Parking at Los Angeles International Airport: Full Guide

Parking at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a range of on-site and off-site options — from drive-up Budget Parking at $20/day to off-site covered garages starting at $7.72/day — all designed to fit different budgets, trip lengths, and terminal needs. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) manages on-airport lots, while a network of private providers surrounds the airport along Century Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, and the I-105 corridor.

• Cheapest on-airport option: LAX Budget Parking at $20/day max — drive-up only, no reservation needed.
• Best off-site value: 105 Airport Parking at $7.72/day — saves up to 87% vs CTA garage rates.
• On-airport garages (P1–P7): General parking caps at $60/day, premium at $70/day, valet at $75/day.
• Economy Parking: LAWA's mid-range lot at $35/day with free shuttle every 10–15 minutes.
• All off-site lots include free 24/7 shuttle service to all LAX terminals.
• APM train system targeting a ~June 2026 opening will link Economy Parking and Metro stations directly to terminals.

Before your trip, compare LAX parking rates from $7.72/day on Triply — search off-site covered garages, on-airport lots, and valet options in one place.

How Much Does Parking at LAX Cost? (Rates for Every Lot and Garage)

LAX parking rates range from $5 for the first hour at Budget Parking to a $75/day maximum for CTA valet. The gap between on-airport and off-site pricing is significant — off-site lots cost up to 87% less per day than the CTA terminal garages, based on current rates.

For a full side-by-side breakdown of daily and weekly costs, see our LAX airport parking per day rate comparison.

What Are the Official LAX Parking Options On-Site?

LAWA operates four distinct on-airport parking tiers. Each serves a different traveler — from quick drop-ins to multi-week trips. All on-airport lots accept cashless payment (verified April 2026).

CTA Terminal Garages (P1–P7)

The Central Terminal Area (CTA) garages attach directly to each terminal. P1 serves Terminal 1, P2 serves Terminal 2, P3 serves Terminal 3, P4 serves Terminal 4, P6 serves Terminal 6, and P7 serves Terminals 7 and 8. P5 is currently closed. You walk directly from your car to check-in — no shuttle required. General parking maxes at $60/day, premium reserved spots at $70/day, and valet at $75/day (available in P1, P3, P4, and P7). These garages make sense for short trips where the time savings justify the higher price.

LAX Economy Parking

Economy Parking sits southeast of the CTA and costs $35/day maximum — nearly half the price of the CTA garages. A free shuttle runs every 10–15 minutes to all terminals around the clock. The LAX Automated People Mover (APM), targeting a ~June 2026 opening, will connect Economy Parking directly to terminals via an elevated train — cutting shuttle dependency entirely. You can reserve Economy Parking in advance on the LAWA website.

LAX Budget Parking

Budget Parking is LAWA's lowest-cost on-airport option at $5 for the first hour and a $20/day maximum. It's a drive-up lot — no advance reservation. This is ideal for longer stays where you want the security of on-airport parking without paying CTA prices.

Cell Phone Lot (Free)

The Cell Phone Lot is free and located at the northwest corner of 96th Street and Vicksburg Avenue, about 400 meters west of the 96th Street Bridge. Use it when picking up arriving passengers — wait here until they text you, then loop into the CTA. No fee, no time limit for reasonable waits.

Which Off-Site LAX Parking Lots Offer the Best Value?

Off-site lots near LAX offer covered parking with free 24/7 shuttles at rates 47–87% below CTA garage prices. We compared seven verified providers based on current Triply rates, shuttle frequency, and amenities.

• 105 Airport Parking ($7.72/day): The most affordable option — indoor garage plus outdoor rooftop, with valet available. Shuttle runs every 25–30 minutes. Ideal for long trips where daily savings add up fast.
• QuikPark LAX ($16.95/day): One block from the airport with shuttle every 5–10 minutes — the fastest off-site shuttle frequency available. Covered garage with valet. See the full QuikPark LAX guide for booking tips.
• Joe's Airport Parking ($17.95/day): Over 1,400 covered spaces with 24/7 operation and a free shuttle every 15–20 minutes. A solid mid-range pick for families with luggage.
• The Parking Spot Century ($19.95/day): Located on Century Boulevard between the Westin and Hilton hotels, with EV charging, covered parking, valet, and luggage assistance.
• The Parking Spot Sepulveda ($19.95/day): 1.7 miles from the terminals with a ~6-minute shuttle ride. Offers both covered and uncovered self-park plus valet and EV charging.
• WallyPark Premier Garage ($25.95/day): Premium indoor garage with an all-electric shuttle fleet (trackable via the WallyPark app), EV charging, car wash, and free WiFi. Best for travelers who want amenities.
• WallyPark Express ($31.95/day): Indoor parking with 24/7/365 shuttle. Higher-end pricing for an off-site lot — the main draw is the covered structure and reliability.

Planning a trip longer than a week? The daily savings from off-site lots add up quickly. A 10-day trip at 105 Airport Parking costs around $77 total — compared to $350 at Economy Parking or $600 at a CTA garage. For more on stretching your budget, check our guide to LAX long-term parking deals.

How Far Are LAX Parking Lots from the Terminals?

Distance from parking to your terminal varies widely. CTA garages attach directly — walk time is under 5 minutes. Off-site lots add a shuttle leg, but most ride times are short.

• CTA Garages P1–P7: Zero shuttle needed. Walk directly from the garage to your terminal entrance.
• LAX Economy Parking: Shuttle ride of roughly 10–15 minutes depending on traffic within the CTA loop.
• LAX Budget Parking: Remote lot — shuttle time is longer than Economy but exact figures vary.
• QuikPark LAX: One block away — shuttle takes just a few minutes, running every 5–10 minutes.
• The Parking Spot Sepulveda: 1.7 miles from terminals — approximately a 6-minute shuttle ride.
• The Parking Spot Century: 5–10 minutes to terminals by shuttle, located on Century Boulevard.
• 105 Airport Parking: Shuttle every 25–30 minutes — plan accordingly and aim to arrive at the lot at least 45 minutes before your terminal deadline.

LAX sits 16 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. Drive time from the I-405 or I-105 to the airport ranges from 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Before you leave, check real-time traffic on Waze — Century Boulevard and Sepulveda can back up significantly during peak hours and during active Transforming LAX construction.

How Do LAX Parking Shuttles Work — and How Often Do They Run?

Every off-site lot and the on-airport Economy and Budget lots include free shuttle service to all LAX terminals. Shuttles are typically marked with the lot's name and run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On-airport Economy Parking shuttles run every 10–15 minutes. Off-site shuttle frequencies range from every 5–10 minutes (QuikPark) to every 25–30 minutes (105 Airport Parking).

Shuttles pick up at designated lots — you drive in, park, then take the shuttle. On return, shuttles drop arriving passengers at each terminal's arrivals area. You call the lot's shuttle line or use a posted phone number to arrange pickup on your return. Most lots post their pickup number clearly at arrivals.

The upcoming LAX Automated People Mover (APM) — targeting a ~June 2026 launch per LAWA — will change how Economy Parking connects to terminals. An elevated train will run from Economy Parking through the Metro Transit Center and a new Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility (ConRAC) to a central station near the terminals. This eliminates the shuttle bus loop entirely for Economy Parking users.

Should You Book LAX Parking in Advance or Pay on Arrival?

Booking in advance is almost always the smarter choice at LAX. Pre-booking locks in lower rates and guarantees your space — especially important during peak travel periods around major holidays, summer, and 2026 FIFA World Cup events.

• Walk-up rates at CTA garages and Budget Parking are set by LAWA and don't change — no discount for booking ahead on-site.
• Off-site lots often offer lower rates when booked in advance through platforms like Triply compared to walk-up pricing at the lot.
• Economy Parking can fill up during holidays — LAWA offers advance reservations to guarantee your spot.
• Free cancellation is available on all seven verified off-site lots listed above — so booking early carries no risk if your plans change.
• For promo codes and discount strategies, our LAX airport parking discount guide covers every current way to save.

The LAX CTA garages don't require reservations — you drive in and pay on exit. But for anything longer than a day or two, pre-booking an off-site lot saves significant money and eliminates guesswork on arrival.

What Are the Best Parking Options for Long-Term LAX Trips?

For trips lasting 3 days or more, off-site lots are the clear winner on cost. The math is straightforward: at 105 Airport Parking ($7.72/day), a 7-day trip costs around $54. The same week at Economy Parking costs $245, and at a CTA garage it hits $420.

Key factors for long-term stays include security, covered parking, and shuttle reliability. Here's how the top long-term picks compare:

• 105 Airport Parking: Best price. Indoor garage with 3 levels, outdoor rooftop, 24/7 security, and valet option. Shuttle every 25–30 minutes — allow extra time.
• Joe's Airport Parking: 1,400+ covered spaces with 24/7 staffing. Shuttle every 15–20 minutes. A strong choice for travelers who want coverage and security at a moderate price.
• WallyPark Premier Garage: Premium indoor garage with real-time shuttle tracking via app, EV charging, and car wash service. Ideal if you want peace of mind for an extended trip.
• LAX Budget Parking ($20/day): Best on-airport rate for long trips. Drive-up only — no reservation. Good if you prefer to keep your vehicle under LAWA management.

For a deeper look at weekly and extended rates, see our guide to LAX long-term parking rates and options.

Is There EV Charging and Accessible Parking at LAX?

EV charging is available at several LAX parking locations, both on-airport and off-site. On-airport, LAWA provides EV charging stations within the CTA parking structures — check the official LAX EV charging page for current locations and availability. Off-site, The Parking Spot Century, The Parking Spot Sepulveda, and WallyPark Premier Garage all include EV charging in their amenities (verified April 2026).

ADA-accessible parking is available in all CTA garages (P1–P7) and at Economy Parking. Accessible spaces are located near elevator access points in each structure. LAX's official parking page lists accessible parking availability by garage. If you need a guaranteed accessible space, calling the lot in advance or pre-booking through the LAWA reservation system is recommended.

Both TSA PreCheck enrollment and CLEAR biometric screening are available at LAX for travelers looking to move through security faster. Pairing faster security with pre-booked parking removes two of the biggest stress points from the LAX experience — especially relevant given active Transforming LAX construction affecting terminal access routes in 2026.

How Does LAX Parking Connect to the Rest of Your Trip?

LAX has 9 passenger terminals — Terminal 1 through Terminal 8 (with T7 and T8 shared by United) plus the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) for most international carriers. The CTA garage closest to your check-in saves the most time. Garages P1, P3, and P7 offer premium reserved spots and valet. For international flights departing from TBIT, use P3 (Terminal 3 side) or take the Economy Parking shuttle — TBIT connects internally to Terminals 2 and 3.

Flying Alaska or Hawaiian? Terminal 6 is served by P6 — the attached garage makes for an easy walk. For American Airlines flights out of Terminal 4, P4 offers general and valet parking. United passengers at Terminals 7/8 use P7. Always confirm your terminal in advance using the LAX terminal maps — airlines occasionally shift check-in locations during construction.

Already decided on off-site? Compare every LAX off-site parking lot on Triply — filter by price, shuttle speed, and amenities to find the right fit for your terminal and trip length. Rates start at $7.72/day with free cancellation on all bookings.

Back to the Complete LAX Airport Parking Guide