Long Beach

The questions people ask first about Long Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
• SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
• TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
• SafetyLong Beach is a large city with everything from industrial areas to quiet suburbs; downtown and the waterfront are fine by day…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$4–6
• Sit-down mealDinner, mid-range$25–45
• Beerdraught$7–10
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshareSurge pricing at peak times.$15–25
• Metro or bus rideMetro A Line ride$1.75 (check)
• Museum or sight ticketAquarium or Queen Mary entry$40–50 (check)
• Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personUS$45
• Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
• High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$400

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$300

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

LGB Long Beach Airport (In the city, about 40 daily flights, mostly Southwest; Route 111 bus to downtown runs hourly) · LAX Los Angeles International (About 35 km (22 mi); Metro A Line plus transfer, or taxi/rideshare) · SNA John Wayne, Santa Ana (About 37 km (23 mi); car or shuttle is easier than buses)LGB Long Beach Airport (In the city, about 40 daily flights, mostly Southwest; Route 111 bus to downtown runs hourly) · LAX Los Angeles International (About 22 mi (35 km); Metro A Line plus transfer, or taxi/rideshare) · SNA John Wayne, Santa Ana (About 23 mi (37 km); car or shuttle is easier than buses)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$90–140 excl. bed

Mid

$150–240 excl. bed

High

$260+ excl. bed

• Downtown and shoreline parking is mostly paid; most other areas have free parking.
• The A Line passes through Compton and Watts and has no guards on every train; avoid it late at night.
• Belmont Shore's 2nd Street has had a crime wave in the early 2020s; watch your bag at night.
• The 710 freeway is a heavy freight corridor and can fog over; allow extra time.
• The Los Alamitos Traffic Circle is a complicated roundabout where PCH and Lakewood Blvd meet.