Long Beach Airport Mini Guide
What’s there to see and do in Long Beach?
Long Beach means different things to different people. To many, it’s a dirty industrialised port city with some suspect neighbourhoods. For others it’s a fabulous beach resort with great sights such as the RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. The Queen Mary looks spectacular berthed alongside Long Beach and open to the public as a hotel and floating museum. Its original art deco design is considered to be among the finest still in existence and attracts thousands of visitors and hotel guests each year. The aquarium at Long Beach is one of the best in the world with over 550 species represented by its 11,000 live exhibits.
How do I get to Long Beach?
There are three airports within easy reach of the city. Long Beach Airport is the closest at around fifteen miles from the city.
Los Angeles International is a little further away but reachable by rail which makes the longer journey more manageable. Flights are only domestic in origin so if you want to arrive in the city via Long Beach Airport you’ll have to get a connecting flight to
New York,
Seattle or
Chicago. There’s a variety of transport methods into the city including hire car, shuttle, bus or taxi.
What’s the Airport Like?
It’s currently in the early stages of a revamp that will add a long concourse to the terminal. This will allow for less congestion in the terminal, currently a big problem. At the moment the airport is a little tired looking but, despite being a poorer cousin of Los Angeles International, it’s hoped that the better facilities and the possibility of international routes may improve its fortunes.
What can I Expect When I Land at Long Beach?
The terminal is quite small and after coming down the steps from the aircraft you’ll walk to the terminal and the ground floor shared with departures. After security checks you’ll be in baggage reclaim and soon have your suitcases. In the main public area, space is quite tight so the information desk is outside the terminal and to the left by the valet parking. There, you’ll be able to find out where everything you just walked past to get here is found and be able to ask about transportation and accommodation nearby. Car hire desks are in the transportation centre across the road and from the information desk it’s easy to identify where buses and taxis collect you from. There are no banks in the terminal but there is a solitary ATM for cash.
What can I Expect When I Leave Long Beach?
Interestingly, there are kerbside check-in desks for those that are simply dropped off or who walk back from the rental parking. This saves on the limited space in the terminal. Once checked in, you go into the terminal and can spend your time looking around the shop or have a meal in the attractive bars and restaurants. Shopping is limited to a newsagent which also sells oddments needed by travellers. Of benefit to those with a laptop or internet device is the free airport-wide wireless internet access.