LAX Airport Parking Terminal: Which Lot to Use by Airline

LAX airport parking by terminal is the practice of choosing the parking structure or lot closest to your specific departure terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, so you spend less time walking and more time at your gate. Each of the nine terminals at LAX has a dedicated parking structure — P1 through P7 — attached directly to the Central Terminal Area (CTA). Rates start at $60/day for general terminal parking, $35/day for Economy Parking, and as low as $7.72/day at off-site lots with free shuttle service (verified April 2026).

• Nine terminals, seven garages: Structures P1–P7 each serve a specific terminal (P7 covers Terminals 7 and 8 jointly).
• On-airport rates: General CTA parking maxes at $60/day; Economy Parking maxes at $35/day; Budget Parking at $20/day.
• Off-site savings: Off-site lots like 105 Airport Parking start at $7.72/day — that's up to 87% less than on-airport CTA rates.
• Shuttle access: All off-site lots provide free 24/7 shuttle service to LAX terminals.
• Construction note: The LAX Automated People Mover (APM) is targeting a ~June 2026 opening, which will connect Economy Parking and the Metro Transit Center to every terminal via elevated train.
• Book early: Pre-booking off-site lots locks in lower rates and guarantees a space during busy travel periods.

Complete LAX Airport Parking Guide | Back to LAX Airport Parking

Which LAX Terminal Do You Need? Airlines by Terminal Breakdown

Los Angeles International Airport has nine passenger terminals arranged in a horseshoe loop called the Central Terminal Area. Knowing your terminal before you park saves you a long walk — or worse, a wrong-garage fee.

The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) is the busiest international gateway at LAX. It sits between Terminals 3 and 4 in the CTA loop. Travelers flying TBIT typically use P3 or P4 as the closest on-site options. You can also check the official LAX terminal maps to confirm your airline's exact gate location before you drive.

Delta operates in both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, which causes confusion. Check-in is often at Terminal 2, but many Delta departures leave from Terminal 3. Confirm your specific terminal on your boarding pass before choosing a garage.

How Much Does LAX Airport Parking Cost? On-Site Rates by Structure

On-airport parking at LAX is priced by structure and category. Rates are set by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and apply across all CTA terminal garages (P1–P7), Economy Parking, and Budget Parking (verified April 2026).

• CTA General Parking (P1, P2, P5, P6, P7): $9 first hour, then $7 per 30 minutes — max $60/day
• CTA General Parking (P3, P4): $11 first hour, then $9 per 30 minutes — max $60/day
• CTA Premium Parking (P1, P3, P7): $11 first hour, $9 per 30 minutes — max $70/day
• CTA Valet Parking (P1, P3, P4, P7): max $75/day
• Economy Parking: $8 first hour, $7 per 30 minutes — max $35/day
• Budget Parking: $5 first hour — max $20/day
• Cell Phone Lot: Free (located at 96th Street/Vicksburg Avenue)

Premium spots are available in P1, P3, and P7 — these are the spaces closest to each terminal entrance. If you're running late or have mobility concerns, the extra $10/day over general parking can be worth it. Valet at $75/day is the fastest option for drop-off, available at P1, P3, P4, and P7.

For a full breakdown of daily and hourly LAX parking costs across every option, see our guide on LAX airport parking rates per day.

Compare LAX terminal parking options starting from $7.72/day — find the best rate for your terminal on Triply.

Where Are the Best Parking Spots at LAX? Terminal-by-Terminal Guide

The right parking structure depends entirely on your airline. Here is a quick-reference guide for the most common traveler scenarios at LAX.

Flying Southwest or JetBlue? Use P1

P1 is attached directly to Terminal 1. It offers general and premium spots, with premium spaces steps from the terminal entrance. This is one of the easier garages to navigate at LAX and a solid choice for domestic travelers on Southwest or JetBlue.

Flying American Airlines? Use P4

P4 serves Terminal 4, American Airlines' main hub at LAX. American Eagle also operates here. P4 offers general and valet parking. It's also the nearest on-site garage to both the Regional Terminal (Eagle's Nest) and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Flying Alaska or Hawaiian? Use P6

P6 is the dedicated garage for Terminal 6, home to Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines hubs. Air Canada, Porter Airlines, and Southern Airways Express also depart from here. General parking in P6 maxes at $60/day.

Flying United Airlines? Use P7

P7 serves both Terminal 7 and Terminal 8, which United Airlines uses as a shared hub. This is one of the busiest garages at LAX. If P7 is full, Economy Parking is your best backup — the free shuttle runs every 10–15 minutes.

Flying International from TBIT?

The Tom Bradley International Terminal hosts more than 35 airlines including Emirates, British Airways, Qantas, and Lufthansa. There is no dedicated P-structure just for TBIT. Your closest options are P3 (Terminal 3 side) or P4 (Terminal 4 side). TBIT is connected to both terminals via a ground-level walkway inside the CTA. For more detail on parking options specific to international travel, read our guide on LAX airport parking at Tom Bradley International Terminal.

What Are the Cheapest Off-Site Parking Options Near LAX?

Off-site parking lots near LAX offer the same free shuttle service to your terminal at a fraction of the on-airport price. Based on current rates, you can save 40–87% compared to CTA garage rates.

All seven off-site lots listed above include free 24/7 shuttle service to all LAX terminals. Every booking comes with free cancellation. 105 Airport Parking is the cheapest verified option at $7.72/day — that's a saving of over $52/day compared to standard CTA garage rates. For a deeper look at off-site lot options and how they compare, check our guide on LAX airport parking off-site options.

Lots near Century Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard are the most convenient off-site corridors. QuikPark LAX sits just one block from the airport — the shuttle ride takes only a few minutes. The Parking Spot Century is located on Century Blvd between the Westin and Hilton hotels, making it easy to find.

How Does the APM at LAX Work and Which Terminals Does It Serve?

The Automated People Mover (APM) is an elevated train system being built as part of the Transforming LAX modernization program. It is currently targeting a ~June 2026 opening, timed for the FIFA World Cup. Once open, it will connect every CTA terminal to Economy Parking, the new Metro Transit Center, and the Consolidated Rent-a-Car Facility (ConRAC).

Before the APM opens, Economy Parking connects to terminals via a free shuttle every 10–15 minutes. The APM will make that connection faster and remove the need to wait for a bus. Travelers using Metro's C Line (formerly Green Line) or K Line (formerly Crenshaw/LAX) will also access the airport via the APM once it launches.

The APM does not replace the terminal parking garages (P1–P7). Those garages remain your closest option for short trips or quick access. The APM is most valuable for travelers using Economy Parking, rideshare, or public transit — not for those parking in a CTA structure.

How Far in Advance Should You Book LAX Parking to Save Money?

Booking early makes a real difference at LAX. Off-site lots offer lower rates when reserved in advance compared to walk-up prices. During peak travel periods — summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and FIFA World Cup events in 2026 — popular lots can sell out days ahead.

• Book 1–2 weeks out for standard travel periods to lock in the best daily rate.
• Book 3–4 weeks out for holiday travel (July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas) when lots fill fast.
• Book as early as possible for summer 2026 and any FIFA World Cup travel window — demand will be unusually high.
• Free cancellation is standard across all seven verified off-site lots, so there is no risk in reserving early.

On-airport CTA garages (P1–P7) do not require advance booking — you pay on arrival. But walk-up rates at $60/day max are steep for multi-day trips. Pre-booking an off-site lot and taking the free shuttle is almost always the smarter financial move for stays longer than one day.

Also consider TSA PreCheck if you haven't enrolled. Faster security lines mean you can build in slightly less buffer time, which affects how early you need to arrive — and park.

Is LAX Long-Term Parking Worth It Compared to Off-Airport Lots?

For trips longer than two days, off-airport lots consistently beat on-airport rates. Economy Parking at $35/day is the most affordable on-airport option. But 105 Airport Parking at $7.72/day costs less than a quarter of that — saving you over $135 on a one-week trip.

Here is how the math looks for a 7-day trip:

• CTA General Parking: 7 × $60 = $420
• Economy Parking: 7 × $35 = $245
• Budget Parking: 7 × $20 = $140
• 105 Airport Parking: 7 × $7.72 = $54.04
• Joe's Airport Parking: 7 × $17.95 = $125.65
• The Parking Spot Century: 7 × $19.95 = $139.65

The trade-off is shuttle time. On-airport CTA garages put you steps from your terminal. Off-site lots add 5–30 minutes for the shuttle ride depending on the lot. For long trips, the savings easily justify that extra time. For a 1–2 hour visit to pick someone up, on-site parking wins on convenience. Our full breakdown of the best LAX long term parking options compares every lot side by side for multi-day trips.

What Are the Alternatives to Parking at LAX? Rideshare, FlyAway & More

Parking is not your only option. For some travelers, skipping the car entirely saves more money and stress — especially given LAX's ongoing construction and I-405/I-105 traffic, which can add 30–60 minutes to your drive depending on conditions. Before heading out, check the Waze live traffic map to see real-time road conditions around the airport.

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Pick-up and drop-off happens at the LAX-it lot, not at terminal curbsides. Factor in the short shuttle to LAX-it when timing your pick-up.
• FlyAway Bus: Runs between LAX and Union Station (Downtown LA) in 30–60 minutes. Also serves Van Nuys, Hollywood, and other locations. A practical option if you live near a FlyAway stop.
• Metro C Line / K Line: Connects to the LAX Metro Transit Center, which will link directly to all terminals via the APM once it opens (~June 2026).
• Hotel park-and-fly: Several hotels near LAX offer packages where you stay the night before your flight and leave your car during your trip. See our guide on LAX airport hotel with parking deals for options.
• Cell Phone Lot: Free waiting area at the northwest corner of 96th Street and Vicksburg Avenue. Use it if you're picking someone up and want to wait for free until they land.

If you're driving to the airport and parking, pre-booking an off-site lot is the most cost-effective choice for most travelers. The free shuttle service included with every off-site lot listed above makes the process smooth — even during LAX's active construction period.

Ready to lock in your spot? Compare LAX airport parking rates from $7.72/day on Triply — search by terminal, filter by covered or valet, and book with free cancellation in minutes.