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LAX

Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles, United States

Where to start
Uber / Lyft

Standard Uber and Lyft are no longer curbside at LAX — you must walk or take the free shuttle to the LAX-it lot east of Terminal 1. Plan 20–40 minutes from baggage claim to actually getting in a car. Premium tiers (Uber Black, Lyft Lux) still pick up curbside.

Ride Options

Uber

rideshare

Most popular option — all destinations

AvailabilityCommonly available — pickup at LAX-it lot only
Pickup NoteTake the free shuttle from your terminal's lower level to the LAX-it rideshare lot. Do NOT request pickup at the terminal.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Lyft

rideshare

Alternative to Uber — same LAX-it lot

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteSame LAX-it lot as Uber. Free shuttle from lower level.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Licensed Taxi

taxi

No-app option with metered fare

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7
Pickup NoteLower level outside baggage claim. Only use clearly marked licensed taxis.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

LAX APM + Metro

transit

Budget travel connecting to the Metro rail system

AvailabilityAPM runs frequently; Metro C/K lines connect to wider system
Pickup NoteTake the LAX People Mover from your terminal. Connects to Metro C and K Lines at Aviation/96th St station.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at LAX — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Standard Uber and Lyft pick up only at the LAX-it lot east of Terminal 1 — never the terminal curb. Reach it via the free shuttle from the inner curb on the arrivals (lower) level (green "LAX-it" signs, about every 5 minutes) or walk (3–10 min from T1/T7; 15–19 min from T4/T5). Inside, lanes are color-coded: Lanes 2–4 (green) for Uber, Lanes 5–7 (pink) for Lyft. Premium tiers (Uber Black, Lyft Lux) still pick up curbside at the outer island on the arrivals lower level. Order your ride only once you reach the lot.

Taxi

All taxis pick up at the LAX-it lot, Lane 1 (yellow) — the same lot as rideshare. Metered fares; flat-rate zones apply to some destinations (e.g., downtown LA), so confirm before starting.

Shuttle

Hotel and shared-ride shuttles pick up curbside on the lower (arrivals) level at designated shuttle zones, separate from taxi and rideshare. Some run scheduled, others on-demand — check your hotel's pattern in advance; pre-booking recommended.

Transit

The LAX Automated People Mover (APM) connects all terminals to the LAX/Metro Transit Center for Metro C and K Lines. For downtown, the FlyAway bus (blue "FlyAway" columns in front of each terminal, lower/arrivals level) runs direct to Union Station with no LAX-it shuttle needed.

Private Transfer

Black car and limo services pick up curbside on the lower level at the outer island (same as Uber Black). Meet-and-greet drivers wait at baggage claim with a name sign.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • Do NOT wait for rideshare at the terminal curb — you MUST go to the LAX-it lot via the free shuttle.
  • Traffic around LAX is notorious — allow extra time, especially on Sunday afternoons.
  • The APM people mover (opened 2023) connects to Metro for the first time — a major improvement.
  • Rideshare surge pricing is common during rush hour and weekend evenings.
  • Licensed taxis are metered — always confirm the meter is running before your trip starts.

Tarmyq local tip

If you're at Terminal 1 or 7, walking to LAX-it is often faster than waiting for the shuttle — about 5–10 minutes on clearly marked, covered sidewalks. The walking route from T4/T5 is too long with bags; take the shuttle.