About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, ranks among the busiest transportation centres in the United States. Spanning nearly 3,000 acres, it features over 150 gates distributed among nine terminals arranged in a horseshoe configuration. This guide to Los Angeles Airport provides details on terminal amenities, ground transportation options, and accommodations in the vicinity.

Information:

Each terminal at the airport features at least one information counter and kiosk. Additionally, volunteers donning red jackets are stationed at these information booths to offer assistance with airport-related inquiries. Passengers may also contact the helpline at +1 855 463 5252 for information.

Website:

Driving directions:

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is situated conveniently near the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1). It is also close to Interstates 405 and 105, both of which are crucial for regional traffic flowing to and from the airport.

For those travelling to Hollywood, the recommended route is to take S Sepulveda Blvd and S La Tijera Blvd, heading northeast. Conversely, travellers bound for Disneyland should take S Sepulveda Blvd, then proceed southeast on Interstate 105 E, and continue onto Interstate 5 S.

Please be aware that traffic congestion is a common occurrence throughout Los Angeles and its environs. Therefore, travel times from LAX to various destinations can vary significantly.

Transfer between terminals:

In 2023, Los Angeles International Airport enhanced its post-security pedestrian pathways, allowing ticketed travellers to traverse from Terminal 1 to Terminal 8, via Terminal B (Tom Bradley International Terminal) on foot. The complete walkway spans roughly 2 miles. For ease of navigation, a map of the T1-T8 walkway can be downloaded from this link.

In addition, passengers have the option of a complimentary shuttle service that circulates among the terminals, with shuttles arriving approximately every 10 minutes. To plan their journey, travellers can access this live shuttle service tracker.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus: The LAX City Bus transports passengers from each terminal at the designated pink LAX Shuttle signs located at the Arrivals areas. Its operation hours are from 05:00 - 01:00 daily. Information about the LAX City Bus can be found in the baggage claim area of each terminal, or passengers can obtain local transit details by calling +1 323 466 3786.

Scheduled shuttle: There are eight shuttle companies offering scheduled transport from LAX to surrounding areas, including attractions like Disneyland and Universal Studios. Passengers with reservations should wait at the orange shared ride signposts on the Arrivals level outside each terminal. Due to the variety of shuttle services available, verifying the correct shuttle with the driver before boarding is advisable.

Taxi: As of January 2024, Los Angeles International Airport features three taxi stands.
• LAX-it, pronounced 'LA Exit', is adjacent to Terminal 1 and is within walking distance from Terminals 1 and 2. Passengers from other terminals can take a complimentary shuttle to LAX-it (by waiting at the green LAX-it signs at the Arrivals level of each terminal).
• Parking Structure 3 has a taxi rank, ideal for those arriving at Terminal B (Tom Bradley International) and Terminal 3.
•Terminal 7 has a taxi rank outside the baggage claim area at the far end, ideal for passengers arriving at Terminals 7 and 8.

Ride hailing: Uber, Lyft and Opoli are available in Los Angeles. The pick-up points are at LAX-it, next to Terminal 1. To get to LAX-it, passengers can either walk or use the LAX-it shuttle service, which can be found outside the baggage claim of each terminal, indicated by the green LAX-it signage.

Public transport rail:

Metro (FlyAway): Although Los Angeles International Airport does not have an on-site train station, passengers can take the metro to LA Union Station and then transfer to the FlyAway bus service, provided they have a valid Metrolink ticket. FlyAway buses are stationed at Bay 1 in Patsaouras Plaza at Union Station.
For those departing from LAX, FlyAway buses are available in front of each terminal (look for the blue FlyAway columns). It's important to ensure that the selected bus is headed to Union Station.
FlyAway buses run at a frequency of every 15 minutes. For additional details and scheduling, passengers can refer to this link.

Terminal facilities

Money:

ATMs are in Departures of every terminal.

Currency exchange counters are in the Arrivals and Departures at Terminal B (Tom Bradley International), and at Departures of Terminals 2, 4, 6 and 7.

Los Angeles International Airport does not have a postal service.

Food:

Los Angeles International Airport accommodated nearly 66 million passengers in 2022, and passenger volume is projected to rise annually. In response to its growing traffic, the airport features an extensive selection of dining options, including bars, cafés, full-service restaurants, and fast-food chains to cater to the diverse preferences of its travellers.

Shopping:

Los Angeles International Airport has a diverse array of shopping options, particularly in Terminal B (Tom Bradley International Terminal). Duty-free shopping tailored for international passengers can be found in Terminals 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and B, offering a variety of goods from luxury items to travel essentials.

Luggage:

Luggage trolleys, or carts, can be rented across all terminals at Los Angeles International Airport for a fee of US$8 each. A variety of payment methods are accepted, including cash, debit, or credit cards.

Baggage storage facilities are not available at the airport.

If you have misplaced items within the confines of Los Angeles International Airport, including areas such as baggage claim, gates, parking lots, and other public spaces (except TSA checkpoints), you can find assistance and information on the lost and found procedures on the airport's website.

Should you lose an item on an airplane, contact the airline you flew with for help in retrieving your belongings.

Other:

A first aid station is at the Departures hall of Terminal B (Tom Bradley International). Operation hours are 10:00 – 22:00 daily.

Should you require urgent police assistance, call +310 646 7911.

Nursing rooms are located in Terminal 1 (by Gate 13), Terminal 2 (between Gates 21B & 23A), Terminal 3 (by Gate 33), Terminal 4 (by the Sunglass Hut), Terminal 5 (opposite the food court), Terminal 6 (by Gate 64B), Terminal 7/8 (by Ashland Hill), Terminal B (near Gate 150, near Gate 221, and by LA Confidential).

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

Los Angeles Airport has 24 lounges distributed throughout its nine terminals, with several providing basic meeting facilities.

Additionally, conference rooms and meeting facilities are available at multiple hotels near LAX and at the Westside Conference Center. The latter has 30 meeting rooms and is conveniently located just 4.3 km (2.7 miles) north of the airport.

Communication Facilities:

Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi internet access in 45-minute sessions across all public areas at LAX. For those seeking enhanced connectivity, a premium internet service is available, offering faster speeds and uninterrupted access for 24 hours and up to four devices.

Additionally, all ICE Currency Exchange booths at the airport sell international and domestic Sim cards.

Disabled facilities:

LAX is equipped with a broad array of accessibility features, such as ramps, elevators, lowered handrails, adapted restrooms, and public telephones equipped with text and teletypewriter (TTY) capabilities, as well as compatibility with hearing aids.

Moreover, all commercial establishments, including shops and dining outlets, are designed to be wheelchair-accessible across all terminals. LAX also provides extra-wide parking spaces to accommodate travellers with reduced mobility.

Travellers who require special arrangements should contact the airline at least 48 hours before travelling.

Car parking:

Parking structures 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are located near the terminal buildings. Altogether, there are over 7,000 parking spots.
• Structure 1 offers premium and valet services. It has just over 1,000 parking spaces, including 100 EV charging stations. The maximum vehicle height is 7 feet 6 inches.
• Structure 2A has 735 parking spaces, including 51 EV charging stations. It has an 8-foot vehicle height restriction.
• Structure 2B has 435 parking spaces, including 39 EV charging stations. It has a vehicle height limit of 6 feet 10 inches.
• Structure 3 has premium and valet services. It has 964 spaces, including 98 EV charging stations. The vehicle height restriction here is 7 feet 6 inches.
• Structure 4 offers valet service. It has 950 parking spaces, including 89 EV charging stations. The vehicle height restriction is 7 feet 6 inches.
• Structure 5 is relatively small, with 400 spaces, of which 60 are EV charging stations. It allows vehicles under 7 feet to comply with height restrictions.
• Structure 6 has 899 parking spaces, including 114 EV charging stations. The vehicle height restriction is 8 feet 2 inches.
• Structure 7 welcomes vehicles below 7 feet and has valet service. The capacity here is 1,301 spaces, including 186 EV charging stations.

Economy parking is at 6100 W 94th Street. This place has over 4,000 parking stalls, including 305 EV charging stations. Passengers can utilise the free shuttle service to travel between the economy parking lot and the terminals. For those travelling from LAX to the Economy parking area, wait at the pink LAX Shuttle zones outside the Arrivals area.

Budget parking is at 5455 West 111th Street, featuring some 2,000 uncovered parking stalls. Complimentary shuttles to the terminals are available at a frequency of every 20 to 25 minutes. Passengers going to the budget parking lot from LAX should also wait for the shuttle at the designated pink LAX Shuttle zones outside Arrivals.

For fees, latest information and reservation, please see parking.flylax.com.

Car rental:

All major car rental agencies have a presence at Los Angeles International Airport. Customers arriving at the airport can find representatives from each car rental company at the designated purple rental car shuttle signs located outside the Arrivals area of each terminal.