Los Angeles International Airport

Public transportation connections for the airport are not good. LAX is 16 miles (25 km) from downtown Los Angeles. To connect with the city's rail system, take the free shuttle bus (the "G" or "Green Line" shuttle) from the airport terminals to the Aviation/LAX station, where you can board the Metro Rail system. Or get on the "Lot C" or "C" shuttle to the LAX City Bus Center, where you can board buses to the nearby areas in Torrance, Santa Monica, UCLA in Westwood, Norwalk, Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach. The shuttles pick up from the PINK 'LAX Shuttles' signs at the inner curb in front of each of the LAX terminals. See the below as to what transit options are available:

• 🌍 LAX City Bus Center at the south side of the former Parking Lot C on West 96th Street & Skyway/Vicksburg Avenue:

• Big Blue Bus #3/3R (goes northwest to Santa Monica via Lincoln Blvd and south to the 'LAX Aviation Station')
• Culver City Bus #6/6R (goes north to Culver City and the UCLA campus in Westwood via Sepulveda Blvd and south to the 'LAX Aviation Station').
• Torrance City Bus #8 (goes south to Torrance)
• Beach Cities Transit #109 (to Redondo Beach via Aviation/LAX Station, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach)

Click here to access Metro's bus schedules:

• Metro 40 (goes north to downtown Los Angeles via Hawthorne, Inglewood and Lennox neighborhoods along Hawthorne/La Brea and MLK Blvd and south to Redondo Beach. Airport service is only available on the late night/early morning runs between 12:58AM and 4:23AM, during which there is no Metro Rail service - check linked schedule)
• Metro 102 (goes east to Palm & Seville in South Gate via La Tijera Blvd & Exposition Blvd; stops at the Expo/Western, Expo/Vermont, Expo Park/USC and Jefferson/USC stations on the E Line, and Florence station on the A Line)
• Metro 111 (goes east to Norwalk station on the Green Line along E Florence & Studebaker Rd; stops at Florence station on the A Line)
• Metro 117 (goes east to the Lakewood Blvd station on the Green Line in Downey via Century Blvd & Imperial Hwy; stops at the 103 St/Watts Towers station on the A Line)
• Metro 232 (goes south to Long Beach via Sepulveda Blvd & Pacific Coast Hwy)

• 🌍 Aviation/LAX Station (nearest Metro Rail station) further south at Aviation Blvd and Century Freeway (I-105):

• Metro C Line Train goes east to Norwalk and south to Redondo Beach. You can ride east on the C Line (green) Train to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station, where you can transfer to the Metro A Line (blue) train to Downtown Los Angeles or to Long Beach in the southbound direction. Transfer to Long Beach #111 bus in the downtown Long Beach Transit Center to continue towards the Long Beach Airport or Long Beach #51 bus to the Greyhound Station (1498 Long Beach Blvd).
• Big Blue Bus #3/3R (goes northwest to Santa Monica via the 'LAX City Bus Center')
• Gardena City Bus #5 (goes east to the 'Imperial' Metro station in Willowbrook along El Segundo Blvd through the northern part of Gardena)
• Culver City Bus 6/6R (goes north to the LAX City Bus Center and the UCLA campus in Westwood via Sepulveda Blvd).
• Beach Cities Bus #109 (to Redondo Beach via El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach in one direction and LAX City Bus Center in the other)
• Metro #120 (goes east Whittwood Mall in Whittier via Imperial Hwy)
• Metro #625 (goes west to the LAX administration offices, aircraft maintenance hangars and airline cargo terminals at the opposite side of the airport grounds via Imperial Hwy and World Way W)

A more direct service is the LAX FlyAway bus, which takes you from the BLUE 'LAX FlyAway' signs at the inner curb in front of each of the terminals. Two routes:

• Van Nuys (7610 Woodley Ave at the NE corner of Woodley Ave and Saticoy, next to the Van Nuys Airport), every 30 minutes, runs 24 hours.
• Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles (Patsaouras Transit Plaza at the east portals to the station, on the opposite side of the tracks from the historic Union Station), every 30 minutes 5am to 1am. Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Southern California, and transit in any direction can be found from there such as Amtrak Trains, MetroLink Trains; Greyhound/Flixbus, Foothill Transit (to San Gabriel Valley east of L.A.), additional LA Metro buses and trains, etc. Take a taxi from the downtown Union Station to the various other bus terminals in the nearby or in 'skid row' (east of downtown L.A.) if connecting to a bus that does not leave from Union Station. The following are stops at or nearest to the other area airports by Metorlink, Amtrak, or Greyhound from the downtown Union Station:

To Burbank-Hollwyood Airport (BUR)

• Burbank Airport South Station (VC) is the closest to the Burbank-Hollywood Airport Terminal which is served by the MetroLink Ventura County (VC) Line and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains from the downtown Union Station. From the Burbank Airport South Station one can walk across the street (Empire Ave) into the airport grounds and up along Airport Rd towards the airline terminals. One can also call (818) 729-2245 for an on demand complimentary pick-up or drop-off at both Metrolink stations by airport shuttle.
• Burbank Airport North Station (AV) is further away from Burbank-Hollywood Airport Terminal, served by the MetroLink Antelope Valley (AV) Line train from the downtown Union Station. From this station, Metro #169, 222 or 294 bus going south on N Hollywood Way can take passengers to the main entrance road (Airport/Thornton Ave) towrds the airline terminals. They don't turn into the airport grounds.

To Ontario Airport (ONT)

• Rancho Cucamonga Station. Transfer to Omnitran ONTConnect (#380) for the direct ride to the Ontario Airport (ONT) from the San Bernardino Line train.
• Downtown Pomona Station (Pomona Transit Center) is served by the MetroLink Riverside Line train or Foothill Transit Silver Streak (#707) bus from the downtown Union Station. From the Pomona Transit Center, transfer to Omnitran #61 to continue to the Ontario Airport (ONT).
• San Bernardino - Downtown Station for transfers to buses going to Beaumont, Indio/Palm Springs, Barstow, Riverside, and local Omnitrans buses in San Bernardino and to Fontana from the Metrolink San Bernardino Line. Connections with Greyhound, Metrolink Inland Empire-Orange County Line, and Amtrak Southwest Chief trains are at the San Bernardino Depot Station.

To Santa Ana John Wayne Airport (SNA). Best way is to use Mickey's Spaceship Shuttle (see below under "By long distance bus and van") to get to SNA from LAX (or vice-versa) than by public transportation:

• Tustin Station is served by the MetroLink Orange County Line train from the downtown Union Station. From there transfer to Irvine Shuttle 400A to continue to the Santa Ana Airport (SNA) during weekdays from 6AM to 6:50PM only. Otherwise take a taxi, Rally or Uber Rideshare to the airport during evenings or weekends from there. The Orange County Line Train schedules are limited, so alternatively, one can also take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Greyhound/Flixbus to the Santa Ana Station and transfer to the Inland Empire-Orange County Line train to reach Tustin. Tustin is the closest Metrolink station to John Wayne Airport.
• Anaheim (ARTIC) Station is served by the MetroLink Orange County Line and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains from the downtown Union Station as well as by Greyhound/Flixbus. From here one transfer to the OCTA #53 bus to Main & MacAurther where one walks down along MacAurther to reach the airline terminals. One can also take City of Anaheim's on demand "Ride Eve" shuttle to the John Wayne Airport from ARTIC.
  

To Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

• El Paso Limousine Express operates buses from downtown Los Angeles to Tijuana Airport via the CBX Terminal (Cross Border Express/Terminal 2) on the American side of the border. Passengers walk across the border via the CBX Terminal into Tijuana airport terminal to access domestic flights to more Mexican destinations at competitive rates. El Paso Limousine Express have their own bus station at 260 Wall St in the infamous 'Skid Row' east of downtown Los Angeles. It is quicker and safer to take a taxi or ride share from Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station) to their bus station in Skid Row.
  

The fare on LAX FlyAway is $9.75 o.w. depending on destination and can only be paid by credit or debit card (all major cards accepted), or the Los Angeles TAP card. No cash is accepted. From the FlyAway stop in the above places there are bus, rideshare and taxis connections to your final destination which may be a quicker and less expensive option than a taxi or public transportation from LAX.

Click here for LA Metro's trip planner program which tells you which bus(es) and/or trains to take to get to your final destination. Nearby hotels and hostels do send their own shuttles to the terminals to pick up and drop off guests so no need to use public transportation to get there. Their shuttles pick up from under the RED 'Hotel & Private Parking' signs at the curb on the upper level in front of each terminal.

The long distance buses and vans to the adjacent Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, North Los Angeles (Lancaster & Antelope Valley) and Orange Counties pick up and drop off from under the ORANGE 'Shared Ride Vans' signs at the outer curb in front of each of the LAX terminals:

• Antelope Valley Airport Express, (office) 332 West Avenue S, Suite A Palmdale, ☏ +1 661 947-2529, toll-free: +1-800-251-2529. Runs 10 trips a day to Santa Clarita, Acton, Palmdale and Lancaster. $100 return. (updated Sep 2016)
• Central Coast Shuttle, (office) 3249 Terminal Drive, Suite 101; Santa Maria, ☏ +1 805 928-1977, toll-free: +1-800-470-8818. Seven trips a day to Santa Maria, Buelleton, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. $128 return from Santa Maria. (updated Sep 2016)
• Disneyland Airport Shuttle by Gray Lines Anaheim, (office) 2001 S Manchester Ave, Anaheim, ☏ +1-714-978-8855, toll-free: +1-800-828-6699. Hourly service from 7:50AM to 9:50PM to Disneyland and the adjacent hotels in Anaheim. They also offer the same shuttle service to/from the John Wayne Airport in Orange County. (updated Sep 2016)
• Mickey's Spaceship Shuttle, ☏ +1-310-514-0010, +1-714-642-5399. Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, all Disneyland Anaheim resort hotels, O.C. Convention Center, John Wayne Airport, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, San Clemente (updated Sep 2016)
• Road Runner Shuttle, ☏ +1 805 389-8196. Door to door shuttle from Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties (updated Sep 2016)
• Santa Barbara Airbus, ☏ +1 805 964-7759, toll-free: +1-800-423-1618. Eight times daily to Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta. $90 return. (updated Sep 2016)
• Shuttle One, ☏ +1-310-670-6666, toll-free: +1-800-400-7488. Travels to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and hotels in the Anaheim, Buena Park, and Garden Grove area. (updated Sep 2016)
• Ventura Shuttle, ☏ +1 805 650-6600. Runs 10 times daily to Ventura and Oxnard $90 return. (updated Dec 2021)

There are no shuttles from LAX to San Diego or Tijuana. To continue to San Diego take the LAX Flyaway bus (see above) to the downtown Union Station and transfer to the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train or take a taxi from the downtown Union Station to the Greyhound terminal at the downtown Union Station and continue by bus to San Diego. Take the Intercalifornias or Tufesa bus from downtown Los Angeles to Tijuana via San Ysidro.

All taxis and Uber, Lyft (including Lyft Lux) and Opoli vehicles now pick up passengers from the new LAX-it lot beside Terminal 1. LAX-it was only implemented in October 2019, and the new pick-up system still has its fair share of teething issues, although the process has become smoother than when it was first implemented. Arriving passengers can either walk to the LAX-it lot, or take shuttle buses from the GREEN 'LAX-it' signs at the inner curb in front of each of the LAX terminals. Unlike other shuttles serving the airport, LAX-it shuttles serve only designated terminals, so make sure to board the right shuttle.

When requesting for an Uber, Lyft or Opoli, you will receive a code which, after arriving in the zone for the ridesharing service booked, you will need to show to the driver in order to be picked up. Taxis may be hailed normally from the taxi rank in the LAX-it lot, and there is a separate rank as well for UberPool and Lyft Line vehicles. Unlike other vehicles which may only pick up passengers at LAX-it, UberBlack and Lyft Lux Black vehicles may continue to pick up passengers direct from the terminals at the BLACK 'Passenger Pickup' signs at the outer curb in front of each terminal, and vehicles entering LAX may continue to drop off passengers directly at the terminals.

Taxis to Downtown cost $45 and take 30 min in good traffic but can be far slower (and more expensive) in rush hour. Taxis to Santa Monica cost $35, while those to Disneyland cost $70. UberX and Lyft prices are competitive with that of regular taxis.

Many area hotels and private parking lots run frequent shuttles between their establishment and the terminals. All shuttles pick up and drop off from under the RED 'Hotel & Private Parking' signs at the curb on the upper level in front of each terminal.

Being that you are in Southern California, renting a car may be your best option for getting about. If you rent a car, there are around 10 companies with very frequent shuttle buses picking up on the lower level around all terminals and going to large offsite lots. If you want to compare prices, you will need to do so using the telephones in the arrivals area or on the internet in advance of arriving. There are no details from the shuttle drivers or negotiable prices. Signing up to one of the car rental club schemes can get the shuttle bus to drop you at your car, thus saving substantial time.

Most traffic enters the airport from (West) Century Boulevard exit of the 405, due to heavy traffic and road works the last mile of Century can take up to 5 minutes to drive. You can also enter and exit the airport from Hwy 1 and connect with the I-105 freeway (just to the south), which is usually less congested than the other nearby freeways. The airport operates a long-term parking lot outside of the main airport that is accessible by shuttle bus. Private companies including hotels offer many additional options and include everything from open-air lots to garage parking with car washes. For those waiting to pick up passengers there is a cell-phone waiting lot adjacent to the LAX City Bus Center where you can wait in your car for up to two hours.

• Central Terminal Area Parking Structures. This option is useful for those making pick-ups or drop-offs. Approximately 8000 parking spaces are available in multiple structures in the center of the airport. $3 for the first hour, $2 for each 30 minutes thereafter, $30 maximum for each 24 hours. 
• Economy Parking - Lot E, 5455 West 111th St. (Across from the Proud Bird Restaurant). 2,690 open-air parking spaces just outside of the main airport, replacing the former Lot C. The 'Lot E' shuttle buses run regularly to bring passengers to and from this enormous lot. $4 per hour, maximum $12 per day. 

Most rental car companies have locations along Aviation Boulevard north of Century Boulevard and along Century Blvd. Shuttle buses are available from under the PURPLE 'Rental Cars' signs along the outer curb, in front of the airport terminals (about 10-20 minutes ride). For rental companies that cannot serve the airport directly, take the "Metro Connector" shuttle buses from the PINK 'LAX Shuttles' signs along the inner curb to the Remote Rental Car Depot at Century and Airport Boulevards, where there you'll meet the car rental company's representative. Expect up to 20 minutes to take a shuttle through traffic. (See FlyLAX website for a list of available rental car companies)

This being Los Angeles, there are plenty of choices for luxury and exotic rentals in addition to the usual national and regional chains:

• Beverly Hills Rent A Car, 9220 S Sepulveda Blvd, ☏ +1-310-670-2020. Daily 8AM-8PM. Luxury cars and SUVs, exotic and sports cars. 
• Legends Car Rentals, 204 Hindry Ave, toll-free: +1-844-526-7368. M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa Su 9AM-2PM. Classic and exotic cars, luxury cars and SUVs. 
• Rex Luxury Car Rental, 5250 W Century Blvd, Suite 102, ☏ +1-310-665-9000. M-F 7AM-11PM, Sa Su 9AM-9PM. Luxury cars and SUVs, exotic and sports cars, and several electrics. 

There are a couple of gas stations on Aviation Blvd, although stations a little further away may be cheaper.

There is a free shuttle bus connecting the terminals landside. The "Airline Connections" or "A" shuttle bus loops around all the terminals; it stops at the PINK 'LAX Shuttles' signs on the inner lower level roadway. If you are transferring between directly adjacent terminals, walking is nearly always quicker than the shuttle.

American Airlines operates an airside shuttle bus between Terminal 5 (Gate 52) and the remote American Eagle Terminal (east of Terminal 8).

All terminals are connected to each other with walkways on the secure side, so you can pass between them without having to go through security again. The walk takes about 3-5 minutes between each terminal, though most walkways don't have moving sidewalks. The walkway connecting Terminals 4-6 is underground, accessed from the midpoint of each terminal (respectively near gate 44, between gates 53B and 55A, and between gates 64A-B). The walkways between Terminals 1 and 2, 6 to 8, and between Terminal 4 and TBIT are near the security screening areas.

Before security, it is possible to walk from one terminal to another along the sidewalk of either the upper or lower level. A streetside sidewalk connects all the terminals. It is no more than a 10-minute walk between any two adjacent terminals (with the obvious exception of 1 and 8).

• 🌍 Star Alliance Lounge (on Level 6; the entrance is via elevator past the security checkpoint on the north side), ☏ +1-310-646-5260. 9:15AM-12:30AM, varies according to winter/summer airline schedules. This lounge is for Gold/Senator members only, or those with first/business class tickets. The lounge has 40 seats and 2 VIP rooms for first class passengers and 375 seats for business class passengers. There is a business center, wireless internet access, telephone access, showers, hot and cold beverages, hot and cold snacks, newspapers and magazines, and private rooms available by reservation. 
• Oneworld Alliance Lounge (on Level 5; the entrance is via elevator past the security checkpoint on the north side). F-M W 6:30AM-1:30AM, Tu Th 9AM-1:30AM. Access to First Class Lounges is restricted to Emerald members and those travelling in First Class. 
• Los Angeles International Lounge (Japan Airlines) (on Level 4; the entrance is via elevator past the security checkpoint on the north side). Daily 6AM to last departure. 

• Admirals Club (American Airlines) (Terminal 4, on the Concourse level across from Gate 40). Daily 5AM-12:30AM. 
• Flagship Lounge (American Airlines) (Terminal 4, across from Gate 40, entrance through Admirals Club lounge). Daily 5:15AM-midnight. 
• Board Room (Alaska Airlines) (Terminal 6, elevator near gate 64). Daily 5AM-10PM. 
• United Club (two in Terminal 7: across from gate 71A and between gates 73 and 75). Daily 5AM-11PM. These lounges are accessible to United Club Members, first and business class passengers, and Star Alliance Gold members. 

Air side has several branches of local restaurants such as Ink Sack, Petrossian, and Umami Burger. 800 Degrees in the Time Tower food court area make reasonably good and fresh pizza. There are no landside restaurants.

• Deli & Co.. 

• Pick Up Stix. 
• Sealegs. 
• Slapfish. 

• Kogi Truck. One of Roy Choi's famous kogi Korean taco trucks, this taco and burrito eatery is in an actual food truck and is one of the airport's more reasonably-priced options. Short rib, pork, chicken and tofu tacos are the specialty, but the other options are unique and tasty. Tacos $2.70, burritos $7. (updated Aug 2015)
• Dunkin Donuts. 
• Homeboy Cafe. 

• Redondo Beach Brewing Company (next to security, in Terminal 6). 4:30AM-12:30AM. Beer on tap, bar. 
• Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom (next to security in Terminal 6). Sausage sandwiches and fries. 
• Ruby's Dinette, in between gates 64-65. Small, sit-down casual restaurant 
• Monet's California Deli, in between gates 64-65. Sandwiches, breakfast burritos. 
• Home Turf Sports Bar, in between gates 64-65. Fairly large sports bar, near the Alaska Airlines Board Room. 
• Coffee Bean, in between gates 64-65. 

• Klatch Coffee (next to gates 70A-B). Coffee, snacks, sandwiches. 
• Food Court: ¡Loteria! Mexican Grill & Bar, Yogurtland, The Coffee Bean, Counter Burgers, in between gates 74-77. Mexican food, frozen yogurt, coffee and pastries, and custom built burgers and breakfast. 
• B Grill by BOA Steakhouse, in between gates 71B & 73. Bright, modern sitdown steakhouse and bar. Entrees including pasta, steaks, burgers, breakfast. Expensive. 
• Wolfgang Puck Express, Near Gate 75B. 5AM-10PM. Bar, takeout counter, and sit-down restaurant. The usual menu of pizza, salads and roast chicken. Restaurant is large and features low lighting, wood paneling and a view of the runways. 
• Rolling Stone Bar and Grill, Gate 72. Open sports bar. 

• Food Court: Marmalade Cafe, The Coffee Bean, Carls Jr. & The Green Burrito, in between gates 81-82. Casual, small food court area. The Marmalade Cafe has deli salads and pasta; the Coffee Bean has coffee and pastries; Carl's Jr. has fast-food burgers and burritos. 
• Corona Beach House. Midrange. Across from gate 86. Bar serving Corona and a few other beers on tap, as well as a full bar and food including nachos and sandwiches, as well as breakfast. Has comfortable lounge type seating as well as table. 
• Engine Co. No 28. 5PM-10PM, with last call at 9:45PM. Fire-company themed restaurant, bar, and takeout counter with a menu of burgers and entrees. 

• I Love LA. 
• Brookstone. 
• Sol Surf. 

• See's Candy, Gate42b. Chocolates. (updated Nov 2019)
• Sunglass Hut, Gates 44 and 45. Sunglasses. 

• CNN News / Hudson News, Gates 71A and 73. Snacks, magazines, gifts. 
• Universal Studios shop, Gate 71A. Movie and theme-park themed souvenirs. 
• Bartels' LAX Harley-Davidson, in between gates 71B & 73. Harley-Davidson store featuring apparel and gear. 
• Kitson, in between gates 71B & 73, ☏ +1-310-642-0971. 6AM-11PM. Novelties, apparel and LA-theme gifts. 
• Hugo Boss Store, in between gates 71B & 73. 

• E! News, Next to gates 81-82. Snacks, magazines, gifts. 

• 🌍 LAX (Airport) Post Office, 9029 Airport Blvd (Airport Blvd & Westchester Pkwy off airport grounds), ☏ +1 310-649-7400. (Retail Counter) M-F 9AM-6PM; Sa 9AM-5PM; (Passport Acceptance) M-F 9AM-4PM & Sa 9AM-1PM by appointment only. Nearest post office serving zip codes 90009 and 90245. There are no post office branches or drop boxes in the airport terminals. Domestic and international mail going into and coming out of flights are handled in a separate facility next to the cargo terminals that is no open to the public. (updated May 2020)
• 🌍 El Segundo Post Office, 2130 E Mariposa Ave (E Mariposa Ave & Duley Rd), ☏ +1 310-414-0350. Retail counter M-F 9AM-5PM. Next nearest post office to Los Angeles International Airport serving El Segundo in zip code 90245. (updated May 2020)