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✈️ Airport Guide

LAX, Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario — how to arrive, navigate, and reach SoFi Stadium or your hotel.

LAX BUR LGB ONT

Step by Step

Arriving at LAX

Los Angeles International (LAX) is the busiest airport in the western US and one of the world's largest international gateways. Most World Cup visitors flying from overseas will land here. LAX is 4 miles from SoFi Stadium — the closest major airport to the World Cup venue.

01
Land & Clear Immigration
International arrivals land at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) or Terminal B. Follow signs to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Have your passport, customs declaration, and onward travel info ready. The Mobile Passport app or Global Entry kiosk speeds up clearance significantly.
→ Global Entry lanes are dramatically faster — worth enrolling before your trip.
02
Collect Baggage
Baggage carousels are at the lower level of each terminal. Check the overhead displays for your flight's carousel. Baggage claim at LAX typically takes 25–45 minutes after landing — LAX is large and busy.
→ Oversized baggage (golf bags, surfboards, bicycles) is collected at a separate claim area.
03
Get to LAX-it for Rideshare
LAX moved Uber and Lyft pickups to a dedicated lot called LAX-it a few minutes east of the terminals. Walk to the LAX-it shuttle stop outside your terminal, take the free shuttle to LAX-it, and request your ride from there. Taxi pickup is also at LAX-it.
→ The LAX-it shuttle runs every few minutes — easier than it sounds.
04
Or Catch the Metro K Line
As of 2026, the Metro K Line connects LAX to the broader LA Metro system via the LAX/Metro Transit Center. The free LAX shuttle takes you from the terminals to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where you board the K Line. From there it's a few stops to Downtown Inglewood (SoFi) or transfer to the C Line for Downtown LA. Cheapest option to SoFi.
→ $1.75 per ride. Get a TAP card at any station vending machine.
05
Get a SIM Card or Enable Roaming
International visitors should get a US SIM card or enable international roaming before leaving the airport. Kiosks in the terminals sell prepaid SIMs from T-Mobile and AT&T. Airalo offers affordable eSIM plans you can activate on your phone.
→ You'll need data for Uber, Google Maps, and FIFA ticket apps.

Getting from LAX to LA

Metro K Line (Best for SoFi)
$1.75
25–30 min to Inglewood
Free LAX shuttle to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, then K Line to Downtown Inglewood (a 10-minute walk to SoFi Stadium). Cheapest way to the World Cup venue.
Rideshare
$30–55
25–60 min to Downtown
Uber and Lyft pickup is at LAX-it, the consolidated rideshare lot. Surge pricing common during match days. Time varies dramatically with traffic.
Rental Car
$50–100/day
25–60 min
Rental car center is a shuttle ride from the terminals. Useful for day trips to San Diego, Joshua Tree, or Santa Barbara. Less useful for daily LA navigation due to traffic and parking costs.
Taxi
$60–90
25–60 min
Taxis available at LAX-it. Flat-rate fare to LAX-Downtown LA is currently around $60. Generally more expensive than rideshare.

LAX Terminal Guide

Navigating LAX

Domestic
1 / 2 / 3
Mostly domestic. Terminal 1 is Southwest. Terminal 2 has Air Canada, Aer Lingus, and other international. Terminal 3 is Delta.
Domestic / International
4 / 5
American Airlines hub (Terminal 4 + 5). Terminal 5 also handles JetBlue, Frontier, and Spirit.
Domestic / Some International
6 / 7 / 8
United and Alaska Airlines hub. Some international (Alaska to Mexico).
International ★
B (TBIT)
Tom Bradley International Terminal — most international flights from Europe, Asia, and South America. Lounges, duty-free, world-class dining. Most World Cup visitors from overseas will arrive here.

All terminals are connected by a free shuttle that runs every few minutes. Internal walkways connect some adjacent terminals. The Automated People Mover (APM) — opening 2026 — will connect terminals to LAX-it and the Metro K Line station.

Secondary Airports

Smaller LA Airports

LA has multiple airports. Domestic visitors should check whether one of these is closer to your hotel — they're often cheaper, smaller, and faster to get through than LAX.

Hollywood Burbank (BUR)
12 mi from Hollywood
Compact airport in the San Fernando Valley. Best for domestic travelers visiting Hollywood, Universal Studios, or Studio City. Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, American.
Long Beach (LGB)
23 mi south of LA
Small, fast, fewer crowds. Closer to Disneyland and Long Beach. Mostly Southwest and JetBlue. Excellent if you're staying south of LAX.
Ontario International (ONT)
38 mi east of LA
In the Inland Empire — useful if you're staying in Pasadena, going to Joshua Tree, or finding cheaper fares. Most major US carriers.
John Wayne / Orange County (SNA)
36 mi south
Best if your trip is centered on Disneyland or the OC beaches. Domestic only. American, Alaska, Delta, Southwest.

Essential Airport Tips

⚠Download the FIFA app before arriving — you'll need it for mobile tickets. Do this on home WiFi, not airport data.
⚠Download Uber and Lyft before you land. US phone numbers are required for full account setup — use a US eSIM or your home carrier roaming.
⚠Rideshare pickup at LAX is at LAX-it, not the terminals. Take the free shuttle from your terminal — clearly marked.
⚠LAX is sprawling — connecting flights at LAX often require terminal changes. Allow 90+ minutes between connections; use the free shuttle or APM (when open).
⚠Match day surge: LAX-to-SoFi rideshare can spike to $80+ on big match days. Use the Metro K Line — it goes directly to Downtown Inglewood.

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