Key Takeaways
- LAX offers multiple parking options including short-term, long-term, economy, valet, and premium parking.
- Rates vary based on proximity to terminal and parking duration.
- Advanced reservations are recommended to secure a spot and save time.
- There are multiple off-site parking alternatives available for convenience and affordability.
- An Overview of LAX Parking Options
- Suggested Parking Choices Based on Needs
- Short-Term LAX Parking Options
- Long-Term Parking Options at LAX
- Economy Parking Options at LAX
- Valet and Premium LAX Parking Options
- Disabled and Accessible Parking At LAX
- Off-Site Parking Options [Separate From LAX]
- Tips for Parking at LAX
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
An Overview of LAX Parking Options
Planning is a crucial part of a successful trip, especially when it involves a flight. Add a car to the equation, and arranging where you’ll park your vehicle becomes a critical aspect of your plan.
As such, you need a working knowledge of the parking options available at LAX to strategize accordingly.
The good news is that LAX offers multiple types of parking to suit different preferences concerning budget, duration, and distance. You can benefit from parking options such as:
- Short-term Parking: If you’re planning to park anywhere between 1 hour to a few days.
- Long-term Parking: If your parking plans are going to last more than a few days, this option allows for weeks and months of parking.
- Economy Parking: This option provides more affordable parking solutions, both for brief and extended periods.
- Valet Parking: This type of parking delivers maximum convenience at a higher cost.
LAX also offers Premium Parking and Disabled Parking. Not to mention, you can use various off-site parking facilities.
Navigating LAX airport parking isn’t just about being familiar with the available types, but also the rates and accessibility.
The fees vary based on the proximity of the parking space to the terminal and how long you’ll leave the car there.
As for accessibility, your main concern would be competing with hundreds of thousands of passengers also looking for a parking spot. That’s why reservation in advance is key.
Suggested Parking Choices Based on Needs
| Parking Type | Best For | Location | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term | Few hours/days, pickup/drop-off | CTA, Economy | $9 – $60 per 24 hours |
| Long-term | Extended trips, weeks/months | CTA, Economy | $20 – $60 per day |
| Economy | Budget-friendly, short/long stays | 6100 W. 94th St | $8 – $35 per 24 hours |
| Valet | Maximum convenience, quick access | CTA (P1-P7) | $75 per 24 hours (discount online) |
| Premium | Premium spaces, close to terminal | CTA (P1) | $11 – $70 per 24 hours |
| Disabled | Travelers with disabilities | All lots | Standard fees |
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
I personally recommend parking at Van Nuys Flyaway lot or Union Station for about $5-$8 per day, and then taking a Flyaway bus to the airport for an additional fee of around $10.
This is a fairly inexpensive, reliable way to park at LAX without having to worry about too much hassle.
However, LAX is starting to feel a bit less secure than it once was. To avoid vehicle thefts, try to choose a well-reviewed lot with good security.
Some hotels near LAX, like Hilton, offer parking facilities with shuttle services to the airport. These can be more secure secure than a standard open-air lot, but still at a relatively affordable price point.
Short-Term LAX Parking Options
Not everyone who’s taking a flight is going to spend weeks or months abroad.
Some people spend a few hours or days away before making their way back to where they came from. Some drivers are there to pick up or drop off passengers, so they need a parking spot in case of a delay.
This is where short-term parking comes in handy.
LAX offers daily and hourly parking at nearly all of its parking structures. These include the central terminal area (CTA), the Economy lot, and the Budget lot.
You can find the CTA just opposite the passenger terminals, while the Economy and Budget parking lots stand farther to the right. We’ll focus on the CTA in this section and cover the other locations below.
The CTA features 8 parking structures with over 7,000 spaces available. Each structure is assigned a number for easier navigation.
At an hourly rate and a maximum daily fee, you can leave your vehicle at the CTa for overnight parking and extended stays, not just same-day parking.
To calculate the amount you’ll pay, you need to determine your wait time. Then, add up the charge according to the following outline of the cost of short-term parking:
- No fee for the first 15 minutes of parking.
- A $9 fee for longer than 15 minutes and up to 60 minutes.
- A $7 fee for every 30 minutes after the first 60 minutes.
- A maximum rate of $60 per 24 hours.
Long-Term Parking Options at LAX
If you’re planning to park your vehicle at or around LAX for longer than a week, you have 4 options to consider.
You can have a long-term parking space at the central terminal area by simply keeping your vehicle for $60 per day.
You can do the same thing at the Economy lot for a reduced rate of $35 per day. You can otherwise choose to park at the Budget lot for a daily fee of $20.
For the CTA, Economy lot, and Budget lot, you can leave your car parked for up to 30 days. After that, expect to pay for vehicle impoundment.
However, you can avoid legal and financial trouble by requesting a parking extension through ABM Parking. Simply call 310-646-2911 to get the job done.
The fourth option is to opt for off-site parking, sitting just beyond the airport premises. We’ll discuss some off-site options later on, but they’re typically cheaper than on-site structures because they’re farther from the terminal.
Any of the long-term parking locations we mentioned here carry several strict security features to give you peace of mind. For extra safety, you can get a dash cam with parking mode to monitor the vehicle constantly.
Economy Parking Options at LAX
The Economy Parking option at LAX offers a balance between affordability and convenience.
It sits at 6100 W. 94th Street, which is about 15 minutes from the terminal. The shuttle service is free (to and from the terminal), with a ride taking off every 10 mins or so.
The lot itself consists of 4 levels, housing over 4,000 parking spaces. It also features more than 300 active chargers for electric cars.
As with the CTA, calculating the amount you’ll pay parking in the Economy lot starts estimating your wait time. You can then add up your total fee according to the following cost outline:
- An $8 fee for the first 60 minutes (or any portion of the first hour).
- A $7 fee for every 30 minutes after the first 60 minutes.
- A maximum rate of $35 per 24 hours.
Besides the Economy lot, LAX parking has recently introduced another structure for travelers looking for more affordable parking solutions. It’s the Budget lot, sitting at 5455 West 111th Street.
This lot has over 2,000 uncovered spaces that cost $5 per hour and $20 per 24 hours. Parking here includes free shuttle service to the CTA and back approximately every 20 minutes.
For both parking options, you can reserve a parking spot online via parking.flylax.com or pay when you get there (assuming you find a free space).
You pay in cash or use your debit or credit card. Most major cards are accepted, including MasterCard and Visa. You can even use Google Pay or Apple Pay.
Valet and Premium LAX Parking Options
If you’re looking for the most convenient parking option at LAX, meet the Valet Terminal Parking. It’s available in the central terminal area, in structures P1, P2, P3, and P7 to be more specific.
If you opt for this parking service, you’ll receive a personal-level service from a professional and friendly staff. You won’t have to look for an empty parking stall or drive your vehicle there – someone will take care of everything for you.
Valet parking spaces are just 1 to 2 minutes away from the terminal, making this the fastest option ever. As for the fees, it’ll cost you $75 per 24 hours.
However, if you pre-book Valet Parking online, you can get up to a 70% discount and pay $32 only per day.
Besides Valet Parking, you can consider Premium Parking. This parking option involves a premium space for your vehicle at a rate lower than Valet Parking.
Premium parking stalls are currently available only in the P1 structure of the CTA. But they’ll soon come to P2 to P7 structures and even the Economy lot.
In P1, they’re the closest spots where you can park yourself, sitting just 2 to 3 minutes from the terminal. Here’s an outline for Premium Parking rates:
- No fee for the first 15 minutes of parking.
- A $11 fee for longer than 15 minutes and up to 60 minutes.
- A $9 fee for every 30 minutes after the first 60 minutes.
- A maximum rate of $70 per 24 hours.
There are premium parking spaces that support charging for electric vehicles. Also, if you pre-book online, you can get a 20% discount so you pay $56 per day instead.
Disabled and Accessible Parking At LAX
The LAX parking garage accommodates travelers with disabilities under the regulations set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The designated spaces feature signs showing a wheelchair or reading “Disabled Parking”.
If your vehicle carries a disability license or placard, you can park it at no extra charge than the standard fee. You may also park the vehicle in any of the parking structures in the CTA, the Economy lot, and the Budget lot.
For vehicles that require electric charging, there are hundreds of stations available throughout the LAX parking structures. Extra-wide parking stalls close to elevators are also available on every level of the lots (as applicable as possible).
The free shuttle service to and from terminals is open to all individuals with handicaps. Also, buses of the LAX FlyAway service are equipped with lifts for wheelchairs.
Off-Site Parking Options [Separate From LAX]
Despite the expansions and attempts to organize the parking process at LAX, it can be a hassle due to constant delays. These can prevent you from reaching your terminal on time.
This is why some travelers prefer to park their vehicles off-site. Such services operate parking garages located near the LAX premises.
They often offer better availability and rates because they aren’t as close to the terminals as on-site parking. Still, the cost varies depending on the location of the lot and the parking duration.
One of the most popular off-site parking facilities around LAX is FlyAway. It sits at Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, and offers multiple attractive features such as:
- A pre-booking option
- Free cancellations
- Free reservation detail changes
- A bus service to reach terminals at LAX
Van Nuys FlyAway services the region of San Fernando Valley. It’s also ideal for travelers on a tight budget, charging $2 per hour and $6 per day.
Other off-site parking services include:
- 105 Airport Parking
- Century Car Park
- Sepulveda Car Park
- 405 Airport Parking
- Airport Center Parking
- Joe LAX Airport Parking
Tips for Parking at LAX
The following are some practical tips to improve your LAX parking experience:
- If you’re a rideshare driver waiting for passengers, such as Uber, make use of the Uber waiting lot. These offer guaranteed rides, simple pickup, and higher fares than normal rides. You can locate waiting lots via your driver app.
- Likewise, if you’re taking a rideshare service, ask the airport staff or consult the service’s support about the location of the waiting lot.
- Bike and motorcycle owners can park free of charge at the CTA, Economy lot, and Budget lot. However, they must stick to their designated spots outside the Valet parking areas.
- Make sure to pre-book your parking space at least 2 days before your flight to avoid peak-time rush. Also, you can make changes or cancellations up to 2 hours before the arrival time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Best Cheapest Place to Park at LAX?
The cheapest place to park on-site at LAX is the new Budget Parking Lot. You can park at LAX for free, but only for a maximum of 15 minutes.
On Average, How Much Does It Cost to Park at LAX?
The parking cost at LAX depends on the location of the lot, the level of service, and the duration. But you can expect to pay from $5 to $11 per hour, or from $24 to $55 per day.
Why is Airport Parking So Expensive?
The high demand for parking spaces close to the terminals is the biggest reason for expensive airport parking prices.
Wrapping Up
LAX airport parking options cover both short-term and long-term parking needs.
You can choose affordable types such as Economy and Budget Parking. Or, you can pick something more expensive for extra convenience such as Valet or Premium Parking.
With various LAX airport parking options available, choosing the right parking type for your travel needs can save you plenty of time and money.
It’ll also ensure you don’t miss your flight, so be sure to carefully go through the information above to make informed parking decisions for your next trip.
