Parking at LAX costs between $4/day (off-site economy) and $60/day (terminal garage), and the option that saves you the most depends on one thing: how long your trip is. A 3-day weekend trip and a 2-week international trip are completely different parking decisions. This page breaks down every on-airport and off-airport option with current rates, walk-through logistics, and the construction chaos you need to plan around - including the People Mover that still isn't open.
If your trip is 1-2 days: Park in the CTA garage for your terminal. The $40-$60/day hurts less over a short stay, and you'll walk straight to check-in. No shuttle, no bus, no waiting.
If your trip is 3-5 days: Economy Lot E at $12/day or a pre-booked off-site lot at $7-$10/day. Lot E is uncovered but airport-operated. Off-site lots often have covered options for a few dollars more.
If your trip is 6-14 days: Off-site lots win decisively. At $7-$10/day pre-booked, you're paying $49-$140 vs. $240-$840 at the CTA garages. The Parking Spot, WallyPark, 105 Airport Parking, and Joe's Airport Parking are the established names.
If your trip is 14+ days: Consider the Van Nuys FlyAway hack: $5/day parking at the Van Nuys FlyAway terminal + $12.75 bus each way. A 3-week trip costs $105 in parking + $25.50 in bus fare = $130.50 total. Compare that to $630+ at Economy Lot E.
Rates fluctuate. Confirm current pricing at flylax.com and with the parking operator before booking.
| Parking Option | Hourly Rate | Daily Max | 7-Day Cost | Best For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTA Garages (P1-P7) | $5 first hr, $4/30 min | $40-$60 | $280-$420 | Short trips, pickups | Walk directly to your terminal. First 15 min free. No shuttle needed. |
| Terminal Valet (T1 & T3) | $10/hr | $30 | $210 | Delta/Southwest travelers who want zero hassle | Only available at T1 and T3. Cheaper daily max than CTA self-park - read that again. |
| Economy Lot E | $4/hr | $12 | $84 | Budget-conscious, trips under 10 days | Uncovered, 2,690 spaces, fills on holidays. Shuttle every 15 min, about 15 min ride to terminal. |
| LAX Economy Parking (94th St) | $8/hr | $30 | $210 | Covered garage, on-airport reliability | Covered. Pre-book from about $14-$25/day online. Shuttle every 20-25 min. |
| Off-Site Lots (pre-booked) | N/A | $4-$17 | $28-$119 | Any trip over 3 days | Biggest savings. Pre-booking online cuts rates 30-50% vs. drive-up. Shuttle included. |
| Van Nuys FlyAway Parking | N/A | $5 | $35 + $25.50 bus | Trips 10+ days, Valley residents | Cheapest total cost for long trips. 3,020 spaces. Bus takes 40-60 min to LAX. |
This is the part most guides skip. LAX has 8 parking structures, each mapped to specific terminals. Park in the wrong one and you're dragging luggage through tunnels.
| Garage | Terminal(s) | Airlines | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Terminal 1 | Southwest, JetBlue | Some T1 airlines (Allegiant, Frontier, Breeze, Sun Country) check in here but bus to TBIT West Gates for departure |
| P2A / P2B | Terminal 2 | WestJet (check-in only), Spirit (check-in only) | T2 gates absorbed into T3. WestJet departs from T3. Spirit buses to TBIT. |
| P3 | Terminal 3 + TBIT | Delta, Aeromexico, most international carriers | P3 serves both T3 and Tom Bradley International Terminal. Delta's new 11-gate concourse is here. |
| P4 | Terminal 4 + TBIT | American Airlines | P4 also serves TBIT. American check-in at T4 and T5 (when open); some flights depart from TBIT. |
| P5 | Terminal 5 | - | Terminal 5 is closed for a $1.6B renovation. Reopening is estimated around 2028. Airlines relocated to T1, T2, T4, and TBIT. |
| P6 | Terminal 6 | Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, others | $230M refresh in progress. |
| P7 | Terminals 7 & 8 | United Airlines | T7 and T8 share ticketing and baggage claim. Connected airside. |
Critical note on Terminal 5: As of early 2026, Terminal 5 is fully closed for construction. If you booked before the closure, check your airline's updated terminal assignment. JetBlue moved to Terminal 1. Spirit moved to Terminal 2. American consolidated into Terminal 4 and TBIT. Do not drive to P5 expecting to walk into an open terminal.
Every other LAX parking guide talks about the Automated People Mover (APM) like it's a done deal. It is not open.
As of March 2026, the APM - a $3.34 billion, 2.25-mile elevated train connecting terminals to parking, rental cars, and Metro - is still in testing. You can see the empty trains circling the guideway. You cannot ride them.
Here's the timeline: originally planned for 2023, pushed to early 2026, then "by the World Cup" (June 2026), and now possibly late 2026 or later. Ongoing disputes between the airport authority (LAWA) and the contractor (LINXS) have created a series of delays. A faulty electrical metering cabinet shut down power to the system for five months in 2025, delaying testing further.
What this means for parking right now:
Planning tip: Do not plan your LAX ground transport strategy around the People Mover being operational. Plan around shuttles, LAX-it, and FlyAway. If the APM opens during your trip, great - it's a bonus.
Economy Lot E (5455 W 111th Street, near the 105/405 interchange) is the airport's own budget option and the first lot most travelers consider. Here's what the marketing doesn't tell you:
The good: $12/day is hard to beat for on-airport, government-operated parking. 24/7 shuttle service. Patrolled by LAX Airport Police. Credit/debit accepted. 2,690 spaces.
The bad: It's uncovered. Your car sits in the sun for the duration of your trip. In August, your steering wheel will be untouchable without a sunshade. The shuttle takes about 15 minutes to reach your terminal, and during peak hours (6-9 AM, 4-7 PM on Fridays and Sundays) the wait for a shuttle can add another 10-15 minutes. Budget 30-45 minutes of total transit time between parking your car and reaching your gate.
The operational detail nobody mentions: Lot E fills to capacity during Thanksgiving week, Christmas/New Year, spring break, and summer Fridays. There is no "full" notification until you arrive at the gate arm. If the lot is full, you'll be turned away to the CTA garages at 3-5x the price. For peak travel, either arrive very early (before 6 AM) or pre-book an off-site lot as a guaranteed backup.
Oversized vehicles: Trucks, trailers, RVs, and campers are not permitted at Lot E. CTA structures P1, P3, and P4 have a 7'6" max height restriction.
Most people don't do this calculation. They should.
Uber/Lyft estimates fluctuate with demand; these are non-surge baseline estimates for the LAX-to-downtown-LA corridor.
| Trip Length | Economy Lot E | Off-Site Lot (avg $8/day) | Uber/Lyft Round Trip (non-surge, about 20 mi each way) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend (2 days) | $24 | $16 | $50-$80 | Parking wins by a lot |
| 5-day trip | $60 | $40 | $50-$80 | Close - rideshare competitive if solo traveler |
| 7-day trip | $84 | $56 | $50-$80 | Rideshare wins for solo; parking wins for 2+ travelers |
| 14-day trip | $168 | $112 | $50-$80 | Rideshare wins unless you need a car at your destination too |
The hidden variable: Surge pricing. LAX rideshare during Sunday evening return rushes (5-9 PM) or holiday periods can double or triple your fare. If you're landing Sunday night during a surge, that $40 Uber becomes $80-$120 one way. Parking eliminates that uncertainty.
The other hidden variable: If you're traveling with 2+ people and would need a car at your destination anyway, parking almost always wins. The ride cost is per trip, not per person - but parking is per car.
Pre-booking is non-negotiable for off-site lots. Walk-up rates are 30-50% higher, and during peak travel you may be turned away without a reservation.
| Lot | Pre-Book Rate (approx) | Shuttle Frequency | Distance from LAX | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Parking Spot (Sepulveda) | $20-$28/day | Every 5-7 min | Adjacent to airport | Fastest shuttles in the market. Loyalty program. Covered available. 9'6" clearance at entry. |
| The Parking Spot (Century) | $20-$28/day | Every 5-7 min | Off I-110/I-105 | Second location, same shuttle network. |
| WallyPark | $18-$25/day | Every 10-15 min | about 2 miles | Fenced, car wash add-on available. Good for luxury vehicles. |
| 105 Airport Parking | $10-$18/day | Every 10-15 min | about 1.5 miles | Strong budget option with covered and uncovered tiers. |
| Joe's Airport Parking | $9-$15/day | Every 15 min | 0.3 miles | One of the closest off-site lots to the terminal area. |
| QuikPark | $9-$15/day | Every 15 min | 0.3 miles | Also extremely close. Competes directly with Joe's on proximity. |
| UVP LAX Parking | $4-$8/day | Every 10 min | about 1 mile | Cheapest rates in the market. Uncovered, basic lot. |
All rates are approximate pre-book estimates as of March 2026. Check each lot's site for current pricing.
If you live in the San Fernando Valley - or you're willing to drive there - the Van Nuys FlyAway terminal (7610 Woodley Ave) has a 3,020-space parking garage at $5/day. That's not a typo. Five dollars.
You park, walk to the bus terminal, and ride the FlyAway bus directly to LAX for $12.75 one-way. The bus runs 24/7: every 20 minutes during peak hours, every 30 minutes midday, and hourly overnight. Travel time is 40-60 minutes depending on 405/101 traffic.
The math on a 14-day trip:
Catches:
LAX is in the middle of a multi-billion-dollar overhaul. This is not theoretical future construction - it is actively reshaping traffic patterns, lane availability, and terminal access right now.
Terminal 5 - Closed: Part of a $1.6 billion modernization of Terminals 4 and 5. Airlines have relocated. Don't park at P5.
Terminal 4 - Active renovation: The T4/T5 project includes a unified departure hall and new south concourse. Expect construction detours around the T4 area.
Terminal 6 - $230M refresh: Active construction. Terminal is open but space may be reduced.
Automated People Mover - Tracks visible, trains running empty, not open to passengers. The elevated guideway runs directly through the CTA area. Construction vehicles and fencing may affect traffic flow in the terminal horseshoe.
Terminal 1 - $477.5M extension: Adding a vertical core to connect to the future APM station. Ticket counter and baggage carousel additions in progress.
Terminal 9 - Planned: Future terminal east of the current complex, near the planned APM route. Not yet under construction for passenger use.
Net effect on parking: More construction traffic in the CTA horseshoe = slower loops, more congestion, more time from parking structure to terminal door. Budget an extra 10-15 minutes over pre-construction estimates.
Parking at LAX is the wrong call if:
Motorcycles park free in all CTA general parking and premium areas (P1-P7). Ride around the gate arm without taking a ticket. Park in designated motorcycle areas at row ends and corners. Free parking is not available in Valet zones. Maximum stay is 30 days.
EV charging is available in all CTA parking structures. Rate: $2 per session + $0.45/kWh. You can leave your vehicle plugged in for the duration of your trip. First-come, first-served or by reservation. EV charging is not available at Economy Lot E.
Cell Phone Waiting Lot is free, up to 2 hours. Located at 96th Street and Vicksburg Avenue. A secondary lot at 96th and Alverstone is open 6 AM-2 AM. Vehicles must be attended at all times. No commercial or rideshare vehicles allowed.
30-day maximum applies to all on-airport lots. Vehicles parked beyond 30 days may be impounded. Contact ABM at 310-646-2911 for extensions.
The 15-minute grace period applies at all CTA garages. If you're doing a quick terminal pickup and get in and out under 15 minutes, it's free.
| Option | Cost | Where to Find It | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uber/Lyft (standard) | $30-$60+ each way (varies) | LAX-it lot, east of T1. Shuttle or walk from terminal. | Solo travelers, short trips, when parking math doesn't work |
| Uber Black / Lyft Lux | $60-$120+ each way | Picks up directly at terminal curbside (outer island, arrivals level) | Travelers who want to skip LAX-it entirely |
| Taxi | Metered; about $50-$55 to downtown LA | LAX-it lot (Lane 1) or satellite stand at P3 (ground floor between T3/TBIT) | Guaranteed metered rate, no surge pricing |
| FlyAway Bus | $12.75 one-way | Lower/Arrivals level, blue FlyAway signs at each terminal | Downtown LA (Union Station) or Valley (Van Nuys). Runs 24/7. |
| Metro Rail (C/K Lines) | $1.75 | LAX/Metro Transit Center (shuttle bus from terminals until APM opens) | Budget travelers comfortable with transfer. Connects to broader Metro system. |
| Hotel Shuttle | Free (with hotel stay) | Upper/Departures level, RED curbside signs | Early-morning flights; park-sleep-fly packages at airport hotels |
LAX parking is a solvable problem once you match your trip length to the right option. Short trips: CTA garages or valet. Medium trips: Economy Lot E or pre-booked off-site. Long trips: Van Nuys FlyAway or cheap off-site lots. Don't assume rideshare is always cheaper - do the math, especially if you're traveling with others or landing during peak hours.
And check your terminal assignment before you leave the house. With Terminal 5 closed and airlines shuffled across the complex, a wrong turn costs you 20 minutes you'll wish you had at security.
All rates listed are approximate as of March 2026. On-airport rates include 10% Los Angeles City Parking Occupancy Tax. Off-site rates are pre-book estimates and vary by date, demand, and promo codes. Always confirm at the lot entrance or on the provider's website before committing.
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