AirportsMadeSimple™

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LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (LAX)
1 World Way, Los Angeles, California 90045

Weather Link: CLICK HERE

Overview Terminal Map:  CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE

Airport conditions: CLICK HERE

Terminal Operation Hours: CLICK HERE

Airlines – phone numbers – quick list:  CLICK HERE

Terminal 1

Terminal 2

Terminal 3

Terminal 4

Terminal 5

Terminal 6

Terminal 7

Terminal 8

Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)

 FLYING IN:

 AMS TIP – CONSTRUCTION:   Be prepared for construction! LAX currently is in the process of upgrading various terminals, a Central Utility Plant, as well as updating taxiways and taxi lanes.  Allow extra time to navigate.

GENERAL TRANSPORTATION: 

What’s available?

• LAX Shuttle & Airline Connection
• FlyAway Buses
• Hotel & Parking Lot Shuttles
• Long Distance Vans
• Public Transportation (public buses and light rail)
• Scheduled Buses
• Shared Ride Vans
• Taxis

AMS TIP:  There’s a non-stop FLYAWAY Bus system that’s reasonable, with posted rates to various locations. HOWEVER, beware of weird bag restrictions.  CLICK HERE.

To help lessen vehicle traffic congestion in the Central Terminal Area, LAX also has a 24-hour LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot where motorists meeting arriving passengers can wait for free until passengers call to say they are ready to be picked up terminal curbside.

AMS TIP:  Note Terminal Operation Hours, above.

RENTAL CARS:

Do you need a car?  Yes, if traveling throughout the Los Angeles and surrounding area. Just going downtown? Take a cab—it’s 18.4 miles.

AMS TIP: Be prepared for traffic, traffic, traffic. Los Angeles is known for it. Allow extra time. If you’re headed somewhere during rush hour, stop!! Or, for example, if you’re headed towards Pasadena, allow EXTRA time. Check with friends/business associates re: your particular route.

Where are rental CARS located? Offsite. CLICK HERE for information.  There is an “Off-Airport Rental Car Terminal” located at “LOT C.”  Please note the address varies, depending on the particular car rental agency.

CLICK HERE for rental car companies and their addresses.

Where are rental COUNTERS located? Offsite.  Many of the rental car companies provide courtesy phones inside or near the baggage claim areas on the Lower/Arrival Level of the terminals so travelers can request a free shuttle pick up to reach the rental car sites.

AMS TIP:  Check with your rental car agency, as the terminal hours will vary. CLICK HERE for terminal hours.

Total time from gate to car:  Allow 60-90 minutes.

BONUS TIPS:

CONNECTING FLIGHT INFORMATION:  IMPORTANT!!!!!!SEE BELOW:

If you arrive on a flight at Terminals 5, 6, 7, or 8 and connecting to another flight within these terminals, you do not have to exit the secured side of TSA screening as these terminals are linked with passageways. However, if you arrive on a flight at Terminals 1, 2, 3, or the Tom Bradley International Terminals and connecting to a flight at Terminals 5, 6, 7, or 8, you have to exit the secured side of TSA screening and the terminal and walk across to the terminal or board the Airline Connections “A” Shuttle (which operates on 12-15 minute intervals) under the LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections blue sign on the Lower/Arrivals Level islands in front of each terminal.

Please note that if your connecting flight requires you to exit the secured side of TSA screening and leave the terminal, TSA’s 3-1-1 policy for liquids and gels still applies as you will have to go through security screening again. If you purchased liquids or gels at a previous airport, pack them in your checked baggage if possible.

“Smart Traveler” Tips:  CLICK HERE (This link includes information in Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Armenian.)

Shopping, General: CLICK HERE

Shopping, Duty-Free:  CLICK HERE

Food:  CLICK HERE

AMS TIP:  Please note Terminal Hours, mentioned above

Smoking allowed? No. This is a smoke-free airport. You’ll have to go outside, past security.

Hotels onsite/close?  Closest hotel is the Radisson—one (1) block east of Terminal 1. CLICK HERE

Most hotels are located five (5) or more minutes from LAX.  CLICK HERE for a list of other hotels (along Century Blvd.).

If flying in to the U.S. from another country: CLICK HERE to review Visa/Passport requirements.

AMS TIP: Unfortunately, the words “nightmare” and “I’ll never fly out of here again” are comments we’ve been receiving from readers. Hopefully, that won’t be the case for you…just a word of warning to allow PLENTY of extra time.

FLYING OUT:

Airport conditions:  CLICK HERE

Terminal Map:  CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE

Weather Link: CLICK HERE

Terminal Operation Hours: CLICK HERE

Airlines – phone numbers – quick list:  CLICK HERE

Terminal 1

Terminal 2

Terminal 3

Terminal 4

Terminal 5

Terminal 6

Terminal 7

Terminal 8

Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)

 TRAVELING TO AIRPORT:

Construction? Yes.  They are undergoing re-vamps everywhere. ALLOW EXTRA TIME. It’s a congested, very busy airport.

Will peak traffic times affect you? Yes. Again, this is L.A. They’re known for their bad traffic. Don’t be in a hurry.

ARRIVING AT AIRPORT:

Signs clearly marked for departure/arrival, parking and rental car returns?  Yes.

General Parking info: CLICK HERE.

LAX parking map: CLICK HERE

AMS TIP: Parking rates vary greatly.  In Economy Lot C, it’s $12.00/day.  In the Central Terminal Area parking structures it’s $30.00/day. 

AMS TIP: Use Park-N-Fly! We love them. They’re 24 hours, friendly, on time, and the location at LAX is on Century Blvd. (very close). Average cost per day to park your car is $8.00/day. (NOTE: Weekend prices can be similar to Economy Lot C prices.)

RENTAL CARS:

Located offsite or onsite? Offsite. CLICK HERE for information.  There is an “Off-Airport Rental Car Terminal” located at “LOT C.”  Please note the address varies, depending on the particular car rental agency.

CLICK HERE for rental car companies and their addresses.  Take a shuttle to the airport.

Total time from drop-off to security: Depends on which Terminal you need.   Allow 60-90 minutes.

TERMINALS:

More than one?  Yes.  There are nine (9) terminals.  Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).

CLICK ON THE TERMINAL NAME BELOW FOR A SPECIFIC MAP/INFO ON THAT TERMINAL:

Terminal 1

Terminal 2

Terminal 3

Terminal 4

Terminal 5

Terminal 6

Terminal 7

Terminal 8

Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)

SECURITY CHECKPOINTS:

LAX Security Tips:  CLICK HERE

TSA Security Tips:  CLICK HERE 

Multiple locations? Yes

Average clearance time:  0-24 minutes, according to www.iFly.com.

AMS TIP:  You should allow at least 30-45 minutes.

NOTE: If flying American Airlines, a new premium concept – reserved for select travelers or those who pay an extra $125 – is “akin to registering at a hotel, complete with a doorman, red carpet and personalized service hidden just past a discrete doorway tucked between Terminals 4 and 5. After checking in, travelers are whisked up an elevator and moved to the front of the security line.”  Contact American Airlines for more information.

Also, in the next several months, American also plans to upgrade several airline gates inside LAX’s Terminal 4.

NOTE: If flying United Airlines, here’s a tip from www.triangletrip.com re: LAX’s Terminal 7 – Clearing security:

“LAX’s Terminal 7 belongs to United Airlines (UAL) and it has one of the poorest TSA screening processes and the longest lines and the TSA checkpoints don’t have enough room for you to unload your laptop and toiletries before the X-Ray machine.

To avoid the normal UAL security line which normally wraps around 3X, make a left after you enter LAX Terminal 7 and take the elevator to the 3rd floor. There’s a TSA security line right after you exit the elevator which no one knows about. The TSA checkpoint is connected to the short term parking garage that offer quick entry from short term parking. Unlike the normal LAX Terminal 7 TSA checkpoint which puts you on one end of the gates (70s), this TSA checkpoint is located in between Terminal 7 and Terminal 8. Upon clearing TSA Security, you will be in between the two terminals where you can take a left for the gates 70 to 79 and make a right for gates 80 to 89.”

Is www.Clearme.com or the equivalent available?  Maybe.
If you’re flying American Airlines, ask them about their new premium concept program, mentioned above.

Check with your particular airline, as it varies based on your flight and airline.

AMS TIP:  Flights scheduled during LAX’s daily peak travel periods when more flights are scheduled (6:30 am to 9:00 am for domestic flights, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm for domestic and international flights) will require passengers to allot more time for ticketing, baggage check-in and security screening.

BONUS TIPS:

Wi-Fi:  T-Mobile – CLICK HERE 

Curbside check available?  Yes. Check with your airline for specifics.

“Smart Traveler” Tips:  CLICK HERE (This link includes information in Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Armenian.)

Shopping, General: CLICK HERE

Shopping, Duty-Free:  CLICK HERE

Food:  CLICK HERE

AMS TIP:  Please note Terminal Hours, mentioned above

Smoking allowed? No. This is a smoke-free airport. You’ll have to go outside, past security.

Hotels onsite/close?  Closest hotel is the Radisson—one (1) block east of Terminal 1. CLICK HERE

Most hotels are located five (5) or more minutes from LAX.  CLICK HERE for a list of other hotels (along Century Blvd.).

IF FLYING INTERNATIONALLY, please know what forms of identification are required.

Review the TSA GUIDELINES page.  CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE

AMS TIP: Unfortunately, the words “nightmare” and “I’ll never fly out of here again” are comments we’ve been receiving from readers. Hopefully, that won’t be the case for you…just a word of warning to allow PLENTY of extra time.