Ontario International Airport (ONT) car service

Ontario International Airport has two passenger terminals: Terminal 2 at 2500 E. Airport Drive and Terminal 4 at 2900 E. Airport Drive. The airport lists a separate address for international arrivals and pickup, 2222 International Way, so if you are landing from Mexico, Central America or Taiwan, tell us when you book. From Los Angeles, the approach is the I-10 east to the Archibald Avenue exit, which leads directly into the airport.

Ride apps pick up at the Rideshare Pick Up signs outside each terminal, and taxis wait at the ranks on the outer island in front of every terminal. For limousines and private cars, the airport notes that advance reservations are required and asks passengers to contact their operator to check in, then go to the operator's designated pickup location. In practice, your chauffeur confirms the exact meeting point by text or phone after you land, and you head there once you have your bags.

If you would rather not look for the car, add Meet & Greet. It includes up to one hour of terminal waiting, and your chauffeur meets you inside the terminal instead of at the curb. It is especially useful at the international arrivals building, where customs and baggage can take a while and you may not know the layout.

ONT sits beside the I-10 in the Inland Empire, so trips east and south start without crossing Los Angeles. Ranges below follow the usual route in typical traffic; westbound rush hour toward Los Angeles and Friday traffic toward the desert push toward the high end. Your chauffeur picks the route on the day.

• Rancho Cucamonga: about 7 miles, 12 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Claremont: about 11 miles, 20 to 35 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Riverside: about 16 miles, 25 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Disneyland Resort: about 33 miles, 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Pasadena: about 39 miles, 55 to 100 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Downtown Los Angeles: about 42 miles, 55 to 110 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Temecula: about 51 miles, 65 to 110 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Palm Springs: about 70 miles, 75 to 120 minutes, depending on traffic.

ONT serves the Inland Empire: Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Claremont, Chino, Fontana, Riverside and Corona. It is also a practical gateway to Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley and Temecula wine country, because the drive avoids Los Angeles altogether. For Pasadena it can work when the flight times suit you, but Hollywood Burbank is closer. For the coast and the Westside, LAX is usually the better airport, and LAX to Palm Springs covers the longer desert drive from there.

Longer rides, such as ONT to Palm Springs, reward a little more space. A Comfort Sedan or Executive Sedan carries up to 3 passengers and 3 bags, the Escalade Elite up to 6 passengers and 5 bags, the Luxury SUV up to 7 passengers and 6 bags, and the Mercedes Sprinter Van up to 16 passengers and 18 bags. These are maximums. Golf bags and resort luggage take more room than carry-ons, so mention oversized items when you book. Rear-facing child safety seats and booster seats are add-ons, up to three seats.

Your chauffeur monitors the flight and arrives based on the actual landing time. International arrivals include 45 to 60 minutes of complimentary waiting after landing, and domestic arrivals include a complimentary waiting period. Waiting beyond those allowances is billed at the hourly rate of the vehicle booked. You receive your chauffeur's details and a live tracking link before pickup, so you can see the car approach while you collect your bags.