Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the most used airports in the world, with more than 88 million passengers each year who are dispersed into 9 terminals. Due to the large scale of the facility, which is located in the shape of a horseshoe with separate levels for arriving/departing from the airport and ground transportation services, it would be beneficial for your travel experience if you familiarize yourself with the LAX airport map before you arrive at the location.
LAX Airport Design: Explaining the Layout and Terminals
The whole LAX airport is designed as a horseshoe-shaped structure named World Way, with the terminals surrounding the central parking lot and Theme Building. The terminals are divided into those that are situated in the south (Terminals 1 to 3) and north (Terminals 4 to 8) sections, with Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) being the middle one. The Automated People Mover (APM), or the LAX Skytrain, is the transportation system that connects all the terminals.
Given the way the airport is designed, the terminal that you will be using is important at LAX much more than at other airports. The location of the pickup point, the parking lot and even the freeway exit you have to take all depend on the terminal number.
LAX Terminal Map
All terminals of LAX airport are associated with certain airlines, and knowing which of them you have to go to is very important. Let us examine these terminals and airlines:
- Terminals 1 and 1.5 serve flights by Southwest Airlines and some regional airlines. Terminal 1.5 was opened in 2024 and serves as a connecting point between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
- Delta Air Lines uses Terminal 2 for selected flights and international partners such as Aeromexico and Air France, depending on the configuration.
- Terminal 3 is used by Delta Air Lines for the majority of its domestic flights and is connected with Terminal 2 via a walkway.
- Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) is an international hub of LAX airport serving airlines like Emirates, Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and many others. It is situated between Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 and is the largest terminal at LAX airport.
- Terminal 4 is the main terminal for American Airlines at LAX airport and carries a majority of their domestic and some international flights.
- Terminal 5 accommodates flights by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
- Terminal 6 is the terminal for Alaska Airlines and their partners.
- Terminal 7 is for United Airlines’ domestic flights.
- Terminal 8 is for United Airlines’ other domestic and international departures.
Since airlines tend to change gate assignments from time to time, it is always advisable to verify your terminal on your ticket or mobile airline app the day you travel.
How to Travel Between LAX Terminals
The LAX Skytrain (Automated People Mover) is the quickest and most convenient option to travel between terminals without exiting the secure area or facing the traffic around the horseshoe. The LAX Skytrain connects all nine terminals to the new Metro Transit Center and the rental car center that will be integrated into a single facility. If you are connecting between terminals on the same side (such as Terminal 4 to TBIT), using connected walkways may prove faster than traveling by any other means.
If you are outside the security zone, you can use the free LAX Shuttle buses that circle the horseshoe roadway and stop at all terminals, but the traffic may make it less convenient during busy hours.
LAX Parking Map: Places to Park
LAX provides different parking services according to your departure time and closeness to your terminal. The following are some of the options provided by LAX:
- Terminal parking structures (P1-P6): Immediately adjacent to the terminals within the horseshoe structure. Most suitable for short visits but also the most expensive type of parking with the highest occupancy rate.
- Economy Parking Lot C: Located off Sepulveda Boulevard; access to terminals is through a free shuttle. This is an affordable choice if you park for extended periods.
- Cell Phone Lot: It is a free waiting zone for drivers coming to pick up arriving passengers and wait for the call without driving in circles around the terminal complex.
- LAX-it Rideshare Lot: The designated place to use services such as Uber and Lyft or other rideshare options, accessible via a free shuttle from any terminal.
- Off-site private parking: There are plenty of independent parking lots near LAX providing a cheaper alternative with shuttle service from these lots to the terminals.
Public Transit and Ground Transportation at LAX
The LAX/Metro Transit Center is the connection point between LAX and Los Angeles Metro Transit, with access to this transit center possible through SkyTrain from all terminals. One can take the Metro C Line from here and go to various parts of Los Angeles County. For those wishing not to make connections and preferring buses over rail, there is a Flyaway Bus service to Union Station and Van Nuys.
For motorists, the San Diego Freeway (I-405) and Sepulveda Boulevard can lead them to LAX, depending on the signage that will guide them towards the horseshoe terminal numbers.
Tips to Navigate the LAX Airport Map Effectively
Due to the massive size of the LAX airport and its horseshoe-like shape, there are occasions when travelers who are already used to it will still get disoriented, particularly during busy days. Some preparation before heading over to the airport may help avoid unnecessary frustrations. Here are some things to remember:
- Find out what terminal you need before leaving your place. The gates at which the flights depart may change, resulting in you going to the wrong terminal at LAX.
- Take the SkyTrain when connecting terminals. It is quicker and more reliable than the horseshoe shuttle bus during peak hours.
- Arrive early for international departure from TBIT. TBIT is the biggest terminal and queues may be long for the security check.
- Utilize the Cell Phone Lot in case of pick-up. You will be able to park your car for free and won’t have to wait for someone in the traffic of the terminals.
- Book parking ahead of time during peak seasons. Parking lots of the terminals can be full during holidays, and booking economy or off-site parking beforehand is the best solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
LAX has nine terminals overall: Terminals 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). The terminals are located in a horseshoe configuration with domestic terminals placed in the outer circle, and TBIT placed in the middle for international flights.
The quickest method to get around terminals at LAX is the complimentary Automated People Mover, referred to as the LAX Sky Train, that links all nine terminals, the Metro Transit Center, and the rental car facility. Passengers who have gone through security can use the connected walkways between adjacent terminals, while others can take the complimentary horseshoe shuttle.
For international flights, passengers should go to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), which is located centrally between Terminals 3 and 4. Some international airlines may operate from other terminals as well.
For brief periods, terminal parking structures (Parking Structure 1 to Parking Structure 6) are the closest but expensive and most likely to be full quickly. For longer periods, there are Economy Lot C at Sepulveda Boulevard and off-site parking lots with shuttle service.
The LAX-it area where you will be picked up by Uber or Lyft is served by a complimentary shuttle to each terminal from all terminals. If somebody is going to pick you up in his own car, he can wait free of charge in the Cell Phone Lot and then proceed to your terminal.