Transfer Options from LAX Airport to Downtown Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport lies within an 18-mile/30-km distance from the city center. Although it is the main airport in Los Angeles, it isn’t as adequately connected to the heart of LA as one would think. In any case, the most comfortable and hassle-free LAX transportation options are taxis and luxurious LAX airport transfers. Conversely, the means of public transportation from Los Angeles Airport to downtown are either indirect, time-consuming, or both. Still, the airport is linked to the city center via bus and metro. On the other hand, one of the most preferred ways to get from LAX to downtown (especially when the reserved hotel offers parking services) is via an autonomous LAX airport car rental.
| Options | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 55.15 | 51.75 | 30 min |
| Bus | 9.75 | 9.15 | 30 min |
| Metro | 1.75 | 1.64 | 70 min |
How to Get from LAX to Downtown LA by Taxi
LAX airport taxis are highly valued by travelers who land at Los Angeles International Airport. Verily, even though Angelenos prefer driving, LAX passengers often opt for a taxi service for their ride from Los Angeles Airport to downtown. Taxis operate around the clock, after all. Please note that LA taxis don’t have the same color. What’s more, you won’t find a taxi rank outside your terminal, but you’ll have to walk to the LAX-it area. The LAX-it zone is where airport taxis and ride-share companies pick up their passengers. It was constructed to decongest the LAX terminal buildings. It lies close to T1, within a 4-minute walking distance. From T2, T7, and T8, LAX-it is 10 minutes away on foot, whereas from TBIT, T3, T4, T5, and T6, passengers have to walk 16-19 minutes to get their cab. Alternatively, the free airport shuttle calls every 3-5 minutes at all terminals (at the Green LAX-it sign) and transfers passengers to LAX-it. However, passengers landing at TBIT or T3 can also catch their cab from the taxi rank lying on the first floor of Car Park P3, while passengers arriving at T7 and T8 will find a taxi stand on the east side of T7, right outside the baggage claim area.
Only certain authorized taxicab companies are allowed to pick up passengers from LAX Airport. On the contrary, all taxis can drop off their clients.
Rides from LAX Airport to downtown LA come with fixed prices, although taxi transfers are overall metered. Hence, the taxi journey from Los Angeles Airport to downtown costs 55.15$/51.75€ (51.15$/48€ + a 4$/3.75€ airport fee) and lasts around 30 minutes (the traveling time may rise to even 85 minutes when roads are congested). A 10%-15% tip is usually customary. As far as the payment methods are concerned, cash and bank cards are both accepted. Moreover, card payments don’t bring an extra fee. The taxi driver is obligated to give receipts. As a matter of fact, you can ask the driver to send you the receipt by text or email. Last but not least, there are accessible taxis in LAX Airport (upon previous reservation), while service animals can’t be denied the ride or charged extra.
Downtown LA is the zone surrounded by Alameda St., Santa Monica Fwy, Cesar E. Chavez, Harbor Fwy, Union Station, and Chinatown.
How to Get from LAX to Downtown LA by Bus
The fastest and most comfortable public transportation option to get from LAX Airport to downtown Los Angeles is the LAX FlyAway Bus. Verily, LAX FlyAway Buses depart from the Arrivals level of each terminal. Their stop is marked by a Blue LAX FlyAway sign. They run every 30 minutes from 05:40 am to 01:10 am and need 30 minutes to reach their terminus, the Union Station, in the city center. Nevertheless, during rush hours, their journey can last up to 60-70 minutes. Overall, buses are comfy and equipped with charging points while passengers have access to free Wi-Fi. Moreover, they are accessible and accept pet rides as well. However, they don’t have restrooms. An adult one-way ticket costs 9.75$/9.15€, whereas two children younger than 5 for each paying adult travel for free. Tickets are available online or through the relevant app. Online tickets are already activated and just need to be scanned on the bus validators. On the other hand, tickets bought through the app have to be activated. Please bear in mind that once they are activated, they are valid for a 3-hour period of time.
Should your destination lie in downtown LA but away from Union Station, you’ll find several bus and subway lines from the station to your journey’s end.
Our Tip: there are numerous public buses and metro buses linking LAX Airport to various parts of Los Angeles (downtown included). Nevertheless, they depart from the LAX City Bus Center, meaning that you’ll have to take the free Shuttle C from your terminal to the bus stop. Moreover, even if they are far cheaper, they are time-consuming and entail a lot of hassle (change of lines, waiting time, etc.). Still, if you travel on a tight budget, you should check out the available options.
How to Get from LAX to Downtown LA by Metro
To begin with, there is no direct metro ride from LAX Airport to downtown Los Angeles. Truly, Los Angeles Airport doesn’t house a train station. Thus, passengers have to take the free Shuttles G to the Aviation/LAX Station. Shuttles stop at all terminals (you’ll easily spot the departing locations indicated by the PINK LAX Shuttle signs) every 15-20 minutes. Their traveling time is around 15 minutes. Once you get to Aviation/LAX Station, you’ll catch the Metro C Line (Green Line) running from 03:49 am to 00:08 am on a 10-minute frequency (every 12-15 minutes during off-peak hours). Nevertheless, the C Line doesn’t reach downtown. Hence, you’ll disembark at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station and change to Metro A Line (Blue Line), which operates from 03:54 am to 11:34 pm. Your final stop will be 7th Street/Mero Center Station. You can expect a total journey of 70 minutes from LAX Airport to downtown Los Angeles.
The metro transfer from Los Angeles Airport to downtown will cost you 1.75$/1.64€. Moreover, you’ll need a TAP Card to pay for your ticket fares. TAP Cards are reusable cards that are priced at 2$/1.88€. They are available through the station’s automatic vendors, online, or through the app. Please remember that TAP Cards allow free transfers within a 2-hour period of time and can be reloaded through the automatic machines, the relevant app, via authorized vendors, online, or simply by calling TAP Customer Service. What’s more, TAP Cards come with fare capping, meaning that you’ll be charged up to a maximum amount of money for all your public transfers (5$/4.70€ for daily transfers and 18$/16.90€ for weekly rides). Once you pay those fees, your onward rides (via means of public transport) will be out of charge (provided that you pay with the TAP Card). Fare capping will be proven of great value if you are planning to mainly use LA’s public transportation system during your stay.
Our Tip: LAX Airport is being renovated to meet the rising passenger traffic during the Olympic Games 2028, which will be held in LA. At the end of the renovation project, a new station (LAX/Metro Transit Center Station) will be constructed, housing Metro Lines C and K. It will be linked to LAX terminals via the automated people mover.
How to Get from LAX to Downtown LA by Car Rental
Angelenos are known for not using LA’s public transportation network. They clearly prefer driving. Thus, if you want to get from LAX to downtown LA the “Angelenos way”, you should opt for a LAX airport car rental. You’ll find several car rental companies with desks in the LAX Car Rental Center, linked to the terminals via free airport shuttles. Alternatively, more car rental agencies are to be found at the Remote Rental Car Depot, a little further from the airport complex. They offer airport shuttle services as well. Consequently, it is evident that the competition is harsh, and consequently, the prices tend to be affordable. Still, if you book your car rental well in advance, you’ll find more available car types and more deals and offers.
The ride from Los Angeles Airport to downtown lasts around 30 minutes. Still, if you begin your airport ride during rush hours, you’ll most probably have to deal with congested roads. In that case, your journey may last up to 85 minutes! Once you reach the city center, you’ll have to park your Los Angeles car rental. In general terms, parking isn’t as hard as in other U.S. cities. Hence, if your accommodation doesn’t provide parking services, you’ll find many car parks in the heart of LA, whereas metered parking on the street isn’t out of the question.
Our Tip: LA highways have up to 6 lanes! Therefore, GPS is always handy for first time comers in Los Angeles.
LAX Airport Transfers from Los Angeles Airport to Downtown
If you want to reach your accommodation in style and comfort as soon as you land at Los Angeles Airport, you should book a LAX airport transfer. LAX airport transfers are considered the most lavish way to travel from the airport, as they offer high-quality and customized services. Hence, if you want to optimize your airport ride, you should book your transfer in advance. In that way, you’ll find the best deals, and you’ll be able to tailor the journey to your exact needs (pick up the right car class for you, add any required extra amenities, etc.).
FAQs
How to get from LAX to downtown LA?
The most comfortable ways to travel from LAX Airport to downtown Los Angeles are taxis and private transfers. Alternatively, airport car rentals guarantee autonomous rides. On the other hand, the LAX FlyAway Bus and the metro are the most affordable options for the transfer to the heart of LA.
How far is LAX to downtown LA?
Los Angeles International Airport is located relatively close to the city center. Thus, it lies 18 miles/30km from downtown LA. As a matter of fact, it is to be found in LA’s southwest side, close to the Pacific Ocean.
How long to get from LAX to downtown?
A taxi ride, a LAX airport transfer, and a car rental will take you from LAX to downtown LA in about 30 minutes. Nevertheless, during rush hours, the ride may last up to 85 minutes. On the other hand, a LAX FlyAway transfer lasts around 30–60 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions, whereas if you opt for a metro ride, you’ll need around 70 minutes to reach your destination.
How much is a taxi from LAX to downtown flat rate?
Although LA taxis are metered (some taxicab companies offer set fares for various rides, though), the transfer from LAX Airport to downtown Los Angeles comes with a fixed fare. Thus, you’ll pay 55.15$/51.75€, no matter the traffic conditions or the time of the day.