Discover Los Angeles airport on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
Los Angeles International Airport Los Angeles began operating in 1928. It is the main airport in California. The Pacific Ocean is located to the west of the airport.
Today it closes the top three busiest airports in the world. On average, about sixty million people pass through it every year. The absolute record for the busiest Los Angeles International Airport is 70 million passengers.
In the everyday life of passengers, the name of this airport is reduced to three letters - LAX. They indicate its code, which was established by the International Air Transport Association.
Los Angeles International Airport flies to almost anywhere in the world. It was built over 90 years ago and operates around the clock. Stopping such a large system for reconstruction or redevelopment is simply impossible - air communication with many countries will be interrupted.
For this reason, LAX is considered a rather old-fashioned airport, lacking the glitz of designer buildings and luxury restaurants. Despite this, all the main nodes of the airport function smoothly and accurately. In terms of efficiency, Los Angeles International Airport is not inferior to any modern airport.
Airport basic information:
Address: Los Angeles, California, UnitedStates, 92216
Move around between the terminals and the main building of the airport is completely free. For this, a special bus operates on the territory of LAX. And in order to get to the desired point, you can rent a car at Los Angeles Airport.
The main terminal of the airport is named after Tom Bradley. This is one of the nine passenger terminals, which is the main one. The remaining eight terminals are numbered from one to eight. The Tom Bradley Terminal receives aircraft from the world's largest airlines.
This terminal handles flights from countries such as:
a href="https://www.staralliance.com/" target="_blank">Star Alliance or SkyTeam. Some other terminals also accept foreign aircraft. For example, the first hosts guests from the United Kingdom, the second hosts from France, New Zealand and Canada, the fifth one is from Mexico, Canada and Jamaica.
All other terminals operate to provide air traffic within the United States.
There is an underground communication in the form of pedestrian crossings between the fourth, fifth and sixth terminals. Moving between terminals 6, 7, 8 is carried out above the ground.
How to get to downtown Los Angeles
Distance from airport to downtown Los Angeles is 26 kilometers away. There are several ways to get to the city.
The first one is taxi. Their car parks are located at the exit of all nine airport terminals. In the arrivals areas of the airport there are taxi stands (yellow). The cost of this way to get to Los Angeles is quite high - it ranges from 50 to 100 dollars. The price of the trip is determined by the length of the path, as well as the presence of traffic jams along the way. Taxi services usually take passengers in half an hour.
The second option is buses. You can get to the center by such transport much cheaper - for 9 dollars 75 cents. If children under five years of age take part in the trip, then their ticket will be free. Buses from LAX to downtown Los Angeles run 24/7. In this direction there is a transport with the route number 232. The frequency of movement is every 15 minutes. It will take about an hour to get to the city center.
Another way to get to the city center is to take the metro. Near the airport there is one of the stations of the green line (C-line) - Aviation Station. You can get to it for free on a special shuttle bus. A ride on underground transport will cost $1.75. The duration of the trip is about the same as by bus.
But the most convenient option for a newly arrived person with a driver's license would be to rent a car at the Los Angeles airport. There are three main routes for this option:
Harbor Fwy;
Santa Monica Fwy;
Long Beach Fwy.
The first of these routes is the fastest. Its length is approximately 30 kilometers. The trip will take about half an hour (depending on traffic). The second one is slower. This route is 32 kilometers long and takes approximately 45 minutes to travel.
The last route is the longest and slowest. Moving along it, the driver will cover about 44 kilometers and spend at least fifty minutes.vIt is worth noting that traffic jams often accumulate on the shortest route, and therefore the time that will actually be spent on the trip will increase.
How to find a car rental office at LA Airport
In order to rent a car at LA Airport, you first need to find a car rental office. It is quite easy to do this, as many car rental locations in LAX are concentrated in one place. The client needs to follow the signs with the inscription "Car rental". As a result, such signs will lead to working car rental offices.
You can find out about the offices available at the airport on the maps www.google.com/maps/search/Car+rental+LAX, which describes the operation modes of the points, as well as their contacts. Getting there by a rented car is much easier than by public transport or taxi. Using a rental car, you can quickly get to any desired point.
Los Angeles International Airport is one of the largest airports in the world. It has sufficient infrastructure and wide functionality. The airport management cares about the comfort of its customers, and therefore it is equipped with all the necessary facilities. LAX is located not so far from Los Angeles itself. There are several ways in which you can get to the city center. Among them is car rental at the airport itself.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Sixt
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
32 € / Day
Best price
23 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€165
February
€138
March
€140
April
€194
May
€198
June
€226
July
€239
August
€229
September
€188
October
€171
November
€147
December
€220
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
In August rental companies located in Los Angeles airport rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Los Angeles airport is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €19, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model Mercedes CLA is €75per day.
Most popular car models in Los Angeles airport
Fiat 500
Fiat 500
4x
2x
€13 / Day
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
4x
2x
€14 / Day
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
4x
2x
€18 / Day
Ford Focus
Ford Focus
5x
3x
€23 / Day
Opel Astra Estate
Opel Astra Estate
5x
4x
€28 / Day
Audi A4
Audi A4
5x
3x
€32 / Day
BMW X1
BMW X1
4x
3x
€33 / Day
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
5x
4x
€33 / Day
Mercedes C Class
Mercedes C Class
5x
3x
€43 / Day
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
4x
3x
€45 / Day
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
8x
4x
€55 / Day
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
4x
2x
€65 / Day
Audi A6
Audi A6
5x
3x
€70 / Day
Audi A5 Cabrio
Audi A5 Cabrio
4x
3x
€75 / Day
Mercedes Vito
Mercedes Vito
9x
4x
€80 / Day
Other car rental locations close to Los Angeles airport
In Los Angeles airport you can choose from over 40 models of different car classes and for any budget. We provide only new cars with low mileage. You can easily choose a familiar car, and we guarantee its safety and perfect technical condition.
The cost of renting a car depends, first of all, on its class and period of use. The longer the rental, the lower its daily rate. The price for economy class cars in high season starts from €15 per day, for a medium class car you will have to pay €41-€82, for a business class car - €52 and above. In summer, during the high season, the cost of renting increases significantly, especially convertibles and rare models. For example, the minimum daily rental price for BMW 4 Cabrio, a very popular in Los Angeles airport, would be around €75 per day.
In recent years in Los Angeles airport the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent BMW i3 in Los Angeles airport by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Smart Tips to Make the Most of Your Car Rental
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.
Early Booking Discount
Los Angeles airport is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Los Angeles airport. It can be Ford Ka or Opel Astra. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - VW Passat Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €34 per day;
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Los Angeles airport may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Los Angeles airport for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Mileage without limits
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Los Angeles airport, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
When renting a car in Los Angeles airport, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Los Angeles airport, then it is worth highlighting SIXT with a rating 9 and GREEN MOTION, the average rating of which is 9 points.
Getting a car at a rental office
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
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Car rental reviews: Los Angeles airport
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