LAX Car Services, Limousines, and Rideshares with Car Seats

If you are traveling with a little one who needs a car seat, the best LAX solution may be to book a car service that offers car seats. These services listed below not only drop you and baby off at LAX—they can also pick you up inside the terminal, with car seat installed and ready to go outside.

Xecutive Shuttle and Transport

Choose from a variety of cars including Cadillacs, Mercedes, BMW 5 series, and Suburbans. All drivers have had background checks, and all cars are licensed, insured, and bonded. But the biggest perk of all is that booster, infant, and convertible car seats are available for the entire brood free of charge. For more information call 657.231.6297.

SafeRide Transport

This limousine company includes cold bottled water, magazines, snacks, and car seats on request for every vehicle in its fleet. Kick back and relax while somebody else fights bumper-to-bumper traffic in a luxury sedan, stretch limo, SUV, or passenger van. Infant seats, toddler seats, and booster seats are provided for an additional charge. Riders can also save money by joining SafeRide's Frequent Riders program.

Zippy Shuttle

Rates start at $125 one way, including gratuity. Families can select rear-facing infant seats, forward-facing toddler seats, or boosters for no additional fee. For more information, call 877.889.4779.

On Demand Car Services

This Westside-based company services all local airports and offers car seats in sedans, SUVs, and limos. Service can be booked 24/7 by calling 310.920.5494.

LAX Transport

Although not the cheapest option, LAX Transport has a reputation for solid reliability and flexibility. Car seats are available, and the reservation system is entirely online.

Taxis, Rideshares, and LAX-it (BYO Car Seat)

Taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, and other rideshares can drop off directly at your terminal, but can't pick you up from the Departures level. To get a ride home via taxi or rideshare, you first need to catch the free LAX-it shuttle outside of baggage claim. Then you can call for an Uber or Lyft, or line up for a taxi at the LAXit pick-up area. 

LAX-it is adjacent to Terminal 1, in the old Park 'n' Fly lot, making it a convenient, walkable solution for Southwest passengers. If you arrive at Terminal 1, there's no need to catch the shuttle; you will get to LAX-it faster walking. From deeper into the airport, it's a bit more of a trek. The shuttle is generally frequent enough to beat walking from Terminals 2-7, though (especially with kids and luggage).

Taxis also have two new spots inside the airport for pick-up: inside Parking Structure 3 between Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) and Terminal 3, or at the far end of Terminal 7 outside of baggage claim. If you use one of these taxi stands, get a jump on the queue by calling 310.646.9177 as you grab your bags from the belt, so the dispatcher knows to send a taxi to your stand. Cab companies that service LAX include:

• Bell Cab Company
• Beverly Hills Cab Company
• City Cab
• Independent Taxi
• United Checker Cab
• United Independent Taxi Drivers (UITD)
• United Taxi of San Fernando Valley (UTSFV)
• Yellow Cab

Uber Black (the luxury version of Uber) is allowed to pick up at any terminal, and for a large family, the price may well be worth it. But note that Uber does not provide car seats in Los Angeles, even in the luxury version. So this option is only for families who are traveling with car seats.

Public Transport to and from LAX

Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room — for years tourists and locals alike have lamented the lack of an easy rail connection to LAX. Yes, the C Line (formerly the Green Line) has low-cost connections to areas served by the Metro system. But it's important to know that the station is outside of the airport at Aviation and 116th, meaning you'll have to take a free shuttle bus to the station.

But there is good news on the horizon! Metro is extending the K Line (which will run from Crenshaw/Exposition to LAX and beyond) with a station right outside of the airport that connects to an automated people mover (APM) directly into the horseshoe. If you've visited LAX recently, you've undoubtedly noticed the construction around the Theme Building. Unfortunately, the opening date for the APM keeps getting delayed, and as of now, the opening date is in 2025. The K Line is expected to open its LAX Metro Transit Center station in late 2024.

In addition to all of the various car options, free shuttles run regularly between all terminals and the LAX City Bus Center and Metro C (Green) Line Aviation Station. Low-priced LAX FlyAway buses travel between the bus center and Union Station or Van Nuys. Even cheaper options leaving from the bus center include local bus services to Santa Monica, Culver City, Torrance, and other beach communities.

The C (Green) Line station has low-cost connections to areas served by the Metro system, including direct transfers to the A (Blue) Line and the J (Silver) Line rapid bus transit. And all of the airport shuttles are trackable online.

Friends and Family Pick-Up at LAX

At the end of the day, though we are encouraged to keep airport traffic to a minimum, the easiest way to get to and from LAX with kids is still calling in a big favor from friends or family. A great option is to offer the money you might spend on a car service to a trusted babysitter instead. That way your little one can have his or her own car seat and a familiar face. Individuals and private cars are still allowed to pick up at arrivals, on the island across the road from baggage claim.

Happy holidays, and safe travels!

Photo by Miki Yoshihito via flickr