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Taxis and ride apps at LAX
Quick questions: taxis and ride apps
Where do Uber, Lyft and taxis pick up at LAX?
At the LAX-it lot, next to Terminal 1. Regular Uber, Lyft and Opoli rides do not pick up at the terminal curbs. You reach LAX-it on foot or on a free shuttle from the green LAX-it signs on the Lower/Arrivals Level outside each terminal.
How often does the LAX-it shuttle run?
Every 3 to 5 minutes, according to the airport. At peak times reviews describe much longer waits because buses arrive full.
Can I take a taxi without going to LAX-it?
Yes, at two more points: inside Parking Structure 3 (between Terminal B and Terminal 3) and at the end of Terminal 7, outside baggage claim, for Terminals 7 and 8.
How much is a taxi to Downtown LA?
Flat rate of USD 46.50, airport fees included. Other destinations are charged by the meter.
Where do taxis and apps drop me off?
At your terminal, on the Upper/Departures Level. The LAX-it detour only applies when you leave the airport.
Critical points and smart traveler playbook
The LAX-it detour after landing
User experience:
- The most repeated complaint at LAX: having to take a bus or walk to LAX-it before you can meet your Uber, Lyft or taxi.
- At peak times many travelers wait 30 to 45 minutes for the shuttle, with full buses passing by without stopping.
- Signs to LAX-it are hard to follow, especially from Terminals 1 and 2 and with construction around the horseshoe.
- Walking takes about 15 minutes and is tiring with luggage, though some travelers prefer it to waiting.
Strategy: Add 30 to 45 minutes to your exit time at peak hours. If the shuttle line is long and you travel light, walk to LAX-it following the green signs. Request the car only once you are at the lot.
Prices and drivers
User experience:
- Ride app prices spike late at night and when many flights land together.
- Experiences with drivers are mixed: smooth rides, but also complaints about detours and little help with bags.
- Some travelers note that premium rides can be closer to the terminal than standard rides, at a much higher price.
Strategy: For Downtown LA, compare the app estimate with the taxi flat rate of USD 46.50. In a taxi, ask for the meter or the flat rate before leaving and follow the route on your phone.
Pros and cons of taxis and ride apps at LAX
- Pros:
- Always available: taxis and ride apps operate 24 hours a day.
- Taxi flat rate: a fixed USD 46.50 to Downtown LA, with no surge pricing.
- Door to door: no transfers once you are in the car.
- Contras:
- LAX-it: the mandatory trip to the lot adds time and effort with luggage.
- Crowded shuttles: long waits at peak times and at night.
- Variable fares: app prices can jump at busy times.
Taxis
Image from YouTube
Taxis drop passengers at the curb on the Upper/Departures Level and can be boarded at three locations:
- LAX-it, next to Terminal 1: walk or take the free shuttle from the green LAX-it signs on the Lower/Arrivals Level outside each terminal.
- Inside Parking Structure 3: between Terminal B and Terminal 3, for passengers arriving at these terminals.
- At the end of Terminal 7: outside baggage claim, for passengers of Terminals 7 and 8.
If you need help boarding or loading your luggage, staff in green vests outside each terminal can assist you. If you require special assistance, tell the shuttle driver: they will call ahead so someone is waiting for you.
Only taxis with the official seal of 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 at +1 310 646 9177. An accessible taxi will be sent to the central terminal area closest to the ACCESS location marked by the DARK BLUE sign at the curb. Service animals ride at no extra 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. Paratransit taxis display the Access Services logo and may pick up passengers at the inner curb of the arrivals area.
Taxi fares from LAX
- → Downtown Los Angeles: USD 46.50 flat rate, airport fees included.
- → Van Nuys: about USD 72*
- → Long Beach: about USD 72*
- → Disneyland Park: about USD 102*
*Metered fares, approximate. Traffic and the time of day can raise them by 20 to 30%.
Ride-sharing apps
Lyft, Opoli and Uber are the authorized ride app providers at LAX. When going to the airport, they drop you directly at your terminal on the Upper/Departures Level.
When leaving LAX, standard rides pick up at the LAX-it lot, next to Terminal 1. You can walk there or take the free shuttle from the green signs.
Tips for a smoother pick-up
- Request at the lot: wait until you are at LAX-it to order the car, so you do not lose your match while waiting for the shuttle.
- Check the pick-up zone: LAX-it has numbered zones; confirm the one the app gives you before walking.
- Keep the receipt: save the digital receipt in case you need to file a claim.
- Other options: for a fixed price with a driver waiting at arrivals, see door-to-door transfers; for the cheapest trip, see FlyAway or public transportation.
