LAX Rental Car Guide: Los Angeles International Airport
Renting a car at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at LAX that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at LAX
Consolidated rental car facility (CRCF) reached by free shuttle bus from terminals.
Do NOT pay for short-term parking at LAX terminals when picking up. Take the rental car shuttle from the dedicated stop on the lower (arrivals) level.
LAX pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $70-$90 economy, $130-$180 SUV.
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery fee 11.11%, customer facility charge $10/day, vehicle license fee $4/day.
That means a $50/day economy rental at LAX actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at LAX
LAX hosts 11 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Sixt
- Thrifty
- Dollar
- Fox
- Payless
Best for premium service: Hertz (largest fleet)
Cheapest base rates: Fox or Payless (off-brand budget at lower rates)
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
LAX-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
The free LAX shuttle to off-airport rentals adds 30-40 minutes round trip. Generally not worth it for rentals under 3 days unless saving $100+.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Inglewood (5 min) and Manhattan Beach (15 min) have cheaper non-CRCF locations.
How to save the most at LAX
- Compare across all 11 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at LAX.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at LAX?
Consolidated rental car facility (CRCF) reached by free shuttle bus from terminals. Do NOT pay for short-term parking at LAX terminals when picking up. Take the rental car shuttle from the dedicated stop on the lower (arrivals) level.
What is the average rental car price at LAX?
$70-$90 economy, $130-$180 SUV. Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at LAX?
Concession recovery fee 11.11%, customer facility charge $10/day, vehicle license fee $4/day. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at LAX?
For premium fleet and reliability: Hertz (largest fleet). For cheapest base rates: Fox or Payless (off-brand budget at lower rates). Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from LAX?
The free LAX shuttle to off-airport rentals adds 30-40 minutes round trip. Generally not worth it for rentals under 3 days unless saving $100+. Specifically: Inglewood (5 min) and Manhattan Beach (15 min) have cheaper non-CRCF locations.
Are there any quirks to renting at LAX?
LAX adds a special $10/day Customer Facility Charge that funds the new MSC people-mover scheduled to open 2026, the highest CFC in the country.