LAX · Los Angeles, CA · Major Hub

Los Angeles International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 9 terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
  • Minimum connection time: 45 min domestic, 2 hr international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr 30 min before international
  • To Los Angeles: about 45 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes

Terminals & connections

Los Angeles International Airport has 9 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA. This is the single most important LAX fact: most terminal transfers require exiting security and walking (or taking the LAX Shuttle A) to the next terminal, then re-clearing TSA. Airside walkways exist only between T4-TBIT and T6-T7/8. Always budget 25+ minutes for inter-terminal transfers, plus TSA time. The new LAX Automated People Mover (APM) is rolling out.

Terminal 1

1 airline: Southwest Airlines

Southwest hub.

Terminal 2

1 airline: Delta Air Lines

Delta partner carriers.

Terminal 3

1 airline: Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines hub.

Terminal 4

1 airline: American Airlines

American Airlines hub; connected to Tom Bradley via airside walkway.

Terminal 5

4 airlines: JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines

Low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers.

Terminal 6

1 airline: Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines hub.

Terminal 7/8

1 airline: United Airlines

United Airlines hub (combined Terminal 7 and 8).

Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)

12 airlines: British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and more

Most international arrivals and many intl departures.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
45 min
Domestic to international
1 hr 30 min
International to domestic
2 hr
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
Limited airside connections (T4-TBIT via walkway, T6-T7/8 via walkway); most transfers require exiting security
Airside connected
No

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave LAX.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at LAX is 35 minutes at peak and 15 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 2 hr before a domestic flight and 3 hr 30 min before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

TBIT and T4 can see peak waits of 40+ minutes; T1 and T5 tend to be faster. Each terminal has its own checkpoint.

Lounges

3 notable lounges at LAX, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge

Terminal 4

American / OneWorld

Access: Flagship First/Business same-day intl, OneWorld Emerald

Amenities: Showers, A la carte dining

Star Alliance Lounge

Tom Bradley International Terminal

Star Alliance

Access: Star Alliance Gold, premium intl cabins

Amenities: Outdoor terrace, Showers, Buffet

Qantas First Lounge

Tom Bradley International Terminal

Qantas / OneWorld

Access: OneWorld Emerald + First Class

Amenities: Signature dining, Showers

Amenities

5 of 7 core amenities available at LAX: showers, sleep pods, free WiFi, nursing rooms, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 2 terminals.

Showers

Available

Premium lounges; Minute Suites TBIT

Sleep pods

Available (from $45/hr)

Minute Suites (TBIT)

WiFi

Free (good)

Free WiFi with no time limit.

Nursing rooms

Available

All terminals

Chapel

Not available

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas in all terminals

Dining highlights

Tom Bradley: Petrossian Caviar & Champagne Bar, Shake Shack, ink.sack

Terminal 4: Campanile, Rock & Brews

Ground transport to Los Angeles

LAX is about 45 min from downtown Los Angeles by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
Uber/Lyft (LAX-it)
Rideshare
Rideshare pickup is at LAX-it, a dedicated lot accessed by free shuttle.
 $30-$80 25-75 min
Metro C Line (via LAX shuttle)
Subway
Free shuttle to Aviation/LAX station, then Metro C to Green/Blue lines.
 $2 50-70 min
FlyAway bus
Bus
Nonstop to Union Station downtown.
 $10 45-90 min

Parking

LAX parking ranges from $25/day economy to $60/day short-term. Economy parking (Lot E) is cheapest; shuttle to terminal.

Short-term
$60/day
Long-term
$35/day
Economy
$25/day
Valet
$75/day

Can I leave LAX during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside LAX. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Los Angeles. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 30 min plus re-screening on return.

LAX traffic is unpredictable. Santa Monica or Venice Beach are 20-40 minutes by rideshare (closer than downtown). Only leave the airport with 6+ hours and factor in re-security time at your departure terminal.

Overnight layover hotels

  • H Hotel LAX
    On-airport shuttle
    $$
  • Hyatt Regency LAX
    1-min shuttle
    $$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at LAX?

Arrive at least 120 minutes before a domestic flight from LAX, and 210 minutes before an international flight. Peak-time TSA waits at LAX can hit 35+ minutes, so add buffer.

What is the minimum connection time at LAX?

LAX requires at least 45 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 120 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. LAX terminals are not all airside-connected; expect to re-clear security between some terminals. Transfer system: Limited airside connections (T4-TBIT via walkway, T6-T7/8 via walkway); most transfers require exiting security.

How long does it take to get between terminals at LAX?

Budget 10 min for same-terminal transfers and 25 min for different-terminal transfers at LAX via Limited airside connections (T4-TBIT via walkway, T6-T7/8 via walkway); most transfers require exiting security. This is the single most important LAX fact: most terminal transfers require exiting security and walking (or taking the LAX Shuttle A) to the next terminal, then re-clearing TSA. Airside walkways exist only between T4-TBIT and T6-T7/8. Always budget 25+ minutes for inter-terminal transfers, plus TSA time. The new LAX Automated People Mover (APM) is rolling out.

Can I leave LAX during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside LAX. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 90 minutes plus re-screening. LAX traffic is unpredictable. Santa Monica or Venice Beach are 20-40 minutes by rideshare (closer than downtown). Only leave the airport with 6+ hours and factor in re-security time at your departure terminal.

Does LAX have showers?

Yes, LAX has showers at Premium lounges; Minute Suites TBIT.

Does LAX have sleep pods?

Yes. Minute Suites (TBIT) offers private sleep rooms starting around $45/hour.

Is WiFi free at LAX?

Yes. LAX offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free WiFi with no time limit.

What is the cheapest way to get from LAX to Los Angeles?

The cheapest option is typically Metro C Line (via LAX shuttle) at $2, taking 50-70 minutes. Free shuttle to Aviation/LAX station, then Metro C to Green/Blue lines.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at LAX?

LAX supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 35 minutes. TBIT and T4 can see peak waits of 40+ minutes; T1 and T5 tend to be faster. Each terminal has its own checkpoint.

Where should I eat at LAX during a layover?

Notable dining at LAX includes Petrossian Caviar & Champagne Bar (Tom Bradley), Shake Shack (Tom Bradley), ink.sack (Tom Bradley), Campanile (Terminal 4), Rock & Brews (Terminal 4). Dining is spread across 2 terminals or concourses, so check your departure gate before committing to a sit-down meal.

How much does parking cost at LAX?

LAX parking rates: $60/day short-term, $35/day long-term, $25/day economy, $75/day valet. Economy parking (Lot E) is cheapest; shuttle to terminal.

Is there a hotel at LAX for overnight layovers?

Yes. H Hotel LAX is on-airport (On-airport shuttle) in the $$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at LAX?

LAX has 9 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1: Southwest Airlines; Terminal 2: Delta Air Lines; Terminal 3: Delta Air Lines; Terminal 4: American Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at LAX?

Yes. Pet relief areas in all terminals. LAX has a therapy dog program (PUP).

Compare LAX to other airports

See how LAX ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers LAX is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods LAX has Minute Suites (TBIT) from $45/hr Shortest MCT LAX dom-to-dom: 45 min · intl-to-dom: 2 hr

Airlines operating at LAX

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of LAX.

Pack for your Los Angeles trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by LAX.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Los Angeles International Airport before flying.