Car rental at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Compare car hire at LAX, where most major brands now share a consolidated rental car centre reached by shuttle.

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Renting a car at LAX

Los Angeles is a city built around the car, and LAX is where most visitors pick one up. The airport sits on the west side, close to Santa Monica, Venice and the beach cities, and near the 405 and 105 freeways that lead to Hollywood, Downtown, Orange County and beyond. A rental car is the practical way to cover LA's spread-out neighbourhoods, and the starting point for road trips up the Pacific Coast Highway, out to Palm Springs or on to Las Vegas.

When you compare car rental at LAX, look beyond the daily rate. Airport fees and taxes, optional insurance, toll programmes and young-driver surcharges can change the total considerably, and international visitors often need extra liability cover. Picking up a car also takes longer than many expect, so allow time for the shuttle ride to the rental centre and for traffic around the airport's horseshoe-shaped terminal loop at busy times.

Where to pick up your car

LAXLos Angeles International Airport

Most of the major brands at LAX now operate from the airport's consolidated rental car facility east of the terminals, near the 405, with counters and cars under one roof. An automated people mover train is due to link it to the terminals but has been repeatedly delayed; until it carries passengers, rental car shuttle buses do the job. From baggage claim, go out to the lower (arrivals) level and follow the 'Rental Car Shuttles' signs to the pick-up islands outside each terminal. Companies based elsewhere run their own shuttles from the same stops. Allow extra time when returning for the ride back to your terminal.

Driving around Los Angeles: what to know

  • Southern California has few toll roads, but they're all electronic. The express lanes on the I-10 and I-110 need a FasTrak transponder, and the Orange County toll roads (routes 73, 133, 241 and 261) have no cash booths, so ask how your rental company handles tolls before using either.
  • Carpool (HOV) lanes, marked with a diamond, require a minimum number of people in the car at signed times, and you may only enter or leave them where the lines are broken. Crossing double solid lines into or out of them can bring a fine.
  • Read parking signs carefully. Kerb colours matter (red means no stopping, white is passenger loading, green is short-term), and street-sweeping days, permit zones and meter limits are strictly enforced with fines and towing. Never leave luggage or valuables visible, as break-ins are common at beaches, trailheads and tourist spots.
  • Right turns on red are allowed after a full stop unless a sign says otherwise, and you must stop for school buses with flashing red lights. California bans holding a phone while driving, and freeway traffic is heaviest on weekday mornings and late afternoons.

Tips to avoid extra charges

  • International visitors should check liability cover carefully: the minimum included with US rentals can be low, so many choose a rate that adds supplemental liability insurance (SLI) as well as a collision damage waiver.
  • Most companies set a minimum rental age of 21 and add a young-driver surcharge under 25. A credit card in the driver's name is the norm, and debit cards may trigger extra checks or a larger hold.
  • Prepaying for a tank is rarely good value unless you'll return the car nearly empty. If you refuel yourself, fill up a few miles from the airport, as the stations closest to LAX often charge more.
  • Planning a one-way trip to San Francisco, Las Vegas or Phoenix? One-way fees vary widely between companies, so compare the total price rather than the daily rate, and check that unlimited mileage applies across state lines.

LAX on the map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Car rental at LAX: questions and answers

How do I get to the rental cars at LAX?

Head to the lower (arrivals) level outside your terminal and follow the 'Rental Car Shuttles' signs to the pick-up islands. Shuttles run to the consolidated rental car facility, where most major brands are based, and to other companies' lots nearby. An automated people mover train is due to replace the shuttles once it opens to passengers.

How long does it take to get a rental car at LAX?

It can easily take 45 minutes to an hour from baggage claim to driving away at busy times, including the wait for a shuttle, the ride through airport traffic and the queue at the counter. Joining a rental company's free loyalty programme in advance can let you skip the counter with many brands.

Do I need a toll pass for a rental car in Los Angeles?

Usually not. Most LA freeways are free, and you can avoid the few tolled routes and express lanes by setting your navigation app to avoid tolls. If you'll drive in Orange County or use express lanes, ask how the rental company's toll programme is charged, as some charge a fee for every day of the rental once you use it.

Can I drive a rental car from LA to Las Vegas or Mexico?

Driving to Nevada, Arizona and other neighbouring states is normally allowed, and many rates include unlimited mileage, though check the terms. Mexico is different: most companies forbid it or require special Mexican insurance bought through them, and some cars can't cross at all. Ask before booking if a Baja trip is planned.

What insurance do I need for a rental car at LAX?

You need collision damage cover and adequate liability insurance. UK and other international visitors often choose an inclusive rate that bundles a collision damage waiver, theft protection and supplemental liability. US residents may be covered by their own car insurance or credit card, but should confirm what applies to rentals before declining cover at the counter.

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Before you pick up: the airport car rental checklist

Deposits, excess, fuel policy and the photos to take before you drive off.

Read the checklist