The insider's guide, from travelers who've actually been through.
LAX is 9 terminals arranged in a horseshoe around a central roadway. Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) handles most long-haul international arrivals and has the strongest amenities in the complex. Getting between terminals requires crossing through the terminal loop, which is a pain without the Automated People Mover (APM) that was under construction and may be operational by the time you travel; verify on arrival. Getting out of LAX to the city is the bigger challenge: there is no direct rail to downtown, and traffic is unpredictable.
Before your layover here
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FlyAway bus runs to Union Station (downtown) in about 45 minutes off-peak for USD 9.75. Uber/Lyft pickup is at designated curbside areas in each terminal. Ride to Santa Monica runs USD 25 to 50 off-peak; to Hollywood USD 20 to 40; to downtown USD 20 to 40. At peak times (07:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:30), all of these can take twice as long. The Metro K Line connects via a free shuttle bus to LAX, but total travel time to downtown via Metro is over an hour. Taxi to downtown is about USD 50 to 70. As of early 2026, the APM may be operational, connecting terminals to a station on the Metro K (Crenshaw) Line; check current status on arrival.
| Terminal | Lounge | Access | Showers | Good for | Price (paid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBIT | United Polaris Lounge | United Polaris class / 1K | Yes | Premium dining, great bar | Status / class only |
| TBIT | Air France Lounge | AF Business / SkyTeam Elite+ | Yes | Solid food, quieter | Status / class only |
| TBIT | Plaza Premium Lounge | Priority Pass / Dragon / Paid | Yes | Best PP option at LAX | About USD 55-80 at desk; confirm |
| T6 | United Club | United status / PPass / Paid | Yes | Good for T6 departures | About USD 60 at desk; day pass |
| T4 | Amex Centurion | Centurion card holders | Yes | Premium; booking required | Card access only |
Free WiFi is available throughout LAX. Shower facilities are in major lounges and in some paid day-use areas near TBIT. Prayer rooms are located in TBIT and T5. The International terminal food hall in TBIT is strong, with real restaurant options rather than just fast food. If you are landside waiting for an outbound check-in, food options are weaker. For return to the airport, allow extra time during any peak window. As of early 2026, construction zones and changed roadways around LAX are still active; signs for ride-share pickup change periodically.
For more on what to do during your layover, see the Los Angeles layover guide.
