LAX Airport Guide (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport

1 World Way, Los Angeles, California 90045, USA

LAX

1

(310) 646 5252 (24-hour recorded information)

None

infoline@lawa.org

9 (including the Tom Bradley International Terminal)

GMT - 8 (GMT - 7 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October)

The airport is located 24km (15 miles) southwest of Los Angeles.

A new US$250 million runway on the south side of the airport was opened in April 2007 as part of an overall US$333 million project to improve airfield safety at the airport. A US$723.5 million renovation project at the Tom Bradley International Terminal started in February 2007 and is scheduled for completion in March 2010. The project will add some 45,000 square feet of space in the terminal and include major interior renovations as well as installation of an in-line checked-baggage security system and a second boarding gate for new large aircraft.

A free shuttle bus serves all the terminals around the central loop.

The airport is located just off the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy-1) and Hwy-42, near the intersection of Fwy-405 and -Fwy105 (Hwy-1 is also called Lincoln Boulevard just north of the airport and is called Sepulveda Boulevard just south of the airport). From Los Angeles, take Fwy-405 south, turn off onto either Hwy-42 or Fwy-105 west, and follow signs to the airport. Traffic is heavy at peak times and the airport recommends using public transport.

There are about 8,000 parking spaces available in eight central car parks with good access to all the terminals, offering short- and long-term parking. The two perimeter car parks (lots B and C) have cheaper daily rates and the first two hours of parking are free; the LAX shuttle runs between these car parks and the terminals. Metered parking is available in the central terminal area and on the Arrivals level uncovered car parks.

About 40 companies serve the airport, with offices located off-site. These, which include all major car hire companies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz and National, can be contacted via courtesy telephone links inside or near the baggage reclaim areas on the Arrivals level of all terminals. Free shuttles transport passengers to their chosen car company; the shuttles depart from designated areas on the Arrivals level islands in front of each terminal.

Rail: There is a free shuttle service from the airport which runs to the Aviation Station on the green line of the metro light rail network.
Road: Bus: Various airport bus and shuttle van services run to destinations all over southern California, including the Metropolitan Express (tel: 1 800 266 6883; website: www.mta.net) to downtown Los Angeles and Union Station and the FlyAway Bus (tel: 1 866 435 9529; website: www.lawa.org) providing services between the airport and Union Station, Westwood Station and Van Nuys Station every 30 minutes from 0500 to 0100. Public bus services are run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority; buses run from car park Lot C, which is connected to the terminals by Shuttle C; they are also run by Culver City Bus Line, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and Torrance Transit.
Taxi: Taxis and shuttles stop outside the terminals on the lower/Arrivals level. Authorised taxis serve the airport and display fixed fare tariffs to local destinations. Door-to-door shuttle vans are also available.

Travelers Aid booths are located on the lower/Arrivals level of each terminal near baggage reclaim and provide information and assistance for disabled passengers. The airport has a 24-hour recorded information line (tel: (310) 646 5252).

Money and communications: ATMs and bureaux de change are available in all terminals. So are Internet access facilities, including wireless Internet access. Public phones are available in all terminals, and mobile phone rental is available at the Arrivals level in the TBI Terminal. Free electrical recharging stations for mobile phones and laptops are available in all terminals.
Eating and drinking: There are numerous fast-food outlets, bars, coffee shops, restaurants and ice cream parlours across the airport.
Shopping: Shops are plentiful at the airport; duty-free shopping is available in terminals 2-7 and in the TBI Terminal; newsagents, gift shops and bookshops are also widely available.
Luggage: Trolleys are available. There are no longer electronic baggage lockers at the airport. Instead, LAX Internatinal Baggage Service (tel: (310) 863 4109) has a service in place for baggage to be picked up at the airport, stored outside of the airport and then returned to the traveller at an appointed time. Lost property is handed to the LAX Airport Police (tel: (310) 417 0440).
Other facilities: There is a first aid station in the TBI Terminal. AED units (defibrillators) are situated throughout the airport.

Wireless Internet access is available in all public spaces at the airport. In addition, Neptune Networks has kiosks with monitors and keyboards in all terminals. These are available on a pay-for-use basis. There is also Internet dataport access at most public telephones in the terminals. Notary services are available in the TBI Terminal, at the ICE Currency Exchange booth on the Departures level. Fax and photocopying is available at the ICE Currency Exchange booth on the Arrivals level of the TBI Terminal. There is a board room in terminal 3, provided by Alaska Airlines (tel: (310) 342 4476), and two conference rooms in Terminal 1, provided by US Airways (tel: (310) 348 7914). General conference facilities are available at nearby hotels. The Hilton Los Angeles Airport (tel: (310) 410 4000; website: www.hilton.com) provides meeting rooms and banqueting rooms as well as a 24-hour fully equipped business centre.

Facilities include ramps and lifts, adapted toilets, wheelchair-accessible restaurants, fast-food outlets and coffee shops as well as TDD telephones in all terminals. All airport car parks have plenty of disabled spaces, and lift-equipped shuttle buses run between lots B and C and the terminals. Free parking is available for disabled drivers in metered areas; however this is only available to drivers who can display a disabled permit. Wheelchairs can be requested from individual airlines; disabled passengers are advised to inform their airline of their requirements in advance. There is a TDD information line (tel: (310) 417 0439).

There are numerous hotels nearby including the Hilton Los Angeles Airport (tel: (310)410 4000; website: www.hilton.com), Holiday Inn Los Angeles International Airport (tel: (310) 649 5151; website: www.ichotelsgroup.com), Crowne Plaza Hotel (tel: (310) 642 7500; website: www.ichotelsgroup.com) and Best Western Airport Plaza Inn (tel: (310) 568 0071; website: http://book.bestwestern.com). Hotel reservation boards are located on the Arrivals level in each terminal with courtesy telephones for reservations. A hotel reservations office is located in the baggage reclaim areas of all terminals. Many hotels offer free shuttle services to/from the airport.