Large Group Need One Way Ride to Long Beach from San Diego

[sivichoney]

Hello all!

 

My family is planning a group cruise (11 total=6 adults and 5 children) for a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise. We all live in San Diego and we're boarding in Long Beach. We're close enough to drive, but we're wondering the most cost effective form of transportation. Does it make more sense to pay for long term parking for 2 or 3 cars or are there any recommendations for a one-way ride from SD to LB via 15 passenger van rental, shuttles, etc..?

[SadieN]

As of a few years ago there was no easy way to do this. We went Ontario-San Diego. Ended up doing a one way car rental.

 

Parking at Long Beach is $19/24 hours. IIRC there's an Avis near Ocean and Pine, along the free Passport route to the Queen Mary and the cruiseport.

Edited August 19, 2016 by SadieN

[Astro Flyer]

As of a few years ago there was no easy way to do this. We went Ontario-San Diego. Ended up doing a one way car rental.

 

Parking at Long Beach is $19/24 hours. IIRC there's an Avis near Ocean and Pine, along the free Passport route to the Queen Mary and the cruiseport.

A one-way car rental may be the best option for their group even if it requires multiple vehicles.

 

We used Amtrak to go from northwest of LA to the SD cruise terminal but don't think it's a cost effective option for their 11 passengers. I know that you're very experienced at using public transportation options including rail lines. However I would not take the train from my house to Union Station & then take the rail line through some tough neighborhoods. Nor would I recommend it for the OP when coming from SD and much prefer your rental car to Passport bus to the LB cruise terminal.

 

'sivichoney'...here are links to that free Passport bus service:

 

Map: http://www.lbtransit.com/Schedules/Default.aspx?routegrp=30&routes=Passport&direction=Outbound&day=today&mode=map

 

Schedule: http://www.lbtransit.com/Schedules/Default.aspx?routegrp=37

[sivichoney]

Thank you for the feedback and the link to the Passport bus service Astro Flyer! Will check out options for a 1-way rental.

Edited August 19, 2016 by sivichoney

[Astro Flyer]

Thank you for the feedback and the link to the Passport bus service Astro Flyer! Will check out options for a 1-way rental.

 

You're welcome & with big parking fee increases in the past year at the Port of LA ($12 to $17) and LB costing even more, we consider alternatives to parking at the cruise ship terminals. Unlike airport parking, there is little to no competition for cruise ship passengers to park their cars & thus higher rates. :(

 

We drive an hour to either LA or LB terminals but for our 15-day cruise next near from LA it's actually cheaper to get a Park & Sail package which includes an overnight hotel stay, a drink, breakfast, shuttle to & from the ship and 15 days of parking. It's unlikely that would be a good option for your group from LB and you could search for other discussions on this forum if considering that option.

Edited August 19, 2016 by Astro Flyer

[SadieN]

Info if you want to take Amtrak to Union Station.....then the Colored Lines to Long Beach.

metro.net $1.75 for two hours + $1 TAP card. (Tap the stantion at each transfer)

 

Only do this if you're traveling with carryon size luggage.

 

****

From Union Station

Take the Red or Purple line to the

7th Street Trans. Station transfer to the

Blue Line.

Ride the Blue line to the Long Beach Transit Station.

The Passport bus stop is located on across Ocean between Pine and Pacific.

****

 

We've taken this route many, many times and have no hesitation doing so again. Usually travel with Mom and Sis, all with grey hair. BUT know that it can take two hours and goes thru extremely rough neighborhoods.... Compton, Watts, South Central. They've been working on the Blue line recently. We had to transfer to a bus in Vernon with even less room for luggage.

As said we've never had a problem but we had seen a whole cross section of humanity-- people talking to their hand?phone?reflection in the window? Men fondling themselves. People selling everything from snacks, small electronics, children's aprons....

 

The train doesn't have any area to store luggage. Needs to be kept at your feet. The Passport bus HC area is big enough for about 6 with luggage.

 

Could see what time the Amtrak bus gets into Long Beach. Price it out. For us it wasn't cost effective (ONT-SAN). IIRC (confirm) it also ends at the Transit Gallery.

Edited August 19, 2016 by SadieN

[Astro Flyer]

SadieN...you're the best source for rail & bus options to the ports. :)

[Rosefloater]

Info if you want to take Amtrak to Union Station.....then the Colored Lines to Long Beach.

metro.net $1.75 for two hours + $1 TAP card. (Tap the stantion at each transfer)

 

Only do this if you're traveling with carryon size luggage.

 

****

From Union Station

Take the Red or Purple line to the

7th Street Trans. Station transfer to the

Blue Line.

Ride the Blue line to the Long Beach Transit Station.

The Passport bus stop is located on across Ocean between Pine and Pacific.

****

 

We've taken this route many, many times and have no hesitation doing so again. Usually travel with Mom and Sis, all with grey hair. BUT know that it can take two hours and goes thru extremely rough neighborhoods.... Compton, Watts, South Central. They've been working on the Blue line recently. We had to transfer to a bus in Vernon with even less room for luggage.

 

Could see what time the Amtrak bus gets into Long Beach. Price it out. For us it wasn't cost effective (ONT-SAN). IIRC (confirm) it also ends at the Transit Gallery.

 

The transit gallery is where the Blue Line ends. The Passport Bus stop is around the block.

 

The largest size suitcase we take on the Blue Line is a 22" and maybe a tote.

 

Yes, the Blue Line goes thru some bad areas, but it is fine during the day, I just wouldn't want to be there at night.

 

------------------------------------------------------------

 

OP - Even if you take a large van, you still have the luggage for 11 people to load.

 

Best bet would be to see what car rental agency is in Long Beach and that it is open on Saturdays. Then I would drop off all the passengers with all the luggage and the driver/drivers drop off the rental car and grab a taxi back to the port. Do reverse after disembarkation.

[sivichoney]

@SadieN - We probably won't be able to get by with just carry on size luggage for our group but this was all still very good info! Thanks!

 

@Rosefloater - I agree. Thank you!

[KeepCalmBearOn]

Amtrak to DTLA, Blue Line to Long Beach, will take close to five hours for a 90 minute drive.

 

Either drive 2 vehicles and do long term parking or contact a San Diego shuttle company and get quotes for the Long Beach Cruise Port.

[SadieN]

Amtrak to DTLA, Blue Line to Long Beach, will take close to five hours for a 90 minute drive.

 

 

 

Either drive 2 vehicles and do long term parking or contact a San Diego shuttle company and get quotes for the Long Beach Cruise Port.

 

 

Instead of changing to the Blue Line from Amtrak, change to an Amtrak bus (SAN - LAX - LBC)

The Amtrak busses are touring couches with luggage storage underneath. The route ends at the Transit Gallery. Easy to connect to the Passport.

 

 

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[KeepCalmBearOn]

Instead of changing to the Blue Line from Amtrak, change to an Amtrak bus (SAN - LAX - LBC)

The Amtrak busses are touring couches with luggage storage underneath. The route ends at the Transit Gallery. Easy to connect to the Passport.

 

There is still no point in going all the way into Downtown LA to then backtrack one hour to Long Beach and then you have to use the Passporter Bus. That is three different conveyances.

 

The more logical way to use a train would be to take Amtrak to Anaheim (ANA) or Fullerton (FUL) and then use Zippy or Karmel shuttle from there to the port. At least there is no backtracking that way.

[jhsocal]

i second that idea, we have used Karmel many times, especially to LAX. If you are Auto. Club members, you will receive a small discount.

[SadieN]

There is still no point in going all the way into Downtown LA to then backtrack one hour to Long Beach and then you have to use the Passporter Bus. That is three different conveyances.

 

 

 

The more logical way to use a train would be to take Amtrak to Anaheim (ANA) or Fullerton (FUL) and then use Zippy or Karmel shuttle from there to the port. At least there is no backtracking that way.

 

 

An even better idea!!

 

Still might be cheaper to do two, one-way car rentals.

 

 

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[riffatsea]

Do you also need to get back from the Long Beach pier to San Diego?? I don't know how much the shuttle is or the one way rentals.

I do know that sometimes spending a little money to make life easier is worth it in order to start your trip in a pleasant way.

I'd look into the park n sleep pkgs offered by some Long Beach hotels/motels. Then each family can drive their own car to the hotel the day before the cruise. Stay over night. Park your car there and then have it ready to drive back home when you are ready.

There are several pkgs. at different price points.

We like the Maya which is right near the pier using the Carnival code p41 to get a better price.

There are other possibilities farther away in downtown Long Beach like the Hyatt or even lower priced the Best Western Golden Sands. It is a great way to start your cruise!