LAX Airport Transfers in Los Angeles

Before travelling to Los Angeles, it is important to familiarise yourself with the main transport options to the city and how they work. Otherwise, you will end up wasting time and getting stressed.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

9 min read

LAX Airport Transfers in Los Angeles

LAX, Los Angeles Airport | ©Phil Whitehouse

After getting off the plane and experiencing a long journey, you'll probably want to get to your destination as quickly as possible. To do so, you have several transport options: shared or private cars, the city metro, FlyAway bus, taxi service and Uber.

All of these options will guarantee you a safe journey so you can start having fun discovering the best things to do in Los Angeles during your stay.

1. A shared transfer, comfort at a reasonable price

Shared Transfer| ©john
Shared Transfer| ©john

Shared transfers are a service that allows you to travel from Los Angeles Airport to the city centre. It is a direct route with no stops or transfers, offering comfort at a reasonable price.

The shared transfer option by bus or minibus is often used by tourists travelling in groups of more than four people, as it allows them to travel together. Similarly, there are many individuals travelling alone who also opt for this service.

With this type of transfer, you can be sure that after you get off the plane and collect your bags, a driver will be waiting for you in the loading area located at the inner edge of the arrivals area.

You will be able to identify them quickly, as they will be holding a sign with your name on it . All you have to do is approach them and show them your ID, and they will guide you to the bus or minibus.

It is important to consider all the benefits you will enjoy if you book the shared transfer system from Los Angeles Airport:

  • Comfort: when you board the shared buses or minibuses, you will be able to relax in a padded, reclining seat. You will also have air conditioning, WiFi and power sockets for your mobile phone during the transfer.
  • Reasonable price: you will pay slightly less than the price set for private service, allowing you to save considerably on your budget.
  • Availability: no matter what time you arrive at the airport (midnight or dawn), this service is available 24 hours a day.
  • Reliability: the drivers are certified and responsible when it comes to pick-up times.

Details of interest

  • Journey time: 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Price: from £80 or €80.
  • Advantages of using this method: you won't have to worry about wasting time waiting for the driver after getting off the plane, as they will be in the baggage claim area minutes before the flight lands.
  • How to book this transport: the booking process is usually straightforward. Simply contact one of the companies providing this service and enter your flight arrival time on their website. You will also need to provide some personal details.
  • Recommended if... you don't mind sharing your transfer from Los Angeles Airport with other people.

2. A private transfer, comfort and exclusivity

Transfer driver| ©Thibault Penin
Transfer driver| ©Thibault Penin

A good option for travelling from Los Angeles Airport is private transport. This service offers you comfort and exclusivity at all times.

This way, you can sit in the car alone or with your travel companions and relax while the driver takes you to your destination, without having to share the journey with strangers.

Another important aspect is that you will not have to deal with luggage or waste time walking from a set arrival point in search of the hotel address.

This is possible because private transfers provide a door-to-door service, taking you directly to your place of accommodation. This way, you can immediately begin enjoying the activities planned in your itinerary: tours and excursions from Los Angeles, visiting the best museums, or taking a tour of Hollywood, among other things.

Remember that when you get off the plane in the airport arrivals hall, a uniformed driver will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. You should therefore go to that location, contact the driver and show them your identification. They will then accompany you to the assigned car.

Private transfer vs shared transfer

Both private and shared transfers are good options for getting from Los Angeles Airport, as they offer a comfortable, safe and reliable service.

In addition, both alternatives offer a journey time of approximately 39 minutes, as they do not make any stops. Of course, this time will depend on traffic, which is usually heavier if you visit the city in summer or during the high season.

However, there are some differences between private and shared transfers that you should be aware of and consider beforehand:

  • Exclusivity: when you choose private transfers, you will enjoy the exclusivity of travelling alone or with your travel companions (groups of up to seven people). With shared transfers, you will have to board a bus or minibus with strangers (approximately 20 people).
  • Arrival: the private service is door-to-door, meaning that the driver will drop you off directly at the hotel entrance. On the other hand, shared transport will drop you and all the other passengers off at a pre-arranged arrival point, so you will have to carry your luggage to your hotel.
  • Pick-up: The private transfer pick-up is immediately after you contact the driver in the arrivals hall. However, with the shared service, you will have to wait a few minutes while all the passengers arriving on different flights gather.
  • Price: the price of the private service is usually higher than the cost of the shared transfer. In fact, with the latter you will save more than 50%.

Details of interest

  • Journey time: 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Price: from £115 or €125 per person.
  • Advantages of using this method: you will enjoy immediate pick-up at the airport and be taken to the hotel door, without having to deal with luggage or transfers.
  • How to book this transport: simply select a transfer company that suits your needs and then visit its official website to check the availability of the service. You will need to fill in a form with your flight date, arrival time at the airport and number of people so that they can confirm your booking.
  • Recommended if... you want to enjoy an exclusive, comfortable transfer to your hotel door without any waiting.

Book a tour of the city centre

3. The metro, the most popular option for tourists

Los Angeles Metro| ©Alvee
Los Angeles Metro| ©Alvee

Regardless of when you consider the best time to travel to Los Angeles, the metro is another option for getting from Los Angeles Airport.

This is a means of public transport that is frequently used by tourists. It will save you a considerable amount of money, although it will take more than twice as long as hiring a shared or private service.

Once you have your luggage, head to the G shuttle stop, located just a four-minute walk outside Los Angeles Airport.

There you can wait for the shuttle bus to the Green Line metro station (Redondo Beach - Norwalk), located in the southern part of the city. This is a frequent service (every 15 minutes) and is free of charge.

When you arrive at the metro, you will need to pay for the transfer with a TAP card, which you can purchase at the designated ticket offices. It costs $2 or €1.80 (approx.) and can be topped up as many times as necessary, depending on the routes you will be taking to reach your destination.

In addition, when using this public transport service, you should know that each train runs at a maximum frequency of 20 minutes and that its operating hours are from Sunday to Thursday from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., while on Fridays and Saturdays it runs until 2:00 a.m.

Similarly, during your trip, you can download the Los Angeles Metro app from Google Play or the App Store. This will allow you to find out the routes and stops for each line, the timetables, waiting times and journey times.

Details of interest

  • Journey time: over 1 hour and a half (depending on your destination).
  • Price: from $3.75 or €3.65 per person.
  • Advantages of using this method: you will save a significant amount of money compared to any other transfer service from Los Angeles Airport.
  • How to book this transport: this service does not require a reservation. You just need to buy a TAP card at the metro ticket office.
  • Recommended if... you have time to wait for each bus, want to save money, and are travelling with few bags.

Book a tourist bus tour of Los Angeles

4. The FlyAway bus, longer but cheaper

FlyAway bus| ©Tmiller lawa
FlyAway bus| ©Tmiller lawa

FlyAway buses cover a fixed route from Los Angeles Airport to the city centre (approximately 35 minutes), making up to five mandatory stops in the main neighbourhoods (Santa Monica, Hollywood, Westwood, and Van Nuys).

This is certainly a convenient means of transport if you plan to stay in a hotel in any of these areas. However, the transfer is a little longer compared to shared and private services.

In any case, this form of public transport is a good option if you are travelling light and on a tight budget, as they only allow a couple of suitcases and the average ticket price is £9.70 or €8.70.

In addition, if you are travelling to Los Angeles with children under the age of 5, they can ride the FlyAway for free.

If you decide to use this bus, after getting off the plane and collecting your luggage, you will need to purchase a FlyAway ticket from the machines located in the airport lobby.

You can also purchase your ticket directly from the driver when boarding the bus, but please note that only debit or credit cards (American Express, Visa or Mastercard) are accepted.

Next, walk to the FlyAway stop, located on the ground floor of the airport arrivals terminal.

There, you will have to wait for the bus, which usually runs every 30 minutes (approx.), to take you to the city and begin your adventure on the best haunted tours in Los Angeles, visiting Universal Studios Hollywood or taking a tour of Warner Bros. Studios, among other activities.

Details of interest

  • Trip duration: 35 minutes (approx.)
  • Price: from $9.70 or €8.70 per person.
  • Advantages of using this method This service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
  • How to book this transport: you don't need to book, just buy your ticket at the airport or when you board the bus.
  • Recommended if... you want an inexpensive service that drops you off at the station closest to your hotel.

Book tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood

5. A taxi or Uber, more expensive and faster options

Ordering an Uber| ©freestocks.org
Ordering an Uber| ©freestocks.org

Taxi or Uber services are considered the most expensive options for transport from Los Angeles Airport, but they are definitely the fastest.

These modes of transport are perfect if you want to get to the city as quickly as possible to attend a business meeting or simply enjoy the best celebrity home tours, join a boat trip or fly through the skies on a helicopter tour, among other things.

Once you have disembarked from the aeroplane and are ready to head into the city using any of these services (taxi or Uber), you will need to go to the LAX-it platform. To do so, you will have to walk to this location, which is located outside the airport terminal.

Alternatively, you can take a free bus on the lower level. It will take you there in less than 5 minutes.

At LAX-it, you will find the respective cars parked next to their drivers, ready to offer a private service to your hotel door with immediate departure. You just need to book the option that suits you best:

  • Taxi: this journey to the city centre allows you to travel alone or with your travel companions (maximum 3 people). You will pay an average fare of $46 or €42.
  • Uber: although private, this service also offers a shared option. It all depends on your decision when you get into the car. In any case, the price of the transfer starts at $32 or €28.

Details of interest

  • Journey time: 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Price: from $46 or €42 (taxi) and $32 or €28 (Uber).
  • Advantages of using this method: you will enjoy an immediate departure, so you won't waste a single minute waiting.
  • How to book this transport: these two services do not require a reservation, as you will find a number of cars available (taxi and Uber) when you arrive at the LAX-it platform. However, you can contact a company that offers these services online.
  • Recommended if... you want a comfortable and prompt transfer to your hotel door.
  • Shared transfer
  • Duration 30 minutes
  • Price £90 or €80
  • Availability 24/7
  • Book on the official website
  • Transfer by bus or minibus
  • Private transfer
  • Duration 30 minutes
  • Price £115 or €125
  • Availability 24/7
  • Book on the official website of the service
  • Transfer by car
  • Metro
  • Duration over 1 hour
  • Price $3.75 or €3.65
  • Availability Sunday to Thursday (5:00 a.m. to midnight), Friday and Saturday (until 2:00 a.m.)
  • No reservation
  • Transfer in the Los Angeles metro carriage
  • FlyAway bus
  • Duration: 35 minutes
  • Price $9.70 or €8.70
  • Availability Every day (5:40 a.m. to 11:40 p.m.)
  • No reservation
  • Public bus transfer
  • Taxi or Uber
  • Duration 30 minutes
  • Price $46 or €42 (taxi) $32 or €28 (Uber).
  • Availability 24/7
  • Optional booking
  • Transfer by car

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does the acronym LAX stand for?

    LAX is simply synonymous with Los Angeles, as before 1930 most airport codes consisted of two letters. When it became standard practice to give airports three-letter codes, the letter X was inserted at the end of the two-letter codes to bring them into line with the new nomenclature.

  • How many airports are there in Los Angeles?

    Although LAX is the main airport in Los Angeles, you may be surprised to learn that the county has a total of five airports. In addition to LAX, there is Burbank Airport (BUR), Long Beach Airport (LGB), Santa Ana Airport (SNA), and Ontario Airport (ONT). LAX is the only airport that operates international flights, while the other four are reserved for domestic flights.

  • How early should I arrive at LAX for an international flight?

    LAX is a very busy airport, so it should come as no surprise that the recommendation for international flights is to arrive 3 hours early. In fact, it may be a good idea to arrive even earlier if you are flying during peak hours (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) to avoid stress and arrive with plenty of time to spare for your flight.