Los Angeles International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (LAX)

How to get to Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles downtown (Downtown) is approximately 29 km (18 miles) from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 45-50 minutes combining the shuttle and FlyAway bus, or 30-45 minutes by car/taxi outside peak hours.

By Car

Travelers arriving by car reach downtown LA in approximately 30-45 minutes, but Los Angeles traffic is among the most intense in the United States and can easily double travel times during rush hours.

By Train

The Metro C line (Green Line) stops at LAX/Metro Transit Center, accessible by Metro Connector shuttle from the terminals; from here you can proceed to other destinations on the Metro network. When SkyLink, which is not yet open to passengers, enters service, the shuttle stop locations will change.

By Bus

The LAX FlyAway bus connects the airport to Union Station in downtown in approximately 45 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes from 5:00 to 23:00; single ticket $12.75 USD.

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Tips When SkyLink, which is not yet open to passengers, enters service, the FlyAway service will relocate from the central terminal area to new boarding areas near the LAX/Metro Transit Center station: verify updates on the official website before departing.

Average travel time to LAX

TrainNot available at direct station (Metro C via shuttle Metro Connector)

Shuttle bus45 min (12.75 USD, FlyAway)

Taxi / Private hire30-45 min (45-65 USD, varies with traffic)

Parking near Los Angeles International Airport

Garages connected to terminals (P1/P2/P5/P6/P7) cost 9 USD first hour then 7 USD every 30 minutes, maximum 60 USD/day; premium garages P3/P4 cost 11 USD first hour then 9 USD/30 minutes, max 60-70 USD/day. Economy Lot costs up to 35 USD/day with free shuttle; Budget Lot, the most economical of the official options, goes up to 20 USD/day.

How to get to Los Angeles from LAX

By Train

The Metro C line (Green Line) is accessible via the Metro Connector shuttle from LAX/Metro Transit Center, from which you can continue on the Metro network to other destinations.

By Bus

The LAX FlyAway bus reaches Union Station in approximately 45 minutes, every 15 minutes; single ticket 12.75 USD.

By Taxi

A taxi applies a flat fare of approximately 58.50 USD (54.50 + airport surcharge) to Downtown LA; Uber/Lyft range roughly between 29 and 38 USD, with a trip duration of 30-45 minutes (plus tip 15-20%); travel times may increase significantly during peak hours.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

Los Angeles: LAX Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown

★ 4.1 · 137 reviews

from €28.43 per person

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Private Transfers between LAX Airport and Los Angeles

★ 4.7 · 9 reviews

from €82.68 per group

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From LAX to the most sought-after destinations

If you want...	Choose	Approximate cost
Spend the minimum possible	Metro Rail K Line/C Line from LAX/Metro Transit Center	$1.75 USD per trip (max $5 USD/day)
Arrive as quickly as possible at Union Station/Downtown	FlyAway direct bus	$12.75 USD
Reach Hollywood or Santa Monica without a car	Metro Rail with transfer (K→B for Hollywood, K→E for Santa Monica)	~$1.75 USD + possible second ticket
Have heavy luggage, large family, or a late flight	Taxi/rideshare at flat or dynamic rate	~$30-65 USD

LAX → Union Station (Downtown LA)

FlyAway remains the most direct connection to downtown: as of June 2025, those arriving by Metrolink train can add the FlyAway trip to their rail ticket with a fixed surcharge, getting off directly at Union Station without purchasing a separate ticket.

LAX → Hollywood

As of June 2025, the airport is connected to the Metro Rail network via the new LAX/Metro Transit Center: take the K Line, transfer to the B Line at 7th St/Metro Center and head toward Hollywood and Universal City, in about 60-90 minutes total including transfers. A car with driver covers the same route in about 40 minutes for about $40.

LAX → Santa Monica

For the beach, the K Line heading north to Expo/Crenshaw with transfer to the E Line heading west arrives a few steps from the beach and the pier; alternatively Uber/Lyft take about 30 minutes for about $30 depending on traffic on the 405.

LAX → Disneyland (Anaheim)

There is no fast direct connection: the most practical solution is a shared shuttle to Anaheim hotels (starting at about $17 per person) or a private transfer; the entirely public transit route (shuttle, Metro, and bus 460 from Norwalk) is the most economical but requires about two and a half hours.

Car rental at Los Angeles International Airport

All major car rental companies have desks in the LAX Car Rental Center (LAXit), accessible via complimentary shuttle.

You'll need a driver's license, passport, and credit card in the driver's name; for a short stay, those with a license in Latin characters do not require the IDP.

Hotels near Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles has no real centre near the airport: Downtown is about 29 km away and Hollywood or Santa Monica need at least half an hour by car, with traffic on the 405 able to double the times. Those arriving late or leaving early do well to stay in the strip of hotels on Century Boulevard, a few minutes from the terminals. For a proper holiday the choice splits between the sea at Santa Monica, the Hollywood area, linked by the metro, and Downtown. Without a car it is best to pick a neighbourhood near a Metro line, because getting around the city remains a long haul.

Airport area

Airport area (Century Boulevard)

Free hotel shuttles stop on the upper level of the terminals, within a few minutes; at peak times or during roadworks the wait can exceed 45 minutes.

Best for: Those with a dawn flight, a one-night connection or a late-evening arrival.

Pros

Free shuttles at all hours at the chain hotels
Half a mile from the terminal: even a taxi is cheap and quick
Less traffic to face on the morning of the flight

Cons

Around you only wide roads and other hotels: nothing to do on foot in the evening
Santa Monica, Hollywood and Downtown remain half an hour or more away

Recommended hotels

Hyatt Place LAX/Century Blvd About half a mile from the airport, with a free shuttle 24 hours a day departing every half hour. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Santa Monica

By rideshare about 30 minutes, but with 405 traffic it depends on the hour; by Metro take the K Line and then the E Line.

Best for: Those who want the beach, the pier and seafront walks after a long flight, accepting a longer transfer.

Pros

Beach and pier on foot, with venues and shops nearby
Pier, beach and venues can be explored without a car
Metro E Line to Downtown without having to drive

Cons

The drive from LAX is long at peak hours
Hotels pricier than the Los Angeles average

Recommended hotels

Hotel Casa del Mar Right on Santa Monica beach: the pier is about 5 minutes on foot. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Hollywood

A chauffeured car takes about 40 minutes; by Metro the trip involves changes (K Line, then B Line) and takes 60-90 minutes in all.

Best for: Those looking for the tourist's Los Angeles, with the Walk of Fame, theatres and the metro towards Universal and Downtown.

Pros

The Metro B Line station is beneath Hollywood & Highland
Walk of Fame, theatres and Hollywood Boulevard on foot
Universal Studios reachable by metro

Cons

Hollywood Boulevard is crowded with tourists and noisy in the evening
From the airport the Metro journey is long: with luggage a car is better

Recommended hotels

Loews Hollywood Hotel Built directly above the Hollywood & Highland Metro station, about an hour from the airport by train. View availability

See more hotels in this area

City centre

Downtown (South Park)

The FlyAway bus reaches Union Station in about 45 minutes (every 15 minutes, 5-23), from where a taxi or Metro is needed for South Park; by car 30-45 minutes.

Best for: Those who want museums, theatres and restaurants and prefer a historic hotel to a chain one.

Pros

The FlyAway is the simplest direct link from the airport
Many Metro lines converge in the centre
Historic hotels instead of chains alone

Cons

From Union Station to South Park another mode is needed, taxi or Metro
Beach and Hollywood are far away, requiring the Metro or a car

Recommended hotels

Hotel Figueroa Hotel opened in 1926 by the YWCA, restored, with the only street-level pool among the Downtown hotels. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport is Southern California's primary international gateway, with connections to every continent.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area in the Tom Bradley International Terminal features California products, local wines, and luxury items.

Lounges & relaxation

At LAX the lounges follow the geography of the airlines: Delta at Terminal 3, American at 4, Alaska at 6, United at 7, while the Tom Bradley International Terminal brings together the alliance lounges and those of many foreign carriers. Cards count for little: the Centurion Lounge is reserved for Amex holders, and with Priority Pass you enter the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse only with a surcharge. The Qantas First lounge is temporarily closed.

lounges: 15
with Priority Pass: 1
earliest opening: 04:15

Which lounge to choose: full comparison

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi covers the entire terminal, and the networks of all major US carriers are fully operational.

Families & Children

Every terminal is equipped with play areas for children and has its own family services.

Terminal guide

The 9 terminals (including the Tom Bradley International Terminal) are connected by shuttles; the new automated SkyLink system is not yet open to passengers.

For international flights, it's recommended to arrive with at least 3 hours' advance notice, given the airport's scale and inter-terminal transfer times.

Map of Los Angeles International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is it mandatory to tip for an Uber ride at LAX?

Not by law, but it's a strong social expectation in the United States: 15-20% of the fare is the norm, with a minimum of a few dollars even for short rides from the airport.

Q. Does Los Angeles traffic affect travel times to the airport?

Yes, significantly: a 30-45 minute trip under normal conditions can easily double during rush hour.

Q. What is SkyLink and when does it open?

A new automated terminal connection system, not yet open to passengers: when it enters service it will also change the location of the FlyAway bus stops. Check the opening date on the official LAX website.