Los Angeles International Airport [LAX], California, USA

About Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles Airport (code IATA is LAX) is one of the top busiest airports in the US and the only airdrome in the world chosen as the main hub for all U.S. legacy aircraft carriers (American, Delta, and United). LAX serves the Southland, which is a metropolitan area over five counties in the southern part of California, and also the state of California. It can be found 33 km (20 miles) away from the Los Angeles central district. It is the closest airdrome to the Westside and the South Bay.

If you wonder how big is LAX, it covers a large area of 1,420 hectares where 4 runways and 9 passenger terminals are situated. All the buildings are placed around a central terminal zone that hosts car parking and public transportation.

Los Angeles Airport is strongly connected to Iberian America and Asia. Thus, it serves as a premier “Gateway to the Pacific Rim”. Moreover, LAX has been rated one of the top five U.S. airdromes for both passenger and cargo traffic. More than 82 million travelers choose LAX as the departure and arrival point. Around 2 million tons of load pass through the airport annually.

What does LAX stand for?

Before the thirties of the last century, US airports were required to use a two-letter abbreviation. So, "LA" served as the specification for Los Angeles Airport. Later there has been a tremendous increase in the aviation industry, and at the end of the 1940s, the identity codes expanded to three letters. It was decided to add an extra letter "X" that did not otherwise have any special meaning in the LAX definition. "LAX" also serves as the code of the Port of La-La Land in San Pedro and by Amtrak for Union Station in Tinseltown center.

LAX Airport address and contacts

LAX is based at 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, US. If you need to know more info about flights and provided services, you can contact the airport by calling +1 855-463-5252. You can also send an email to [email protected]. In case of an emergency in LAX territory, dial (310) 646 – 7911.

Directions to LAX Airport

Those travelers who drive the Southbound 405 Freeway in LA which is linked to Howard Hughes Parkway and a major transportation passageway of the city Sepulveda Blvd, need to take a left at Boulevard and move south for around 8-12 min through the central district of Westchester. Following this road, you will see the entrance to Los Angeles Airport on the right-hand side after passing In-n-Out Burger.

From Northbound 405, head to the Glenn Anderson Freeway (105 West), and turn off at the Sepulveda North exit. Drive on the right lane and follow signs to the Departure and Arrival zones.

If you move along the 105 West Freeway, take the Sepulveda North exit, and drive on the right side of the road until you reach the Departure and Arrival signs.

Closest airports to LA International Airport

The closest airport to Los Angeles is Long Beach LGB, also known as Daugherty Field. It is situated 29 km (18 miles) away from LAX. LGB serves more local commercial passenger and cargo aircraft. Another aerodrome located 25 min drive from LAX is Van Nuys VNY. It is operated by the same authority as LAX — Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

Orange County John Wayne SNA, which handles international and local air voyages from Santa Ana, can be found 58 km (36 miles) away from LAX. Another airport located close to LAX is LA Ontario ONT. The trip from ONT to LA takes around one hour and a half.

McClellan-Palomar CRQ and Santa Barbara Muni SBA airports are situated 140 km (88 miles) away from LAX. The journey from La-La Land to Palm Springs PSP, San Diego SAN, and Bakersfield Meadows Field BFL airports takes around 2h 30 min by car.

Los Angeles Airport covid requirements

As of June 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the US no longer requires foreign travelers arriving at LAX to provide a negative COVID-19 viral test or proof of recovery before they board the plane.

In March 2023, CDC canceled this demand for air passengers from China, Hong Kong, or Macau. Please keep in mind that all non-U.S. citizens and immigrants traveling to the US by plane are obliged to present proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Learn more about the COVID demands and accepted vaccines on the CDC website.

Transportation to & from Los Angeles CA Airport

Inter-terminal connections

Those travelers who need to move between LAX terminals can use frequent shuttle transfer serving to facilitate airline connections (A Route). Shuttle buses also take passengers to/from Employee Parking spots and the Metro Rail Green Line Aviation Station (G Route). You always have the opportunity to move between LAX Airport buildings on foot.

Public transport at LAX Airport

Several public transit carriers provide convenient transportation for LAX travelers such as L.A. Metro, Culver City Bus Lines, Torrance Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and Beach Cities Transit. Upon arrival at LAX, you can hop on a free shuttle bus to get from the terminal building to the next public transit stations:

• Lot South / LAX City Bus Center where tourists can take various bus routes.
• Metro C Line at Aviation Station (Green Line) which runs east and west between Norwalk and Redondo Beach, curving south next to LAX.

Taxis and private transfers

To travel quickly and with comfort, consider taxi services and private transfers that operate at Los Angeles International Airport. Please note, that only authorized taxi companies are permitted to provide their services at the airport. There are three locations where you can take a cab:

• LAX-it zone near T1. Travelers can move on foot or hop on a free shuttle to hail a taxi. Upon exiting the terminal, follow the signs to the LAX-it spot walking. You can also pick up the shuttle on the Lower (Arrivals) floor outside the luggage reclaim zone at the green LAX-it signs.

• Parking structure 3, between T3 and Tom Bradley Terminal (TB).

• T7 (at the end of the building, outside of baggage claim) for passengers arriving at T7 and 8.

Another option to reach the desired location from LAX is to use ridesharing apps Lyft, Opoli, and Uber. They are the authorized providers of ride app services at California Airport. Private companies also offer their services to LA travelers.

Car rental at Los Angeles Airport

Car rental is always the best solution for lovers of roads, comfort, and those who would like to catch maximum while traveling to LA. With your hired vehicle you will be able to reach all stunning places around LA, including the most hidden corners. Rental Car desks are situated off the airport, away from airline terminal buildings. The agencies meet customers under the purple "Rental Car Shuttles'' sign on the Lower (Arrival) floor outside the luggage reclaim zone. For a better travel experience and budget savings, take care about booking a vehicle in advance. Our smart search engine will prompt you to choose from a wide range of affordable deals from reliable vendors at Airport Los Angeles including Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, Thrifty, Sixt, Hertz, etc. Type in the dates of your car rental and start the journey!

Services and facilities at LAX Airport in California

To facilitate travelers' maximum comfort during their stay at the airport, LAX provides the following services:

• Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) service exempts travelers from anxiety giving stress relief and comfort through interaction with pets.

• Various short-term and long-stay parking lots with general, premium, valet, and EV options available.

• Shopping experience with beauty & fragrance stores, jewelry, accessories, clothing from world-famous brands, and much more.

• Food courts, restaurants, cafes, and bars at Airport LAX.

• Lounges could be a perfect place to rest or get your work done while waiting for the flight.

• Spa, aromatherapy, and massage facilities are provided by Be Relax spa at T1.

• Public art exhibitions, media walls, sculptures, and paintings.

• Flight Path Museum & Learning Center which are the unique aviation and aerospace museums in Southern California.

• Free Wi-Fi access throughout the terminals.

• Various public transportation options.

• Currency exchange offices and ATMs.

• Airport police of Los Angeles California Airport.

• Medical and first aid.

About the City of Angels (Los Angeles)

Being one of the largest and most populous cities in the state of California, LA (also known as the City of Angels, the City of Flowers, or La-La Land), attracts more than 50 million visitors annually. Los Angeles is rightfully considered the commercial, financial, and cultural heart of SoCal. The city has an exhaustive array of amazing things to do, from Griffith Park with stunning views of the LA surrounding area to family-friendly La Brea Tar Pits.

The Entertainment Capital of the World spans a widely diverse geographic zone. It is surrounded by the San Gabriel Mountain range and divided by the Santa Monica Mountains. LA is served by the main International Airport in California — LAX.

L.A. County's population has reached 10 million residents and if its five-county area were a state, it would exceed all states in total population (except for California, Texas, New York, and Florida).

L.A. can boast 120 km (75 miles) of coastline and a range of stunning beaches. They could be perfect spots to relax by the Pacific, whether you want to hang glide, fancy a snorkel or a kayak, or cannot do without catching some waves on the surfboard.

​​​​​​Top 5 attractions in Los Angeles, California

Universal Studios Hollywood

If a theme park is what you're after, move to Universal Studios Hollywood to enjoy the exhilarating rides and backlot tours. The amusements are built on popular scenes and characters from TV. You can take the tram Studio Tour past the creepy Bates Motel from "Psycho" and get caught up in a high-speed pursuit with the "Fast & Furious" cast. Kids will enjoy interaction with their favorite heroes like Harry Potter, Simpsons, The Minions, and Scooby-Doo. The trip from the airport in Los Angeles, California, to Universal Studios takes around 2h 30min.

Disneyland

A fairytale for kids and adults, Disneyland is rightfully considered California's premier family vacation spot, engaging visitors since the 1950s. Here you can meet your favorite Disney heroes, set sail with the Pirates of the Caribbean and plummet down a 5-story waterfall on Splash Mountain. With its mix of new and classic attractions and entertainment, Walt’s original Theme Park became a place where the magic can be found.

Hollywood

Hollywood is a neighborhood situated in LA, California, that is the glamor and power hub of the entertainment industry. From the International Airport in Los Angeles, the ride takes around one hour each way. As the world`s show-business capital, Hollywood is home to many famous movie studios and record companies. Visit one of Hollywood's most iconic and memorable spots which represents the excess of Hollywood's Golden Age — the TCL Chinese Theatre. You can also gaze down at the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and get an amazing shopping and entertainment experience at Hollywood & Highland. If you're lucky, you might even spot a celebrity out for a shopping trip on Rodeo Drive.

The Getty Center

Located on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains and 22 km (14 miles) from LA International Airport, the Getty Center is one of the most impressive architectural achievements of the US. Art connoisseurs can enjoy unique Renaissance paintings, 19th-century American photography, and Baroque sculptures there. If you would like to know more about the history of art, you can take a Collection Highlights tour or tours of art in specific eras.

Malibu

Stretching for more than 48 km (30 miles) along the Pacific and Highway One, this gorgeous city is famous for its celebrity residences and beaches. If you would like to catch the most perfect waves anywhere, visit Malibu’s Surfrider Beach located just off the Malibu Pier. Thanks to the ample amenities and white sand, Zuma Beach became a magnet for locals for both swimming and body surfing. In winter, Point Dume, at Malibu’s north end, offers an ideal perch for spotting migrating gray whales. The road trip from the airport in LA to Malibu takes one hour and a half.

Cost of living in LA, California

LA's cost of living is 54% higher than the national average. Thus, it takes third place in the list of the most expensive U.S cities. As an example, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant will cost you $20, and a cup of cappuccino is $5.2. If you would like to rent an apartment with 1 bedroom downtown, you will be asked to pay around $2.600. A single person's estimated monthly costs in LA are $1.100 without rent. More prices for food, transportation, and leisure options can be found below.