- Terminals
- 9 terminals in a horseshoe (T1–T8 + Tom Bradley International Terminal)
- Distance to city
- About 18 miles (29 km) from Downtown LA
- Getting downtown
- Automated People Mover + Metro, shuttles, taxi, rideshare (40–75 min)
- Min. connection time
- ~90 min domestic; 2–3 hrs international (terminal changes common)
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
Los Angeles International is the primary gateway to Southern California and one of the busiest airports in the world. Its nine terminals are arranged in a U-shaped horseshoe, and the airport has long been undergoing a major modernisation — including a new Automated People Mover (APM) train that finally connects the terminals to the LA Metro rail system and consolidated car rental.
This guide explains the terminal layout, the new people mover, and how to get into the city.
Terminals & Layout
LAX has eight numbered terminals plus the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), arranged in a horseshoe. Many — but not all — terminals are now connected airside, and the long-running modernisation continues to change connections, so check your terminal carefully.
TBIT handles most international departures and many foreign carriers; domestic airlines spread across Terminals 1–8 (for example, the major US carriers each cluster in specific terminals). Some international arrivals connect to domestic flights in a different terminal.
Getting To & From the City
LAX's new Automated People Mover (APM) connects the terminals to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where you can join the LA Metro rail network, plus the consolidated rental-car facility and pickup areas for rideshare. This is a major improvement over the airport's historically car-dependent access.
| Option | Time to Downtown LA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| People Mover + Metro | 45–75 min | Newest option; connects terminals to LA Metro rail. |
| Taxi | 30–60 min | Flat-rate to some zones; traffic-dependent (LA traffic is significant). |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | 30–60 min | Pickup via the people mover at the designated mobility hub. |
| FlyAway Bus | 45–60 min | Direct buses to Union Station and other hubs. |
Layovers & Connections
Because LAX is large and not every terminal is connected airside, international-to-domestic connections can require clearing customs, collecting bags, changing terminals, and re-clearing security. Allow 2–3 hours for international connections and around 90 minutes for domestic.
Los Angeles traffic makes leaving the airport for a short layover risky unless you have many hours — and even then, the city's attractions are spread out. For most layovers, staying airside or at a nearby hotel is the better choice.
Planning a flight through LAX?
Estimate your flight time and compare fares before you book — then find a hotel right by the airport for early departures and long layovers.
Food, Lounges & Sleep
- The Tom Bradley International Terminal has the best dining and shopping, with a strong selection of LA restaurants.
- Lounges include airline clubs and Priority Pass options; TBIT has several premium lounges.
- Numerous hotels cluster around the airport with free or paid shuttles — convenient for early flights.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
The new Automated People Mover connects the terminals to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where you can take LA Metro rail into the city (45–75 minutes). The FlyAway bus runs directly to Union Station. Taxis and rideshares take 30–60 minutes depending on LA's notoriously variable traffic.