Traveling to Long Beach
This page is to help attendees find information regarding the various ways of getting to PyCon US 2026 in Long Beach, California USA.
Note: We highly recommend staying in Long Beach rather than Los Angeles. Staying local will help you avoid LA’s notorious traffic and long commutes so you can arrive at talks, tutorials, and events on time (and with less stress!). Staying in Long Beach also gives you more opportunities to connect with the community, recharge between sessions, and fully enjoy the PyCon US experience.
Important notice:
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will charge a $45 fee for air travelers who do not have a Real ID-compliant document to pass through security checkpoints for domestic flights. This fee will cover the cost of using the TSA's alternative identity verification system. To avoid the fee, you must have a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport. More information can be found here: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
By Air
You can fly into nearby LAX or other regional airports and then take a shuttle, bus, taxi or ride-share to Long Beach.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Highly recommended! It is a major hub for both domestic and international flights, and has the most nonstop routes. It serves a larger market with more flight options and often has competitive pricing. Here you can view a layout of the airport.
- Long Beach Airport (LGB): A smaller, convenient airport in Southern California that serves domestic routes. Here you can view the layout of the airport.
- Orange County John Wayne Airport (SNA): A smaller, convenient airport in Orange County that serves domestic routes. Here you can view the layout of the airport.
Airport to Long Beach Convention Center
Ride-sharing and taxis are available at LAX, LGB, and SNA. Follow the airport signs to the pickup area. Prices can vary depending on traffic, time of day, and the specific ride share or taxi option you choose.
- LAX (Los Angeles International Airport)
- Public transit is available via Metro rail and bus routes, and a free shuttle is available to the airport’s Metro-transit station. More information about getting to/from LAX can be found here.
- LGB (Long Beach Airport)
- Multiple bus routes are available from LGB to downtown Long Beach. Bus fare is $1.25 cents for all routes.
- The closest Metro Rail station to Long Beach Airport is the Wardlow Station on the A Line. Cab fare from the Wardlow Station to the Airport is ~$13.35 (subject to change without notice). The A Line provides rail service between downtown Los Angeles (7th Street/Metro Center station) and connects with Long Beach Transit Buses at the Transit Mall in downtown Long Beach. More information about getting to/from LGB can be found here.
- SNA (John Wayne Airport)
- Bus routes are available from SNA to downtown Long Beach, but require multiple transfers and are time-consuming. Taxis, shuttles, and ride-sharing services are recommended if flying into this airport. More information about getting to/from SNA can be found here.
Note: International travelers require a valid passport book to travel to the US by air and will need to go through customs and border control on the way to PyCon US 2026. See section below on "Visa Requirements & Invitation Letters".
By Train - Amtrak
There is no direct Amtrak service to the Long Beach Convention Center; you will need to combine an Amtrak train with a local transit option. The most common method is to take the Pacific Surfliner train to downtown Los Angeles and then transfer to the A Line light rail to reach the Downtown Long Beach station, which is within walking distance of the Long Beach Convention Center.
To book your reservation, visit amtrak.com or call Amtrak at one of the numbers below.
- Domestic: 1 (800) 872-7245
- International: 1 (215) 856-7924
By Bus
The nearest Greyhound stops to the convention center are located at:
Long Beach Bus Station
- 1498 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90813
- View this address on Google Maps
- The bus will board in front of the Greyhound storefront, inside the parking lot.
Long Beach Downtown Transit Gallery
- 107 E First St, Long Beach, CA 90802
- View this address on Google Maps
- The bus will board at the Long Beach Transit Gallery's bus bay A on E 1st St. Look for the silver bus shelter labeled with a gold "A".
Visa Requirements & Invitation Letters
A valid passport is required for all visitors to enter the US. Depending on where you are coming from, you may need additional documents/visas. Please be sure to check the US Customs Website for further details.
Visa and invitation letters: Visitor visa applicants may need letters or other documents indicating the purpose of their visit, evidence of funds to cover accommodation and food, and so on. The PyCon US organizers are happy to provide a visa or invitation letter if you need one; we do suggest, however, that you check with your local embassy or consulate, as requirements differ from country to country.
Visa letters can be requested once you have a fully paid and confirmed conference registration. The letter confirms that as a registered delegate, you are invited to attend by the Python Software Foundation (PSF) and the PyCon US 2026 Committee.
Invitation letters can be requested in lieu of a “Visa Letter” if you do not have a confirmed, paid conference registration and are still waiting to register for any reason at the time of your request. The letter serves as an invitation from the Python Software Foundation (PSF) and the PyCon US 2026 Committee to register for and attend the conference, but cannot confirm your participation.
Fill out this form to request a Visa Letter or an Invitation Letter