LAX-it
I first visited LAX and used LAX-it in early 2020. After a second visit in 2021, I noticed the process for LAX-it was slightly different than the one I documented here. I have updated this with both processes so you will be prepared for whichever one they are using when you arrive at LAX.
In 2019 in an effort to reduce the congestion on roads within the airport, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) created a centralized parking lot for passengers to catch their Uber, Lyft, and Taxi cabs. The new system is called LAX-it.
The early reviews were not good. They gave LAX-it a bad name. Many recommended taking a private car service to avoid LAX-it altogether.
Prime Time Shuttle is the company I kept hearing about. A visit to their website shows they are pushing the angle that LAX-it has long wait times.
One thing you have to be aware of when booking a private car service is you don’t get curbside with all of their vehicles. If you book economy which is about the same price as Uber/Lyft ($45), you have to get picked up in the LAX-it area.
To get curb side service from Prime Time Shuttle, you must book the Executive Sedan ($75), Executive SUV ($85), Private Van ($105), or Limo ($125).
The reviews I read about Prime Time Shuttle were mixed. Some reviews were great. Others complained about cars not showing up or extended wait times for their car to show up. Some booked economy and expected curbside only to find out they had to take the LAX-it shuttle to meet their ride. I decided to give LAX-it a try.
After collecting my luggage, I headed outside the doors directly in front of the luggage carousel.
The LAX-it stop was literally right outside the door from where I got my bag. I missed getting on a shuttle immediately by just a few seconds.
I asked the worker standing by the stop how long it would take for another shuttle. He said they are supposed to run every five minutes.
Right after he said that, a full shuttle drove by.
Within five minutes I was on another shuttle.
The second time I used LAX-it, a shuttle came immediately.
Here is my seven minute LAX-it shuttle ride from my first trip in 2020.
The first time I did this, they dropped you off and you could go to Uber, Lyft, or taxis. Lyft is on the left, Uber is on the right, and Taxis are in the middle.
It really looked like a race track to me.
Uber is $49 right now. I ordered one and headed to the Uber section. There was a lady with a clipboard who sent me to zone 3A. There is a line of cars there. When one pulls out, you grab the next one.
The driver gets out and loads my suitcase. When you order an Uber here, Uber sends you a PIN number. You give the driver that PIN number, they enter it into their Uber app and you’re ready to go.
On my second trip to LAX in 2021, things worked a little differently. While I was on the shuttle the driver told us to order our Uber or Lyft during the ride. The app gives you the information on your car and driver and tells you which zone to meet the driver in.
My zone is on the other side of that crosswalk.
The last time I came here I was going to the Queen Mary. This time I was coming in on embarkation day so I was going directly to the port. I found out the Port of Long Beach and Long Beach cruise port are two different places. Fortunately my driver took me to the right place despite the directions.
I would recommend requesting your ride to The Queen Mary instead of the port. That way there is no confusion between the port and the cruise port. It will also save you some walking because if you get dropped off in the port parking garage, that door is where people exit the port. The port entrance is on the other side of the building by the Queen Mary. Here we are walking over there.
On your return trip to the airport, you do not have to return to the LAX-it lot. Uber and Lyft can drop you off curbside for an outbound flight.
Overall I had no problems with my LAX-it experiences. If I fly into LAX for another cruise I will use LAX-it again.
