Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is just 19 miles from the center of Los Angeles. To reach the airport by car from Los Angeles, take I-110 South to I-105 west, and follow the signs to the airport. You will take CA-1 north to Century Boulevard, and follow the signs to World Way. The airport's address is 1 World Way. Traffic in Los Angeles, particularly near the airport, can be horrendous. Driving yourself to the airport can be quite a hassle, so you might want to consider taking public transportation instead.

The Los Angeles International Airport is served by several bus lines, including Culver City Bus Lines, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Torrance Transit, and the Metro Bus. You can choose whichever of these buses is the most convenient for you from your destination. You can also ride the Metro Rail to the Aviation Metro Rail Station. From the station you can take a free shuttle to the terminal building.

Hiring a taxi to drive you to the airport is another option you can consider. If you are traveling from outside the greater Los Angeles area, you can consider riding a bus or one of the many long distance van services that come to the airport. Roadrunner Shuttle, for instance, takes passengers to the airport form Simi Valley, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara County. Many of the major hotels in Los Angeles have shuttle services to and from the airport as well.

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The Los Angeles International Airport has eight parking lots or garages on its land. This means there are 8,000 places to park. Beyond these, there are independently operated parking lots just outside of the property of the airport. Finding the right one for your needs can sometimes be confusing.

Those who are driving to the airport to pick someone up do not have to pay to park if they use the Cell Phone Waiting Lot. This parking lot is just outside of the terminal buildings, and provides people a place to wait until a plane lands and they can drive to the terminal to pick up passengers. While there is no charge to use this lot, the car cannot be left unattended, because it is not meant to be a parking lot.

The central terminal parking garages are intended for short term parking and charge by the hour. The first hour or portion thereof that a car is parked here costs $3. Each additional 30 minutes costs $2. The maximum for a day is $30. Motorcycles can park for free at this lot, provided they do not park in a space reserved for a car but rather park along the edges of the lot. Lot C, located on 96th street, does not charge for the first 2 hours, but charges $1 per 2 hours after, up to $10 for a day. Lot B charges the same as Lot C, but the daily cap is $8. Lot B is located at 111th Street.

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Once you arrive at the airport for an outgoing flight, you will need to check in. If you are flying internationally, you should allow 3 hours for check in and security. If you are flying domestically, plan to arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight. Each passenger can check up to two bags weighing 50 pounds or less when they fly.

The Los Angles International Airport offers a unique service for its domestic passengers. Anyone flying within the United States through this airport can check in and check their baggage before they arrive at the airport, up to 3 hours before their flight. This service is offered at FlyAway bus stations in Union Station, Van Nuys, and Westwood. This means that the passengers will not have to wait in line when they arrive at the airport, struggle getting their baggage on and off of shuttles, and risking being late for their flight because of extended wait times. Instead, the FlyAway staff will take their baggage to the airline, and the passengers can proceed directly to the security checkpoint upon arrival at the airport.

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Once you are done checking in, you will have to go through the security checkpoint before heading to your gate and your flight. It is crucial to allow enough time to go through security before your flight. When you enter security, be sure that all of your carryon luggage is ready to be inspected. Any laptop computers or other large electronics must come out of their cases and be sent through the x-ray machine separately. Also, if you have any liquids or gels that you need to travel with, they must be in 3 ounce containers and put into one zip top bag. This bag must go through separately. Baby food and bottles can be larger than 3 ounces, but they must be shown to the security personnel.

When you arrive at the checkpoint, you will be asked to remove your shoes and send them through the x-ray machine. You will also need to go through a metal detector. You will need to remove all metal, including your belt buckle, and send it through the x-ray machine so that you can pass through the metal detector. Also, be prepared for the chance that you might have to be screened separately. The new security protocols require all airports to screen random passengers throughout the day. Finally, any special equipment, such as strollers or car seats for children, will be sent through the x-ray machine. Keep in mind that the security checkpoint is monitored by the TSA, not the staff of the Los Angeles International Airport.

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If you are traveling for business, there are a few things that the Los Angeles International Airport provides that you will find helpful. Most of these services are in the Tom Bradley Terminal, which is the terminal for international travelers. You can rent a cell phone at the in the arrivals area. This is helpful for those who have flown in to Los Angeles and do not have a cell phone with them that works in the area. The arrivals level also has a currency exchange and a fax and photocopy service. A notary public is available at the ICE Currency Exchange Booth in the departure level of the terminal.

Wireless Internet access is available in all of the terminals in the Los Angeles International Airport. The Wi-Fi service is provided through T-Mobile HotSpotSM. For a per-minute fee, any passenger that has a Wi-Fi enabled laptop can connect to the Internet. Also, those who are going to be in the airport for an extended period of time can purchase a DayPass that allows them to connect for a cheaper rate. Several of the First Class and Business Class Lounges have free Internet services for business passengers. Finally, all public telephones in the airport have data ports for those needing wired Internet access.

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Because you have to arrive at the airport so long before your flight, you will probably want to get something to eat at some point while you are at the Los Angeles International Airport. This will not be a problem, because there are over 60 places to eat in the airport. Each terminal has fast food, snacks, and fine dining options.

Most of the terminals have a Burger King. Other fast food options include McDonald's, the California Pizza Kitchen, and City Deli. If you are a morning traveler, you can get some breakfast or a great cup of coffee at Diedrich Coffee, Starbuck's, Cinnabon, Euro Coffee and Haagen Dazs, or Java Java. If you are in the mood for something a little spicy, consider La Salsa, El Paseo, or El Cholo Cantina. Oriental food can be found at Hamada Orient Express or Sushi Boy. If you are in the mood for fine dining, consider stopping at Wolfgang Puck. Of course, sandwiches are popular travel food, and you can purchase one at Monet's, Creative Croissants, or Backlot Deli.

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If you forgot something that you need for your trip, want to pick up a current newspaper, or need a last minute gift from California before heading home, the Los Angeles International Airport has several shops that will help you out. Go Travel carries travel items that you can use to make your flight more enjoyable. Hudson Gift and News is a great place to pick up a souvenir or a newspaper to read on your way. Crews of California is another popular shop, and there is one in almost every terminal. If you need something to listen to on your flight, consider stopping at Alti Tunes. Caterina's and California Market are also popular, and fine gifts are available at Brookstone.

If you need a gift from Los Angeles, head over to the I Love L.A. store. If you are traveling with children, you can pick up something to keep them busy on your flight at Kidsworks. See's Candy is a great place to stop to get some treats to eat on your flight. The Spirit of the Red Horse has beautiful Native American gifts you can purchase. Did you lose some of your favorite lotion at the security checkpoint? After passing security, you can replace it at The Body Shop.

If you are traveling out of the country, you can purchase items tax free at the duty free shops in the Los Angeles International Airport. There is a Duty Free Shop in Terminals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Here you can purchase food, gifts, clothing, jewelry, and electronics that are free from the duties you would normally pay on these items when bringing them into your country at the and of your trip.

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If you are traveling and are in need of special assistance, the staff at the Los Angeles International Airport can help. All buses and transportation shuttles that service the airport have handicapped accessibility. The restrooms, phones, and seating areas throughout the airport are handicapped friendly as well. The airlines that service the airport have wheelchairs you can use if you request it ahead of time. The airport has also recently purchased a special assistance vehicle that takes handicapped passengers to the remote gates and helps them board the plane without the need to use the stairs. Also, those who need the assistance of a health care professional or guardian can have that individual with them after the security checkpoint, even if the person being of assistance is not a ticketed passenger.

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The Los Angeles International Airport has several special services for its patrons. The Traveler's Aid program helps travelers who need some extra assistance while in the airport. For instance, the staff of the Traveler's Aid program provides language interpretation services for 130 different languages. These individuals also help people make it to their connecting flights and provide emergency assistance to anyone who is stranded or confused about their travel plans.

The Los Angeles International Airport also employs several LAX Ambassadors. These employees are stationed throughout the terminals to provide direction and assistance to passengers. They are trained in the operation of the airport, and know where things are and how to get you to your destination. Since the airport has eight terminals, it can get quite confusing. These employees are hired to help make the airport easier to navigate, even if it is your first time there.

Finally, the Los Angeles International Airport provides a USO Lounge to serve those in the military. This lounge is outside of Terminal 2 and provides food and entertainment to military personnel who are traveling through the airport. It also provides emergency services and information about the Los Angeles area to those who are traveling into the city for military reasons. A television, books, and magazines help entertain soldiers and their families while they are at the airport.

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