Los Angeles International Airport Guide

We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by Los Angeles International Airport, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

LAX requires at least 70 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 120 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All terminals at LAX are airside-connected for domestic connections. An international arrival clears customs at LAX before connecting.

We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for LAX, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.

With 3 hours you should stay inside LAX. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 120 minutes plus re-screening. LAX traffic is unpredictable: the FlyAway bus to Union Station takes 30 to 60 minutes each way. Only leave the airport with 6+ hours and factor in re-security time at your departure terminal.

Yes, LAX has showers at Premium lounges.

LAX does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Yes. LAX offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free WiFi with no time limit.

The cheapest option is typically Metro C/K Line (via LAX/Metro Transit Center) at $1.75, taking a variable amount of time. Free shuttle to the new LAX/Metro Transit Center (opened June 2025), then the Metro C or K line, about $1.75. The Automated People Mover to the terminals is not yet operational (due 2026).

LAX supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint. Each terminal has its own checkpoint.

Notable dining at LAX includes Petrossian Caviar & Champagne Bar (Tom Bradley), Shake Shack (Tom Bradley), ink.sack (Tom Bradley), Campanile (Terminal 4), Rock & Brews (Terminal 4). Dining is spread across 2 terminals or concourses, so check your departure gate before committing to a sit-down meal.

LAX parking rates: $60/day short-term, $35/day economy, $75/day valet. Official drive-up rates: Central Terminal Area general parking $9 first hour, $7 each additional 30 minutes, $60 maximum per 24 hours (prebook from $48/day); Economy Parking $8 first hour, $7 each additional 30 minutes, $35 maximum daily (prebook from $15/day). Rates include the 10 percent Los Angeles City Parking Occupancy Tax. LAX runs two on-airport tiers, so no separate long-term rate is listed.

Yes. H Hotel LAX is on-airport (On-airport shuttle) in the $$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

LAX has 9 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1: Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines; Terminal 2: Delta Air Lines; Terminal 3: Delta Air Lines; Terminal 4: American Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Yes. Pet relief areas in all terminals. LAX has a therapy dog program (PUP).

Yes. Cruise ports within 100 miles of LAX: Port of Long Beach (18 mi). See our cruise port guides for sailing lines, parking, and embarkation details.