South Garage LAX Airport Parking: Rates, Access & Tips

Complete LAX Airport Parking Guide

South Garage LAX airport parking is the informal name travelers use for the on-airport terminal parking structures on the south side of the Central Terminal Area (CTA) at Los Angeles International Airport — specifically structures P1, P2, and P3, which serve Terminals 1, 2, and 3. These garages sit directly attached to their terminals, making them the closest walk-in parking at LAX. Daily rates reach $60/day for general parking and up to $75/day for valet, per Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) official rates.

• Location: P1, P2, and P3 are attached to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 on the south side of the CTA loop.
• Airlines served: Southwest and JetBlue (T1), Delta check-in (T2), Delta hub, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet (T3).
• Daily max: $60/day general, $70/day premium, $75/day valet (verified April 2026).
• Hourly rate (P3): $11 first hour, then $9 per 30 minutes after — the highest CTA hourly rate.
• Cheapest alternative: Off-site lots from $7.72/day with free shuttles — saving up to 87% vs. on-airport rates.
• Reservation: Pre-book through parking.flylax.com to lock in your spot.

Where Is the South Garage at LAX and Which Terminals Does It Serve?

The "South Garage" at LAX refers to the cluster of terminal parking structures — P1, P2, and P3 — positioned on the south side of the CTA roadway loop along World Way West. Each structure connects directly to its terminal via a skybridge or enclosed walkway. There is no single building labeled "South Garage" by LAWA; this is simply the common name travelers use for these south-side structures.

Here is which garage serves which terminal and airline:

• P1 — serves Terminal 1 (Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways)
• P2 — serves Terminal 2 (Delta Air Lines check-in and some departures)
• P3 — serves Terminal 3 (Delta Air Lines hub, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet)

If you fly Southwest, JetBlue, or Delta, one of these three structures is your most convenient option. The garages are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. LAX is managed by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, which sets all on-airport parking rates and policies.

How Much Does South Garage LAX Airport Parking Cost in 2026?

Pricing differs slightly between P1/P2 and P3. P3 — which serves the Delta hub at Terminal 3 — charges a slightly higher hourly rate. All three garages share the same daily maximum caps, per LAWA's official rate schedule (verified April 2026).

Valet is available at P1, P3, and P4. Premium reserved spots — which are the closest spaces to the terminal entrance — are found in P1 and P3. For a 3-hour visit, expect to pay around $23-$29 depending on which structure you use. For anything beyond a quick drop-off or pickup, the daily maximum kicks in quickly.

If you want to save money on LAX parking rates at every tier, our full breakdown at LAX airport parking prices covers every on-airport and off-site option side by side.

Compare LAX South Garage rates against off-site lots starting at $7.72/day — search LAX parking on Triply and find the best rate for your dates.

How Do You Get to the South Garage from the LAX Roadway?

Getting to P1, P2, or P3 requires entering the Upper Level departure roadway of the CTA. Here are step-by-step directions from the major access roads:

1. From I-405 southbound, take the Century Boulevard exit heading west toward the airport.
2. From I-105 westbound, follow signs for LAX via Sepulveda Boulevard or La Cienega Boulevard heading north to Century Boulevard.
3. Enter the CTA via World Way — follow the Upper Level (departures) signs once inside the loop.
4. For P1 (Terminal 1), follow signs on World Way West before the Terminal 1 entrance.
5. For P2 (Terminal 2) and P3 (Terminal 3), continue on World Way West past Terminal 1 — garage entrances are clearly signed from the roadway.

Before you leave home, check real-time traffic on Waze — the stretch along Century Boulevard and inside the CTA loop is frequently congested, especially during morning and afternoon peaks. Budget extra time if you're arriving between 6–9 AM or 3–7 PM. The LAX modernization program (Transforming LAX) has active construction near the CTA, so minor lane changes are possible.

How Far Is the South Garage from Each LAX Terminal?

The biggest advantage of P1, P2, and P3 is direct terminal access. Each structure connects to its terminal via an enclosed walkway or skybridge — no shuttle needed. Walking times are short, typically under 5 minutes once you exit the elevator.

• P1 to Terminal 1: Direct skybridge — roughly 2-3 minutes on foot to the check-in hall.
• P2 to Terminal 2: Direct enclosed walkway — approximately 3-4 minutes to Delta check-in.
• P3 to Terminal 3: Direct enclosed walkway — approximately 3-5 minutes to the Delta hub departure level.
• P3 to Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT): TBIT connects to Terminal 3 via an internal corridor — add around 5-8 minutes of walking from the garage.

If you need to reach Terminals 4 through 8 or TBIT directly, these garages are not the right choice. You would either need to park in P4 (Terminal 4/American Airlines), P6 (Terminal 6/Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines), or P7 (Terminals 7–8/United Airlines), or use the free inter-terminal shuttle from the Lower Level of any terminal. Once the Automated People Mover (APM) opens around June 2026, connections between the CTA, Economy Parking, and the Metro Transit Center will be via elevated train — a major improvement for the whole airport.

How Do You Reserve a South Garage Parking Spot in Advance?

Pre-booking your LAX terminal garage spot is the smartest move, especially during peak travel periods. LAWA allows you to reserve spots in the CTA structures directly through the official portal at parking.flylax.com. This guarantees your space and can sometimes lock in a slightly better rate.

Here is how to book:

1. Visit parking.flylax.com and select your terminal or garage.
2. Enter your arrival and departure dates and times.
3. Choose general, premium, or valet parking.
4. Complete payment online — major credit cards and digital wallets are accepted.
5. Save your confirmation — you'll use it at the garage entry kiosk.

If you prefer to compare the CTA garages against every other LAX option in one place, Triply's LAX parking search pulls together on-airport and off-site rates so you see the full picture before you book.

What Amenities Does the South Garage Offer (EV Charging, ADA Access, Security)?

The CTA terminal garages — including P1, P2, and P3 — offer a solid set of amenities for travelers. Here's what to expect:

• EV Charging: LAWA has added EV charging stations across multiple CTA structures. Check LAX's official EV charging page for current stall locations and availability by garage.
• ADA Accessible Parking: Designated accessible spaces are available on each level. Look for blue-marked stalls near elevator banks for the shortest walk to the terminal.
• 24/7 Security: The CTA structures are monitored around the clock with security cameras and regular patrols. LAWA manages on-site staff across the garages.
• Elevators and Escalators: Each structure has multiple elevator banks connecting all levels to the terminal skybridge or walkway.
• Luggage Carts: Carts are typically available in the terminal itself once you cross through the skybridge — not inside the garage levels.
• Payment Options: Credit card, debit card, and contactless payment (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) are accepted at exit kiosks. License-plate-based billing applies for pre-booked reservations.

If TSA PreCheck is part of your travel routine, you can read more about TSA PreCheck enrollment to speed up screening once you reach your terminal — parking close to the checkpoint helps you take full advantage of your shorter security wait.

Is South Garage the Best Parking Option at LAX, or Are There Cheaper Alternatives?

The South Garage structures (P1–P3) are the most convenient for Terminals 1–3, but they are far from the cheapest. At $60/day, a 5-day trip costs $300. Off-site lots offer the same free shuttle service at a fraction of the price.

For a 5-night trip, parking at 105 Airport Parking at $7.72/day saves you roughly $261 compared to the South Garage — an 87% saving. Even the mid-range off-site lots save you more than 60% per day. The trade-off is a shuttle ride of 5-30 minutes depending on the lot.

If you want a deeper look at off-site options, our guide to LAX airport parking off site covers every lot's shuttle frequency, coverage, and amenities in detail. For multi-day trips, the off-site comparison is almost always the smarter financial move.

For a full overview of on-airport structures beyond the south side — including P4 through P7 and Budget Parking — see our guide to LAX parking inside the airport.

Top Tips to Save Money on South Garage LAX Parking

The South Garage LAX airport parking structures are hard to beat for a quick, walk-in connection to Terminals 1, 2, or 3. But if cost matters at all, a few smart moves can trim your bill or point you to a better deal.

• Book online in advance. Pre-booking through parking.flylax.com can secure availability during busy travel weeks — especially around major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Use the Cell Phone Lot for free short-term waiting. If you're picking someone up, the free Cell Phone Lot sits at the northwest corner of 96th Street and Vicksburg Avenue. Pull in there, wait for the call, then drive to the terminal.
• Switch to Economy Parking for trips over 2 days. At $35/day vs. $60/day, the savings add up fast. The free shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes to all terminals.
• Consider Budget Parking for 3+ day trips. At just $20/day, LAX Budget Parking cuts your cost by two-thirds compared to the terminal garages.
• Compare off-site lots before you commit. Lots like 105 Airport Parking ($7.72/day) and QuikPark LAX ($16.95/day) include free 24/7 shuttles. For longer stays, off-site is almost always cheaper.
• Check for deals before you book. Our LAX airport parking deals guide rounds up current promo codes and discount strategies that can reduce your rate further.
• Avoid peak entry times. The CTA loop is busiest between 6–9 AM and 3–7 PM. Arriving slightly outside those windows reduces circling time and stress.

The South Garage structures are a premium, convenience-first product. They make sense for short stays, early morning flights, or travelers who value a 3-minute walk over a shuttle ride. For anything longer, the savings elsewhere at LAX are too significant to ignore.

Ready to find the best LAX parking rate for your trip? Compare South Garage against every LAX parking option on Triply — with off-site lots from $7.72/day, you may never need to pay $60/day again.

Back to Complete LAX Airport Parking Guide