5 things to know when traveling to LA for the holidays

If you’re considering a trip to LA, for the holidays, don’t let the ongoing construction at LAX Airport put you off. Winter is a great time to be in LA, especially during the Holidays. Los Angeles International Airport is currently the third busiest airport in the world, and each year, travelers numbering in the hundreds of thousands, make LA their holiday destination. Warm temperatures, Holiday festivals, concerts, and parades this month, not to mention the sporting teams, theme parks and nightlife, make visiting LA a no brainer. LA might be low on snow, but more than makes up for it with Holiday spirit.

5 things you need to know about LAX during the holidays.

1. How Will the construction at LAX airport affect you?

The current billion dollar modernization of LAX has been going on for a few years now, which translates to quite a bit of construction. Here’s what you need to know:

• Indoor connectors on the Upper and Lower (Departures and Arrivals respectively) levels of the airport are closed. Verify you are at the correct terminal. Be sure to check and confirm where your bags need to be dropped with your airlines.
• To facilitate ongoing demolitions, the drop-off lanes in front of Terminals 5 and 6 are closed.
• However, the drop-off zones to the east and west of the construction site will remain open.
• Pedestrians are able to use the outdoor walkway between 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., but must detour through the building between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Many of the pick-up lanes on the Arrivals Level may also be closed between 1 and 6 a.m.
• Bus lanes on the Lower Arrivals Level will intermittently close during paving work. During these times, you will be rerouted to the nearest open stops.
• Gate 10 is permanently closed for the construction of Terminal 1.5.  Gate 12A is closed until Terminal 1.5 I completed.
• The pedestrian bridge linking Parking Structure 1 and the terminal are closed, with signs placed to direct passengers.
• LAX is no longer letting rideshare drivers pick up passengers from the airport on the upper levels.

2. Can I use Uber and Lyft services at LAX?

About 3 years ago, LAX banned curbside Uber, Lyft, and taxi pickups. These services now use a new pickup area called LAX-it, pronounced “L.A. Exit.” You’ll have to board a shuttle bus or walk to the new pickup area to catch your Uber, Lyft, or other taxicabs. Travelers can check our LAX-it guide for more info.

3. How busy is LAX airport during the holidays?

The third busiest airport in the world, gets even busier during the winter holiday season. When traveling to LA, for the holidays, expect delays, including traffic blocks and rerouting, so allow extra time for such hiccups at LAX Airport. It is advisable that you arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled time of departure. To get real-time info on wait time, use the MyTSA app (can be downloaded from the Apple Store or the Google Play store). Another tip to save time at LAX airport is to utilize online check-in options wherever you can. Also, save time driving around looking for parking at LAX by pre-booking your LAX parking spot via Way.com.