NON OFFICIAL. Visitors intending to reach the official website should visit flylax.com
Taxis and ride apps
LAX-it is the new way to reach your taxi or ride app services. You can walk or take a free shuttle bus from the lower/arrivals level, outside each terminal, next to the green LAX-it signs.
Pick-up and drop-off areas: quick questions
Where do taxis and ride apps drop me off and pick me up?
Taxis and ride app vehicles drop passengers at the curb on the upper/departures level, directly at the corresponding terminal. When leaving LAX, taxis and services such as Uber, Lyft and Opoli pick up passengers at the LAX-it lot, next to Terminal 1.
Is it better to walk or take the shuttle to LAX-it?
You can reach LAX-it on foot or by taking a free shuttle that runs every 3–5 minutes. Many users mention that, with luggage or after a long flight, the walk feels tiring, so the shuttle is usually the most comfortable option, especially at night or during peak hours.
How can I keep an eye on the fare?
In taxis, the fare is calculated with a meter and surcharges may apply depending on traffic and time of day. In ride apps, you see an estimated price before confirming the trip. It is advisable to compare the app estimate with typical fares from LAX and to check the route on a map to avoid unnecessary detours.
Pick-up and drop-off areas. User experience in detail.
Image from YouTube
Taxis
Taxis drop passengers at the curb on the upper/departures level and can be boarded at three locations:
- At LAX-it next to Terminal 1: You can walk or take a free shuttle that runs every 3–5 minutes. You must wait by the green LAX-it signs on the lower/arrivals level outside each terminal.
If you need help boarding or loading your luggage, there are people wearing green vests outside each terminal ready to assist you. If you require special assistance, tell the driver when you get on the shuttle. The driver will call ahead and someone will be waiting to help you.
- Inside Parking Structure 3: Between Terminal B and Terminal 3, for passengers arriving at these terminals.
- At the end of Terminal 7: Outside the baggage claim area, for passengers of Terminals 7 and 8.
Only authorized taxis with an official seal issued by the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation may pick up passengers at the airport.
Authorized taxi companies
- Bell Cab Company
- Beverly Hills Cab Company
- City Cab
- Independent Taxi
- United Checker Cab
- United Independent Taxi Drivers (UITD)
- United Taxi of San Fernando Valley (UTSFV)
- Yellow Cab
Accessible taxis
If you need an accessible vehicle, call the taxi dispatch (Tel +1 310 646 9177). An accessible taxi will be sent to the central terminal area of LAX closest to the ACCESS location indicated by the DARK BLUE sign at the curb. Service animals are allowed at no additional charge.
Paratransit users
If you are a registered Paratransit user and requested an airport pick-up, Access Services (the Los Angeles area paratransit provider) will send a taxi to collect you. Paratransit taxis display the Access Services logo and are authorized to pick up passengers from the inner curb of the arrivals area.
Estimated fares from LAX*
→ Downtown Los Angeles: USD64.00
→ Van Nuys: USD72.00
→ Long Beach: USD72.00
→ Disneyland Park: USD102.00
*During peak hours, these fares may increase by 20–30%.
Ride-sharing apps
Lyft, Opoli and Uber are the authorized ride app providers at LAX. When going to LAX, they will drop you directly at your terminal on the upper/departures level.
When leaving LAX, you can board your vehicle at the LAX-it lot, next to Terminal 1. You can walk there or take a free shuttle.
Smart traveler playbook: taxis and ride apps
User experience: Many passengers appreciate having taxis and ride apps available 24/7, but describe LAX-it as an extra, inconvenient step: you have to walk with luggage or wait for a shuttle that can be crowded, and at peak times the trip to the lot feels long and somewhat chaotic.
Strategy: After landing, locate the green LAX-it signs on the arrivals level as soon as you exit and decide whether you prefer to walk or take the shuttle. Add 15–25 minutes to your exit time (more at night or during peak demand) so you do not get stressed by the wait.
User experience: Reviews of taxis and ride app drivers are very mixed: there are fast, smooth trips, but also complaints about unnecessary detours, little help with luggage or disagreements over the final fare.
Strategy: In taxis, ask the driver to use the meter from the start and follow the route on your phone’s map; in ride apps, always double-check the exact pick-up point at LAX-it, review the estimated price before confirming and keep the digital receipt in case you need to file a claim later.
⚖️ Taxis and ride apps at LAX: pros and cons
Pros: Wide availability of vehicles at any time, transparent and trackable pricing in ride apps and a dedicated area (LAX-it) that, while imperfect, helps reduce some of the chaos at the terminal curb.
Cons: The mandatory detour via LAX-it adds extra time and logistics when you have luggage, and many travelers mention longer-than-expected waits and uneven experiences with some drivers. Planning a buffer and knowing the route from the terminal to LAX-it is key to turning an acceptable ride into a stress-free one.