Why Take a LAX Taxi
LAX airport taxis are a convenient way to travel from Los Angeles Airport to your destination in LA. Taxis at LAX can be of any color, but they all have the distinctive “Taxi” sign on their roofs and bear the company’s logo on their doors. Moreover, they must clearly display their rate, either on their back window or at the back side of one of th eir front seats. Overall, although cabs aren’t the most popular transit option in LA, LAX taxi cabs are widely preferred by passengers who value comfort during their travels. In other words, taxis at LAX Airport are a popular alternative. So, why is that?
- To begin with, they operate around the clock. No matter the time of the day or the day of the week, they are always available. Even more so, their rates are the same day and night.
- They offer rides to the exact location of the passenger’s destination. Verily, door-to-door services are among the main perks of a LAX taxi ride. Once you hire your taxicab, you can reach your accommodation in LA hassle-free.
- They guarantee a convenient journey. Truth to be told, they are dependent on the traffic levels, and traffic jams often occur in the City of Angels. Nevertheless, a taxi ride from Los Angeles International Airport is still an expedient option. Once you collect your luggage, you’ll reach the LAX taxi ranks, catch your cab, and head to your journey’s end without trying to find the right public transit line to your destination, the closest disembarking stop, and your way from there to your lodging choice.
- Moreover, taxis at Los Angeles Airport provide safe services. On the other hand, traveling via the public transit modes leaves you exposed to the risk of being pickpocketed.
- You can’t deny their comfort level. Whereas trains and buses often get overcrowded, taxis offer relaxed and stress-free services.
- On the other hand, they are certainly costlier than other transit options. Still, they justify their cost, while rides from LAX to downtown come with set fares, and the LA taxicab companies tend to offer competitive prices.
LAX Taxi Rates and Fares
The Department of Transportation has set the rates for LA taxis. Still, the taxicab companies can adjust their prices at some point as long as they don’t exceed the regulated fares. Moreover, some LAX taxi cab providers offer set prices. Overall, the cost of a LAX taxi to downtown is set, whereas other rides are usually priced according to the taximeter.
The regulated fares for Los Angeles taxis are the following:
- Flag Price: 3.10$/2.90€ (for 1/9 mile or 37 seconds)
- Rate per mile: 2.97$/2.80€ (0.33$/0.31€ per 1/9 mile or 37 seconds)
- Waiting time/Time in traffic: 0.33$/0.31€ per 37 seconds (32.11$/30.12€/h)*
*1 mile=1.6km
As far as LAX taxi rates are concerned, the Department of Transportation has established the following fares:
- Minimum fare from LAX: 16.50$/15.50€
- Airport surcharge: 4$/3.75€ (applied only to rides from LAX Airport)
- Flat fare from LAX to downtown and vice versa: 51.15$/48€
Please note that downtown LA is the zone surrounded by Alameda St., Santa Monica Fwy, Cesar E. Chavez, Harbor Fwy, Union Station, and Chinatown.
Thus, the 30-minute ride from Los Angeles Airport to downtown LA costs 55.15$/51.7€ (the 51.15$/48€ flat fare and the 4$/3.75€ surcharge). Nevertheless, during peak hours, the price may remain the same, but the duration of the ride can be up to 75 minutes. Moreover, payments can be made in cash or via bank cards (without any extra charge).
LAX Taxi Rates to Popular Destinations
If you want to have an idea about the approximate cost of LAX taxis, you can take a look at the LAX taxi rates from the airport to some of the most popular LA destinations:
| From | To | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAX Airport | Downtown | 55.15 | 51.73 | 30 min |
| LAX Airport | Santa Monica | 45 | 42.50 | 25 min |
| LAX Airport | Downtown Long Beach | 80 | 76 | 30 min |
| LAX Airport | Disneyland Park | 100 | 93.80 | 60 min |
Where is the Taxi Rank at LAX Airport?
If you want to catch a cab once you retrieve your luggage at Los Angeles International Airport, you must head to one of the 3 LAX taxi ranks. Depending on your terminal, you can choose the closest and, thus, most convenient option.
To begin with, LAX Airport has a dedicated zone for taxi and ride-sharing pick-ups. Verily, the LAX-it zone was constructed to reduce the inside-the-airport-complex traffic and to decongest the outside-the-terminal areas. LAX-it is located near T1. That being said, you can walk from your terminal to LAX-it. From T2, T7, and T8, LAX-it is just a 10-minute walk away, whereas you won’t need more than 4 minutes to get there from LAX terminal 1. On the other hand, passengers arriving at TBIT, T3, T4, T5, and T6 reach the LAX-it area in about 16-19 minutes. Alternatively, a complimentary airport shuttle links the LAX terminals to LAX-it. With stops outside the baggage claim area of each terminal (on the Arrivals level), the free airport shuttles depart every 3-5 minutes with LAX-is as their destination. Hence, if you want to reach LAX-it via shuttle, all you’ll have to do is find each terminal’s stop indicated by a Green LAX-it sign and catch the shuttle.
Members of the airport staff are present at the shuttle stops to help passengers with heavy luggage.
However, the most convenient option for passengers landing at T3 or TBIT is the taxi stand lying on the first floor of Car Park 3. As a matter of fact, P3 is to be found between the above-mentioned terminals. Finally, another taxi rank is located at the east end of T7, right outside the baggage carousels, to accommodate T7 and T8 passengers.
Our Tip: Although taxis can pick up passengers exclusively from the 3 designated LAX zones, they can drop them off right outside the terminals.
Airport Taxi from Los Angeles Airport to Hotel
LAX taxis are widely preferred by passengers arriving at Los Angeles Airport, as they are considered one of the most convenient ways to reach their accommodation in LA. Being always on tap -no matter the day or the time- and providing safe and reliable services, taxis at LAX are among the top choices for travelers opting for a comfortable and hassle-free way to get to their hotel. What’s more, despite being metered and dependent on the traffic conditions, they offer set fares for rides from LAX Airport to downtown LA. Still, many LA hotels provide free shuttle services from and to the airport. Therefore, you should check if your accommodation offers courtesy airport rides to save money on your transit expenses.
More Info about Taxis in Los Angeles Airport
- Not all Los Angeles taxicab companies are allowed to pick up travelers from the airport (although they can all drop passengers off). In fact, the authorized companies are: Bell Cab Company, Beverly Hills Cab Company, City Cab, Independent Taxi, United Checker Cab, United Independent Taxi Drivers (UITD), United Taxi of San Fernando Valley (UTSFV), and Yellow Cab.
- LAX taxi rides to downtown LA come with fixed rates. However, journeys to other destinations are priced based on a taximeter (however, some taxi companies offer set fares for other destinations as well). Hence, unless you are heading to the city center, you should always check that the taximeter is zeroed and on before starting your taxi journey.
- The traffic levels rise during rush hours. Hence, rides become longer and costlier.
- Ride-sharing services (Lyft, Opoli, and Uber are the 3 providers authorized to operate at the airport) are also a popular transit option at LAX.
- The taxi driver should give you a receipt at the end of the ride. You can also ask to receive it by text or email.
- It is highly customary to leave a 10% to 15% tip to your driver.
- You’ll find accessible taxicabs at Los Angeles Airport. Still, you should pre-book them.
- As far as passengers traveling with service animals are concerned, they can’t be denied the ride or be charged extra.
FAQs
Can you still get a cab at LAX?
You can pick up your LAX taxi from one of the 3 designated airport zones: from the LAX-it area lying close to T1, from the first floor of P3, and the east end of terminal 7 (right outside the baggage claim area.
How much is a taxi from LAX?
Overall, LAX taxis are metered. Hence, LAX taxi rates are formed by a taximeter based on the ride’s distance and duration. Nevertheless, journeys from Los Angeles International Airport to downtown LA come with a set fare, at 55.15$/51.73€.
Do LA taxis take cash?
Taxis at Los Angeles Airport accept both cash and bank card payments. Hence, you can use cash (U.S. dollars) or a credit/debit card to pay for your LAX taxi ride. Even if you opt for card payment, you won’t be charged extra.