How To Get Between Terminals at Los Angeles International Airport [LAX]

Key Takeaways

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) offers a free shuttle bus that operates in a counterclockwise loop every 10 minutes.
• Passengers can walk between the terminals via outdoor sidewalks or through the garage connecting the northern and southern terminals.
• The LAX Automated People Mover, scheduled for completion in late 2026, will further enhance interterminal connectivity, enabling faster and more efficient transfers.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is undergoing a major 15-year modernization project, primarily focused on enhancing accessibility between terminals and public transportation links.

The renovation should ease congestion on the loop road serving all terminals by enabling passengers to use more efficient modes of transport, such as an automated people mover. This service will connect the airport’s central terminal area to the economy parking lot, an Intermodal Transportation Facility for public transport, and the central car rental facility.

Improvements have been made to select terminals to enhance security checkpoints, baggage screening, technical systems, and baggage recheck facilities for flight connections — all functional areas that should improve the overall passenger experience. Until then, this article covers how passengers can currently move around LAX.

LAX Airport Layout

LAX has a U-shaped layout. Parking and ground transportation are within the U, and 8 terminals are located outside. Terminals 1 and 3 are on the north side, terminals 4 through 8 are on the south, and Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT, or Terminal B) is on the west.

All areas within the U have landside access (presecurity), which is permitted for passengers and those who aren’t passengers. There aren’t many restaurants or cafes before security, aside from small coffee shops. If you arrive early and can’t check in for your flight, head to TBIT for a bigger selection of landside restaurants.

Each terminal has a security checkpoint (except terminals 7 and 8, which share one), and any passenger with a valid boarding pass for that day can go through security at any terminal.

Once you’re airside (after security), each terminal has shops, bars, and restaurants. Some have airline lounges.

LAX Ground Transportation Before Security (Landside)

Landside transportation is centered around the double-level, looped road inside the U-shaped layout. The upper level is for departures, and the lower is for arrivals, corresponding with the terminal’s check-in and baggage claim levels.

Terminal Shuttle Bus

If you need to travel between terminals at LAX, take the terminal shuttle, which runs in a counterclockwise loop and stops at each terminal.

You can pick up the shuttle from outside each terminal on the lower level, under the blue signs labeled “LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections,” featuring a picture of a bus. Buses depart every 10 minutes, and the trip between terminals takes a few minutes (depending on traffic). You can check when the next shuttle is due to arrive with the live shuttle tracker.

Walkways

If you don’t want to take the bus or traffic is heavy, you can also walk the same route on the public sidewalks on either level. This is recommended, especially since LAX remains under construction and roadways are often congested. 

To walk from the northern terminals to the southern terminals, you can cut through the parking garages in the center. At level 3 departures, each garage is connected to a terminal via a bridge.

LAX Ground Transportation After Security (Airside)

Walking

TBIT and terminals 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are connected by airside walkways, allowing for faster and easier flight connections. Terminals 4, 5, and 6 utilize underground tunnels, while terminals 6, 7, and 8 are connected via above-ground walkways.

TBIT is connected to Terminal 4 via an above-ground connector tunnel featuring moving walkways. It takes about 5 to 8 minutes to walk between terminals.

Terminal 3’s Delta Sky Way connects the terminal to TBIT via an airside walkway.

Passengers who don’t need to collect luggage between flights may remain in the secure area to facilitate seamless connections. It’s possible to walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 8 (if necessary) while remaining inside the secure area.

Airline Connector Shuttle Bus

For flight connections, passengers can take the airside shuttle bus from Terminal 1 to TBIT. Several airlines have passengers check in at Terminal 1 for flights departing from TBIT west gates. Buses operate every 10 minutes, 24/7, from:

• Terminal 1, from the bus gate in the connector between gates 12A and 21A
• TBIT West Gates, at the south end of the concourse on the lower level

Layout of LAX Terminals

LAX Terminal 1

Terminal 1 connects to Terminal 2 both before and after security, allowing passengers to walk between them without reclearing security, unless they must collect checked baggage during a connection.

Several airlines are based in Terminal 1, including Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, and Cayman Airways.

Level 1: Baggage Claim

Terminal 1 baggage claim is on level 1, with a pet relief area next to the west end restrooms. Ground transportation services are outside, and there are walkways to the P1 parking garage.

Level 2: Check-In

The airline check-in desks are on level 2. Once checked in, passengers can proceed to the security checkpoint at the east end of the terminal.

Alternatively, passengers can use the escalators at the terminal’s west end to reach level 3, where they can clear security at a separate checkpoint.

Level 3: Departures

Terminal 1 has 13 gates, numbered 9, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13 to 16, 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B. Shops, restaurants, and cafes are on the same level as the departure gates, and there’s a pet relief area near gate 13.

Terminal 1 has a second security checkpoint on level 3 with quick access to the terminal bus gate. Passengers can ride the bus and remain inside the secure area for connections to the west gates at TBIT.

When walking inside the secure area for flight connections, take the corridor past the bus gate. You can walk along to the connector with TBIT.

When connecting outside the secure area from Terminal 1, exit the terminal on the lower level from baggage claim through doors L1-06 or L1-07, cross over the road to the shuttle pickup lane, and ride the terminal shuttle bus.

LAX Terminal 3

Terminal 2’s gates have been fully consolidated into the expanded Terminal 3. Terminal 3 now operates with 27 gates across 2 concourses, with Delta Air Lines occupying the majority of the space.

Level 1: Baggage Claim

Baggage claim is on level 1, with ground transportation outside and walkways to the P2 parking garages.

Level 2: Check-In

Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, and Spirit also operate flights from Terminal 3. Passengers on those airlines can check in at the old Terminal 2 check-in area (on the east side).

Delta passengers must check in on the west side of the terminal. Delta’s staffed check-in counters are on level 2, while some self-check-in kiosks are on level 3.

Level 3: Departures

After checking in, passengers must take the escalator or elevator up to level 3, where the security checkpoint is. After clearing the security checkpoint, passengers may proceed to the departure concourses or to level 4 to visit the LAX Delta Sky Club.

Level 3: Gates 30 to 38

After you clear security, gates 30 to 38 are to the left. This concourse has 14 gates, numbered 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33, 34A, 34B, 35, 36, 37A, 37B, and 38, and a small selection of shops and restaurants. A pet relief area is opposite gate 30B.

Level 3: Gates 20 to 28

Gates 20 to 28 are on the right after you clear security. Walk down the long corridor (past the Delta Sky Lounge), and you’ll come to the concourse entrance. Gates 20, 21A, and 21B are at the bottom end of the concourse, and gates 22, 23A, 23B, 24, 25B, 26A, 26B, 27, and 28 are at the furthest end.

There’s a good selection of shops and restaurants in the concourse, and passengers can walk between all gate areas of Terminal 3 to utilize the facilities.

Passengers not required to collect luggage during connections can walk through the new connector at the west end of the terminal to TBIT.

LAX Terminal 4

Terminal 4 is connected to Terminal 5 via an underground airside walkway, and each subsequent terminal is connected to the next similarly (so you don’t need to reclear security).

Additionally, Terminal 4 is connected to TBIT via an airside connector bridge with moving sidewalks on level 4.

Level 1: Baggage Claim

Baggage claim is on level 1, with ground transportation outside the terminal and the P4 parking garage. On this level, passengers can walk through the underground tunnel to Terminal 5 or TBIT.

Level 2: Check-In

Passengers can check in for American Airlines flights only at Terminal 4, at the check-in desks on level 2.

Level 3: Departures

After checking in, passengers must use the escalator or elevator to reach level 4 to clear the security checkpoint. Terminal 4 has 9 gates, numbered 41, 42A, 46B, 46C, 48A, 48B, 48C, 49A, and 49B. Shops and restaurants are on level 3, and an Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge are on level 4.

LAX Terminal 5

Update:

LAX Terminal 5 is temporarily closed for renovations as part of a capital improvement program. American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit have moved their operations to other terminals. JetBlue now operates out of Terminal 1, Spirit out of Terminal 2, and American Airlines has consolidated flights into Terminal 4 and TBIT. Passengers can still walk between terminals airside through the underground walkways. Terminal 5 is expected to reopen in 2028.

LAX Terminal 6

Terminal 6 connects with Terminal 7 via an above-ground airside walkway and Terminal 5 via an underground airside walkway. You can continue airside from these terminals to terminals 8, 5, 4, and TBIT without reclearing security. From TBIT, you can also continue to terminals 1 and 3.

Level 1: Baggage Claim

Baggage claim is on level 1. Passengers can walk to the P6 parking garage from this level.

Level 2: Check-In

Check-in for several airlines, including Air Canada and Alaska Airlines, is available on level 2.

Level 3: Departures

Terminal 6 has 16 gates, numbered 60 to 62, 63A, 63B, 64A to 64C, 65A, 65B, 66, 67, 68A, 68B, 69A, and 69B. Shops, bars, restaurants, an Alaska Airlines Lounge, and an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge are on level 3 departures.

If you’re connecting from Terminal 6, you can use the airside walkways to any of the southern terminals or connect through TBIT to the northern terminals. To reach terminals 1 or 3 outside the secure area, exit after the baggage claim through door L1-05. The shuttle bus stop is just across the road.

LAX Terminals 7 and 8

Although terminals 7 and 8 share a security checkpoint, they’re considered separate terminals, with gate numbers in the 70s for Terminal 7 and the 80s for Terminal 8.

There are above-ground and underground airside walkways connecting Terminal 7 to terminals 6 and 8. Passengers can walk from Terminal 8 through to TBIT (and onward to Terminal 1) without having to reclear security.

Level 1: Arrivals

Baggage claim is on level 1, shared between terminals 7 and 8. Transportation, such as taxis and shuttles, is available outside the terminal, and ground-level walkways lead to the P7 parking garage.

Level 2: Check-In

Terminals 7 and 8 also share a check-in area on level 2, with a security checkpoint beyond it. Once you clear security, you must take the escalators or elevators up 1 floor to departures.

Level 3: Terminal 7 Departures

Terminal 7 has 14 gates, numbered 70A, 70B, 71A, 71B, 72A, 72B, 73, 74, 74B, 75A, 75B, 76A, 76B, and 77. The concourse is directly ahead of you as you come up the escalators from security. United Club and United Polaris lounges are on level 3 departures, along with many shops, bars, and restaurants.

Level 3: Terminal 8 Departures

Terminal 8 has 8 gates, numbered 80 to 85 and 86A and 86B. On level 3 departures, there are a few shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants.

Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT, Terminal B)

TBIT is on the western side of the airport and handles the majority of international arrivals, although some flights depart from other terminals.

It’s the largest terminal at LAX and is connected to terminals 3 and 4 via connector bridges. Passengers not required to collect luggage between flights may remain inside the secure area when connecting to the other terminals.

Level 1: Baggage Claim

Passengers can collect their luggage from baggage claim on level 1 before clearing customs on the same level. The arrivals hall has a café, visitor information, and access to ground transportation, including the P3 and P4 parking garages.

Level 3: Check-In

The ticketing desks are on level 3 for many international airlines, including British Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa. Once checked in, passengers must take the escalator or elevator to level 4 to pass through security. Passport control is also on level 3 (inside the secure area) for international arrivals.

Level 4: Departures

If you’re arriving from the main security checkpoint, you’ll enter the Great Hall on level 4, where most shops, bars, and restaurants are. From here, the south concourse is to the left with 2 moving walkways, and the north concourse is to the right with 1 moving walkway. There’s also an Amex Centurion Lounge at the south end of the Great Hall.

The south concourse has 15 gates, numbered 148, 150 to 157, 159A, and 159B, plus additional concessions. The north concourse has 13 gates, numbered 130 to 146, and a small selection of shops and restaurants along the concourse.

Gates 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, and 146 are at the end of the north concourse on the lower level.

Level 5: Lounges

The Oneworld and Qantas lounges are on level 5. Passengers can use the escalator or elevator from the center of the Great Hall to level 5.

Level 6: Lounges

Level 6 contains the Emirates and Star Alliance lounges, as well as the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.

Hot Tip:

For more information on the lounges at LAX, check out our detailed guide.

West Gates

TBIT’s west gates are parallel to the main departure concourse and accessible through the long walkway from the Great Hall. The concourse has 23 gates. Gates 201A, 201B, 202 to 208, 209A, 209B, 210A, and 210B are north of the central concourse, and gates 221, 225, 227, and 229 to 235 are south of the central concourse.

The Air France Lounge is on level 6 of the central concourse. Passengers can ride the interterminal shuttle bus from the lower level of the west gates to Terminal 1.

Estimated Walking Times Between Terminals

In many situations, walking to your next terminal may be quicker and easier than catching the shuttle bus. These are the estimated walking times between different areas of LAX:

• 5 minutes for each portion of this route: Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 to TBIT to Terminal 4
• 5 to 8 minutes for each portion of this route: Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 to Terminal 6 to Terminal 7 to Terminal 8
• 5 minutes from the north terminals (1 and 3) to the south terminals (4 to 6), crossing directly through the parking area

Flight Connections at LAX

If you’re arriving on an international flight, you must clear immigration at your arrival terminal. You then need to collect your bag and clear customs. If the bag has been tagged with a final destination, you can drop it off at the transfer service desk after customs.

You can then proceed to your connecting terminal. Passengers connecting from a domestic flight don’t need to clear immigration or customs, and any checked baggage will be transported to their onward flight (provided it has been tagged to their final destination).

Hot Tip:

If you booked your flights separately rather than as a single ticket with connections, you need to collect your luggage at baggage claim, recheck your bag, and reclear security.

Those traveling with carry-on luggage may proceed directly to the terminal for their connecting flight and remain airside.

Accessibility

All terminals at LAX are accessible to wheelchair users and passengers with disabilities or mobility concerns. The shuttle bus is equipped with a lift for wheelchair users when connecting between terminals, and there are elevators in every terminal for accessing the underground and above-ground walkways.

Final Thoughts

Although the renovations have caused some disruption to normal operations, passengers have praised the improvements so far, such as the ability to walk airside between all terminals. The automated people mover will be a game-changer for accessing LAX from the rest of Los Angeles. However, it won’t eliminate the need to reclear security at a connecting terminal, as it will run between terminals on the land side. Road traffic around the airport is expected to improve significantly — a welcome change for passengers who often face congestion, especially since the landside terminal shuttle bus is currently the main transport between terminals.

If you’re connecting to another flight at LAX, check the map to find your next terminal, as each requires a different amount of time to transfer and reclear security (if necessary).