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01
Avoid LAX-it at any cost
LAX airport recently constructed a new lot where passengers can hop in their taxis or rideshares. It's got clean toilets, WiFi, and food trucks. Sure, it sounds convenient if you feel like hanging around the airport for an expensive lunch. But if you want to get out of the airport ASAP, skip LAX-it. It's notorious for being a convoluted pick-up zone and it only complicates things.
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02
Use apps to navigate
If you're not sure what the best combination of transportation is for you, download an app that can detail every step of the journey. Google Maps, Transit, and Citymotion are great apps to use in LA. Or if you have a preferred app, it probably works in LA. Whatever you use, it's going to make your journey a lot easier and stress-free.
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03
Take the FlyAway Bus
The FlyAway bus is a cheap and convenient way to get from LAX to Van Nuys, Downtown Los Angeles (Union Station), Hollywood, and Long Beach. You don't need to reserve tickets - card payments are accepted at the FlyAway pickup locations at the airport. One-way tickets cost between $8 and $9.75 depending on where you get off.
FlyAway bus stops are located in every terminal on the lower/arrivals level near the blue FlyAway columns. The buses leave every 15 minutes to an hour - check the bus schedules here.
FlyAway buses don't make any stops, and because they drive in the bus lane, they are a fast way to travel. If your destination isn't any of the four stops listed above, it is easy to catch a taxi or Uber from these locations. This is the fastest and cheapest way to get into LA.
Note: at busy times, the buses fill up quickly and skip picking up passengers if the bus is full. If you have time, make your way to the first terminals (1,2,3) to get a chance to be the first one on the bus.
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04
Get the Green Line shuttle to the Metro
LAX offers a free shuttle bus that connects to the Metro Green Line, which runs east-west through Southern LA. You can also connect to the rest of the Metro system using the Silver Line, which will take you to Downtown LA.
Green Line shuttles can be found at every airport terminal on the lower/arrivals level. Once you arrive at the Metro station, buy a TAP card to pay for the train.
There's also a parking lot at the Green Line Metro station, where you can request a taxi or Uber after arriving there on the shuttle. It's minutes away from the 105/405 freeway, so you'll find this a lot faster than hailing your cab from inside the airport.
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05
Catch a bus
Locals know about LAX's best kept secret: a public transit hub located just outside the airport. If you're going to the Westside or South Bay, this is a good option for you.
From LAX, catch the "City Bus Center/Lot South" (pink zone) to the bus center. It's just a parking lot really - there are no shade shelters or toilets, but there are some benches and a TAP card machine (which are always useful to have). Bus fares range from $1 to $1.75.
From here, you can catch the following buses: Metro, Culver City Bus, Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus, Torrance Transit, and Beach Cities Transit. Use an app to know which bus you should catch to get to your destination.
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06
Get picked up by a friend/rideshare (not recommended)
LAX is notorious for having long waiting times for incoming traffic, and this problem has only gotten worse since the implementation of the new LAX-it lot. In October 2019, the airport banned pickups (Uber, taxis and personal cars) from curbside pickups: all pickups are now directed to the LAX-it area. Passengers waiting for shuttles have an estimated waiting time of 10 minutes; passengers waiting to get picked up by cars in the LAX-it lot wait for around 20 minutes.
An Uber or taxi is going to cost a LOT more than the bus or metro, and if you're asking a family member or friend to pick you up, calculate whether your relationship can handle it with this equation. Save yourself time and money, or a friendship, and choose one of the options above instead.
How To Get Out Of LAX Airport With No Stress
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the third busiest airport in the world, and more travelers start or finish their journey there than at any other airport. That means there's a lot of traffic coming in and out. But getting out of LAX doesn't have to be stressful, especially if you follow one of the steps below.
Continuing your journey elsewhere? Check out our other guides, like how to get out of JFK airport.
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