Los Angeles Airport, located about 25 kilometres southwest of downtown, is the fifth largest and busiest airport in the world. American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have their bases here.
At the airport you will find a wide range of shops with a wide range of goods, restaurants, cafes, fast food and grocery stores. There are ATMs, exchange offices, police and medical services, assistance services for the disabled, rooms for mothers with children and rooms for rest of travelers with animals.
The airport complex is really big, including nine terminals, 8 national and 1 international. The layout of the terminals looks like the letter “U”, so the distances between them are rather short.
Most of the world’s major airlines fly to Los Angeles, with American Airlines, United, Delta and Southwest Airlines having bases here.
The only direct flights from the UK to Los Angeles (LAX) Airport depart from London Heathrow by major airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines or United Airlines with standard fares being around £330.
For a bit higher, yet still reasonable price and 1 layover it is also possible to fly from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Los Angeles (LAX) airport is open 24/7.
Los Angeles Airport Transit
Each terminal is connected to its neighbouring (with the exception of Terminal 1) at the landside zone (before the security check). You can move between the terminals either on foot or by a free shuttle bus, departing every 5 minutes from right outside the terminal.
As with all US airports, a purely international transfer (such as London - Los Angeles - Lima) requires you to pick up your luggage, go through immigration and check-in again. For this reason, you must hold an ESTA electronic permit to enter the United States (apply & purchase here).
It is ideal to leave at least 3 hours for a safe transfer.
In addition, during a domestic transfer, you can move between terminals 4, 5 and 6 through an underground pedestrian tunnel without leaving the transit area and going through security again.
Also, there is a Delta bus running within the transit airside zone between terminals 2 and 3.
Los Angeles Airport Transfer
There are a large number of different bus companies going from the airport to different parts of the city and its surroundings. Flyaway buses, airport shuttle buses, shuttle services to car rentals and hotels and long-distance buses run right from outside the terminals. Buses leave from the second platform on the arrival floor. The bus stops are clearly marked. The fare is paid to the driver when boarding the bus.
Airport – Los Angeles (city centre, Hollywood, Westwood, Van Nuys, Long Beach) – Flyaway buses
Buses depart Monday – Sunday every 30 minutes from early till late night hours.
The bus fare is payable only by Debit/Credit card, or by purchasing a ticket from FlyAway Metrolink ticket vending machines at Union Station.
For journeys to Van Nuys and Union Station, it is also possible to purchase your ticket online here.
It is also possible to track your buses LIVE at their website here.
Fares
Union Station, Van Nuys - Single one way ticket
9.75 USDcurrently £7.80
Hollywood, Long Beach - Single one way ticket
8 USDcurrently £6.40
Airport – City centre, Long Beach (metro)
There is also a cheap, budget version of how to get to Los Angeles city centre by metro train.
Get free Bus service ‘G’ from the terminal to Aviation/LAX metro station where you change to the Green metro line train.
In Willowbrook change to Blue metro line which will take you to your destination
The whole journey takes just over an hour.
Airport - Los Angeles city centre or Long beach
All together
1.75 USDcurrently £1.40
+ 1 USD for top-up card.
The $1.75 ticket is interchangeable and valid for 2 hours.
All day Metro ticket (only LA, NOT for example Santa Monica or Manhattan Beach)
7 USDcurrently £5.60
LAX Airport to Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach
There are local service buses departing daily from the bus station. You can get to the bus station by ‘LOT C’ free bus shuttle, departing from the Departure floor.
Bus line R3 to Santa Monica and Venice Beach
departure daily every 15-20 minutes from 5:30 – 19:30.
Single ticket
2.5 USDcurrently £2.00
or
1.25 USDcurrently £1.00
on Bus line 3 (slower commuter bus with multiple stops)
Bus line 109 to Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach
departure daily every 45 minutes from 6:00 – 20:30.
Free unlimited connection available, however network may lag from time to time during busy hours. There are additional internet kiosk available in each terminal (for a fee). WiFi Availability
