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

Key Takeaways

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has a free shuttle bus service that runs in a counterclockwise loop every 10 minutes.
• Passengers can walk between the terminals via outdoor sidewalks or through the garages between northern and southern terminals.
• The LAX Automated People Mover, set to be completed in 2026, will further enhance interterminal connectivity, promising quicker and more efficient transfers.

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

The renovation should ease congestion on the loop road that serves all terminals, since passengers will be able to utilize more efficient methods 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 some terminals to upgrade security checkpoints, baggage screening, technical systems, and baggage recheck facilities for flight connections — all functional aspects that should speed up the overall passenger experience.

LAX Airport Layout

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

All areas inside the U have landside access (presecurity), where passengers and those who aren’t passengers are permitted. However, there aren’t many restaurants or cafes on this side in the terminals other than small coffee shops. If you arrive early and can’t check in for your flight, head to International Terminal B for a bigger selection of landside restaurants.

Each terminal has a security checkpoint (except Terminals 7 and 8, which share 1), and any passenger with a valid boarding pass for that day can go through security at any terminal.

Once you’re airside (past 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, hop on the terminal shuttle that runs in a counterclockwise loop, stopping at each terminal.

You can pick up the shuttle from outside each terminal on the lower level under the blue signs “LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections” with a picture of a bus. Buses depart approximately every 10 minutes, and it takes a few minutes to travel between terminals (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 as LAX continues to be under construction and roadways are congested. 

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

LAX Ground Transportation After Security (Airside)

Walking

Terminals B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are linked with airside walkways, allowing quicker and easier flight connections. Terminals 4, 5, and 6 use underground tunnels, and 6, 7, and 8 are connected via above-ground tunnels.

International Terminal B is linked to Terminal 4 with an above-ground connector tunnel with moving walkways. It takes around 5 to 8 minutes to walk between each terminal.

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

Passengers who don’t need to collect luggage between flights may remain inside the secure area for easier flight connections. This means that it’s now 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 hop on the airside shuttle bus that departs from Terminal 1 to the International Terminal. 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 is connected to Terminal 3 inside and outside the secure area, so if you’re walking between these terminals, you won’t need to reclear security on the other end (unless you need to collect checked luggage between connections.)

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

Level 1: Baggage Claim

Terminal 1 baggage claim is on level 1, with a pet relief area next to the main 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 make their way to the security checkpoint at the east end of the terminal.

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

Level 3: Departures

Terminal 1 has 13 gates, numbered 9, 11A, 11B, 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 International Terminal B.

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

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 gates have been consolidated into the newly renovated and extended Terminal 3. There are 26 gates split across 2 concourses in Terminal 3, with Delta Air Lines occupying most 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 and WestJet also operate flights from Terminal 3; passengers can check in at the old Terminal 2 check-in area (on the east side). Delta passengers and Aeromexico passengers must check in on the west side of the terminal. Delta’s staffed check-in counters are on level 2, while self-check-in is 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 continue into the departure concourses or up 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 to B, 31A to B, 32A to B, 33, 34A to B, 35, 36, 37A to B, 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 to the right after you have cleared security. Walk down the long corridor (past the pet relief area), and you’ll come to the concourse entrance. Gates 20, 21, and 21A 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 either take the airside shuttle bus —departing from between the two concourses to the West Gates at International Terminal B — or walk through the new connector with moving walkways.

LAX Terminal 4

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

In addition, Terminal 4 is connected to International Terminal B 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.

Level 2: Check-In

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

Level 3: Departures

After checking in, passengers must take the escalator or elevator up to level 4 to clear the security checkpoint. Terminal 4 has 11 gates numbered 41, 42A, 43, 46B, 46C, 48A, 48B, and 48C. Shops and restaurants are on level 3, and an Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge are on level 4.

LAX Terminal 5

Terminal 5 is connected to terminals 4 and 6 via underground airside walkways. Both of these terminals also connect onward to another terminal with airside walkways, so you don’t need to go through security again unless you need to collect checked luggage on arrival.

Level 1: Baggage Claim

Baggage claim is on level 1, along with ground transportation and walkways to the P5 and P6 parking garages.

Level 2: Check-In

Passengers may check in on level 2 for American, JetBlue, or Spirit flights.

Level 3: Departures

In Terminal 5, you’ll find 17 gates, numbered 50, 51A, 51B, 52, 53A, 53B, 54A, 54B, 55A, 56A to D, 57, 58, and 59. Shops, bars, and restaurants are on level 3, with departures and access to the Admirals Club Lounge that extends over 2 floors onto level 4.

Hot Tip:

If you’re flying with American Eagle, you must catch the Terminal 5 airside shuttle bus to the regional terminal. Buses operate from near gate 52. An Admirals Club is inside the regional terminal.

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 B without having to reclear security. From Terminal B, 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 Southwest, 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, and an Alaska Airlines 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 Terminal B 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

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

There’s an above-ground airside walkway connecting Terminal 7 with Terminal 8 and Terminal 6, and you can access gates 5, 4, and International Terminal B 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 and a security checkpoint beyond that. 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.

Thomas Bradley International Terminal B

International Terminal B is on the western side of the airport and receives the majority of international arrivals, although flights do depart from other terminals.

It’s the largest terminal at LAX and is connected to Terminal 4 and Terminal 3 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, 159, and more 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, Qantas, and SkyTeam lounges are on level 5. Passengers can take the escalator or elevator to level 5 from the center of the Great Hall.

Level 6: Lounges

Level 6 contains the Emirates, Etihad, and Star Alliance lounges, as well as the LA International Lounge.

Hot Tip:

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

West Gates

International Terminal B’s west gates are parallel to the main departure concourse and accessible through the long walkway from the Great Hall. The concourse has 15 gates, numbered 201A, 201B, 202 to 208, 209A, 209B, 210A, 210B, 221, and 225. 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 estimated walking times between different areas of LAX:

• 5 minutes for each portion of this route: Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 to International Terminal B 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 make your way 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 instead of as a single ticket with connections, you need to pick up your luggage in the baggage claim area, recheck your bag, and reclear security.

Those traveling with carry-on luggage can only proceed directly to the terminal of 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.

If you’re connecting to another flight at LAX, check out the map showing the location of your next terminal since each will require a different amount of time to transfer and reclear security (if necessary).