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GUIDE: LAX / Los Angeles International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.

Old Sep 7, 2015, 10:35 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Prospero
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.

NOTE: AA uses Terminals 4 and 5, the remote Eagles Nest and some gates at TBIT . International Arrivals in particular may use T4, TBIT (100s numbered gates), the remote arrival piers (200s) or the maintenance hangars (300s); in the latter cases, passengers will be bussed to T4 (domestic and some international) or TBIT (some international), as both have USCBP processing facilities.

Link to Los Angeles World Airports' LAX Airport website

NOTE: LAX is always undergoing changes; be aware the information herein may change. See here for LAWA notices affecting passengers.

Link LAWA / LAX FAQ page.
Link to aa.com
Link to 14 Feb 2017 post with AA-AA Minimum Times Times

NOTE: The Admirals Club lounge and Flagship Lounge in Terminal 4 at Los Angeles International (LAX) have been renovated and include Flagship Dining for those in eligible three class First cabin.

Special notice

AA operate from multiple terminals at LAX. Check in at Terminal 5, east end (Gates 50-59, including Remote American Eagle terminal, gates 52A-J) or Terminal 4 (Gates 40-49, 110-159). (As of 31 Jan 2017)

NOTE: the 100s gates are at the Tom Bradley International Air Terminal (aka Terminal B), accessible to / from Terminal 4 by the airside connector if you are already airside and security cleared. The 200 gates are the remote piers served by bus, and the 300 gates are the maintenance hangars served by bus.

Check-in times as of March 2016 Link
In most locations, you must be checked in:

At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States

At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States. Some non-US require more.

If you are checking in with baggage to check at T-4, not T-5, and flying American Eagle from the remote "Eagle's Nest" 52A-J gates (31 Jan 2017 and after), you must check in 90 minutes prior to departure.

LAYOUT: LAX is like a letter "U" on its side, open end facing right. The Tom Bradley International Terminal is the bar of the "U" facing left, on the west side. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 on the north and 4 - 8 on the south. Entering the semicircular, counter-clockwise roadway serving the terminals, you will pass terminals 1, 2, 3, TBIT, 4, 5, 6, etc. There is quite a bit of construction going on and the airport roadways can get quite congested.

MCT: Though international to International or Domestic Minimum Connect Times (MCT) are listed as 2:00, arriving at the remote western 200 pads and gates (served by busses from the terminals), connecting between T4, T6, Remote Eagle terminal and TBIT, not to mention lengthy USCBP queues and the need to proceed landslide to connecting terminals and processing security may make 2:00 unrealistic at times. MCT Domestic to Domestic or International is often 0:40, but this may be unrealistic if connecting American Eagle remote terminal 52A-J and a domestic flight at TBIT, for example.

Operating terminals and gates
Terminal 4: AA primarily uses Terminal 4, Gates 40-49 but now also uses Terminal 5 (50-59, 52A-I remote Eagle gates and TBIT (110-159). Flagship Checkin, Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge are all in T-4.
Tom Bradley International Terminal ("100") gates 110-159 for domestic and international flights, with no particular flight assignment - check your gates information.

oneworld Business and Qantas First lounges in TBIT for qualified passengers. See LOUNGE DASHBOARD for further information - link.

Occasionally, the "200 gates" remote pads (bus from T-4) may be used. Terminal 4 and TBIT are connected airside by a new connector. Qualified travelers may use the TBIT oneworld Business or Qantas First lounges. See separate thread.

Terminal 5
AS OF Tue 31 Jan 2017: Legacy US flights operate from Terminal 5, gates 50 - 59. It is best to check in for American Eagle flights at T-5. Airside connection exists, as well as shuttles. Bus port at T-5 is at gate 52. American Eagle checked baggage is delivered to Terminal 5 baggage carousels; Eagle remote gates are now numbered 52A-J.

Terminal 6: Alaska Airlines flights operate from Terminal 6.

Legacy US flights operated from Terminal 6 until 31 Jan 2017; AA no longer operates out of Terminal 6.

American Eagle Remote Terminal "Eagle's Nest": Regional flights operate at a remote terminal served frequently by airside shuttle busses from bus gates 44 and 60. The remote American Eagle terminal gate numeration has changed: "May 16 2016 the remote gates at LAX formerly 44 A-J were renumbered to 60 A-J." There is a "junior" Admirals Club here. Preferred Eagle check in and baggage carousels are in T-5?

While you may check in at T-4 for American Eagle, those with baggage to check must do so no less than 90 minutes prior to departure. The preferred baggage check deadline is in place at T-5 for American Eagle.

Walking Interterminal - Landside

Note: You can walk airside between Terminal 4 and TBIT as of 25 Feb 2016. See LAX Terminal 4 - Tom Bradley Intl Terminal Secure Connector), and on to T-5 via a corridor (ground floor, by bus gate 44).

Terminals on the south side and TBIT are connected airside. A PDF guide is downloadable here.

One can also walk landside between terminals on upper or lower walkway sidewalks just outside the roadway. Lower walkways are protected from the weather, upper walkways are not. Distances can be short (T-4 <-> TBIT) or long (20 minutes or less in all cases, and there are crosswalks and walkways serving north and south terminals. See north - south blue corridors in Ground Transport map, above; walkways parallel them.

For access to the Tom Bradley International Terminal ("TBIT") one may also proceed landslide and walk a short distance, or take the counter clockwise landside courtesy airport shuttle bus.

Originally Posted by QueenOfCoach
Here is a graphic I made from a Google Earth Streetview screenshot that shows how close T4 is to TBIT. It's a two-minute walk. One minute if you are fast.
Link to fullsize map


Airside - Shuttle Bus or Walking

Airside shuttle busses:

NO BUS T-4 <-> T-5 (faster to walk pedestrian tunnel)
T-4 <-> Remote Eagle terminal (most efficient and frequent)
T-5 <-> Remote Eagle terminal (more frequent than from / to T-4)

Terminals 4 and 5: A courtesy shuttle bus operates airside between Terminal 4, ex-gate 44 bus gate, and Terminal 6 gate 60-62 through Mon 30 Jan 2017 - afterwards, Terminal gate 52, every fifteen minutes between 05:00 and 23:00; ongoing boarding pass required. At other times one either take the airside corridor T-5 Tue 31 Jan and after <-> T-4 or exit landslide and walk or take the counter-clockwise landslide courtesy shuttle bus.

American Eagle Remote Terminal: A courtesy shuttle bus serves the American Eagle remote terminal from Terminal 5, gate 52. Note: American Eagle checked baggage is delivered to Terminal 5 baggage carousels. Another shuttle runs from Terminal 4, gate 44 bus gate. A boarding pass to Gate 52A-I is required. This is the sole way of reaching these gates (other than Five Star Service passengers, who are shuttled via the Tarmac in Cadillac SUVs).

Terminal 4 - TBIT: The new pedestrian airside connector opened 25 Feb 2015. Qantas and AA passengers departing the TBIT can check in at Terminal 4, process airside, use Admirals or Flagship lounges T-4 <-> TBIT shuttles apparently ended when the airside connector open 25 Feb 2016[/hl].

Walk Terminals 4 and 5: One can walk airside using the Terminal 4 - 5 - 6 connector.

Walk Terminal 4 - TBIT airside connector: An airside connector leading to TBIT is open effective 25 Feb 2016. See here (FT) for more.


Getting from terminal to terminal, concourse to concourse, landside

Landside courtesy airport shuttle bus
  • "A" line buses: Transports passengers between terminals. "A" route operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and runs every 10 minutes (counter clockwise)
  • "C" line buses: Transports passengers to and from Parking Lot C. Travelers can walk to the LAX City Bus Center from Lot C. "C" route operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and runs every 10 to 15 minutes.
  • "G" line busses: Transports passengers with a valid TAP card to and from the Metro Green Line Aviation Station. Service is aligned with the rail schedule. To view, please go to www.metro.net . Click here for Green line Boarding Procedures (PDF document). TAP card is not required when taking the G Bus from LAX to the Aviation Metro Station.
  • Use this link for a real time map display of shuttle bus locations and movements.
  • Rental car company busses: transport passengers between terminals and car rental facilities.
Ground Transportation stops and pickups at LAX
NOTE: Rental, hotel shuttle, ber, etc. stops are in front of each terminal on the arrivals / lower level at the island crossing the first lanes of traffic.

Security at LAX
Link to FlyerGuide information on LAX T-4 Security.

TSA PreCheck: Yes (Terminal 4 upstairs, east; Terminal 5?)

Priority Access line in a Terminal 4 is accessed from the escalator on the left end (looking at the counters) of the terminal (furthest from TBIT, closest to terminal 5), next to the Priority Access check-in area. Often there is an AA worker at the bottom of the escalator making sure only Priority Access passengers go up this escalator. The First, Business and Priority Access lines now have their own screening room far from the economy area. This private room has multiple screening lines and during peak periods additional lines are opened up.

Security for (TBIT) international arrivals proceeding to Terminal 4 is open as of February 2017. When exiting TBIT customs and baggage recheck area, turn right immediately after the exit and proceed down the hallway to the checkpoint. No Pre-Check.

Check-in and ticketing at LAX and check in times Link
Flagship Check-in: YES Marked exclusive T-4 Flagship check-in entrance 4:00 a.m. 1:00 a.m.
Five Star Service: YES
Priority and Preferred Access: YES
Curbside check-in: Yes. Terminal 4 only, including for international destinations.

To help us get your bag on the same flight with you, present your bag to an airline representative for check-in no later than the cutoff time.

For flights within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands:
  • Check bags at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at LAX
For flights originating in airports outside the U.S. or flights departing the U.S. for an international destination:
  • Check bags at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure (90 if checking for Eagle at T-4 instead of T-5)
Time to baggage delivery: expect 0:30 or more.

Ticket counter locations
Terminal 4: upon entry, Qantas to right; First and Priority Access to left; Main Cabin straight ahead.
Self-service check-in kiosks available.
Open Daily: 04:00 - 00:30 (4 am to midnight + 30)

Terminal 5, east side: OPEN Tue 31 Jan 2017
Open Daily: 4:30 AM - 12:30 AM

Terminal 6: CLOSE Tue 31 Jan 2017
Open Daily: 4:30 AM - 12:30 AM

If departing on American Eagle, suggested check-in at T-5 Tue 31 Jan 2017 or after.

Minimum and reasonable connection and check-in times at LAX
See 20 May 2016 ExpertFlyer MCT listings here:
Originally Posted by serfty
The MCT's for AA at LAX are a mess...
Q. What are minimum check-in time requirements at LAX?
AA requires arriving a minimum of 45 minutes prior to domestic departures if departing domestically (including Hawai'i, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands) if one has no baggage to check; 60 minutes if one must check baggage; and two hours prior to international departures.

Additionally, AA requires passengers be checked in at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at LAX and "Arrive at the gate and be ready to board at least 15 minutes prior to domestic departure" and 30 minutes prior to international departure. Gates close to boarding 10 minutes prior to departure.

Q. What is the domestic to domestic or domestic to international Minimum Connection Time (MCT)?
The minimum connect time at LAX, domestic to domestic or international, is 0:40 minutes. International to domestic or international MCT is 2:00, but as mentioned previously, this may be insufficient. Note: MCT is generally not waived for international passengers arriving from USCBP pre-clearance airports.

See AA domestic to international MCT from ExpertFlyer Nov 2016 c/o Serfty here.
Q. If I am making an international to international connection, what is the process?

There is no international transit process in nearly all airports in the USA (DFW and MIA have a baggage exception for international to international). Arriving internationally, unless you have been pre-cleared, you must proceed through U. S. immigration (there are kiosks and a fast channel for Global Entry approved passengers), recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through U. S. Customs.

Upon exiting Customs at TBIT there is a bag drop facility; drop your checked baggage, exit to the landside arrivals area. Pre-cleared passengers arriving at TBIT will bypass USCBP (but most airlines will enforce international to domestic MCT nonetheless).

ALL arrivals are forced landside (you may pass back through security at the TBIT end of the T-4 - TBIT connector) and Terminal 4 is a short walk to your right, Terminal 6 farther; one can board courtesy airport "A" busses and be dropped off very shortly at T-4 or T-5.

NOTE: Whilst most international Arrivals process immigration and customs at TBIT, some arriving at T-4 may walk a long underground passage and process formalities at TBIT. Others may process at T-4, but if you arrive with bags those will be available at TBIT.

There is no Arrivals Loinge for AA or oneworld customers at LAX.

Q. What is AA policy if I have separate tickets and my incoming flight is delayed?
Protection for oneworld world customers travelling on separate bookings:oneworld Global Support

Your oneworld connection is generally not officially protected, but the airline may help you and put you on the next available flight, and AA does generally protect oneworld connections at this time..

If your flights are on the same PNR:

Connecting between airlines at unfamiliar airports can be a stressful experience, especially if your flight is delayed. American Airlines recognizes the impact delays and missed connections can have on your plans and on your life. That is why we partnered with the other oneworld member airlines to form teams of connection experts: oneworld Global Support.

At select airports across the oneworld alliance network, teams are proactively monitoring connecting flights and, whenever possible, they will meet and assist you if your connection is in jeopardy. The oneworld Global Support teams will do their best to allow you to use dedicated fast track lanes through immigration or security to help you catch your next flight. Our teams will also do everything possible to transfer your baggage so that it makes it on time to your final destination.

If you miss your connecting flight, the oneworld Global Support team will provide you with updated travel information, a new boarding pass and, where applicable, assistance with overnight accommodations.

oneworld Global Support is currently available at Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Madrid-Barajas, Miami, New York JFK and Sydney. The service is offered at these airports whenever possible, subject to operational constraints.
See:oneworld not requiring protection or interline baggage 1 Jun 2016; AA policy

Q. Can I check my baggage through?
If you're connecting within the oneworld alliance or airlines with an interline agreement and your connection is under eleven hours, all segments on the same PNR, probably. If over that or with separate PNRs (even within oneworld) airlines without an interline agreements with AA or on separate tickets connecting with non-oneworld airlines, no.

See oneworld not requiring protection or interline baggage 1 Jun 2016; AA policy.

Q. Is there baggage storage at LAX?
No. Since 9/11 most USA airports have eliminated baggage storage, but you can use a baggage storage firm that will pick up, store and return your baggage. You do not have to pre-book, and they are open 24/7: http://www.laxluggagestorage.com. There are $5 pickup, $5 return and storage charges.

WiFi at LAX:
"Internet Access at Los Angeles LAX Airport. LAX Airport offers free internet access, with paid upgrades: Free Wi-Fi service for up to 44 minutes is available in most of the public areas of the Airport - provided by Advanced Wireless Group."

=================

Other resources
  • Link to AA FAQ: Will I make my connection?
Posts from 2015-2017 have been archived to ARCHIVE: 2015-2017 GUIDE: LAX / Los Angeles Intl. Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
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GUIDE: LAX / Los Angeles International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.

Old Aug 30, 2019, 10:44 am
  #316  
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SJC (AA PLT 2MM - Marriott LTT - Avis Preferred)
Posts: 2,023
This is one of those “stars need to align” situations where you count on early arrival, GE, no bags to check, TSA-Pre, and late departure from Eagle terminal to make the connection comfortably.
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Old Aug 30, 2019, 3:58 pm
  #317  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Originally Posted by JJeffrey
Whoa, people.

Standard MCT at LAX is 1:30, not 2 hours.

AA-AA ID 1.30 FLT 1 - 6099 - FLT 1 - 6099

So this connection is right at the MCT but perfectly legal. It's certainly tight and doesn't leave much room for error, but it's far from the end of the world, completely do-able even with checked bags. Whether it's one ticket or separate tickets AA will just rebook you on the next flight if things were to go wrong. I wouldn't stress at all.
I believe this is spurious ... it causes EF to often suggest I-D connections at LAX of 90-120 minutes, but they are never bookable. I've been fooled by this many times, thinking I could get an itinerary from EF and discovering after much effort that I couldn't.
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Old Aug 30, 2019, 5:06 pm
  #318  
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Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but any tips for a bar to head to for a 1am-430am layover (430am because the AA lounge opens at 430am).

M
msm2000uk is offline  
Old Aug 30, 2019, 10:01 pm
  #319  
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
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Originally Posted by msm2000uk
Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but any tips for a bar to head to for a 1am-430am layover (430am because the AA lounge opens at 430am).

M
By law, bars in California are closed between 2:00 am and 6:00 am. You may want to ask in the Los Angeles forum about 24 hours restaurants.
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TWA884 is offline  
Old Aug 31, 2019, 4:16 am
  #320  
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Originally Posted by TWA884
By law, bars in California are closed between 2:00 am and 6:00 am. You may want to ask in the Los Angeles forum about 24 hours restaurants.
Many thanks!

M
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Old Aug 31, 2019, 9:47 am
  #321  
 
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Originally Posted by msm2000uk
Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but any tips for a bar to head to for a 1am-430am layover (430am because the AA lounge opens at 430am).

M
The Kettle in Manhattan Beach is open 24 hours. It's mostly a diner, not a bar, although it does serve beer (not sure if they do late at night).
flyingeph12 is offline  
Old Aug 31, 2019, 1:39 pm
  #322  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Originally Posted by flyingeph12
The Kettle in Manhattan Beach is open 24 hours. It's mostly a diner, not a bar, although it does serve beer (not sure if they do late at night).
No alcohol can be served in California between 2AM and 6AM, it is the law.
No bars will be open after 2AM.
All you get after 2AM is diners and fast food.
(Unless you want to go to a warehouse party in downtown LA).
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carlosdca is offline  
Old Sep 1, 2019, 6:42 am
  #323  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Thanks in advance for any help, I live on the other side of the world, but have (through various podcasts and popular media) come to understand that Los Angeles is traffic hell.

I just need to understand in terms of hotels, if I didn't want to stay RIGHT by the airport, but somewhere where it was still relatively easy to access the city, but on my first night (after a 15 hour flight from Singapore) still be quite easy to drive to from the airport, in maybe less than 30 minutes. Sounds like I'm trying to shop for real estate here, but grateful for any advice. My preference is IHG or Marriott, but non chain hotels are acceptable too.

Sorry to Mod if this is the wrong thread, but it is somewhat related to LAX, so I thought I should ask here.
coffeeblack is offline  
Old Sep 1, 2019, 7:03 am
  #324  
 
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Originally Posted by coffeeblack
Thanks in advance for any help, I live on the other side of the world, but have (through various podcasts and popular media) come to understand that Los Angeles is traffic hell.

I just need to understand in terms of hotels, if I didn't want to stay RIGHT by the airport, but somewhere where it was still relatively easy to access the city, but on my first night (after a 15 hour flight from Singapore) still be quite easy to drive to from the airport, in maybe less than 30 minutes. Sounds like I'm trying to shop for real estate here, but grateful for any advice. My preference is IHG or Marriott, but non chain hotels are acceptable too.

Sorry to Mod if this is the wrong thread, but it is somewhat related to LAX, so I thought I should ask here.
Not sure what you mean by easy access to the city, but my choices for something close to LAX but not right at the airport would be the Marriott or Ritz Carlton Marina del Ray or the Four Points Westsidedepending on your budget and type of hotel you are looking for.
flyingeph12 is offline  
Old Sep 1, 2019, 11:37 am
  #325  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Originally Posted by coffeeblack
Thanks in advance for any help, I live on the other side of the world, but have (through various podcasts and popular media) come to understand that Los Angeles is traffic hell.

I just need to understand in terms of hotels, if I didn't want to stay RIGHT by the airport, but somewhere where it was still relatively easy to access the city, but on my first night (after a 15 hour flight from Singapore) still be quite easy to drive to from the airport, in maybe less than 30 minutes. Sounds like I'm trying to shop for real estate here, but grateful for any advice. My preference is IHG or Marriott, but non chain hotels are acceptable too.

Sorry to Mod if this is the wrong thread, but it is somewhat related to LAX, so I thought I should ask here.
Also depends on what time you get in...if renting a car, why pick it up, drive 30 and park at the hotel for 12 hours? (It might not matter, based on when you return the car, but a consideration.) Stay at the airport, then shuttle over to the car rental in the AM and head out.

HTH
Exec_Plat is offline  
Old Sep 1, 2019, 2:48 pm
  #326  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Originally Posted by coffeeblack
I just need to understand in terms of hotels, if I didn't want to stay RIGHT by the airport, but somewhere where it was still relatively easy to access the city, but on my first night (after a 15 hour flight from Singapore) still be quite easy to drive to from the airport, in maybe less than 30 minutes
There is no such a thing as "easy access to the city", unfortunately.
LA is huge and disconnected. Most people tend to stay in their respective bubbles.

If you don't want an airport hotel vibe and still be close enough to the airport (less than 20 minutes to the start of the airport loop) I would probably recommend a boutique hotel or airbnb in Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach close to the ocean.
Manhattan and Hermosa are really cool places and offer the almost stereotypical southern california beach lifestyle. You can uber to MB or Hermosa and then just walk around (no car needed)

Marina del Rey is blah, Miami-esque, just like a staying at an airport hotel and you will need a car or constant Uber or similar to get around.

Westside/Beverly Hills/Sunset/WestHollywood/Melrose have the coolest restaurants, bars and stereotypical LA scenes but it will be too far from the airport.

Traffic on weekday nights is not that bad. Traffic during the day and anytime on the weekends can be the worst.

TBH, it is easier if you just stay by the airport and then take an Uber to any specific spot in LA you want to check out.
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carlosdca is offline  
Old Sep 1, 2019, 5:19 pm
  #327  
 
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Originally Posted by carlosdca
There is no such a thing as "easy access to the city", unfortunately.
LA is huge and disconnected. Most people tend to stay in their respective bubbles.

If you don't want an airport hotel vibe and still be close enough to the airport (less than 20 minutes to the start of the airport loop) I would probably recommend a boutique hotel or airbnb in Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach close to the ocean.
Manhattan and Hermosa are really cool places and offer the almost stereotypical southern california beach lifestyle. You can uber to MB or Hermosa and then just walk around (no car needed)

Marina del Rey is blah, Miami-esque, just like a staying at an airport hotel and you will need a car or constant Uber or similar to get around.

Westside/Beverly Hills/Sunset/WestHollywood/Melrose have the coolest restaurants, bars and stereotypical LA scenes but it will be too far from the airport.

Traffic on weekday nights is not that bad. Traffic during the day and anytime on the weekends can be the worst.

TBH, it is easier if you just stay by the airport and then take an Uber to any specific spot in LA you want to check out.
Although MdR is not the most interesting place to stay in LA, its certainly walkable to Venice Beach (from the Marriott more so than the Ritz). Admittedly, Venices vibe may not be for everyone...

The Four Points Westside is literally less than three miles from the airport (closer than the MdR hotels). Its certainly accessible to LAX without, in my opinion, feeling like an airport hoteli.e., its location is better than the hotels on/around Century Blvd.

I find traffic at LAX can be bad at any time, especially with the construction going on. It can be especially bad at night (starting around 9pm) when a lot of the international flights are departing. The AA terminal is usually pretty empty around 9 or 10pm, but I have seen a lot of people running to catch flights around that time because it took them 45 minutes to get from Sepulveda to T4 because of traffic.
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Old Sep 1, 2019, 8:00 pm
  #328  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Originally Posted by flyingeph12

Although MdR is not the most interesting place to stay in LA, its certainly walkable to Venice Beach (from the Marriott more so than the Ritz). Admittedly, Venices vibe may not be for everyone...

The Four Points Westside is literally less than three miles from the airport (closer than the MdR hotels). Its certainly accessible to LAX without, in my opinion, feeling like an airport hoteli.e., its location is better than the hotels on/around Century Blvd.

I find traffic at LAX can be bad at any time, especially with the construction going on. It can be especially bad at night (starting around 9pm) when a lot of the international flights are departing. The AA terminal is usually pretty empty around 9 or 10pm, but I have seen a lot of people running to catch flights around that time because it took them 45 minutes to get from Sepulveda to T4 because of traffic.
Thanks for this advice, exactly what I was looking for. When you say that Venice beach's vibe is not for everyone, do you mean it is not family friendly, or?

Originally Posted by Exec_Plat
Also depends on what time you get in...if renting a car, why pick it up, drive 30 and park at the hotel for 12 hours? (It might not matter, based on when you return the car, but a consideration.) Stay at the airport, then shuttle over to the car rental in the AM and head out.

HTH
Yeah! I thought about that like a few minutes after I posted my question.

Originally Posted by flyingeph12

Not sure what you mean by easy access to the city, but my choices for something close to LAX but not right at the airport would be the Marriott or Ritz Carlton Marina del Ray or the Four Points Westsidedepending on your budget and type of hotel you are looking for.
Right now I'm booked at the Renaissance. I am thinking though, since i'm only staying in the LA specific area for two days (doing Disneyland after), maybe I should just suck it up and stay at the airport without lugging the family around, and take the airport shuttle first day, and grab the rental the next day.
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Old Sep 1, 2019, 8:25 pm
  #329  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,635
Originally Posted by flyingeph12
I find traffic at LAX can be bad at any time,
This is very true. The 405 and other freeways can be relatively empty / fluid but then the airport loop ornthe approach to the airport is a nightmare anytime. Much more so now that the people mover construction has started.

Venice beach itself is a tourist trap. Before legalization of pot, you could go to one of the dozens of "marijuana doctors" there for your fix, there is homeless right and lef (welcome to LA) , stench of fried food, it is crowded for no reason, etc. A worse version of fisherman's wharf with a beach. We the locals tend not to go to VB ever. Not even the MDR folks. Lol.

Abbot Kinney leading to Venice is cool with many places to eat, art galleries, boutiques, etc.
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carlosdca is offline  
Old Sep 1, 2019, 9:02 pm
  #330  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Originally Posted by carlosdca

Venice beach itself is a tourist trap. Before legalization of pot, you could go to one of the dozens of "marijuana doctors" there for your fix, there is homeless right and lef (welcome to LA) , stench of fried food, it is crowded for no reason, etc. A worse version of fisherman's wharf with a beach. We the locals tend not to go to VB ever. Not even the MDR folks. Lol.

Abbot Kinney leading to Venice is cool with many places to eat, art galleries, boutiques, etc.
EEK. Ok noted. maybe not for me.
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