Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) is the sole airport serving Santa Monica.

If you’re staying in central Santa Monica, it’s a smart idea to arrange how you’ll get into the city before you touchdown. The downtown area is 11 kilometres from LAX.

Santa Monica is popular with travelers, and it has the airports to prove it. If you’re thinking about a visit to this bustling city, you’ll likely step off the plane at Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) (11 kilometres from downtown). If not, it’ll probably be Long Beach Airport (40 kilometres from downtown) or SMO (3 kilometres from downtown).

There are a total of 62 air carriers connecting Santa Monica with 155 airports across the globe.

Most often, travelers fly with Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Delta Air Lines when going to Santa Monica. The largest number of these flights come in from Las Vegas, with Southwest Airlines flying this route the most frequently.

Flying to someplace new is much more straightforward when there aren’t any stopovers to worry about. If you’re traveling to Santa Monica, the fantastic news is that there are around 4,839 nonstop flights every week.

The most popular flights to Santa Monica set off from San Francisco, New York and Dallas airports.

Which city you depart from determines how much of the in-flight entertainment you’ll get to enjoy. From Las Vegas to Santa Monica, the average flight time is 1 hour and 12 minutes. From San Francisco it’s around 1 hour and 28 minutes, and from New York it’s 6 hours and 16 minutes.

If you want to have some extra spending money on your Santa Monica vacation, listen up! As every seasoned jet-setter will tell you, avoid booking at the last minute. Prices are usually highest close to the departure date. Also, do some online research and compare your options. If your destination has multiple airports, you may be able to score a better price by flying into a less busy terminal. And finally, remember that the early bird catches the worm. Familiarize yourself with airfare costs and have your credit card ready to grab your ticket as soon as you see an unbeatable bargain. The best deals don’t last long.

Depending on where you’re coming from, your trip to Santa Monica could be simple and straightforward or it could drag on forever. We’ve compiled some tips that will help you start your next big adventure on a positive note.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, pack in your passport, travel documents, cash and daily medications. Next, you’ll want some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a phone crammed with your favorite shows are some wonderful options. If you plan to take a short snooze, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some facial wipes to ensure you arrive at your destination looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don’t have a sharp object hiding in your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable substances, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Layer up in natural-fiber clothing and remember to pack a pullover in case it gets cool. Opt for a pair of flat, well-fitting shoes as your feet may swell during the flight. Leave the stilettos and hiking boots in your checked luggage.
• It’s likely you’ve heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. There are many ways to reduce your risk. Don a pair of compression tights or socks, drink lots of water often and move your legs and feet. Wander around the cabin or perform some simple exercises in your seat.

The secret is to be prepared before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you’ll be boarding that plane to Santa Monica in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Be sure to have your ID and travel documents within close reach. They’re the first items you’ll be asked for by airport security.
• Your jacket, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like coins, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Boots and heavy shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren’t.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked luggage. They won’t be allowed on board.