LAX Parking - Facts, Figures & More

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Los Angeles International Airport, more commonly known as LAX, is the largest and busiest airport on the West Coast. LAX is also the second busiest airport in the country and one of the busiest airports in the world. LAX serves as a hub for more passenger airlines (Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines) than any other airport in the US. 

The airport has the capacity to service an average of 1,700 flights each day and handles around 88 million passengers a year. LAX operates 737 daily nonstop flights to 100 domestic destinations and 1,386 weekly nonstop flights to 88 international destinations. With nine terminals and 132 gates, LAX bustles with plenty of activity even during off seasons!

Examining these figures, it's not too difficult to reach the assumption that it's not easy to find cheap LAX parking. However, not easy does not mean impossible, especially when you have all the information you need about finding LAX Airport parking at your fingertips. 

If you're traveling out of Los Angeles anytime soon, here are the facts, figures, and answers to all your questions about finding affordable parking at LAX.

Know Your Options for Parking at LAX

LAX International Airport has thousands of parking spots spread across the Economy Lot E (although that lot is currently closed) and Central Terminal Area or CTA Parking.

As with most large, international airports, you have several different options for parking at LAX. You can park in the short-term lot, you can park overnight, or you can choose to park in the long-term lot. Additionally, you have the option to pay for parking by the hour.

The different options for parking depend on your own personal situation and probably also depends on how much you're willing to pay for parking.  

Know the Costs for Parking at LAX

LAX parking rates begin at $4 an hour and shoot up to a pretty steep to $40 for a day's parking. Offsite parking near LAX is available for as low as $6/day. Many of these offsite lots offer free shuttle bus service to LAX Airport terminals. Some of these shuttles run 24/7, making the need for parking at LAX redundant.

Thankfully, LAX parking accepts most major credit cards, such as Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, and Union Pay.

LAX Short-Term Parking

Short-term parking in Economy Lot E starts at $4 per hour and goes up to the daily maximum limit of $12. The Central Terminal Area parking charges a rate of $5 for the first hour and a daily maximum of $40.

Overnight Parking at LAX

Overnight parking is available at LAX. However, if you plan on parking at LAX Airport overnight, make sure to book your long-term LAX parking spot in advance. Hourly parking may cost you quite a bit if you're planning to park overnight at LAX.

Keep in mind that it is always best to choose long-term parking if you plan to park overnight. Central Terminal Area (CTA) parking costs $40 for each 24-hour period, and the Economy Lot E costs $12 maximum for each 24-hour period. 

Offsite LAX overnight parking with shuttle is available for as low as $6 for 24 hours.

Lax Long-Term Parking 

Long-term parking at Los Angeles Airport is available for $40/day at the Central Terminal Area parking lot. Long-term LAX parking costs $12 at Economy Lot E.

Hourly Parking at LAX

Hourly parking costs $4 for the first hour and $4 for each additional hour parked, reaching a daily maximum of $12 at the Economy Lot E. 

In a similar fashion, parking costs $5 for the first hour of parking, $4 for each additional 30-minute period, reaching a daily maximum of $40 in the CTA parking lot.

Where to Park for Picking Someone Up at LAX

Passengers arriving at LAX may be picked up on the lower level/arrivals level outside of baggage claim, on the outer curb. If you are picking up a passenger, you should plan on using the 24-hour LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot, where motorists meeting arriving passengers can wait free of charge until passengers call to say they are ready to be picked up. 

The Cell Phone Lot is situated on 96th Street, just east of Sepulveda Boulevard, about a quarter mile west of the 96th Street Bridge entrance into the LAX passenger terminal area. Motorists using La Tijera, Sepulveda, Manchester, and Century Boulevards to reach LAX from the North and East can get there without much hassle.

The cell phone lot is also where you can park for free for up to 2 hours. 

Does LAX have valet parking?

LAX does not have onsite valet parking, but companies like Airport Valet LAX offer curbside to curbside valet parking services near LAX Airport. 

However, there is a service available called LAXit. LAXit's objective is to get passengers who have just arrived at the LAX airport to a taxi, Lyft, or Uber. 

After you exit your LAX terminal on the ground floor/baggage claim level, you can either walk to the LAXit lot by Terminal 1 or take the free LAXit shuttle, which can be found on the Lower/Arrivals Level at the inner curb outside the baggage claim areas and marked with green LAX-it signs.

Top Destinations Near LAX

There are a couple of nice destinations that are close to LAX. Monterey Park is 18-20 miles from LAX, depending on the route you choose. The journey will take around 30 minutes.

Additionally, Buena Park is 18-20 miles from LAX Airport, depending on the route you choose. The journey will take around 30 to 40 minutes.

Before you hit the road, however, make sure that you're covered with updated car insurance for Los Angeles by comparing LA insurance quotes before your trip. The last thing you want to worry about is having inadequate coverage in case of an accident on the road.

Reserve your LAX parking spot ahead of time

Now that you've got all the facts and figures you need to make an informed choice on Los Angeles Airport parking, there's just one last thing you must do. Book your LAX parking spot as soon as you book your flight tickets out of LAX Airport. 

Wondering how to book your LAX parking spot in advance? You can book your post as early as a few months in advance on most airport parking websites. Remember, the early bird gets the best LAX parking spot!