LAX is one of the busiest airports not only in the USA but in the whole world. That’s why finding proper LAX parking is as challenging as moving through the airport itself. Whatever you need – leave a car for just an hour while sending someone else to their destination via plane or park a car for two weeks during an international vacation. In any case, you’ll have to take into account that fees depend on your parking location, advance booking, and the length of your stay. We will tell you everything about LAX parking options.
What to Expect from On-Airport LAX Parking Areas
The LAX airport parking lot is managed by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and consists of several levels of parking lots depending on the distance from the terminal.
- Central Terminal Area (CTA) Garages (P1–P7) Located right opposite to the terminals on World Way, these garages are the most convenient option for short trips, drop-offs, or travelers that are in a hurry. Best for quick pick-ups/drop-offs/short stays and offering premium and valet services, electric vehicle charging, and 15 minute grace period. Each garage services different terminal: P1 is for Terminal 1, P3 is for Delta hub at Terminal 3, P4 is for American Airlines hub at Terminal 4, while P7 is for Terminals 7 and 8, the United hub. However, it comes with a price: CTA general parking costs up to $60 a day, premium parking up to $70, and valet costs up to $75.
- LAX Economy Parking Economy Parking is an off-loop structure that is meant to be used as long-term parking. It is located at the entrance to the airport, next to 96th street and Sepulveda Blvd and costs about $35 per day. It provides service to all terminals via a complimentary shuttle bus which operates every 10-15 minutes. If you are looking for LAWA-operated parking but don’t want to pay CTA rates, this can be the best on-site parking deal for you.
- LAX Budget Parking The most affordable choice for LAX parking, at around $20 per day, it is ideal for long travel trips on a budget. This is the far-off drive-up only parking area where making reservations is not possible. You will need to arrive early if the travel time is peak.
- Cell Phone Parking Area (free) If you are just coming to pick up someone, forget about paying for parking. Drivers who want to wait for the arrival of their party can park here for free for up to two hours.
Overview of LAX On-Airport Parking
| Type of Parking | Approximate Cost per Day | Location | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTA General (P1-P7) | Up to $60 per day | Right across the terminals | Short stays and fast drop-offs |
| CTA Premium (P1, P3, P7) | Up to $70 per day | Inside CTA garages | Nearest spots in reserved parking |
| CTA Valet | Up to $75 per day | Inside CTA garages | Fastest drop-offs with no effort at all |
| LAX Economy Parking | Around $35 per day | Nearby 96th Street and Sepulveda Boulevard | Affordable long-term parking |
| LAX Budget Parking | Around $20 per day | Faraway lot, drive-up only | Most affordable long-term stays |
| Cell Phone Waiting Area | Free (for up to 2 hours) | Northwest corner of 96th Street and Vicksburg Avenue | Pick-up of passengers only |
The prices vary depending on supply and demand — always check current prices on LAX’s official parking website prior to your travel.
Off-Airport Parking: The Most Economical Solution
Should you be leaving your car for more than one or two days, then private lots nearby LAX will be the most economic solution for you. Private lots near LAX offer prices 40-70% lower than CTA garages, plus a free shuttle to all terminals at LAX.
These parking lots are located close to Century Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard in proximity to the airport. There are huge differences in prices and services provided by different lots, including:
- Economical options providing simple open parking or covered parking accompanied by shuttle service every 20–30 minutes
- Moderate prices providing covered parking lots with shuttles available every 5–15 minutes and additional services, such as car washes
- Luxury options providing such things as valet service, EV charging, and real-time shuttle monitoring
Privately-owned lots offer the most significant discounts, starting at about $4-$8 daily and providing additional services, such as free shuttle service, valet, covered parking, and baggage assistance.
The sacrifice that needs to be made is time because it takes about 5 to 30 minutes extra to arrive at the terminal from an off-airport parking lot, depending on its distance and shuttle frequency. The farther away the lot is located and the longer shuttle frequency is, the higher chances are to miss a flight, so it is better to spend a little extra money on shuttle service.
Tips on Saving Money When Park at Los Angeles Airport
The following are a few pieces of advice offered by the experts on how one can save money when parking at LAX.
- Plan: Getting a reservation before going there is always cheaper than arriving without any booking. Especially if the airport parking facility is an off-airport lot.
- Look for shorter shuttle time rather than low rates: Sometimes a little extra money for parking might give you a lot less hassle if that parking place has the shuttle time five minutes, whereas the cheaper one will take 30 minutes.
- Consider whether the parking lot fits the length of the trip: In case your trip lasts less than a day, CTA might be more convenient, but if it is longer, the off-airport lot will surely work better.
- Use Cell Phone Parking Lot for pickups: One might not pay for parking at all if he is there only to pick someone up.
Conclusion
LAX parking does not have to be the cause of stress before your flight as soon as you know how to choose among these different options. If your flights are short, convenience should take precedence over other considerations, and in such cases, the CTA garages will be closest to your gate, although at higher prices. In case you need to leave your car parked overnight, LAX Economy Parking will be a safe compromise between the two ends, whereas the private parking lots away from the airport will provide the greatest cost savings at the expense of some additional shuttle transportation time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Private off-airport lots situated near Century and Sepulveda Boulevards are often the most affordable parking options, especially if you’re staying there longer than a couple of days.
It is generally a good idea to book at least several days in advance. The earlier you do it, the better, especially if you are planning to visit LAX during holidays, peak travel season, or during an event in LA.
It surely is, since it combines the best features of both LAWA-managed parking options and the affordability of multi-day parking.
There is only one free parking spot available at LAX – the Cell Phone Waiting Lot; however, it is solely used for picking up arriving passengers.
If you’re going to stay at LAX for an overnight or one or two nights, booking a CTA garage may become a reasonable choice despite higher costs due to its convenience.