1The airport call
Fly into ONT, not LAX
Ontario International (ONT) is about 15 minutes from campus and is almost always the right answer — a short, cheap rideshare or an easy family pickup. Only choose LAX when the fare difference is dramatic.
Getting around field guide
How to get to Claremont — and live here happily without a car.
The airport decision, the train that puts LA a ride away, and the honest version of car-free life at the 5Cs. Claremont has its own Metrolink station at the edge of the Village — that changes the math on everything.
Metrolink schedulesOfficial San Bernardino Line times and fares at metrolinktrains.com.Foothill Transit routesLocal bus routes and fare programs at foothilltransit.org.Packing for the move?The new-student checklist covers what to bring on that flight.New to Claremont?Pair this with the survival guide for first-years and transfers.
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Seven transit calls that make Claremont easy without a car
Fares and timetables change — we describe the routes and link the official sources instead of quoting numbers that go stale.
2The LAX escape route
If you do land at LAX, take the train
The car-free route: LAX FlyAway bus to Union Station, then the Metrolink San Bernardino Line to Claremont station — which sits right at the edge of the Village, a walkable distance from every campus. Check metrolinktrains.com for schedules before you fly; service thins out at night.
3Budget honesty
A rideshare from LAX is a real expense
LAX is roughly 50 freeway miles away, and with traffic that ride gets long and expensive. Split it with other students on your flight if you can, or time your arrival so the FlyAway-plus-Metrolink route still runs.
4Weekend unlock
Metrolink is your LA day-trip machine
The San Bernardino Line runs from Claremont station to downtown LA without touching a freeway. Check current student discounts and weekend fares on metrolinktrains.com — trains back to Claremont end earlier than your night will, so check the last departure first.
5Errand routes
Foothill Transit covers the local gaps
Foothill Transit buses connect Claremont to neighboring towns, shopping, and the wider foothill corridor. Routes and fare programs (including student passes some years) are on foothilltransit.org — verify before you rely on a route.
6Daily default
A bike beats everything inside town
Claremont is flat, compact, and bike-friendly: campuses, the Village, groceries, and the train station are all minutes apart on two wheels. A solid U-lock matters more than a fancy bike.
7Spend it where it counts
Save rideshare for the last mile
Within Claremont, walking and biking cover nearly everything, so rideshare money is best spent on airport runs, late nights, and the occasional trip transit does not serve. It is a tool, not a commute plan.
Fast share copy
Text this to whoever is booking the flight
“Fly into ONT, not LAX — it is 15 minutes from campus. Full transit guide here: claremont.life/guides/getting-around. It covers the LAX train route too, just in case.”