A long LA layover may give you time to see the coast, visit a landmark, or grab a local meal before your next flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The key is choosing one area and leaving enough time for traffic, airport security, and the walk to your gate. Use this guide to decide whether to leave LAX, where to go, and when to return.
Before leaving the airport, confirm whether your checked bags will transfer to your next flight or whether you need to collect and recheck them.
Traveling with several heavy bags can also make a short outing less practical, as LAX no longer offers electronic lockers or oversize-item storage. Make sure to review the LAX FAQ and its Baggage Services listings for alternatives before you travel.
Next, work backward from your boarding time. Subtract the time you’ll need to get off the plane, leave the terminal, travel in both directions, go through airport security again, and walk to your gate—and don’t forget to build in an additional buffer for traffic, transit delays, and terminal changes.
You don’t always need to rent a car for a layover. Depending on your destination, you can take Metro, the LAX FlyAway® bus, a local bus, a taxi, or a rideshare.
Check live travel times before leaving the airport. The fastest option can change based on traffic, transit schedules, and your terminal.
LA Metro estimates that public transit from Downtown LA to LAX takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Use that as a starting point for the reverse trip, not a door-to-door guarantee. You still need time to connect between your terminal and transit, wait for service, make any transfers, and return to LAX.
Driving time can change quickly throughout the day, so make sure to compare current road and transit conditions before committing to a Downtown itinerary.
The LAX/Metro Transit Center connects travelers to Metro’s C and K Lines, Metro buses, and several local bus services.
A free, frequent airport shuttle currently connects the transit center with every LAX terminal. Because the terminal connection may change as airport construction progresses, check the official Metro page before your trip for the latest directions and schedules.
Metro can open up more of Los Angeles, but routes with several transfers may take up a large part of your layover. Plan the complete trip in both directions before leaving LAX.
For a Downtown layover, the LAX FlyAway® bus offers regularly scheduled, direct service seven days a week between each LAX terminal and Union Station.
From Union Station, you can explore nearby attractions or connect to Metro. Check current schedules, fares, and baggage rules before leaving the airport.
The LAX/Metro Transit Center is also served by local transit providers, including Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus, and Beach Cities Transit.
Depending on your destination, these services may help you reach parts of the Westside and nearby beach communities without renting a car. Check the route, number of transfers, and total return time before leaving.
For a nearby stop, a taxi or rideshare can reduce the number of transfers.
Most standard taxi and rideshare pickups leave from LAX-it, which you can reach on foot or by free shuttle from baggage claim, but some taxis and premium ride services can pick you up at the terminals. Make sure to account for pickup time and airport traffic for your plans.
Choose one part of Los Angeles instead of trying to cross the city several times. The time ranges below are to be used as guides, not guarantees.
Your actual available time will depend on your bags, terminal, arrival procedures, current travel conditions, and how early you need to return.
With less than four hours, staying at LAX is usually the more practical choice—especially if you need to recheck bags, change terminals, or have little room for a traffic delay.
For recommendations on where to eat, shop, and spend your time, see our Los Angeles International Airport Guide.
With four to six hours before your next flight, keep your plans close to the airport.
The In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda Boulevard is a classic nearby stop. Its outdoor seating offers views of aircraft approaching and departing LAX. For a park setting, head to nearby Clutter’s Park in El Segundo.
With six to eight hours, consider Manhattan Beach.
Walk along The Strand and Manhattan Beach Pier, then stop for a meal or coffee in the surrounding downtown area. Staying in one walkable neighborhood lets you experience the Southern California coast without planning a second trip across the city.
For another waterfront option, head to Marina del Rey for a walk around the marina and a meal near the water.
Marina del Rey is about four miles north of LAX, but traffic can still affect travel time. Add nearby Venice only when current traffic conditions leave enough time for both stops and your return to the airport.
With eight hours or more, more of Los Angeles may be within reach. Choose the experience that matters most to you and keep your plans centered in one part of the city.
In Venice, walk the Venice Beach Boardwalk, see the skate park, or visit the Venice Canals.
Continue north to Santa Monica for the beach, Santa Monica Pier, shops, and restaurants. Because Venice and Santa Monica are next to each other, they can work as one coastal itinerary when your schedule allows.
Sports fans can use a longer layover to tour one of Inglewood’s major venues.
SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome both offer tours and are closer to LAX than many of the city’s other sports venues. Tour dates, routes, and start times can change, so book ahead and review the venue’s bag policy before leaving the airport.
With more time, you can also check tour availability at Dodger Stadium or Crypto.com Arena. Both are farther from LAX and require a larger travel buffer.
Head to Beverly Hills to check out Rodeo Drive, explore the surrounding streets, or stop for a meal.
Keeping your plans centered in Beverly Hills will give you more time to explore and less time traveling between neighborhoods.
If seeing the Hollywood Sign is high on your list, choose a viewpoint instead of trying to fit a full hike into your layover.
The Hollywood Sign Trust recommends viewpoints including Griffith Observatory and Ovation at Hollywood and Highland. Depending on your schedule, you can pair a sign view with the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre. Hollywood is farther from LAX than the coastal and Inglewood options, so allow more travel time.
For a Downtown layover, take FlyAway® to Union Station and keep your sightseeing nearby.
Start with Olvera Street, then continue to Grand Central Market for a meal if your schedule allows. Check your return bus time before moving farther from Union Station.
A common starting point is to return to the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. These are general guidelines, so follow your airline’s recommendation and allow more time during busy travel periods, when checking bags, or when traffic could affect your return.
Work backward from your boarding time—not only your scheduled departure time. Remember that leaving the airport means you’ll need to go through airport security again.
Before heading back, download the free CLEAR App to take control of your travel day. Know exactly when to leave to get to your gate perfectly on time, based on current traffic, live airport conditions, security wait times, and the walk to your gate.
CLEAR+ Members unlock access to dedicated CLEAR+ Lanes at LAX, where they can speed through airport security in seconds. Review the current LAX CLEAR+ locations and hours before your trip.
The best LA layover plan is one realistic stop with a generous return buffer. Choose what matters most, check live conditions, and leave enough time to get back through airport security and reach your gate.
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