Car rental at Los Angeles (LAX)
LAX rentals now run through a consolidated facility served by a dedicated shuttle, and Los Angeles is a market where the right answer is often a smaller car than you think.
What to know before you book here
Parking is the constraint
Hotel parking in Santa Monica, West Hollywood and Downtown is charged per night and garages are tight. A compact costs less to rent and less to park.
The Pacific Coast Highway question
Convertibles are the obvious romantic choice and the practical one has a boot. If you are doing the full PCH run with luggage, a compact SUV will make the trip more pleasant than a two-seater.
Electric cars are everywhere in this fleet
California fleets carry a high share of EVs, and the return-charge rules differ by supplier. We confirm that rule in writing before you accept an EV rate.
Classes we quote most in Los Angeles
Compact
- 5 seats
- 2 bags
- Easy to park
One size up from economy. Noticeably better on the interstate, still small enough for old downtowns and tight garages.
What this class really means
Compact SUV
- 5 seats
- 3 bags
- Higher seating
The most requested class in the US. Higher seating position, more usable boot, and all-wheel drive on many models.
What this class really means
Electric
- 5 seats
- 3 bags
- Charging required
Increasingly common in US fleets, and usually cheaper per day than the equivalent petrol car.
What this class really means
Convertible
- 4 seats
- 1–2 bags
- Seasonal fleet
For coastal drives — Pacific Coast Highway, the Overseas Highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway.
What this class really meansOn terminal logistics. Counter locations, shuttle arrangements and opening hours at Los Angeles International Airport are set by the airport and the rental suppliers and do change. Your agent confirms the current pickup instructions for your specific supplier and booking in writing before you travel, rather than relying on anything printed on a website.
Quote a Los Angeles rental
An agent will compare the suppliers at LAX for your dates and send the all-in total.