Transfers from/to Los Angeles

After getting off the plane and having experienced a long journey, you'll want to get to your destination as quickly as possible. For this, you will have several transfer options available: shared or private cars, the city's metro, FlyAway bus, taxi service and Uber.

All of them are options that will guarantee you a safe trip so you can start having fun discovering the best things to do in Los Angeles during your stay.

The shared shut tle is a service that allows you to go from the Los Angeles airport to the city centre. It is a direct route with no stops or transfers, giving you convenience at a reasonable price.

The shared shuttle bus or minibus option is often used by tourists travelling in groups of more than four people, as it allows them to travel together. Similarly, there are many individuals travelling alone who also opt for this service.

With this type of transfer you can be sure that, after getting off the plane and collecting your bags, a driver will be waiting for you in the loading area at the inner edge of the arrivals area.

You will be able to identify him quickly, as he will be holding a sign with your name on it. All you have to do is approach and show him your ID and he will guide you to the bus or minibus.

It is important that you take into account all the benefits that you will have if you hire a shared airport transfer system from Los Angeles airport:

• Comfort: when you board the shared buses or minibuses you will be able to relax in a cushioned and reclining seat. You'll also have air conditioning, WiFi and mobile phone sockets during the transfer.
• Reasonable price: you will pay a little less in relation to the price established for the private service, which will allow you to save considerably on your budget.
• Availability: no matter what time you arrive at the airport (midnight or dawn), this service is available 24 hours a day.
• Reliability: the drivers are certified and responsible with regard to pick-up times.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: 30 minutes (Approx.)
• Price: starting at $90 or 80 euros.
• Advantages of using this method: you won't have to worry about wasting time waiting for the driver after getting off the plane, as they will be in the loading area minutes before the flight lands.
• How to book this transport: The booking process is usually straightforward. You just have to connect with one of the companies in charge of this service and register your flight arrival time on their website. You will also have to provide some personal details.
• Recommended if... you don't mind sharing the transfer from Los Angeles airport with other people.

A good option for transfers from Los Angeles airport is a private transfer. This is a service that gives you comfort and exclusivity at all times.

So, you can sit in the car seat alone or with your travel companions and rest while the driver goes to your destination, without having to share the route with strangers.

Another important aspect is that you will not have to deal with luggage or waste time while walking from an established point of arrival, in search of the address of the hotel.

This is possible thanks to the fact that the private transfer provides a door-to-door service, that is, it takes you to the place where you will be staying. This way, you can immediately start enjoying the activities planned in your itinerary: tours and excursions from Los Angeles, visit the best museums or take a tour of Hollywood, among others.

Remember that when you get off the plane at the arrival hall of the airport, a uniformed driver will be waiting for you with a sign in his hands with your name on it. Therefore, you must go to this place, contact the driver and show him your identification. He will then escort you to your assigned car.

Private transfer vs. shared transfer

Both private and shared transfers are good options for getting from Los Angeles Airport, as they provide a comfortable, safe and reliable service.

In addition, both alternatives offer a journey time of approximately 39 minutes, due to the fact that they do not make stops. Of course, this time will depend on traffic, which tends to be longer if you visit the city in summer or high season.

However, there are some differences between private and shared transfers, which you should know and analyse beforehand:

• Exclusivity: when you opt for a private transfer you will enjoy the exclusivity of moving alone or with your travel companions (groups of up to seven people). On the other hand, with the shared service you will have to get on a bus or minibus with strangers (approximately 20 people).
• Arrival: the private service is door-to-door, i.e. the driver will drop you off directly at the hotel entrance. In contrast, the shared shuttle will drop you and all passengers at a pre-arranged arrival point during the booking, so you will have to deal with the luggage to get to your hotel.
• Pick-up: Private transfer pick-up is immediately after you contact the driver at the arrival hall. However, with the shared service, you will have to wait a few minutes while all the passengers arriving from the different flights gather.
• Price: The price of the private service is usually higher than the cost of the shared transfer. In fact, you will save more than 50% on the cost of a shared transfer.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: 30 minutes (approx.)
• Price: from $115 or 125 euros per person.
• Advantages of using this method: you will enjoy an immediate pick-up at the airport and you will be taken to the hotel door, without having to deal with luggage or transfers.
• How to book this transport: all you have to do is select a transfer company that suits your needs and then go to their official website to check the availability of the service. You will have to fill in a form with the day of your flight, time of arrival at the airport and number of people, so that they can confirm the booking.
• Recommended if... You want to enjoy an exclusive transfer, without waiting and comfortable to the door of your hotel.

Regardless of when you consider the best time to travel to Los Angeles, the underground is another option for getting from Los Angeles Airport.

It is a means of public transport used very frequently by tourists. It will save you a considerable amount of money, although it will take you more than twice as long as hiring a shared or private service.

Once you have your bags in your possession, you should head to the G shuttle stop, which is located just outside LAX, a four-minute walk away.

There you can wait for the shuttle bus to the green line underground station (Redondo Beach - Norwalk), which is located in the southern part of the city. This is a frequent shuttle (every 15 minutes) and the service is free.

When you get to the metro you will need to pay for the transfer with a TAP card, which you can buy at the ticket booths. It costs 2 dollars or 1.8 euros (approx.) and you can recharge it as many times as necessary, according to the routes you are going to use to reach your destination.

Also, when using this public transport service you should know that each train runs with a maximum frequency of 20 minutes and that its operating hours are from Sunday to Thursday from 5:00 to 00:00 hours, while on Fridays and Saturdays it runs until 2:00 hours.

Similarly, during your trip you can download the Los Angeles metro app through Google Play or App Store. This way, you will know the routes and stops of each line, timetables, waiting time and transfer time.

Interesting details

• Journey time: over 1.5 hours (depending on your destination).
• Price: from 3.75 dollars or 3.65 euros per person.
• Advantages of using this method: you will save a significant amount of money compared to any other transfer service from Los Angeles airport.
• How to book this shuttle: This service does not require a reservation. You just need to buy the TAP card at the underground ticket office.
• Recommended if... you have time to wait for each bus, you want to save money and you have few bags with you.

FlyAway buses cover a fixed route from LAX to downtown (approximately 35 minutes), where you will make up to 5 mandatory stops in the main neighbourhoods (Santa Monica, Hollywood, Westwood and Van Nuys).

It is certainly a convenient means of transport if you plan to stay in a hotel in any of these areas, however, the transfer is a bit longer compared to the shared and private service. However, the transfer is a bit longer compared to the shared and private service.

However, this mode of public transport is a good option if you are travelling light and on a tight budget, as only a couple of suitcases are allowed and the average fare is US$9.70 or 8.70 euros.

Also, if you are travelling to Los Angeles with children under the age of 5, they can board the FlyAway for free.

If you decide to use this bus, after you get off the plane and receive your bags, you will need to purchase your FlyAway ticket from the ticket machines in the airport lobby.

You can also buy it directly from the driver when boarding the bus, but you should know that only debit or credit cards (American Express, Visa or Mastercard) are accepted.

Afterwards, you should walk to the FlyAway stop, which is located on the ground floor of the airport's arrivals terminal.

There, you will have to wait for the bus, which usually runs every 30 minutes (approx.), to take you into the city and start your adventure on the best haunted tours in Los Angeles, visiting Universal Studios Hollywood or taking a tour of Warner Bros. studios, among other activities.

Details of interest

• Duration of tour: 35 minutes (Approx.)
• Price: from $9.70 or 8.70 euros per person.
• Advantages of using this method: this service is available 24 hours a day, all week long.
• How to book this transport: you don't need to book, just buy the ticket at the airport or when you get on the bus.
• Recommended if... you want a cheap service that drops you off at the station closest to your hotel.

Taxi or Uber services are considered to be the most expensive, but definitely the fastest, transfer options from LAX.

These transports are perfect if you want to get to the city as soon as possible to attend a business appointment or simply enjoy the best celebrity house tours, join a boat ride or fly over the skies on a helicopter tour, among other things.

Once you're off the plane and ready to get on the road to the city using either of these services (taxi or Uber), you'll need to head to the LAX-it platform. To do so, you'll need to walk to the LAX-it platform, which is located just outside the airport terminal.

You can also catch a free shuttle bus on the lower level. It will take you less than 5 minutes.

At LAX-it you will find the respective cars parked with their drivers, ready to offer a private service to your hotel door with immediate departure. Just book the option that suits you best:

• Taxi: this route to the city centre allows you to travel alone or with your travel companions (maximum 3 people). You will have to pay an average fare of 46 dollars or 42 euros.
• Uber: despite being private, this service also offers a shared option. It all depends on your decision when you get into the car. In any case, the price of the transfer starts at 32 dollars or 28 euros.

Details of interest

• Journeytime: 30 minutes (Approx.)
• Price: from 46 dollars or 42 euros (taxi) and 32 dollars or 28 euros (Uber).
• Advantages of using this method: you will enjoy an immediate departure, so you won't waste a single minute waiting.
• How to book this transport: this pair of services does not require a reservation, as when you arrive at the LAX-it platform you will find a number of available cars (taxi and Uber). However, you can contact a company offering these services online.
• Recommended if... you want a comfortable and hassle-free transfer to the door of your hotel.