Welcome to Los Angeles! You have deboarded and got your bag from baggage claim; now what? This post outlines all of the information you need when you arrive in Los Angeles. From tips for the confusing LAXit program to tips for finding cheaper rental cars, this page is dedicated to your first moments in Los Angeles.
Table of Contents
Tips For Leaving LAX
Getting to the Rideshare and Taxi pick-up
In October 2019, LAX implemented a program to ease traffic congestion called LAX-it (LAX Exit). This program has moved taxi and rideshare pick-ups to a lot slightly off-site and east of the main terminals. This means a more elaborate departure than other domestic and international airports.
Note: The directions below are for taxi and economy rideshare options. See below for curbside pick-up options.
How to get to the LAXit Lot
- Once you get off your flight, follow the directions to the baggage claim area; even if you don’t have luggage to pick up,
- Once you have picked up your bag or skipped it because you do not have a bag, head outside the baggage claim area,
- An LAX-it shuttle will pull up right outside the baggage claim at a designated stop–look for bright green signage. Shuttles are supposed to run every 3-5 minutes or-,
- Depending on the distance, Terminals 1 & 7 are the closest; you can also walk.
- You can take a taxi at the lot, available right away, or arrange for Uber or Lyft pick-up. See Uber and Lyft-specific information below.
- NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE THE UBER/LYFT APP DOWNLOADED BEFORE YOU GET TO THE LOT. I watched a woman try to download the app in the LAXit lot on her iPad. She was really struggling.
This Ugly Beautiful City Tip: Walk to LAXit
After a long flight of sitting, the last thing I want to do is wait for a shuttle. My biggest piece of LAX advice is to walk to the LAXit Lot if you are able.
I have great roller luggage and often only travel with a backpack and a carry-on. So, going for a walk post-flight is easy and welcome. If you are traveling with large check-in bags or with a group taking the shuttle makes more sense.
Read further for curbside pick-up options. I also suggest curbside pick-up if you need accessibility options.
Leaving LAX Via Uber Or Lyft
Economical options
The above directions are for the more economical options of Uber X, Uber XL, Uber Comfort, Lyft, Lyft XL, and Lyft Wait and Save.
- Once you arrive at the LOT, arrange your Uber or Lyft like normal (I do not recommend booking when your plane lands.)
- You will be asked to enter a pick-up location (Like B 22, look for the area and number in the lot)
- Once you are in the LAXit lot–there are customer service people there to help–you are directed to the Uber and Lyft queues. (Customer service stops at 9:00 p.m,)
- You are assigned a driver with name, make & model of car, and their license plate, like normal.
The more expensive option (but it picks you up curbside)
Uber and Lyft still pick up curbside, but only more expensive and luxe rides.
- For Uber, select Uber Black, Black SUV, or Lux
- For Lyft, select Lyft Luxe.
Re: Company retreat
-Amanda B.
She (This Ugly Beautiful City) made the confusing experience of leaving LAX easy with her step-by-step directions from our terminal to the rideshare lot.
Taxis, charters, and Flyaway
- Taxi’s are not allowed to do curbside pick-up and are accessible at the LAXit lot.
- For bigger groups, I suggest B&W Limo (Not affiliated. I worked with them a lot at my former place of employment.)
- Flyaway–If your first stop from LAX is to Downtown or Van Nuys, I recommend the FlyAway bus service. This bus goes back and forth between these locations all day with no stops in between. Cost varies depending on your destination. Look for more information here.
Departing LAX to go back home
Arriving at LAX via taxi, Uber, and Lyft at this point remains unchanged, and you can still be dropped curbside for your departing flight.
Hotel And Car Rental Shuttles
If you are staying close to LAX or renting a car to get around Los Angeles, shuttles will be waiting for you at the baggage claim level. There is a lane that is dedicated to car rental and hotel shuttles.
Rental Cars
You can save money by getting a rental car outside of the airport area. There are several rental car companies in Culver City, which is a cheap Uber/Lyft away. The lines are a lot shorter too.
Frequently Asked Question: Should I rent a car?
This really depends on what is on your Los Angeles itinerary. I would love to chat with you about your trip to Los Angeles. I can get you hotel deals, car rentals, and help you plan your Los Angeles itinerary.
Tips for leaving Burbank/Bob Hope Airport
Getting a ride share from this airport is more straightforward than LAX. All rideshare and taxi pick-up is outside of terminal B. They have created a video to make it very clear. See that here. This also includes helpful car rental and other modes of transportation.
Tips for leaving Long Beach International Airport
You can get a rideshare curbside–I type with envy. Taxis pick up at their dedicated stand outside terminal A. More information about rental cars and other modes of transportation is here.
Tips For L.A. Tourists Who Want To Use Public Transit
I used to depend solely on Public Transit to get around the city. I hope this blog is a testament to how much you can do with a bus pass. Time Out wrote an excellent article about how to use public transit in Los Angeles.
You can now pay for Metro and regional fares and passes by an app. Download the metro app here. Accepted everywhere that accepts TAP.
Scooters And City Bike Programs
Scooters
Los Angeles is one of a handful of cities that have motorized scooter rentals. It isn’t hard to walk a few feet and find either a Bird or an Uber scooter. These app-based transit modes allow you to unlock a scooter and pay as you ride. If you already have the Uber app, you can find available scooters in your area without downloading another app.
Bikes
LA Metro also has a bike program where you can rent bikes with your Tap Card, which is our card to use almost all major bus lines and Metrolink for an extra fee. Now you can use it to rent bikes. Metro has some smart bikes that are rentable via an app at some locations.
Some rules to follow
- Helmets are required for both bikes and scooters in Los Angeles
- You either follow the traffic rules as a car or as a pedestrian. That means that if you are riding in the street, obey traffic lights, and if you want to use a crosswalk walk your scooter/ bike.
- No riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks
- You will see people disobey these rules constantly in Los Angeles. It doesn’t mean it is right.
- In Santa Monica, they are especially vigilant about the above rules and will ticket.
Tips For Tourists To L.A. In Regard To Money And Currency
The currency in Los Angeles is the United States Dollar (USD). While having some cash may be useful, major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, and American Express) are accepted pretty much everywhere, including at most food trucks. Paying via phone with Apple Pay or Google Wallet has also become more widely accepted.
For those of you from China, I also see an increase in places that accept Alipay and WeChatPay in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and the Grove.
ATMs/Cash Point
There used to be more universal ATMs located around the city, but now these are located inside or close to banks. There are local branches of Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, and Citi. Many of these banks charge a fee to use these machines. You may also see a charge from your bank at home.
For Visitors Outside The US
If you need cash, I strongly that you avoid exchanging currency at the airport, where the rates are some of the highest. If you can wait, I would go to Currency Exchange International, which has two locations in Los Angeles. This is also a useful service for residents to exchange currency before leaving for trips abroad.
Language
American English is the most widely spoken language in Los Angeles, but it isn’t hard to walk fifty feet in any direction and hear Spanish, Russian, French, Mandarin, Zapotec, French, Korean, Cebuano, or any other world language being spoken. Although this city is multi-lingual, most tours and events are led in English.
Questions?
If there is a question I didn’t answer, please feel free to leave them in the comments or contact me.
I hope this page helped you during your first moments in Los Angeles.
This Ugly Beautiful City is a 100% self-funded publication. If you have used any of the advice on these pages and would like to send a thank you, consider buying me a coffee.
