Los Angeles International Airport guide
Los Angeles International Airport Terminals and Arrivals
Los Angeles International Airport has nine passenger terminals, numbered 1 to 8, plus the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which handles many international flights. Your airline's terminal is shown on your booking and on the airport's flight information screens, so confirm it before you land.
At most terminals, arrivals are on the lower level, where you collect your baggage and find the ground transportation area. The terminals are not all within walking distance of one another, so allow extra time if you need to change terminals for a connecting flight.
How to Get from Los Angeles International Airport to Los Angeles
Most travellers reach central Los Angeles from LAX by rideshare, metered taxi, private transfer or the FlyAway bus. Each option starts from a different point at the airport, so choose the one that fits your luggage and your plans.
- Rideshare: App-based rides are collected from the rideshare pick-up area, known as LAX-it, so follow the signs from the arrivals level.
- Metered taxi: Taxis wait at the taxi stand in the ground transportation area, and the journey is charged by the meter.
- FlyAway bus: A coach service runs between LAX and Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Check the current route and stops before you travel.
- Private transfer: A car is booked in advance for your flight, with the pick-up point arranged before you arrive.
Fares and journey times vary with traffic and the time of day. Check the current fare for each option before you travel, and allow extra time during peak hours.
Los Angeles International Airport Private Transfer and Taxi
You can book a private taxi transfer from Los Angeles International Airport to Los Angeles with Vonaride, with the pick-up agreed before your flight lands. Flight tracking helps here: the driver follows your flight and adjusts the pick-up time if your plane arrives early or late, which is useful given how busy the LAX arrivals areas can be. The fare is agreed when you book, so traffic on the approach roads does not change what you pay.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before pick-up, and free waiting time is included. The length of free waiting time depends on the airport and the provider, and it is shown before you book. Drivers speak English, support is available 24/7, and meet and greet means your driver waits in the arrivals area holding a name sign.
How to Arrange a Transfer from LAX
- Enter your flight number and arrival date so the driver can track your flight.
- Confirm your terminal and the address or hotel you are travelling to in Los Angeles.
- Check the fixed fare shown before you complete the booking.
- Look for your driver in the arrivals area, where the name sign will be displayed.
Arriving in Los Angeles: What to Know
Los Angeles covers a large area, so a journey between two neighbourhoods can take far longer than the distance suggests. Traffic on the freeways is heavy at many times of day, so build flexibility into your plans for your first day.
Downtown, Hollywood, Santa Monica and Pasadena are each a different journey from LAX, and the best route depends on the time you travel. Parking in busy areas can be costly, so decide early how you will get around. Keep your hotel address saved offline, because many streets look similar and mobile signal can be patchy in some areas.
Facilities and Services at Los Angeles International Airport
LAX offers restaurants, shops, restrooms and baggage services across its terminals, although the range differs between terminals. Rental car facilities are reached from the terminals by the Automated People Mover, so allow time if you have hired a car.
Accessibility assistance is available through the airport for travellers who need extra help. Facilities at LAX change as work continues, so check the official airport website before you travel.
To check prices or request a quote for your transfer from Los Angeles International Airport to Los Angeles with Vonaride, use the form on our website and include your flight details and destination in the city. The exact fare is shown before you book.
Updated November 8, 2026
