Rideshare & Ground Transport
Uber & Lyft Pickup at Los Angeles International Airport
Rideshare pickup at LAX is not always at the arrivals curb — most airports now route Uber and Lyft to a dedicated lot or garage. Here is exactly where to go, how to get there, and how to keep the fare reasonable.
Where to get picked up at LAX
UUber Pickup Zone
LAX-it Lot — Lanes 2–4 (Green zone); address 10285 Post Way, Los Angeles
LLyft Pickup Zone
LAX-it Lot — Lanes 5–7 (Pink zone); same lot at 10285 Post Way
In the app
Select 'LAX-it Lot' as pickup in the app; the app will show your lane color (Green lanes 2–4 for Uber, Pink lanes 5–7 for Lyft)
How to find the rideshare zone
Exit baggage claim on Level 1 and take the free LAX Shuttle (or walk) east to the LAX-it Lot; premium rides (UberBlack, Lyft Lux) still pick up directly at the terminal curb.
Cell Phone Lot
The Cell Phone Waiting Lot at 6201 W 96th St (96th & Vicksburg) is 5–10 min from any terminal — use it while your party clears bags, then head to LAX-it. Cell phone lot details →
Avoiding surge pricing at LAX
When surge peaks: Surge hits hardest Friday 5–9pm, Sunday 2–7pm, and during major events at SoFi Stadium, Crypto.com Arena, or the Hollywood Bowl; LAX surges are among the most severe in the US.
Wait tip
Take the free shuttle rather than walking; surges spike Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons — waiting 10–15 min in the lot often drops fares significantly.
Compare your options
Rideshare is usually the fastest door-to-door option, but it is not always the cheapest — especially during surge.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rideshare Uber / Lyft | Door-to-door convenience, groups with bags, no cash needed | Surge pricing on busy evenings & events; long walk to pickup lot |
| Taxi Metered cab | Predictable metered fare during surge, no app required | Often more expensive off-peak; cash sometimes required |
| Transit Train / bus | Lowest cost option, immune to surge pricing and traffic | Not available at every airport; less practical with luggage |
For full ground-transport options at LAX including rental cars and public transit, see the LAX Getting Around guide.
Know exactly when to leave for LAX
Add your rideshare pickup time to the Leave-By calculator — it factors in current TSA wait times, so you hit the zone with time to spare.
Calculate leave-by time →