John Wayne Airport (SNA) is about a 28-minute drive from Brea. You can rent a car or take a taxi from the airport; for public transit, OCTA routes serve both the airport and Brea, but you’ll need to plan connections for your specific trip.
- Airport: John Wayne Airport, also known as SNA
- Drive to Brea: about 28 minutes
- On-site rental-car counters: Arrival Level, between Terminals A and B
- Bus operator: OCTA; use its trip planner for route planning
Where Is John Wayne Airport and What Should You Expect?
John Wayne Airport is accessible by the San Diego (I-405) Freeway, the Costa Mesa (SR-55) Freeway, and the Corona Del Mar Freeway/San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Toll Road (SR-73). From the airport, the drive to Regency Motel takes about 28 minutes.
The airport says rental-car counters are on the Arrival (lower) Level between Terminals A and B, across from the John Wayne statue. On-site rental-car companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Sixt, and Thrifty. On-site pickup and return are on level 0 of Parking Structures A2 and B2, which are open from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm.
Licensed off-site rental-car companies pick up passengers at the Ground Transportation Center and shuttle them to their locations. If you choose this option, go to that center for the shuttle pickup. Check the official site before you go for current rental-car and facility details.
How Do You Get from John Wayne Airport to Brea by Car?
Driving is a direct option: the drive from John Wayne Airport to Regency Motel in Brea takes about 28 minutes. The airport connects to I-405, SR-55, and SR-73, so follow navigation directions for your route and current traffic conditions.
For an on-site rental car, first go to the counters between Terminals A and B on the Arrival Level, then continue to the pickup area on level 0 of Parking Structures A2 or B2. If you have arranged an off-site rental, go to the Ground Transportation Center and take the company shuttle.
What Public Transit and Pickup Options Are Available?
OCTA operates local buses. Its routes include Route 76 between Huntington Beach and John Wayne Airport, Route 57 between Brea and Newport Beach, and Route 143 between La Habra and Brea. The City of Brea says several OCTA routes intersect at Brea Mall.
Those route endpoints do not establish a complete airport-to-Brea itinerary. Use OCTA’s trip planner with your actual starting point at the airport and destination in Brea to find suitable connections. Bus schedules are updated quarterly, so check the official site before you go.
John Wayne Airport provides Cabco Yellow, Inc. taxis at the Ground Transportation Center on the Arrival Level between Terminals A and B, and near Column 14 on Terminal C’s Arrival Level.
If someone is picking you up, the free cell-phone waiting lot has 18 designated spaces south of Parking Structure C, near MacArthur Boulevard and Campus Drive. Drivers can wait there until you call or text that you’re ready.
How Should You Plan Your Arrival in Brea?
Choose your transfer before landing: arrange a rental car, plan a taxi from the designated pickup area, or enter your exact journey into OCTA’s trip planner. For an on-site rental, remember that the counters and vehicle pickup are in different locations: counters sit between Terminals A and B, while vehicles are in Parking Structures A2 and B2.
If someone is collecting you, greeters may wait in the ticket-counter area on the Departure (upper) Level or in baggage claim on the Arrival (lower) Level.
Passenger pickup on the Departure Level is encouraged after 9:00 am because it is less congested than the Arrival Level. Drivers waiting for your call or text can use the cell-phone waiting lot rather than circling the terminal.
John Wayne Airport is about a 28-minute drive from this hotel in Brea. Actual journey time can vary with traffic.
FAQs
How long is the drive from John Wayne Airport to Brea?
The drive from the airport to Regency Motel takes about 28 minutes.
Can you take public transit from John Wayne Airport to Brea?
OCTA serves the airport and Brea on different routes, including Route 76 to John Wayne Airport and Route 57 to Brea. Use OCTA’s trip planner to find a connection for your exact locations.
Where do you meet a taxi at John Wayne Airport?
Taxi service is available at the Ground Transportation Center on the Arrival Level between Terminals A and B, and near Column 14 on Terminal C’s Arrival Level.