There are 5 ways to get from Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) by bus, tram, taxi, rideshare, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Line 3 bus
best- Take the bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Centerbus 3
51 min$1–3Tram
- Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Stationtram Metro E Line
- Take the tram from Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Station to LAX / Metro Transit Centertram Metro K Line
1h 2m$4–6Taxi
- Take the taxi from Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX)taxi 8.6 mi
13 min$35–45Airport Transfer
- Take the rideshare from Santa Monica to Los Angeles-LAX8.6 mi
13 min$75–100Drive 8.6 mi
- Drive from Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX)car 8.6 mi
13 min$2–3
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) is to drive which costs $1 - $3 and takes 13 min.
The fastest way to get from Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) is to taxi which takes 13 min and costs $35 - $45.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX). However, there are services departing from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place and arriving at LAX Terminal 1 via Metro Transit Center Bay 2. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 51 min.
No, there is no direct train from Santa Monica station to Los Angeles Airport (LAX). However, there are services departing from Downtown Santa Monica Station and arriving at LAX / Metro Transit Center via Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 1h 2m.
The distance between Santa Monica and Los Angeles Airport (LAX) is 11 miles. The road distance is 8.7 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) without a car is to line 3 bus which takes 51 min and costs $1 - $3.
It takes approximately 51 min to get from Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX), including transfers.
Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) bus services, operated by Big Blue Bus, depart from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place station.
Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) train services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, depart from Downtown Santa Monica Station.
Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) bus services, operated by Big Blue Bus, arrive at LAX/Metro Transit Center station.
What companies run services between Santa Monica, CA, USA and Los Angeles Airport (LAX), USA?
Big Blue Bus operates a bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Center every 15 minutes. Tickets cost $1–2 and the journey takes 43 min. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Downtown Santa Monica Station to LAX Terminal 1 via Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station, Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Station, LAX / Metro Transit Center, and Metro Transit Center Bay 2 in around 1h 2m.
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- [email protected]
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station
- Ave. Duration
- 27 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Tram from Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Station to LAX / Metro Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 19 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
- Phone
- +1 310-451-5444
- Website
- bigbluebus.com
Bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- http://www.bigbluebus.com
- Schedules at
- http://www.bigbluebus.com/Routes-And-Schedules/
- Website
- https://www.mozio.com
Rideshare from Santa Monica to Los Angeles-LAX
- Ave. Duration
- 13 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $75–100
- Ave. Duration
- 13 min
- Estimated price
- $35–45
Santa Monica Yellow Cab
- Phone
- +1 877.733.3305
- Website
- layellowcab.com
Sunshine-deluxe-transportation
- Phone
- 310-709-8480
- Website
- yelp.com
Taxi Taxi
- Phone
- 310-444-4444
- Website
- santamonicataxi.com
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More Questions & Answers
Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) train services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, arrive at Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) is 9 miles. It takes approximately 13 min to drive from Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX).
There are 2279+ hotels available in Los Angeles Airport (LAX).
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Santa Monica and Los Angeles Airport (LAX). A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.


