Are you flying out from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)? The thought of navigating the airport can be quite daunting as you’re flying out from one of the world’s busiest airports. Your travel can become stressful, thinking about the heavy LA traffic, busy terminals, waiting at security checkpoints, and whether you’ll reach the boarding gate on time or not. This will make you continuously think about how early to get to LAX. Don’t worry; our article will brief you on everything related to how early to get to LAX, making your travel smooth and stress-free.
How Early Should I Get to LAX?
Ideally, you must reach LAX Airport two hours before the scheduled flight time for domestic flights and three hours before the scheduled flight time for international flights. This will give you adequate time to check in, go through the security process, and find the boarding gate. However, if you’re traveling during holidays or peak seasons, we recommend adding 30 minutes or more to the suggested travel times.
Why Is It Crucial to Get to LAX Early?
The following are some factors that help you determine how early to get to LAX.
Traffic delays
If you’re driving, ideally, it takes around 30-60 minutes for you to reach LAX from downtown LA. This can vary based on the traffic conditions. However, during holidays or peak seasons, it may take around 45 minutes to over two hours to reach the airport. The busiest hours are ideally between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
It is better to use a navigation app to find out the driving time to the airport.
Passenger traffic at LAX
The airport has an average yearly passenger traffic of close to 77 million, making it one of the busiest in the world. So, it is fair to expect crowded terminals at the airport, especially during peak times.
Parking at LAX
One of the biggest challenges you’ll face will be finding onsite LAX parking. If you arrive early at the airport, you’ll have some time to circle the onsite lots to find parking. However, this is always risky as the onsite LAX lots tend to fill up quickly.
The safest option is always to pre-book parking near LAX Airport. Booking at any of the offsite parking lots near the airport guarantees you a safe parking spot at the cheapest rate. An offsite parking spot can help you save up to 60% on the parking rates. Also, most offsite lots offer free round-trip shuttle services. So, all you have to do is reach the lot on or before time!
Navigating the terminals
LAX has nine terminals, including a dedicated terminal for international flights. Though all terminals are connected airside, it will take significant time to navigate between them and the gates. So, always have extra time for that.
TSA security times
TSA security lines can be long, especially during holidays or peak seasons. They can even be unpredictable during a normal day. So, always have ample time to clear the security process. Enroll in programs like TSA PreCheck to expedite the security process.
Check-in times
Many airlines have stringent check-in and baggage drop deadlines. You may miss your flight if you arrive late at LAX.
International travel
Always keep extra time when you’re flying internationally. When flying out on international flights, you’ll be subjected to extra security checks, lengthier check-in processes, and customs and immigration processes, requiring extra time.
How Busy Is LAX?
With an average annual passenger traffic of close to 77 million, Los Angeles International Airport is one of the busiest airports globally and currently the fifth-busiest airport in the US. Ideally, these are the busiest travel periods at the airport.
- Domestic flights – 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- International and domestic flights– 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. till 11 p.m
The airport can get busier during holidays like the 4th of July, Labor Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Memorial Day. Fridays and Mondays are usually the busiest days at LAX. However, this can change depending on the season of your travel.
How Early Should I Get to LAX for a Domestic Flight?
We recommend you reach LAX at least two hours before the scheduled flight time. If you’re a first-timer, it would be better if you could add 30 minutes or more to the recommended travel time. This will help you familiarize yourself with the airport terminals.
How Early Should I Get to LAX for an International Flight?
We recommend you reach LAX at least three hours before the scheduled flight time. During peak travel times, you should add 30 minutes or more to the recommended travel time. For international flights, the check-in usually closes an hour before the departure time, and passengers must reach their gate around 45 minutes before departure.
TSA Wait Time at LAX
On average, the TSA wait times at Los Angeles Airport are around 15 minutes. However, during holidays or peak travel times, the wait time can go up to around 25 minutes. For real-time updates, you can use the My TSA app. The app will give you a real idea of the wait time and whether there are any other possible delays. Enroll in programs like TSA PreCheck to save time during security screening.
How to Manage Unexpected Delays
However you plan, delays can occur. These are our tips to tackle unexpected delays.
- Flight delays: Opt for notifications from the airline.
- Traffic: Ensure to leave at least 30 minutes earlier than planned during peak travel times.
- Missed connection flights: Be always aware of the airline’s rebooking policies.
Our Tips for a Smooth Flight from LAX
- Check the flight status: Before driving to the airport, check the status of your flight via LAX’s or the airline’s website.
- Reserve parking in advance: Pre-book your parking spot via Global Airport Parking for a safe and guaranteed parking spot at the lowest rates. Drive stress-free to LAX.
- Be ready for the security check: Ensure you know the regulations for liquids and prohibited items to prevent unnecessary delays at the security checkpoint.
- Check the wait times: Inspect the wait times at security checkpoints using online tools like the MyTSA app to know the wait times at security checkpoints.
All Your Questions Answered
How long does it take to get through customs at LAX?
Ideally, it will take between 30 and 90 minutes to clear customs and immigration at LAX. However, this can change based on factors like the time and day of the week, the number of flights arriving at the same time in LAX, and the number of staff available at the immigration and customs checkpoints.
How early should I get to LAX for a flight to Hawaii?
You must reach the airport at least two hours before the scheduled flight time. If you wish to travel during peak travel seasons or have a checked bag, try adding 30 minutes to the recommended time.
How busy is LAX at 5 a.m.?
The airport is ideally busy for domestic and international flights at 5 a.m. The average security wait time is around 20 minutes, more than the average wait time of 15 minutes.
