Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Overview

One of the busiest airports in the US and the world, Los Angeles International Airport (locally referred to by its call letters, LAX) is a mammoth facility that processes 60 million passengers each year on 600,000 flights.

Located 16 miles (26km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport has nine terminal buildings. The sheer size and capacity of the facility makes it a bit confusing, and long queues are a common occurrence in peak times. Passengers should allow plenty of time when making connections or clearing customs, and extra time can easily be whiled away with a meal at California Pizza Kitchen, or browsing the dozens of shops selling Hollywood souvenirs and other products.

Flights to Los Angeles International Airport come from all over the world, including major destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.

Location

The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) southwest of Los Angeles.

Getting to the city

A free shuttle bus service runs to the Metro Rail Green Line Aviation Station from the lower level of each terminal. Another shuttle connects to the Bus Center, from where city buses serve the Los Angeles area. Prime Time Shuttle and Super Shuttle are both shared-ride van services; reservations are recommended. Some hotels also offer transport. There are taxis available outside the lower level of the airport and it costs about US$30 to the city centre, about 15miles (24km) away. Car rental is available and there is a free shuttle pick-up to reach the rental car sites.

Time

GMT -6 (GMT -5 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts

Tel: +1 310 646 5252.

see full airport guide

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Bob Hope Airport (BUR)

Overview

Originally built as Angeles Mesa Drive Airport in 1928, Bob Hope Airport (BUR) had a dozen different names before 2003 (including Hollywood-Burbank Airport and Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport) - before, finally, it was named after the famous comedian. Serving the greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale and the San Fernando Valley, the airport is actually closer to famous attractions like Hollywood and Griffiths Park than Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is, and offers far shorter queues and generally less hassle than the gigantic Los Angeles International. As small and personal as the other is big and sprawling, Bob Hope Airport is a great alternative for avoiding the congestion at the giant LAX; and with direct rail connections to downtown Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Diego, nothing could be more convenient. The only catch is that flights to Bob Hope Airport are only available from western US states and New York, and sometimes can be a little pricier than flights into Los Angeles International. If you have some time to kill at the airport, check out the Lockheed Stealth Aircraft exhibition in the departures terminal.

Location

The airport is situated three miles (5km) from Burbank and 12 miles (20km) north of Los Angeles.

Getting to the city

The Metrolink and Amtrak train station is linked to the main terminal by a free shuttle service, but is only a short walk away, and serves downtown Los Angeles as well as other destinations. The airport is also on the MTA and Burbank Bus routes, which go to Burbank as well as downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood. Taxis are available in front of the airport and car hire counters are located in Terminal B. The LA city centre is about 12 miles (20km) from the airport.

Time

GMT –8 (GMT –7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts

Tel: +1 818 840 8840.

see full airport guide

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John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA)

Overview

Situated in Orange County, John Wayne Airport is conveniently located only 14 miles (23km) from Disneyland and easy distance from other popular Southern California attractions like Hollywood and Universal Studios. Previously called Orange Country Airport, the facility was renamed in 1979 for the famous Hollywood actor.

A small facility with one main building housing two terminals, John Wayne Airport has a modest variety of shops and restaurants that fail to thrill, but handily provide basic necessities.

John Wayne Airport is a pleasant alternative to the mammoth facility and congestion of Los Angeles International Airport, and offers flights to a number of cities across North America, including Chicago, Houston, Denver, San Francisco, Mexico City, Minneapolis, Newark, Mexico City, Vancouver and Calgary.

Location

The airport is located in Orange County.

see full airport guide

Los Angeles International Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.