Airport Info
LAX is 4 miles from SoFi Stadium — the closest major international airport to any World Cup venue in the US. Four alternate airports serve the broader LA basin.
Primary Airport
LAX is a massive hub with 70 carriers and the best international connectivity of any West Coast airport. Four miles from SoFi Stadium — closer than most downtown-area airports are to their stadiums. Metro K Line plus the free SoFi shuttle is the standard match-day routing.
LAXLos Angeles International Airport4 miles to SoFi Stadium · Metro K Line + free shuttle ~30 minOne of the world’s premier international gateways with 70 carriers. The Automated People Mover connects LAX terminals to the LAX/Metro Transit Center. From there, a free SoFi Stadium shuttle runs every 3–5 minutes on match days directly to the stadium. Total terminal to stadium on match days: approximately 30–45 min. Do not attempt to drive from LAX on match days — I-405 and Century Blvd will be gridlocked 3+ hours before kickoff.Airlines serving LAX: Aer Lingus (EI), Aeromexico (AM), Air Canada (AC), Air China (CA), Air France (AF), Air New Zealand (NZ), Air Premia (YP), Air Tahiti Nui (TN), Alaska Airlines (AS), ANA (NH), Asiana Airlines (OZ), Austrian Airlines (OS), Avianca (AV), Breeze Airways (MX), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Cayman Airways (KX), China Airlines (CI), China Eastern (MU), China Southern (CZ), Condor (DE), Copa Airlines (CM), Delta Air Lines (DL), EgyptAir (MS), El Al (LY), Emirates (EK), EVA Air (BR), Fiji Airways (FJ), Flair Airlines (F8), French Bee (BF), Frontier Airlines (F9), Hawaiian Airlines (HA), Iberia (IB), ITA Airways (AZ), JAL (JL), JetBlue (B6), KLM (KL), Korean Air (KE), LATAM Airlines (LA), LOT Polish Airlines (LO), Lufthansa (LH), Norse Atlantic Airways (N0), Norse Atlantic UK (Z0), Philippine Airlines (PR), Porter Airlines (PD), Qatar Airways (QR), Qantas (QF), Royal Air Maroc (AT), SAS (SK), Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV), Sichuan Airlines (3U), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Southern Airways Express (9X), Spirit Airlines (NK), Starlux Airlines (JX), Sun Country Airlines (SY), Swiss (LX), TAP Air Portugal (TP), Turkish Airlines (TK), United Airlines (UA), VivaAerobus (VB), Virgin Atlantic (VS), Volaris (Y4), Volaris Costa Rica (Q6), Volaris El Salvador (N3), WestJet (WS).
LA Basin Alternates
Four regional airports worth checking when LAX is showing impossible on your routing carrier. BUR and LGB are the most practical for nonrevs. SNA and ONT are further but have solid carrier coverage.
BURHollywood Burbank Airport17 miles north · ~25 min by car (off-peak)Ten carriers including AA, AS, B6, DL, UA, WN, F9, G4, MX, NK — strong domestic coverage. No direct transit to SoFi Stadium; car or rideshare required. I-405 south to I-105 west to Inglewood. Less congested arrivals experience than LAX, but you’re adding highway time on match days. Best for domestic routings on AA, B6, DL, UA, WN when LAX is showing impossible.Airlines serving BUR: Alaska Airlines (AS), Allegiant Air (G4), American Airlines (AA), Breeze Airways (MX), Delta Air Lines (DL), Frontier Airlines (F9), JetBlue (B6), Spirit Airlines (NK), Southwest Airlines (WN), United Airlines (UA).
LGBLong Beach Airport14 miles southeast · ~20 min by car (off-peak)Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, and Southwest serve LGB. Quick and easy airport with minimal terminal congestion. Drive west on I-405 or I-105 to Inglewood — approximately 20–25 min off-peak, 40–50 min on match days. No direct transit link to the stadium. Best for Southwest, Alaska, Delta, or Hawaiian routings when LAX shows impossible.Airlines serving LGB: Alaska Airlines (AS), Delta Air Lines (DL), Hawaiian Airlines (HA), Southwest Airlines (WN).
SNAJohn Wayne Airport (Orange County)33 miles southeast · ~35–50 min by carEleven carriers including AA, AS, B6, DL, UA, WN, F9, G4, MX, NK, and WestJet. Drive I-405 north to Inglewood — approximately 35 min off-peak, 60+ on match days. No transit link to SoFi. Good coverage for domestic carriers. Worth checking if BUR and LGB are also showing impossible.Airlines serving SNA: Air Canada (AC), Alaska Airlines (AS), Allegiant Air (G4), American Airlines (AA), Breeze Airways (MX), Delta Air Lines (DL), Frontier Airlines (F9), JetBlue (B6), Southwest Airlines (WN), Spirit Airlines (NK), United Airlines (UA), WestJet (WS).
ONTOntario International Airport43 miles east · ~45–60 min by carEleven carriers with an interesting international mix — China Airlines (CI) and Starlux Airlines (JX) serve ONT, plus AA, AS, B6, DL, UA, WN, F9, Avianca, and Volaris. The CI and JX presence is notable for World Cup routing. Drive I-10 west to I-405/I-110 to Inglewood. No direct transit. Best for Inland Empire visitors or carriers routing through ONT.Airlines serving ONT: Alaska Airlines (AS), American Airlines (AA), Avianca (AV), China Airlines (CI), Delta Air Lines (DL), Frontier Airlines (F9), JetBlue (B6), Southwest Airlines (WN), Starlux Airlines (JX), United Airlines (UA), Volaris (Y4).
Ground Transfer — San Diego (South)
SAN is 120 miles south with 19 carriers including British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, and JAL — meaningful international coverage. Drive north on I-5 or I-405 (~2 hrs). Amtrak Pacific Surfliner also runs San Diego → LA Union Station (~2.5 hrs) with several daily departures.
SANSan Diego International Airport~120 miles south · ~2 hrs drive or ~2.5 hrs Pacific SurflinerStrong international coverage for a secondary airport — British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, and JAL all serve SAN alongside the full US domestic carrier roster. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner runs from San Diego Santa Fe Depot to LA Union Station several times daily (~2.5 hrs, from ~$37). From LA Union Station, Metro connects to SoFi Stadium via the K Line. A confirmed Pacific Surfliner ticket is an insurable transportation leg.Airlines serving SAN: Air Canada (AC), Air France (AF), Alaska Airlines (AS), American Airlines (AA), Breeze Airways (MX), British Airways (BA), Copa Airlines (CM), Delta Air Lines (DL), Frontier Airlines (F9), Hawaiian Airlines (HA), JAL (JL), JetBlue (B6), KLM (KL), Lufthansa (LH), Southwest Airlines (WN), Sun Country Airlines (SY), United Airlines (UA), WestJet (WS).
Nonrev strategy: LAX first — widest carrier selection on the West Coast and 4 miles from the stadium. For USA matches (Jun 12, Jun 25) and the Quarterfinal (Jul 10), treat LAX as near-impossible 2–3 days before each and position earlier. BUR and LGB are the most practical alternates for domestic carriers. ONT for China Airlines or Starlux routings. SAN for British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, or JAL when LAX international loads are maxed. For Jun 12 USA opener — the first match of the entire tournament — treat Jun 10 into LAX as the positioning deadline.
Getting to SoFi Stadium
SoFi is in Inglewood — there is no direct subway. Metro K Line plus free shuttle is the right call. Do not attempt to drive on USA match days.
🚇Metro K Line + Free SoFi Shuttle — Primary OptionThe K Line (Crenshaw Line) runs from Expo/Crenshaw to Inglewood. From LAX: Automated People Mover to LAX/Metro Transit Center, then free SoFi Stadium shuttle runs every 3–5 min directly to the stadium gates. Total LAX terminal to stadium: approximately 30–45 min. From downtown LA: take Metro A or E Line to Expo/Crenshaw, transfer to K Line south, pick up the SoFi shuttle at Inglewood station. Clipper card or TAP card works across the Metro system.
🚇From Downtown LA — Metro to K LineFrom LA Union Station: Metro A (Blue) Line westbound to 7th/Metro, transfer to E (Expo) Line, then K Line south to Inglewood. Pick up the free SoFi shuttle at Inglewood or Westchester/Veterans station. Approximately 45–60 min from Union Station. Alternatively, Metro C (Green) Line to Hawthorne/Lennox, free shuttle from there. Buy a TAP card at any Metro station for tap-and-go access.
🚂Pacific Surfliner from San DiegoAmtrak Pacific Surfliner from San Diego Santa Fe Depot to LA Union Station (~2.5 hrs, multiple daily departures, from ~$37 Coach). From Union Station, Metro K Line routing to SoFi as above. Total San Diego gate to stadium: approximately 4–4.5 hrs. A confirmed Pacific Surfliner ticket is an insurable leg — useful context if you’re planning around possible standby loads at SAN.
🚗Driving — Not Recommended on Match DaysI-405 near SoFi Stadium is among the worst traffic corridors in the US in normal conditions. On USA match days or Quarterfinal day, expect 2+ hour delays within 3 miles of the stadium. If you must drive, arrive 3+ hours before kickoff and book parking in advance. Pre-paid parking lots fill completely. Post-match: wait 60+ min or walk to Downtown Inglewood Metro station (~20 min walk) to avoid gridlock.
🚗RideshareRideshare to SoFi on normal match days: approximately 15–20 min from LAX, 25–35 min from downtown LA. On USA match days, expect surge pricing and significant delays — $60–100 from LAX is plausible. Pre-book return rides before kickoff. Designated rideshare zones are off Kareem Court and Pincay Drive. Post-match rideshare demand will be extreme — consider walking to Downtown Inglewood Metro and taking K Line out.
🏟️Fan Festival — LA Memorial ColiseumThe official FIFA Fan Festival is at the LA Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park — take Metro E (Expo) Line to Expo Park/USC station. Separate from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood; the two are 8 miles apart. Plan your match-day routing carefully — factor in time to get from the Coliseum area to SoFi before kickoff if attending both.
5 Things To Do in Los Angeles
Between matches — LA rewards every neighborhood you give it time in.
1Santa Monica & Venice BeachThe most iconic LA beach experience — Santa Monica Pier, the Third Street Promenade for food and shopping, and Venice Beach’s boardwalk a mile south. The Expo Line drops you at Colorado/4th & Santa Monica Blvd. During the World Cup, the beach area will be packed with international fans and the atmosphere will be extraordinary. Walk the boardwalk in the evening when the temperature drops to something reasonable.
2Griffith Observatory & ParkThe hillside observatory above Hollywood with the best views of the LA basin, the Hollywood Sign, and on clear days the Pacific. Free entry to the grounds, modest fee for the observatory itself. Take the Metro Red/Purple Line to Vermont/Sunset and a rideshare up the hill. A clear evening at Griffith shows you why people put up with everything else about living in Los Angeles.
3KoreatownThe most dense, authentic urban neighborhood in Los Angeles — 24-hour Korean barbecue, karaoke rooms, and street food at every price point. Metro Purple Line to Wilshire/Vermont. During the World Cup when Korea Republic is playing elsewhere, this neighborhood will be watching on every screen in every restaurant simultaneously. A genuinely great evening at almost any budget.
4The Getty CenterOne of the great art museums in the country — free admission, extraordinary architecture by Richard Meier, Impressionist collection, and views of the LA basin and Pacific on a clear day. Free tram from the parking area. Spend 3–4 hours on a non-match afternoon and eat lunch in the museum restaurant. Reservations for parking required; take Metro and rideshare to avoid it.
5Grand Central Market & Downtown LAGrand Central Market on Broadway is a historic food hall with the best cross-section of LA’s food culture — Salvadoran pupusas, Thai, Mexican, Korean, burgers, coffee. Walk north to Angels Flight funicular railway, then Bunker Hill for MOCA and the Walt Disney Concert Hall exterior. A morning that costs under $20 and covers as much LA culture as an expensive tour. Metro Red Line to Pershing Square.
