LA-Santa Barbara
 

FLying into LA and then heading by rental car to Santa Barbara for four days. Not worried about the trip north but concerned about our trip back to LAX on Sunday to get our flight to NY. How much time should we leave for an 11am flight. I know this is approximate and hoping traffic won't be a problem on a Sunday morning.

Sunday morning is fairly light for traffic in LA, if you leave early.<BR>If I was making the trip, I would be out the door by 6:30.<BR>That will give you a little extra time for possible traffic (which there won't be at that hour), to return your rental car, and for the somewhat new baggage x-ray process.<BR>

you will have time to spare if you leave at 7:30.

Listen to inchy!<BR>My husband grew up in that area - I asked him.<BR>11:00 flight, so you need to be there by 10:00 at the latest. 30 minutes to return rental car and get to terminal. That alone sets you back to 9:30. Then from Santa Barbara to LAX is at least 2 1/2 hour drive. And that is with smooth traffic. So that brings you back to 7:00 a.m. Then build in a minimum of 30 minutes extra for traffic, delays, etc. and that brings you to 6:30. <BR>And yes, you'd need to be out the door by then! Add another 30 minutes if you don't want to worry!

You never know about traffic accidents etc, and the airlines have all these strict rules now about missing a flight.....<BR><BR>I'd head down late Saturday night just to be safe. Return the rental car (to avoid parking charges at LAX hotels) and take the hotel shuttle on your leisurely Sunday morning (time for breakfast and everything!). <BR>Luxury hotels at LAX have great rates on the weekends usually.