Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — Taxi Fare Guide
All authorized taxicabs at LAX are dispatched from LAX-it, the consolidated taxi and ride-hailing pickup lot east of Terminal 1 (reachable on foot or via the free green LAX-it shuttle). Only cabs from this official queue are licensed by the City of Los Angeles; ignore any driver who approaches you inside the terminal.
Los Angeles taxis run on a regulated meter set by LADOT: roughly $3.10 flag drop plus about $3.25 per mile, with a $4 surcharge added on every trip that starts at LAX. The most common trip, LAX to Downtown LA, has an official flat rate of $46.50 (the $4 airport fee is already included), so it is billed as a fixed fare rather than metered. Most other destinations are metered.
Expect a metered fare of roughly $55-$70 to Hollywood or West Hollywood, $30-$45 to Santa Monica or Venice, and $60-$90 to Pasadena. Tolls, if any, and a customary 15-20% tip are extra. Ride-hailing (Uber, Lyft) also picks up at LAX-it and is often cheaper off-peak but can surge-price sharply during busy periods.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| Downtown LA (flat rate) | $46.50 | 25-40 min |
| Hollywood | $55-$70 | 30-50 min |
| Santa Monica / Venice | $30-$45 | 20-35 min |
| Pasadena | $60-$90 | 35-60 min |
| Beverly Hills | $45-$60 | 25-45 min |
Practical tips: Always board at the LAX-it lot, confirm the Downtown flat rate up front, and expect the meter otherwise. Cabs accept credit cards. Budget extra time during morning and evening rush hours, and remember a tip is standard in the US.
Other ways to the city
LA is car country, but LAX now has a proper rail connection plus long-running bus and shuttle services that beat traffic costs.
- Metro C and K Lines via LAX/Metro Transit Center - the free LAX Shuttle bus links all terminals to the transit centre, where trains run toward downtown (change to the A Line) for about USD 1.75. Allow 60-80 minutes door to door.
- FlyAway bus to Union Station - a direct coach from the terminals to downtown LA's Union Station for roughly USD 9.75, taking 35-60 minutes, with luggage space and no transfers.
- Big Blue Bus Route 3 - to Santa Monica for about USD 1.25, roughly 45 minutes, from the LAX City Bus Center.
- Shared-ride vans and hotel shuttles - operators such as SuperShuttle-style vans charge roughly USD 20-35 per person to city hotels; many airport-area hotels run free shuttles.
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Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from LAX to downtown Los Angeles or Hollywood?
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at LAX?
How long does it take to get from LAX into the city?
Are LAX taxis safe and is a flat rate better than the meter?
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