Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about a 19-minute drive from Gardena Terrace Inn. For LAX to Gardena, you can choose among taxis, ride apps, scheduled buses and a public-transit connection; the right pickup point depends on the service you book.
- Standard taxis and ride apps: use LAX-it, beside Terminal 1.
- Limousines and private vehicles: use the outer curb outside baggage claim.
- Scheduled buses: wait under the orange Shared Rides signs on the Lower/Arrivals Level.
- GTrans Line 5 connects with the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where a free shuttle serves the airport terminals.
Choose a transfer type
At LAX, the main transfer choices are ride apps, taxis, scheduled buses and public transit.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) identifies Lyft, Opoli, Uber and Wingz as ride-app providers. For standard ride-app pickups, head to LAX-it rather than waiting at the terminal curb. You can also use a taxi; only taxis with an official seal issued by the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation may pick up passengers at the airport.
Scheduled buses offer another option, with several operators serving LAX. Their schedules and advance-booking requirements vary, so contact the operator directly when planning your trip. For a public-transit connection through Gardena, GTrans Line 5 runs through the city and connects with the LAX/Metro Transit Center. A free shuttle serves all airport terminals from that transit center.
If you are weighing shuttle arrangements, the LAX airport shuttle guide for Gardena visitors covers that option in more detail.
How do you get from LAX to your pickup point?
For standard taxi and ride-app pickups, go to LAX-it beside Terminal 1, either on foot or by free shuttle.
After you collect your bags, follow the airport directions to LAX-it. Passengers can walk from Terminal 1 in an estimated 8 minutes or take the shuttle, estimated at 15 minutes.
The shuttle boards at the inner curb on the Lower/Arrivals Level, near the green LAX-it signs. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and arrives approximately every 7 minutes, though arrival times vary with airport conditions.
For a ride app, request your vehicle after reaching the LAX-it lot. Uber Black, Uber Black SUV, Lyft Lux Black and Lyft Lux Black XL can pick up at terminals. LAX-it does not apply to limousine or executive-car pickups.
Scheduled-bus passengers should wait under the orange Shared Rides signs on the Lower/Arrivals Level. Check the operator name before boarding so you get on the correct vehicle.
Compare shared and private rides
Scheduled buses and GTrans connect passengers through designated pickup points, while taxis and ride apps use LAX-it for standard pickups.
The scheduled-bus operators include Antelope Express, Mickey’s Space Ship Shuttle, Santa Barbara Airbus, Shuttle One, Shuttle 2000 and Ventura County Airporter. Since schedules and advance-booking requirements vary by provider, contact the company you plan to use before setting out.
For private-vehicle, town-car and limousine pickups, use the outer curb on the first level outside baggage claim; personal-vehicle pickup is also permitted there. If you book an executive car, confirm its pickup arrangement with the provider, as those rides do not use LAX-it.
Eight taxi companies are authorized: Bell Cab Company, Beverly Hills Cab Company, City Cab, Independent Taxi, United Checker Cab, United Independent Taxi Drivers (UITD), United Taxi of San Fernando Valley (UTSFV) and Yellow Cab. Authorized Taxicab Supervision (ATS) provides taxi management and dispatch at 310-646-9177.
You can call that dispatch number to request an accessible taxi. The taxi will come from the holding lot to the nearest terminal curb ACCESS location, marked with a dark-blue sign. Service animals ride in taxis at no extra charge.
Allow for traffic and luggage
Build time into your plan for reaching the pickup point as well as for the drive to Gardena.
The airport shuttle ride to LAX-it takes an estimated 15 minutes, while the walk from Terminal 1 takes an estimated 8 minutes. Those are separate from the drive to Gardena, so account for the transfer between the terminal and your chosen pickup location when arranging a connection.
If you are using a scheduled bus, check its schedule and booking requirements with the operator. For a ride app, wait until you reach LAX-it before requesting a standard pickup. These steps help match your arrival plan to the service’s actual boarding point.
Before you go: Pickup arrangements and service details can change, so check the official site before you go. For airport pickup information, use the Los Angeles International Airport website; for bus schedules and bookings, contact the relevant operator.
FAQs
Where do standard taxis and ride apps pick up at LAX?
They use LAX-it, the lot beside Terminal 1. You can walk there or take the free shuttle from the Lower/Arrivals Level.
Can a ride app pick up at a terminal?
Uber Black, Uber Black SUV, Lyft Lux Black and Lyft Lux Black XL can pick up at terminals. Standard ride-app pickups use LAX-it.
Where do scheduled buses pick up?
Wait under the orange Shared Rides signs on the Lower/Arrivals Level, then confirm that the vehicle is operated by your scheduled-bus provider.
How do I request an accessible taxi?
Call LAX taxi dispatch at 310-646-9177. The taxi is sent to the nearest terminal curb ACCESS location, marked by a dark-blue sign.