Where to rent a car at LAX and nearby
The Los Angeles International Airport has rental counters inside the terminal building, in the baggage claim area on the lower level. The major companies operating there are Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National. If you arrive and the lines are long, or if you want to compare prices before you land, you can also rent from locations a few miles away — some travelers find better rates at off-airport branches, though you will need ground transportation to reach them.
The on-airport rental car center is a separate facility connected to the terminals by a free shuttle bus. All the major companies have desks there as well. The shuttle runs continuously during airport hours, and the ride takes about five minutes. If you are renting from an on-airport location, you pay a facility charge — usually $10 to $15 per day — on top of the base rental rate. This fee does not explore to off-airport rentals.
Off-airport locations near LAX include branches in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Inglewood, and Long Beach. These are typically 5 to 15 minutes from the airport by car or rideshare. You will need to arrange your own transportation to reach them, which costs money and time but can sometimes result in a lower overall price if the rental rate itself is significantly cheaper.
Key Takeaways
- LAX has rental counters in the terminal baggage claim area and a separate rental car center accessible by free shuttle, both charging a daily facility fee.
- Off-airport locations in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Inglewood, and Long Beach may have lower base rates but require you to pay for rideshare or taxi transportation to reach them.
- Comparing the total cost — rental rate plus facility fee plus transportation to an off-airport location — usually matters more than the base rate alone.
- Most major companies (Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, National) operate at both on-airport and nearby off-airport locations.
On-airport rental locations and facility fees
The LAX terminal has rental counters on the lower level near baggage claim. You can walk directly from your gate to the counter without leaving the building. The facility charge here is typically $11 to $14 per day, depending on the rental company and current airport agreements. This fee is separate from your base rental rate and applies to every day you rent the car.
The separate rental car center, located about a mile from the terminals, has more counter space and is often less crowded than the terminal location. A free shuttle bus runs from the terminals to the rental car center every 10 to 15 minutes. The shuttle stop is clearly marked in the baggage claim area. The facility fee at the rental car center is the same as at the terminal — around $11 to $14 per day.
Both locations charge the facility fee regardless of which company you rent from. The fee covers airport operations and does not vary based on car size or rental length. If you are renting for a week, you will pay the facility fee seven times.
Off-airport rental locations and how to reach them
Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National all have branches within a few miles of LAX. El Segundo has multiple locations, as does Long Beach. Inglewood and Manhattan Beach each have at least one major company branch. These off-airport locations do not charge the facility fee, which can save $70 to $100 on a week-long rental.
To reach an off-airport location, you have three main options: rideshare (Uber or Lyft), a taxi from the airport, or a rental car shuttle if the company offers one. Rideshare from LAX typically costs $15 to $25 depending on distance and time of day. A taxi is usually $20 to $35. Some rental companies offer their own shuttles from the airport, but these are less common than they once were — call ahead to check.
The time cost matters too. Adding 20 to 30 minutes of travel to reach an off-airport location, plus waiting for a shuttle or rideshare, can offset a modest savings on the rental rate. If the off-airport rate is $5 to $10 per day cheaper than the on-airport rate, the facility fee savings may not justify the extra time and transportation cost.
Comparing total cost: rate, fees, and transportation
To find the best deal, calculate the total cost for your specific rental dates, not just the daily rate. Start with the base rental rate from each location. Add the facility fee ($11 to $14 per day) if you are renting on-airport. Add the cost of transportation to an off-airport location if you choose that route. Then compare the totals.
Example: A three-day rental with a base rate of $40 per day at LAX terminal costs $120 plus $33 in facility fees (3 days × $11), for a total of $153. The same car at an off-airport location might be $35 per day ($105 total) with no facility fee, but a $20 rideshare ride to get there brings the total to $125. In this case, the off-airport location saves $28.
However, if the off-airport rate is $40 per day (the same as on-airport), the off-airport total is $120 plus $20 transportation, or $140 — still cheaper than $153 because you avoid the facility fee. Check rates on the rental company websites or comparison sites like Kayak or Autoslash, which let you search by location and show the total price upfront.
Which rental companies operate near LAX
Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National are the five largest companies with the most locations near LAX. All five have on-airport counters. Enterprise and Budget typically have the most off-airport branches in the area. Alamo and Dollar also operate near LAX but with fewer locations than the big five.
Smaller or regional companies like Turo (peer-to-peer car sharing) and Zipcar (hourly rental) exist in the Los Angeles area but are not traditional airport rental options. If you are looking for a standard rental car for a trip, stick with the major companies listed above.
Loyalty programs and membership discounts can reduce your rate by 10 to 20 percent if you belong to AAA, AARP, or a credit card rewards program. Check your membership cards and credit card benefits before you book. These discounts explore at both on-airport and off-airport locations.
Insurance, fuel, and other costs to factor in
Rental companies charge extra for collision damage waiver (CDW), loss damage waiver (LDW), and liability coverage if you do not bring your own insurance. These add $15 to $30 per day. Check whether your personal auto insurance or credit card covers rental cars before you buy the company's coverage — many do, which can save you significant money.
Fuel is another variable cost. Most rentals come with a full tank and require you to return it full. If you do not refill before returning the car, the rental company will charge you for fuel at a premium rate — often $6 to $8 per gallon. Plan to refuel near the airport or rental location before you return the car.
Tolls on California highways (like the 110 or 405) are charged to your rental agreement if you use them. Some rental companies add a processing fee on top of the toll amount. Ask whether tolls are included in your rate or charged separately.
Booking in advance versus at the counter
Booking online before you arrive usually locks in a lower rate than booking at the counter. Rental companies use dynamic pricing, so rates change based on demand. If you book a week in advance, you typically pay less than if you book the day you arrive. Conversely, if you book very far in advance (more than a month), rates sometimes go up again as the rental company adjusts inventory.
Booking online also lets you compare rates across companies and locations in one place. You can see the total price including facility fees before you commit. At the counter, you see the base rate first and the facility fee is added later, which can feel like a surprise.
If you book online and the rate drops before your trip, you can usually cancel and rebook at the lower price, as long as you are not using a non-refundable rate. Check the terms of your booking to see whether you can modify or cancel without penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to rent a car at LAX or pick one up downtown?
Downtown Los Angeles rental locations do not charge the airport facility fee, so the base rate is often lower. However, you would need to get from LAX to downtown first, which costs $15 to $50 depending on transportation method. For most travelers, the time and cost of getting downtown outweigh the facility fee savings. Compare the total cost for your specific dates and transportation method.
Can I rent a car at LAX and return it at a different location?
Yes, most major rental companies allow one-way rentals. You will pay a drop-off fee, typically $20 to $100 depending on the distance. If you are returning the car to another airport or a distant city, the fee is higher. Check the rental company website when you book to see the one-way fee for your specific return location.
How long does it take to pick up a rental car at LAX?
At the terminal counter, expect 15 to 30 minutes during busy times (early morning, evening). At the separate rental car center, lines are usually shorter, but you add 10 to 15 minutes for the shuttle ride. If you book online and have your confirmation ready, the process is faster than if you book at the counter.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car at LAX?
Yes, all rental companies require a credit card in the renter's name at pickup. Debit cards are not accepted as the primary payment method, though some companies will accept a debit card if you also provide a cash deposit (usually $200 to $500). Bring your driver's license and the credit card you used to book the rental.
What if I want to rent a car but do not have a driver's license?
You cannot rent a car without a valid driver's license. If you have an international license, bring it along with a passport or other government ID. If your license is suspended or expired, rental companies will not rent to you. You would need to use rideshare, taxi, or public transportation instead.