How to get to Madonna Inn from the airports

The closest airport is San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) — a short 2.6–2.8 mile drive to Madonna Inn (100 Madonna Road). From SBP you can take a taxi, rideshare, rental car, or arrange the property's listed airport shuttle (confirm schedules with the hotel); other nearby airports are Santa Maria (SMX) and Paso Robles (PRB).
In this guide
From San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) — the fastest option
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is the nearest airport to Madonna Inn; published sources list the drive as roughly 2.6–2.8 miles and about a 7–9 minute drive. The address to give drivers or a GPS is 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405.
Common ways to get from SBP to Madonna Inn are taxi, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), or a rental car. Madonna Inn has free self-parking on-site, so renting a car is convenient if you plan to explore the Central Coast. Photo: 89
- Taxi or rideshare: quickest door-to-door option (7–9 minutes depending on traffic).
- Rental car: useful for winery visits, beaches and day trips; enter 100 Madonna Road in GPS.
- Airport shuttle: some booking sites list airport shuttle service as an amenity — contact Madonna Inn to confirm schedule and availability before relying on it.
| Option | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Taxi / Rideshare | ≈ 7–9 minutes |
| Rental car | ≈ 7–9 minutes (plus check-out) |
| Shuttle (confirm) | Varies — call hotel to confirm |

From Santa Maria (SMX) and Paso Robles (PRB) airports
Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) and Paso Robles Municipal Airport (PRB) are regional alternatives; both are substantially farther than SBP and are commonly used by travelers coming from different directions. Third‑party sources place each around 25–30 miles away from San Luis Obispo.
If you fly into SMX or PRB, expect a drive of roughly 30–45 minutes depending on which airport and traffic. Rental car, taxi, or pre-arranged private transfer are the usual choices; public transit options will be slower and may require transfers.
- Rental car: flexible for sightseeing and wine country drives.
- Private shuttle or car service: book in advance for a direct trip to Madonna Inn.
- Public transit: possible but slower and involves connections — check local schedules before planning.
| Airport | Notes |
|---|---|
| SMX (Santa Maria) | Regional airport ~28 miles; rental or car service recommended |
| PRB (Paso Robles) | Regional airport ~28 miles; rental or car service recommended |

Using public transit and buses
SLO Transit runs local buses in the San Luis Obispo area and can connect passengers between the airport, downtown SLO, and nearby stops. Timetables and exact routes change, so check the current SLO Transit schedules for the day you travel.
Public transit can be economical but is slower than a taxi or rideshare, and you may still need a short walk or a final taxi/rideshare from the nearest stop to Madonna Inn (the property sits on Madonna Road). If you have luggage or tight timing, consider a taxi or rideshare instead.
- SLO Transit: local bus service — fares are low but trip time is longer than driving.
- Airport-to-downtown routes: some buses connect SBP and downtown SLO; from downtown you can transfer to a local route or take a short taxi/rideshare.
- Check schedules in advance: weekend or evening frequencies may be limited.
| Mode | Good for |
|---|---|
| SLO Transit bus | Budget travelers with flexible time |
| Taxi / Rideshare | Faster, door-to-door service |
Arriving by car from Highway 101
If you’re driving from Highway 101, follow signs for San Luis Obispo and take the exit for Madonna Road (or the downtown exits and follow local streets to Madonna Road). The Inn’s address is 100 Madonna Road — look for stone-clad entrances and the property’s distinctive buildings.
Madonna Inn provides free self-parking on-site (including accessible parking); at least one third-party listing has shown differing parking notes, so if you have specific needs (oversized vehicle, EV charging) confirm with the hotel in advance. Photo: 49
- From the north (Paso Robles): take U.S. 101 south to San Luis Obispo, then follow signs to Madonna Road.
- From the south (Pismo Beach/Central Coast): take U.S. 101 north to the Madonna Road exit.
- If you need on-site EV charging or special parking, contact Madonna Inn ahead of arrival.
| From | Typical route |
|---|---|
| North (Paso Robles) | US‑101 south → Madonna Road exit |
| South (Pismo/Avila) | US‑101 north → Madonna Road exit |

Hotel contact, timing and entry notes
If you need help arranging airport pickup or have late arrival questions, contact Madonna Inn via the property phone or BookResorts agents listed for 24/7 assistance. The property's published phone for reservations and dining is (805) 543-3000; BookResorts agents are available at +1 (888) 605-1350.
Madonna Inn’s standard check-in is after 4:00 PM and check-out is before 12:00 PM (noon). The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day, so late arrivals are generally accommodated — if arriving very late, call in advance to confirm. Photo: 58
- Madonna Inn address: 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405.
- Hotel reservation/dining contact: (805) 543-3000; BookResorts agents (24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350.
- Check-in after 4:00 PM; check-out by 12:00 PM (noon); front desk staffed 24 hours.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 |
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in after 4:00 PM; check-out by 12:00 PM |
Practical tips for airport arrivals and first steps
If you plan to visit wineries, beaches (Pismo, Avila) or Cal Poly during your stay, a rental car is the most convenient way to get around the Central Coast. Madonna Inn sits on a large property with on-site activities that are easier to reach by car.
If you prefer not to drive, arrange a rideshare or taxi from the airport and confirm any shuttle service directly with Madonna Inn before travel. Pack any directions or the hotel phone in your ride request (100 Madonna Road); the front desk can help with local transit options on arrival.
- Bring your reservation phone number and the hotel's address for drivers.
- Confirm shuttle details with Madonna Inn if you expect to rely on a hotel airport shuttle — some booking sites list it but schedules were not independently confirmed.
- If you have a heavy itinerary (wine tastings, beaches, Hearst Castle), consider renting a car for the most flexibility.
| When to choose | Recommended option |
|---|---|
| Short trip from SBP | Taxi / Rideshare |
| Exploring region (wineries/beaches) | Rental car |
| Budget with time to spare | Public transit + local transfer |


