Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles, US · 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Downtown Los Angeles
Getting to the city
| Mode | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Big Blue Bus Route 3 Local bus · About every 20-30 min; less frequent late evenings | 60-80 min LAX–Santa Monica depending on traffic | $1.25-$1.50 (typical local fare range cited by riders) |
| Culver CityBus Line 6 Local bus · Roughly every 15-20 min daytime; less frequent at night | 45-90 min depending on destination and traffic | Around $1 (commonly cited local fare in rider reports) |
| LAX FlyAway® Bus Bus · Every 30 minutes | Varies by destination | $10-$12 one way |
| LAX-it Dedicated rideshare and taxi z · Shuttles run every few minutes when operating normally | 15-45+ min from terminal exit to car at busy times | Shuttle is free; rideshare/taxi fares vary by destination and surge |
Insider notes
The United Polaris Lounge in Terminal 7 is a hidden gem among LAX lounges, noted for its peaceful ambiance and exceptional amenities.
Use the airside connectors if time permits; walking from Terminal 4 to Tom Bradley can unlock far superior food and lounge options.
Terminal 1's dining scene is often critiqued; opt for a more filling meal in nearby terminals 4 or 5 before making your way back.
Live departures
Full board →| Flight | To | Sched | Est | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA9781 | DFW | 13:00 | 22:55 | Delayed |
| — | SBA | 19:40 | 21:26 | Landed |
| F94593 | SFO | 19:44 | 21:03 | Landed |
| Y42793 | SFO | 19:44 | 21:03 | Landed |
| WN3539 | AUS | 19:45 | 21:37 | Departed |
Surviving the LAX horseshoe — terminals, transfers, and the new train
LAX is laid out as a horseshoe of nine terminals around a central double-deck roadway, and that roadway is the source of its reputation. At busy hours the loop clogs badly, so the smartest moves at LAX are usually the ones that avoid driving into the horseshoe at all.
The terminals
Terminals 1 through 8 run around the horseshoe, with the Tom Bradley International Terminal (often shown as TBIT or Terminal B) at the far end handling most international departures. Airlines are spread around the loop, and — this is the catch — not all terminals connect airside. Some transfers require you to leave security, walk or take a shuttle to the next terminal, and screen again. If you are connecting between two airlines, check whether your terminals are linked behind security; if they are not, treat it like a fresh airport arrival and leave real time.
Getting in and out
For years the honest answer at LAX was “brace for traffic.” That is changing. An Automated People Mover now links the terminals to a transit hub and consolidated rental-car center on the airport’s edge, and from there you can reach the Metro rail network without ever entering the terminal loop by car. If your timing lines up, the train removes the single most frustrating part of LAX.
If you do drive or take a rideshare, note that app-based pickups are handled from designated lots rather than the terminal curb, which adds a walk or a shuttle. Downtown Los Angeles is about 16 miles northeast; plan for anywhere from 30 minutes to well over an hour depending entirely on the freeways.
Worth knowing
LAX rewards arriving early. Security lines at the busier terminals and at TBIT can be long, curbside drop-off is often gridlocked, and the walk from the roadway to a distant gate is not short. Give international departures in particular a comfortable cushion, and use the people mover or Metro rather than fighting the horseshoe when you can.
LAX When You Don’t Control the Airline: Frequent Flyers Beating $60 Garages With One $35 Default
If your company picks the airline but you pick the ground game, here is how to use LAX’s cheapest daily parking ($35), 12 lounges, and the cheapest way into LA (~$1 bus) to save real money all year.
LAX lounges, Shuttle Route A, and one predictable loop across 9 terminals
How to use LAX lounges, walking corridors, and Shuttle Route A to turn Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) connections into one predictable loop across 9 terminals and 106 gates.
LAX Layovers for Real Life: Zones, Lounges, Food, and When to Leave the Airport
Turn Los Angeles International Airport’s 9 terminals, 106 gates, 12 lounges, 12 dining options, and web of buses and shuttles into a calm, predictable layover using zone-based playbooks and time-boxed plans.
Other American Airlines hubs
Where is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)?
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is in Los Angeles, US, a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
How many terminals does Los Angeles International Airport have?
Los Angeles International Airport has 9 terminals, handling around 76.6M passengers a year.
How do I get from Los Angeles International Airport to Los Angeles?
Ground options include Big Blue Bus Route 3, Culver CityBus Line 6, LAX FlyAway® Bus — Big Blue Bus Route 3 takes about 60-80 min LAX–Santa Monica depending on traffic ($1.25-$1.50 (typical local fare range cited by riders)).