kittycat1

Does anyone have an idea of how much it would cost to take this taxi ride. We thought we might travel one way on the bus and then taxi back, just to save a bit of time, but are unsure of the price of taxis in the USA - can anyone help please.

rjw_lgb_ca

Where in Redondo Beach, first of all? It's a relatively spread-out city, and if you're on the coast it will add a few bucks to the fare, at least.

Frankly, it's going to be a quite expensive cab ride. If you will be staying at a hotel, call them now, ask for the concierge and see if they can recommend a tour or car/van service to take you there.

kittycat1

We're staying at the Crowne Plaza, Redondo Beach. We just have three days there and are planning a bus trip with Starline to see LA and would also like to see the Queen Mary. If it's going to be too expensive, I guess we'll just stick to using the bus, but we aren't that sure of distances and prices in the US and I thought someone might give us a clue. Thanks.

lvk

The reason that your question is so hard to answer has to do with the unpredictability of traffic at any given time. Generally, I would guesstimate at least a $45-$60 cab fare on that route. But factor in any number of minor glitches on the 405 freeway and you could pay twice that much.

Since I have answered one of your previous posts, I know that you are staying at that hotel because it's the only one that Princess Cruises uses. I guess they don't they provide you with any information about transportation options from this hotel, since they probably want to lock you in to one of their overpriced "shore excursions".

Good luck and Happy travels!

tracys2cents

It's an easy bus trip, takes an hour and 20 minutes but at $1.50 is quite a bargain.

www.mta.net

rjw_lgb_ca

The mass transit option will take about 90 minutes to two hours each way and involves changing buses twice. It's your call, but it does make for a long day just to see a big boat. FYI, it's about 18 miles on the road between these two points. I'd still see if the hotel can quietly arrange something.

rjw_lgb_ca

MTA's website gives the cost at $2.75 going and $2.50 back, still a bargain. Depending on the time you leave, it can indeed be as little as 1 hour 20 minutes-- taking you along some of the most unattractive roadside sights in southern California (the industrial areas of Carson, Wilmington and west Long Beach).

kittycat1

Can you tell me, if we are travelling on some of the most unattrative roads, are we in a safe area as tourists, or are these areas best avoided. At the moment we're leaning towards the bus, as a taxi seems out of the question because of the cost. Alternatively, I think we might have to rethink our day.

lvk

To be honest (if not politically correct), you will be passing some very seedy areas on that bus route. I'm not sure what kind of travelers you are and how comfortable you are "out of your element".

I might get flamed for this, but here it goes - when you cross into Wilmington, you may feel like you have just crossed into a 3rd world country. (Some might think I'm exaggerating, but I've actually had European guests tell me this) If this makes you uncomfortable, you might want to reconsider your day.

kittycat1

Ivk, thanks for your honesty - I would rather know now than we 'uncomfortable' when we get there. I think it's back to the drawing board for this day.

emd

We stayed in Santa Monica and went to see the Queen Mary one day. It was a really full day, and we wouldn't have gone if we'd known what it would be like. It's a big old boat; it does have alot of history and we thought we'd like that, but it was just not that great for us. Not that many people there on a Friday in late June either- we wondered how they keep it open. It was big (required alot of wlaking), old, and somewhat eerie. Just our experience.