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.

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.

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