LAX-Santa Monica

Question

Looking to get to Santa Monica from LAX after arriving from UK mid afternoon. I have read up on LAX website about LAX-IT and ride share but also about taxi from outside the international terminal. Any advice about just picking up a taxi? Seems daft to trail all the way to pick up an UBER/Lyft when there is an option outside the terminal. Or is it a cost issue that a taxi will cost considerably more?

Answer

Getting from LAX to Santa Monica is straightforward, but there are a few options to consider depending on convenience, cost, and comfort after an international flight.

If you are arriving mid-afternoon from the UK, you’ll likely be tired and may have luggage, so convenience may outweigh cost savings.

Taxi: Taxis are readily available just outside the arrivals level of the international terminal. You don’t need to go anywhere special to pick one up. This is the simplest option if you want to get to Santa Monica without walking or waiting for a ride-share pickup. Fares to Santa Monica typically range from $45–$70 depending on traffic and time of day, and a tip of around 15–20% is customary.
Uber/Lyft: These ride-share services require you to walk to a designated pick-up area on the lower (arrivals) level or follow the signs for the LAX-it shuttle, which ferries passengers to a centralized ride-share lot. The fare is generally slightly lower than a taxi, maybe $35–$60 depending on surge pricing. However, you need to account for the shuttle ride and waiting time, which could be inconvenient with luggage and after a long flight.
LAX-it shuttle: This is free and takes you to the ride-share lot, but it adds 5–10 minutes to your journey. Useful if you want the absolute cheapest ride-share option, but less convenient than simply walking to a taxi.

Other points to consider:

Traffic in Los Angeles mid-afternoon can be heavy, especially on the 405 and 10 freeways, so expect travel time of 30–50 minutes depending on conditions.
If convenience and speed are your priority, a taxi is perfectly reasonable and avoids any extra walking or shuttle transfers.
If you are comfortable navigating the LAX-it system and possibly saving a few dollars, Uber/Lyft is a good alternative, especially if you can get a non-surge fare.

In summary, for someone arriving internationally with luggage and fatigue, taking a taxi directly outside the terminal is often the most stress-free choice. The slightly higher cost is generally worth the ease and simplicity, especially in mid-afternoon traffic.

LAX-Santa Monica

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