Any idea on the cost and time from LAX to Santa Monica? Thanks!

We did it, and it cost around $45 to $50, one way. Heard there is a bus you can take for much cheaper. I guess it depends on how much time you have at LAX. Can`t remember how long it took.

Cost is about $25. Time to get there depends on a number of factors -- where in Santa Monica, time of day, weekend vs. weekday. If the driver takes the Lincoln route, it takes about 10 minutes to Marina del Rey and another 10 to 15 minutes to downtown Santa Monica. I'd say count on 20 to 30 minutes for the ride.

Surfgirl. When is the last time you took a cab from LAX to Santa Monica? We went from the LAX westin to the promenade at Santa Monica, and sure wish it had been only $25 each way! Kitty, did you check out super shuttle or the Big Red van? I know there is a regular bus that leaves from LAX too.

Pat -- not lately. But my colleague takes a cab from Burbank Airport to our office in WLA and he swears that only costs $35. Are you weren't ripped off? It's a 5 or 6 mile drive.

Mapquest shows it as around 10 miles and 16 minutes, but I have no idea what cab fare would run.

Kitty2, a lot depends on what time of day you're arriving (and where exactly in SM), but it will definitely be more than $25. It regularly costs me $20 just to go from LAX to my apt in Hermosa Beach, which is only 6 miles away from the airport (I've paid less, but was 5 am on a Sunday with zero traffic), so pat's $45-50 that he/she paid is certainly possible. What time of day will you be needing the cab?

There is 3 of us and we will be coming in around 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday in May. What is the best or cheapest way to get to Santa Monica downtown area without renting a car? Thank you.

If you just have a carry on bag, you can take the Blue Bus. It is cheap and goes right to Santa Monica.

I agree with the poster who quoted $25 - I pay about $40 to get to Laurel Canyon, so that much to get to Santa Monica is a rip-off.

However, the Super Shuttle is a flat rate, and as long as you don't have a lot of people may be the safer deal. It can take you longer, though, so if you are tight on time, go with a cab.

By "downtown", do you mean coastal SM? That's what I consider its downtown area (I work there). $25 is lowballing the fare a bit-- that's what it SHOULD be, but once you factor in traffic on Lincoln Blvd., well....

Public transportation is an option, although let's be clear: it's not the most convenient. For example, to get to that part of downtown SM:

-- Outside Baggage Claim, catch LAX bus to LAX Transportation Center.

-- At LAX Transportation Center, go to stop for SM Big Blue Bus 3 (to UCLA). It will already be carrying passengers picked up at the Green Line Aviation station. On weekday mornings, people who get on here will stand pretty much the entire ride to SM. On a weekend morning, it should be fairly empty, but....

-- It will let you off at 4th Street in SM. Nowhere near any hotels I know of in downtown SM, except the Four Points Sheraton on Pico. If that's your hotel, fine.

If you have more than very small carry-on luggage, the bus is absolutely NOT an option. The driver won't help you with heavy bags.

SuperShuttle should be much cheaper, though it is a shared van service and will make several stops in all likelihood. If you won't spring for the cab, take a van.

I vote for Supershuttle as well.