalasmama]

All this talk of LGB made me want to check flight prices. Guess what I just booked?! $29 flights, and $59 flights from Oakland, and we had enough points so we only paid for one $29 flight.

I kind of shutter at all the times I refused to try LGB because I was scared of trying a new airport. Seriously, probably spent an unnecessary $2k :-/

 

[Darkbeer1]

I kind of shutter at all the times I refused to try LGB because I was scared of trying a new airport. Seriously, probably spent an unnecessary $2k :-/

Sorry to hear that, LGB has been a strange and bizarre airport over the years, starting with the WWII period (well, even before that), but it was McDonnel-Douglas aircraft manufacture that made the airport known, as the DC-9 and other planes are built on site (bought by Boeing). Alas, very little is going on in the construction site.

Basically the airport is one main terminal, that was built in the 1930's, this is where you check in, and is two stories tall. The second story has a great restaurant with awesome views of the area. Worth spending a few minutes just checking out the history my walking the hallways

After the recent remodeling and adding of new concourses (North and South) and the new security check area, there are still just 11 gates, and no Jetways. They have stairs, and for the larger aircraft, a ramp system (switchback) to board.

And since I live just a few blocks off of Ball Road, so easy to get to.

It is a true gem. But then I also use Kona airport, which is similar in style, though a bit more open...

 

[amyg1975]

Enjoy your visit.

EDIT - Please post your thoughts about LGB after your trip

We actually flew into LGB back in May for the first time. Great experience and super easy to catch a cab to the hotel!

 

[sheetz]

FYI, only Uber Black is allowed to pick up at Long Beach airport. If you want to use the cheaper UberX service the driver will pick you up from an off airport site.

 

[lalasmama]

So, for those scared to try LGB (like I was!)... I thought I would dispel the top things I had heard, and concerns I had.

My first fear was that someone used the term "modular buildings" to describe the terminals, which is what mobile or manufactured homes are called in my area. So that's what I pictured--a bunch of manufactured-home type buildings. No, it's not like that at all! They are normal buildings.

My second fear was that only "puddle jumpers"/commuter planes would be able to fly in/out of "such a small airport." Nope again! They are full size planes in the case of Jet Blue. I hate hate hate hate commuter planes (they scare me), so that had been a huge deterrent! The Jet Blue planes are 3 seats per side, and 25 rows or so.

Many people told me "there's really limited transportation--rent an expensive car, have a car service pick you up, or *shutter* take a cab." Having never done a cab on my own in a "big city" made me shy away. But I couldn't afford a car service, and renting a car would eat away the savings. A friend and I took a taxi from another airport, eventually, so I became okay with the idea. It's easy peasy. You get your bags, then look around. You will see the bright yellow taxis across a two or three lane street. You walk up to the man with the clipboard standing there, and he will ask you where you are going. "Disneyland area, flat rate" is good enough. The cabby will load your things. I always sit in the back. Hubby says you can sit in front, but I prefer the back. Then the cabby will ask where you are going, and you can be specific. I've had a few that didn't speak English well, and have had me enter the address into the GPS unit. Relax for the 30-minute or so drive!

People told me LGB was an easy airport, but I had thought they were oversimplifying it. They aren't. It really is a truly easy airport, even for those without much experience flying.

 

[Darkbeer1]

My first fear was that someone used the term "modular buildings" to describe the terminals, which is what mobile or manufactured homes are called in my area. So that's what I pictured--a bunch of manufactured-home type buildings. No, it's not like that at all! They are normal buildings.

That WAS the case until the new north and south concourse and TSA security buildings were built, so you just saw an older review.

Much nicer nowadays, glad you had a great trip.

 

[jaymesmom617]

Two questions:
I am planning my first trip using LGB and I am super excited about the small airport. I love the small airport by my home.
#1:How long before your flight do you arrive? 90 minutes seems excessive when it is such a small airport. I usually show up an hour before at my local airport.
#2: I am thinking we will use the taxi service Darkbeer1 suggested above. How long will the drive take about 4:00pm on a Monday? Should I plan for longer than the 30ish minutes? I want to maximize my time in the park that day!!

 

[lalasmama]

Two questions:
I am planning my first trip using LGB and I am super excited about the small airport. I love the small airport by my home.
#1:How long before your flight do you arrive? 90 minutes seems excessive when it is such a small airport. I usually show up an hour before at my local airport.
#2: I am thinking we will use the taxi service Darkbeer1 suggested above. How long will the drive take about 4:00pm on a Monday? Should I plan for longer than the 30ish minutes? I want to maximize my time in the park that day!!

I show up about an hour to 90 minutes early. Once, I did 45 minutes early. Then the carry-on baggage monitor lady made me check a bag that was about an inch too wide, and I had to go back to the counter before going to TSA. So, an hour, give or take a few minutes, is usually fair.

As far as the taxi service darkbeer posted earlier, that was my plan as well, until I heard bad reviews here and on yelp. Forgotten fares, price changes... not the way I want to start my vacation!

 

[Doctor Who]

I Love LGB it's so easy. My question is, will 4 of us fit in one taxi? Also can Uber take you back to LGB? We are staying at the Camelot,
Thanks

 

[Darkbeer1]

Most taxis fir 5 people, some more.

And yes, you can take Uber from the Disneyland area to LGB.

 

[jclancy658]

Most taxis fir 5 people, some more.

And yes, you can take Uber from the Disneyland area to LGB.

Actually, you can Not take UBER from Dis to LGB. Found that out the hard way this weekend. My Uber driver lets us pack up and place a car seat in his car and says "there's a problem"?? But offers to drop us off really close to the airport at a hotel. A little worried I accepted. His drop off was another 5 Min drive to LGB. I was furious. Thank goodness the Hotel he dropped us off at was nice enough and took pity on us and offered their shuttle service free of change and quickly. Disputed the Uber charge and was refunded. I still am confused why he excepted the fare if he could see where I was requesting drop off at? Not sure how their system works. But just a heads up... NO Uber X in or our of LGB.

 

[amyg1975]

Actually, you can Not take UBER from Dis to LGB. Found that out the hard way this weekend. My Uber driver lets us pack up and place a car seat in his car and says "there's a problem"?? But offers to drop us off really close to the airport at a hotel. A little worried I accepted. His drop off was another 5 Min drive to LGB. I was furious. Thank goodness the Hotel he dropped us off at was nice enough and took pity on us and offered their shuttle service free of change and quickly. Disputed the Uber charge and was refunded. I still am confused why he excepted the fare if he could see where I was requesting drop off at? Not sure how their system works. But just a heads up... NO Uber X in or our of LGB.

That confuses me because people have confirmed that they have not had any problem taking UberX to LGB, and this article states you can use Uber to get there. http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-ride-share-airports-chart-20150721-htmlstory.html Anyone else have the problem of the driver saying "no"?

I just found this on the Uber site as well: https://www.uber.com/airports/lgb/ Scroll down to the "Drop Offs Only" part. Your driver was wrong. I am glad you fought the charge!