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Layover Calculator, U.S. Customs and Connecting Flights at LAX
Quick questions about immigration and connections at LAX
Where do international flights arrive?
Most at Terminal B (Tom Bradley International). Some airlines use the customs facilities of other terminals, such as Terminal 2 or Terminal 7. Your airline determines which one.
Do I have to collect my bags on an international-to-domestic connection?
Yes. At your first U.S. airport you clear immigration, collect your checked bags, clear customs and drop them at the re-check counter after customs. Then you clear TSA security again.
Do Mobile Passport Control and Global Entry work at LAX?
Yes. LAX has Global Entry, Mobile Passport Control and Enrollment on Arrival. Reviews say the Global Entry line is the one that makes the biggest difference at busy times.
Can I walk between terminals without clearing security again?
On domestic connections, in most cases yes, through the post-security connector that links the terminals. With Terminal 5 closed, the walk between Terminals 4 and 6 is interrupted: regular travelers report an airside shuttle bus, and some reviews say they had to exit and clear TSA again. Ask staff before you start.
How much time do I need for my connection?
Many travelers recommend 3 hours for international-to-domestic connections and at least 1 hour 30 minutes for domestic connections between distant terminals. Use the calculator above for your case.
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Critical points: smart traveler’s manual
Immigration lines
User experience:
- Experiences range from customs in under 10 minutes to lines of more than 2 hours when several international flights land together, especially in the evening.
- Many reviews praise friendly officers once you reach the booth.
Strategy: If you are eligible, complete Mobile Passport Control on your phone before reaching immigration, or use Global Entry.
Second security line
User experience:
- Travelers find it frustrating to exit after customs and clear TSA again, with long walks back to security.
- Some missed their connection because of the combined time of customs and the second screening.
Strategy: Pack duty-free liquids in your checked bag before re-checking it, and use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR if you have them.
Signage and conflicting directions
User experience:
- Several reviews say staff gave them different directions after customs, and construction leaves routes poorly signposted.
- Connections from the United terminals (7 and 8) to Terminal B, or to remote gates by bus, take longer than expected.
Strategy: Check your departure terminal and gate in the airline app before landing, and follow gate numbers rather than terminal names.
Pros and cons of connecting at LAX
- Pros:
- Fast officers: many reviews describe immigration as quick and friendly once you reach the booth.
- Global Entry and MPC: they shorten the immigration line for eligible travelers.
- Airside connector: most domestic connections stay inside security.
- Contras:
- Long lines at peak times: immigration can take more than 2 hours.
- Security again: every international arrival means a second TSA screening.
- Distances: long walks, buses to remote gates and the Terminal 5 closure.
International arrival step by step
- Immigration (CBP): at Terminal B, passport control is on Level 3. Use Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control if you are eligible.
- Baggage claim: collect your checked bags, even if your final destination is another U.S. city.
- Customs: exit through customs with your bags.
- Bag re-check: if you are connecting, drop your bags at the re-check counter after customs.
- TSA security: clear security again at the terminal of your next flight and walk to your gate.
User experience:
- Bags at Terminal B are often slow to reach the carousels.
- Reviews describe long walks from the gate to immigration and from customs back to security.
- Global Entry and MPC users report much shorter lines.
Strategy: If you can, travel with carry-on only: you skip the baggage wait and the re-check.
Connections within LAX
Domestic connections
Same terminal: stay inside security and walk to your gate.
Between terminals: the post-security connector links the terminals in a horseshoe (1-2-3-B-4-6-7-8). Walks between neighboring terminals take about 5 minutes, and between distant terminals 15 to 30 minutes.
Between Terminals 4 and 6: with Terminal 5 closed, regular travelers report an airside shuttle bus; some reviews say they had to exit and clear TSA again. Allow at least 20 extra minutes.
International to domestic
Immigration, bags, customs, bag re-check and TSA again. This is the connection that needs the most time: check it with the calculator above.
Domestic to international
If you arrive in another terminal, walk through the connector to Terminal B or your departure terminal. There is no immigration on departure, but international flights close boarding earlier.
Tips for a smooth connection
- Check both terminals: the arrival and departure terminals decide how long the walk is.
- Download MPC before landing: it shortens the immigration line.
- Duty-free liquids: pack them in your checked bag before re-checking it.
- Separate tickets: if your flights are on different bookings, you must collect your bags, check in again and clear security; allow extra time.
See also connections between terminals, arrivals and TSA PreCheck at LAX.
