Looking for the cheapest way to get to Catalina Island? While there are many choices, you want to find the right one that offers the best value for money so you don’t have to pay too much money or travel longer than needed.
Living in California, we love getting around here in the most budget-friendly and fastest way. In this post, we’ll discuss the most affordable way to get to Catalina Island, other options to get to the island, and the most frequently asked questions.
Planning your trip to Catalina Island? Here are the best tours, hotels, and ferry service:
📸 Best Tours In Catalina Island:
- Private Guided Golf Cart Tour of Avalon (see more sights in less time)
- Mermaid Photo Shoot
- Bison Expedition
- 2 hour Inside Adventure Tour (visit the highest point of the island!)
- Undersea Expedition Tour (5 feet below the sea)
- 45 Minute Semi-Submarine Tour (best thing to do with kids!)
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour (see schools of fish w/o scuba diving or snorkeling)
😴 Best Hotels On Catalina Island:
- Hotel Atwater (💲) (free access to Descanso Beach Club)
- The Avalon Hotel in Catalina Island (💲💲) (360 views of Avalon!)
- Hamilton Cove (💲💲💲) (includes golf cart to explore the island)
⛴️ Best Ferry Service: Catalina Express (cheapest and quickest way)
How To Get To Catalina Island: Cheapest Option
The best way to get to Catalina Island is through the Catalina Express Ferry, which offers a fast, affordable, and eco-friendly means of transportation.
Catalina Island is a highly popular destination that’s known for its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and quaint small-town atmosphere.
The closest port to Catalina Island is the San Pedro Port located at 95 Berth, San Pedro. The ferry also departs from Long Beach and Dana Point.
Taking the Catalina Express Ferry from Long Beach is another great option that’s the same cost. You’ll depart from 320 Golden Shore.
The Catalina Express Ferry uses eco-friendly engines. It can accommodate up to 14 people per booking.
Booking the Catalina Express Ferry is a great way to explore everything the island has to offer, including hiking, sightseeing, dining, and shopping.
The ferry drops passengers off in downtown Avalon, offering scenic views of the Pacific Ocean during the trip.
Check rates for the Catalina Express Ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach.
What You Need To Know About The Catalina Express Ferry
⛴️ Closest Port To Catalina Island: San Pedro Port (Address: 95 Berth, San Pedro)
⛴️ Duration of ferry: About 1 hour
⛴️ Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible and stroller accessible
⛴️ Restrooms Available? Yes, on the ferry
⛴️ Pets Allowed? Service animals are allowed
⛴️ Maximum Number Of People Onboard: 149 travelers
⛴️ Luggage Allowed? Yes, you can carry up to 2 bags per person. Each bag shouldn’t way more than 50 pounds.
⭐ Your reservation is confirmed only if you book your departure and return time. Call Catalina Express Ferry to book your timings. ⭐
Parking Near Catalina Express Ferry
The Catalina Express ferry has multiple departure points, and the parking options vary depending on the departure point:
🅿️ San Pedro Port: This is the closest port from Los Angeles. Parking is right next to the terminal. For hourly parking, it’s free the 1st hour and $2/hour after the 1st hour. For daily parking, it’s $20. They accept cash, credit cards, or traveler’s checks.
🅿️ Long Beach Port: This is the closest port from Long Beach and another option from LA. Parking is also right next to the terminal. For daily parking, it’s 22. You can park overnight and you can pay with cash, Mastercard, or Visa.
⭐ Here’s what you need to know if you’re traveling to Catalina Island from Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica or San Diego.
Why Choose The Catalina Express Ferry
There are many reasons why to book the Catalina Express Ferry to Catalina Island:
😍 Convenient and fast transportation: The Catalina Express offers an easy and quick way to get to Catalina Island. The ferry departs from multiple locations in Southern California and takes approximately one hour to reach the island.
😍 Scenic views: The ferry ride to Catalina Island is a scenic journey, with views of the coastline and the Pacific Ocean. The open-air top deck of the ferry provides a great vantage point to take in the beauty of the ocean and the island.
😍 Multiple departure points and schedules: The Catalina Express offers multiple departure points and schedules, making it easy to fit a trip to Catalina Island. The ferry runs year-round, with more frequent departures during peak season.
😍 Eco-friendly: It’s a more eco-friendly option compared to taking a personal boat or helicopter to the island. The high-speed ferries are equipped with modern engines that emit low emissions, and the ferry has a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Check rates & availability for the Catalina Express Ferry.
Catalina Express Reviews
“First of all, I love the ease of booking with Viator. Everything was smooth and that made my trip enjoyable. Catalina Island is so relaxing no one bothers you. I love this place.” – Mercedes_M
“1st time on Catalina express To Catalina island had a wonderful time and it was quiet. Wonderful ride From Long Beach to Catalina.” – Mike_M
“Went with family to Catalina for the first time. The boat was beautiful, staff from check-in to your crew were delightful. Thank you so much for being a part of a great two days.” – Michael_P
See more reviews on Viator.
Other Options To Get To Catalina Island
⛴️ Ferry From Newport Beach
There’s another ferry option, Catalina Flyer that departs from Newport Beach.
🚁 Helicopter To Catalina Island
IEX Helicopters offers flights from Long Beach or San Pedro and the flight takes 15 minutes with round-trip prices from $349 to $598.
There are also flights from LAX airport, Santa Monica, Burbank, Van Nuys, and Hawthorn with round-trip prices that range from $2,699 – $3,699. It can take 21-28 minutes to get to the island.
While helicopter transportation to Catalina Island is a faster and more direct option, it is more expensive than taking the Catalina Express ferry.
🛥️ Boat Charters
There are boat charters from Los Angeles that you could book from mainland California to the island including Los Angeles Yacht Charter and Luxury Liners.
This is also a pricey option that can be from $750 to $27,000 for a yacht charter.
⛵ Sailing
You can also sail from companies including Bluewater Sailing and Mariner Sailing Charters. This is the most eco-friendly way to get to Catalina Island.
🚣 Kayaking
While it is possible to kayak to Catalina Island, it requires careful planning, preparation, and experience in open-water kayaking. Here’s what you need to know about kayaking to Catalina Island.
🛩️ Private Planes
A far more expensive option but still an option is to fly via a private plane. Planes would fly into Catalina’s airport, Airport in the Sky. While the airport isn’t used for passenger flights, it’s open to the public.
Check rates & availability for the Catalina Express Ferry.
Where Is Catalina Island
Catalina Island is located off the coast of Southern California. It’s 29 miles west of Long Beach. Catalina Island is 22 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point.
Catalina Island Map
Where To Stay On Catalina Island
Catalina Island has a variety of accommodations: hotels, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options:
Budget-Friendly Option: Hotel Atwater
Mid-Priced Option: The Avalon Hotel in Catalina Island
Lux Option: Hamilton Cove
Best Things To Do On Catalina Island
Catalina Island is one of the best islands in California. There are so many things to do in Catalina Island for any age. If you’re planning a trip for the first time to this amazing island, then we recommend you check out these other once-in-a-lifetime tours to do.
📸 Golf Cart Tour: It’s not every day that you see locals traveling around an island in golf carts! Book a guided tour and travel on a golf cart, like a local.
📸 Catalina Island Casino Tour: Explore this 1929 casino, its art deco murals, and its history.
📸 Semi-Submarine Tour: Check out the underwater world; it’s one of the best things to do with kids.
📸 Catalina Glass Bottom Boat Tour: Discover different fish species without needing to dive underwater.
Best Time To Visit Catalina Island
The best time to visit Catalina Island depends on what you want to do while on the Island. If you love getting into the water, then go in the summer. If you absolutely hate crowds, then go in the winter.
🌷 Spring: Fewer crowds and mild weather
Spring weather info for Catalina Island: March, April, and May
☀️ Summer: Warmest weather; best for getting into the water
Summer weather info for Catalina Island: June, July, and August
🍁 Fall: Fewer crowds and mild weather
Fall weather info for Catalina Island: September, October, and November
🌧️ Winter: Least crowds and off-season
Winter weather info for Catalina Island: December, January, and February
FAQs: Cheapest Way To Get To Catalina Island
The cheapest way to take the Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach.
Yes, there are other options including helicopters and boat charters but they cost far more than Catalina Express Ferry.
Yes, there are lockers to store baggage at Avalon Blue Line Baggage. If you plan on doing a day trip, this is a great option.
Catalina Express Ferry used to be free to ride on your birthday but it isn’t anymore. But check if you can get discounted ferry prices on your birthday.
The ride takes around an hour from any of the Catalina Express ferry ports to the island.
No, you can’t drive to Catalina Island. Even if you can, you can’t drive your car on Catalina Island.
No, there isn’t Uber or Lyft on the island but there are other ways to tour the island.
You can get around by walking, public transit, taxis, or by golf cart. While you can’t rent scooter rentals, you can rent a golf cart to see the island!
No, the ferry doesn’t include hotel pickup and drop-off.
Yes, Catalina Island is definitely worth it! There is so much untouched natural beauty and lifetime tours to do on this island. Plus it’s more accessible and cheaper to get to Catalina for island life compared to other island destinations.
While it’s not mandatory to carry passports to go to Catalina Island and there aren’t any immigration checks, it’s best to carry a government-issued identification like a driver’s license, Real ID, or passport in case of emergencies.
Yes, you can bring your dog to Catalina Island, however, there are a few restrictions. For your pet’s safety, they must be kept leashed wherever you take them, and unfortunately, they may not be able to join you on certain beaches or attractions.
You can take the Catalina Express from San Pedro to Two Harbors but they don’t run a regular schedule. It’s best to take a ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach to Avalon. You can get to Two Harbors from Avalon either by boat or taxi.
Yes, you can live on Catalina Island. There are different residential options, including apartments, condominiums, and single-family homes in Avalon.
Some of the best restaurants on Catalina Island include Steve’s Steakhouse and Seafood, Bluewater Grill, Descanso Beach Club, and the Lobster Trap.
Final Thoughts
While there are other options to get to the island, taking the Catalina Express Ferry is the best way as it’s the fastest and cheapest way to get to Catalina Island.
