How to Get to Long Beach From San Diego [2025-2026 Guide] 🚗🚆🚌✈️
Travel from San Diego to Long Beach in just 2–3 hours. Drive, take Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Greyhound bus, or fly. Compare cost, distance, and time in this guide.
The fastest and most flexible way to get from San Diego to Long Beach is by driving I-5 North, which takes around 2–2.5 hours (110 miles). If you prefer public transportation, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train plus Los Angeles Metro or a direct Greyhound bus are good options. Flights are not practical since the cities are too close.
📊 Travel Options Overview
| Option | Duration | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚗 Driving (I-5 North) | 2–2.5 hrs | $20–$35 fuel/tolls | Flexibility & fastest travel |
| 🚆 Train (Amtrak + Metro) | 3–3.5 hrs | $35–$55 | Scenic & comfortable |
| 🚌 Bus (Greyhound/Megabus) | 3–4 hrs | $15–$35 | Budget-friendly |
| ✈️ Flight (SAN → LGB/LAX) | 3.5–5 hrs (with check-in) | $90–$180 | Not recommended (short distance) |
🚗 Driving from San Diego to Long Beach
Driving is the most convenient and flexible way to reach Long Beach.
- Distance: ~110 miles (177 km).
- Route: Take I-5 North directly into Long Beach.
- Duration: 2–2.5 hours, depending on traffic.
- Cost: $20–$35 (gas + tolls if applicable).
- Highlights: Coastal views, flexibility to stop in Orange County (Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach).
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid peak rush hour (7–9 AM and 4–7 PM) in Orange County and Los Angeles for smoother driving.
🚆 Taking the Train from San Diego to Long Beach
If you prefer scenic and stress-free travel, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is a great choice.
- Step 1: Board the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner at San Diego Santa Fe Depot (SAN).
- Step 2: Ride to Los Angeles Union Station (LAX) (~2 hrs 45 mins).
- Step 3: From Union Station, transfer to the Metro A Line (Blue Line) → arrive in Downtown Long Beach.
- Duration: 3–3.5 hours total.
- Cost: $35–$55 one way.
- Experience: Comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, food service, and beautiful ocean views.
🚌 Bus from San Diego to Long Beach
For budget travelers, buses are the cheapest way to get to Long Beach.
- Operators: Greyhound, FlixBus, and Megabus.
- Departure: Downtown San Diego or Old Town Transit Center.
- Arrival: Long Beach Transit Center.
- Duration: 3–4 hours, depending on traffic.
- Cost: $15–$35 one way.
- Comfort: Reclining seats, Wi-Fi (on select buses), rest stops along the way.
💡 Pro Tip: Booking in advance often secures the lowest fares.
✈️ Flying from San Diego to Long Beach
While technically possible, flying is not practical because the distance is short.
- Airports: San Diego International Airport (SAN) → Long Beach Airport (LGB) or Los Angeles (LAX).
- Flight Duration: ~50 minutes in the air.
- Total Travel Time: 3.5–5 hours (security + check-in + transfers).
- Cost: $90–$180 round trip.
👉 Unless you’re connecting to another long-haul flight, driving or public transit is faster and cheaper.
✅ Best Way to Travel from San Diego to Long Beach
- For speed and flexibility → 🚗 Drive via I-5 North.
- For a scenic and relaxing ride → 🚆 Take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner.
- For budget travel → 🚌 Hop on a Greyhound or FlixBus.
🙋 FAQs About Traveling from San Diego to Long Beach
Q1: How far is San Diego from Long Beach?
The distance is about 110 miles (177 km) via I-5 North.
Q2: How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Long Beach?
It usually takes 2–2.5 hours, but traffic can extend this to 3 hours.
Q3: Is there a direct train from San Diego to Long Beach?
No, but you can take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to Los Angeles Union Station, then transfer to the Metro A Line (Blue Line) to Long Beach.
Q4: What is the cheapest way to travel from San Diego to Long Beach?
The bus is the cheapest, costing as low as $15 if booked early.
Q5: Can I fly from San Diego to Long Beach?
Yes, but it’s not practical—the short distance means driving or train travel is faster and cheaper.