Ruth Haines
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a vibrant airport with various services and attractions nearby. During the COVID-19 pandemic, travellers often wondered if they could leave the airport during layovers. The answer is yes, as long as you follow the immigration rules of your layover destination. For domestic travel within the US, no visa is required, but for international travel, a visa or visa exemption is necessary. LAX offers many transportation options for leaving the airport, such as taxis, ride-hailing services, and shuttles. However, it is important to consider the time required for exiting and re-entering the airport, especially with COVID-19 safety measures in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving LAX airport during layover | Yes, but you must follow immigration rules and have a valid visa if required |
| Visa requirements | Domestic: no visa required. International: a visa is required |
| Transport to and from LAX | Public transport, taxi, ride apps (Lyft, Opoli, Uber), shuttle, private transfer |
| Time taken to reach nearby places | 1-2 hours |
| Time taken for security check-in | 20-40 minutes |
| COVID-19 restrictions | CDC will no longer require air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight |
| Safety measures | Limit contact with others, avoid high-touch surfaces, sanitize hands often, follow CDC guidelines and rules of the transit option |
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What You'll Learn
International travellers will need a valid visa or visa-free entry to the US
LAX airport is closed to the general public and only accessible to airline passengers, those meeting or accompanying them, and airport personnel. Travellers with a layover at LAX may need to change terminals and exit security, which could involve leaving the airport building. This may be necessary even if remaining within the airport, as some terminals are connected via an underground tunnel. Those with a long layover may wish to leave the airport to sleep in a hotel or visit nearby Manhattan Beach. However, this will involve going through security screening again, which could be time-consuming. It is recommended to allow plenty of time for security and to consider traffic delays when returning to the airport.
To leave LAX airport, travellers must pass through security and exit the terminal building. They can then take a shuttle bus to the LAXit taxi pickup spot and get a cab or rideshare to their desired location. When returning to the airport, travellers should allow ample time to pass through security screening again. Those with a connecting flight that requires them to exit the secured side of TSA screening must adhere to the 3-1-1 policy for liquids and gels.
International travellers with a valid visa or visa-free entry to the US will be able to pass through immigration and leave LAX airport during their layover. However, they should be mindful of COVID-19 restrictions and allow extra time for security screening and potential traffic delays when returning to the airport.
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Domestic connections are easier to leave the airport during layovers
LAX airport is closed to the general public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, passengers with a connecting flight are allowed to leave the airport during their layover. This is also true for domestic connections, which are easier to leave the airport during layovers. This is because, for domestic flights, you won't need to worry about visas, customs, or immigration.
For international flights, you'll need to check if the country you're connecting in requires a visa. If it does, you can always apply for one. If you're connecting in the US, you'll need to go through immigration at your first port of entry, and then you're free to go wherever you like. However, if your flight originates outside the US and arrives at a US airport, you'll need to collect your checked bags, go through US customs and immigration, and then recheck your bags before you can leave the airport.
When deciding whether to leave the airport during a layover, you should consider how much time you have. You'll need to factor in the time it takes to deboard the plane, exit the airport, secure transportation, do what you want to do at your layover destination, travel back to the airport, go through security, and navigate to your departure gate. You should also consider the unexpected, like traffic jams or other delays. The standard recommendation is to allow two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.
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Immigration and customs will need to be cleared
If you are travelling to LAX from an international destination, you will need to go through immigration and customs. The time taken to clear immigration and customs at LAX can vary from 15 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the number of people arriving at the same time, the efficiency of the staff, and whether you are a US citizen or not. US citizens can use the APC if they have a repeat ESTA visit. Non-US citizens may have to wait in line for longer periods.
To streamline the entry process, eligible travellers can use the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. This allows travellers to submit their passport and customs declaration information through a secure app on their smartphone. The use of MPC is free and reduces passport control inspection time and overall wait time.
Once you have cleared immigration and customs, you are free to go anywhere in the country. You can stay at a hotel or visit nearby places like Manhattan Beach, which is about 20 minutes away from LAX. However, keep in mind that you will need to allow sufficient time to return to the airport, clear security, and board your next flight.
If you have a connecting flight within Terminals 5, 6, 7, or 8, you do not need to exit the secured side of TSA screening as these terminals are interconnected. However, if you need to connect to a flight from a different terminal, you will need to exit the secured side, possibly take a shuttle, and then go through security screening again.
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LAX is closed to the general public 24/7
However, if you are travelling through LAX and have a long layover, you can leave the airport during your layover. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, you will need to check that you are permitted to enter the US. If you are, you will need to go through immigration and customs, and then you are free to go wherever you wish, including to a hotel.
If you are landing at Terminals 5, 6, 7, or 8 and connecting to another flight within these terminals, you do not need to exit the secured side of TSA screening as these terminals are linked by passageways and tunnels. However, if you arrive at Terminals 1, 2, 3, or the Tom Bradley International Terminals (Terminal B) and need to connect to a flight at Terminals 5, 6, 7, or 8, you will need to exit the secured side of TSA screening and the terminal. You can do this by walking across to the terminal or by boarding the free Airline Connections "A" Shuttle, which operates every 12-15 minutes from the Lower/Arrivals Level in front of each terminal. If you exit the secured side of TSA screening and leave the terminal, you will need to go through security screening again, and the 3-1-1 policy for liquids and gels will apply.
If you do decide to leave the airport during your layover, there are several nearby places you can visit. Manhattan Beach is only 20 minutes away from LAX, but you will need to deplane, walk out of the terminal, catch a shuttle bus to the LAXit taxi pickup spot, and get a cab or an Uber/Lyft, which can take up to two hours. You could also walk to an In & Out Burger restaurant near the LAXit lot.
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There are several transport options to get to the city centre
There are several transport options to get from LAX to the city centre. The airport is currently closed to everyone except those with valid tickets, people assisting ticketed passengers, and airport personnel. However, once you have exited the airport, you are free to go anywhere you like.
If you are looking for a direct transfer to the city centre, you can book a private shuttle or transfer service. These can be customised to your preferences and booked in advance, allowing you to choose the right car class and add any extra amenities.
You can also take a taxi to the city centre. Only authorised taxis with an official seal issued by the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation are permitted to pick up passengers from inside the curb of the arrivals terminal. Accessible taxis can be called and dispatched from the holding lot to the LAX Central Terminal Area.
Another option is to take a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft. To do this, head to the LAX-it area near Terminal 1, where you can book your ride via a mobile app.
If you prefer to use public transport, you can take the LAX/Metro Transit Center. Several municipal bus agencies serve this route, including Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus, Culver City Bus, Beach Cities Transit, GTrans (Gardena), and Torrance Transit. From the Transit Center, you can then take the C Line or K Line to the city centre. Metro offers Park & Ride lots along these lines, with some long-term parking options. You can pay with a TAP card at the station validator or via the TAP app or your Apple Wallet.
Finally, if you want to rent a car, there are rental desks at the LAX Car Rental Center and a Remote Rental Car Depot with shuttle services. Prices are competitive, and booking ahead offers better options. The drive from LAX to downtown takes about 30 minutes, but this can extend to 85 minutes during rush hour.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can leave the airport during a layover, but you must follow all the immigration rules of your layover destination. For domestic travel, no visa is required. However, for international travel, you will need a valid visa or visa-free entry to the US.
As of June 12, 2022, the CDC no longer requires air passengers travelling to the US to show a negative Covid-19 test or proof of recovery before boarding their flight. However, it is important to limit your contact with others, avoid high-touch surfaces, and sanitise your hands often.
There are several ways to get from LAX to the city during a layover, including taxis, ride-hailing services such as Uber or Lyft, shuttle buses, or public transport.
It is important to consider the time it will take to leave and re-enter the airport, especially with Covid-19 safety measures in place. You should also ensure that you have the necessary visas and local currency or easy access to money.
