Car Rental at Los Angeles Airport

Airport travel guide

Los Angeles is not just one of the most famous destinations in the US, but the entire world, and visiting it is always a memorable experience. Listing all of its landmarks would be impossible, but here are three iconic landmarks that feature on most must-see lists:

• Hollywood. Arguably the most famous part of Los Angeles, Hollywood is the main source of the city’s glamorous image. Despite the central part of Hollywood being fairly small in size, it packs countless world-famous attractions like the Walk of Fame, the Guinness World Records Museum, Mulholland Drive, and the iconic Hollywood sign.
• Venice Beach. Located in the western part of the city along the Pacific coast, Venice Beach is another place that features in most lists of must-visit places in Los Angeles. There are not that many specific landmarks in the area, so the best way to enjoy is by simply following the Ocean Front Walk or one of its many canals, chilling at the beach, and soaking up the atmosphere.
• El Pueblo de Los Angeles. The original settlement of L.A., now located in the heart of the city that has grown around it, is a popular place to visit. Attractions include some of the city’s oldest buildings (most of them located in or near the Old Plaza), as well as the Chinese American Museum, Museum of Social Justice, and América Tropical Interpretive Center.
• Joshua Tree National Park. Located just a couple hours east of the city is one of the best LA day trips. This fascinating park will stun you with its beautiful desert landscapes. There are fantastic hiking trails, as well as great camping spots if you have a few days to dedicate to exploring this amazing park.

Top international routes

• New York City
• San Francisco
• Las Vegas
• Denver
• Dallas
• Seattle
• Phoenix
• Chicago
• Honolulu
• Atlanta

Main airlines

LAX is a hub for multiple airlines. This includes American, Delta, United, and Alaska. The low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines also uses the airport as a major hub, while the low-cost Allegiant uses it as a focus city. The airport is also a focus city for many international airlines, including Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Volaris.

Terminals

There are nine terminals: Terminals 1 to 8 and Tom Bradley International (TBIT). All are connected by a free shuttle bus. There are also pedestrian lines connecting most terminals, but some of the walks can be quite lengthy.

Location

The airport is about 18 miles (30 km) from central Los Angeles. Motorways I-105 and I-110 are the main roads connecting Los Angeles Airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $48 per day
• Medium cars - from $47 per day
• Large cars - from $45 per day
• SUVs - from $46 per day
• Convertibles - from $104 per day
• Vans - from $84 per day
• Premium cars - from $59 per day

Car rental desks

All car rental desks are located away from the airport's terminals. Advantage, Alamo, Dollar, Fox, National, Sixt, and Thrifty are allowed to pick-up and drop-off their customers at the terminals. Each has its own shuttle that will take you to their rental location. For this privilege, the companies must charge a Customer Facility Charge that will be used to fund a consolidated rental car center in the near future.

All other rental companies are required to pick-up their passengers from the Remote Rental Depot. This means the customers of these companies must take to shuttles to reach the rental locations. At the airport, the customers should take the Economy Lot E shuttle.

Services and facilities

Los Angeles Airport offers nearly as many opportunities to dine, shop, relax, and be entertained as the city itself. All terminals have countless bars, restaurants, and cafeterias, as well as shops and stores. There are banks, currency exchange offices, ATMs, and business facilities. You’ll also find many lounges, medical facilities, spas, beauty services, a lost and found office, and the Flight Path Museum. There is no luggage storage service. The airport offers assistance to travelers with reduced mobility, but you should contact your airline in advance if you’d like this service. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

There are many gas stations near LAX. Which is the most convenient depends on which rental company you are returning a car to. If returning a car to one of the companies located along Century Blvd., then there are at least four stations after the exit from the 405. Of these, the Chevron station closest to the Interstate is the most expensive.

Those renting from a company located north of Century Blvd. will find many stations along Manchester Ave. Note that the ARCO station at the corner of W Arbor Vitae St. and Aviation Blvd. should be avoided due to its significantly higher prices.

Popular one-way rentals

• Las Vegas (287 miles / 462 km)
• San Diego (124 miles / 199 km)
• Bakersfield (116 miles / 187 km)
• Burbank (29 miles / 47 km)
• Santa Barbara (97 miles / 156 km)
• San Francisco (386 miles / 619 km)