Tips for travelling to LAX

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rlarosa

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Dec 1, 2010
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Hi All,

In June I'm travelling to LA for 10 days, and I've never been to the US so looking forward to it. Wondering if there is anything I should look out for - long security queues are one thing I'm assuming!

I'm flying PE with VA (VA1/VA2) and I note that as VA Plat I can use the *A lounge but I gather it's in a different terminal to the departing VA2 flight. What are the terminal transfer options? I have to say the LAX website is a bit ordinary!

Also thinking of spending 2 days driving up to SFO then flying back to LA - has anyone done the drive up the coast road? Or I'll just fly there and back to spend more time in SFO. Have three days total.

Thanks everyone!

RL
 
From 1 December 2013, all Virgin Australia flights will depart from Tom Bradley International Terminal B.

Please note: Check-in for Virgin Australia flights remains at Terminal 3.

That suggests your departure will be from TBIT, which is where the *A lounge is.

Assuming check in is still in Terminal 3, it is right next to TBIT, and won't be more than a 150m walk
 
10 days would be plenty of time to do the Golden Triangle* (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas) or maybe even the Four Square* (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego). *just made up names.

Don't worry about long queues at LAX, just expect it and when you get there and see what actually is happening its either equal or better than your expectation.
 
We were at LAX about 18mths ago - do they still make you take your shoes off for security?

Coming home, we were PE and the escalator guard after checkin and before security was very firm that only 2 bags per person so my handbag, laptop and carryon was considered 3 bags and shall not pass. Shove the laptop in my carryon and it was perfectly ok. Now I understand why I saw people with big gym bags going up the escalators and then after that point, taking their bags out of the gym bag.

When chaning terminals, we didnt take the shuttle and preferred to exit the terminal and walk - its not far/hard and nice to be outdoors for a few minutes.

If you are going to SF, book your Alcatraz tickets sooner than later.
 
Absolutely worth the drive from LA to San Fran. In San Fran be sure to do Alcatraz and ride the trolley car down the hill toward the bay on the running boards with Alcatraz in the distance. Magic!
 
Anyone know if they have opened the bloody McDonalds up again inside the "TBIT"...was no where to be seen(closed as had to pay workers more) in November.
Right Virgin at TBIT coming in...expect the longest walk to customs....just under 1km I reckon....then snake line (like 2hrs before getting on a cruise ship in Sydney) into TSA(Custom) all look like the terminator on a bad day....finger print scan BOTH hands...retina scan....reason for travel: holiday....passport\ticket....ESTA...where is your accom.....then off to collect bags....then another check of passport....then out the gate....then need to find a pay phone on lower level to ring the hire car mob to work out where to meet the van\bus that picks you up to take you to the offsite car hire place....need 2 dimes for the pay phone!
As far as I know....checkin is T3 and as stated a nice easy 150metre stroll to TBIT is boarding...furthest gate from customs...oh and the shops inside TBIT are NOT ALL DUTY FREE!
Must book Alcatraz now to get a seat on boat and only through the official website to RRP!
No TRS at TBIT :(

Im LAX on 29th....been 3 times before and got in on time and out the front in less than 45minutes at 0830hrs arrival....heres hoping I continue the good fortune as flight out 1130hrs.......
 
I like to have between 10 and 20 $1 US notes to cover tipping as no one wants to give $5 or $10 as a simple tip.
 
Hi All,

In June I'm travelling to LA for 10 days, and I've never been to the US so looking forward to it. Wondering if there is anything I should look out for - long security queues are one thing I'm assuming!

I'm flying PE with VA (VA1/VA2) and I note that as VA Plat I can use the *A lounge but I gather it's in a different terminal to the departing VA2 flight. What are the terminal transfer options? I have to say the LAX website is a bit ordinary!

Also thinking of spending 2 days driving up to SFO then flying back to LA - has anyone done the drive up the coast road? Or I'll just fly there and back to spend more time in SFO. Have three days total.

Thanks everyone!

RL

DISNEYLAND!!! The actual happiest place on earth, not just a marketing slogan. And stacks of fun on your own - probably the most fun I've ever had.
 
Anyone know if they have opened the bloody McDonalds up again inside the "TBIT"...was no where to be seen(closed as had to pay workers more) in November.
...then another check of passport....then out the gate....then need to find a pay phone on lower level to ring the hire car mob to work out where to meet the van\bus that picks you up to take you to the offsite car hire place....need 2 dimes for the pay phone!

The signage in APPALLING for the relevant shuttle bus stops to the car rentals. Be wary that Dollar/Thrifty might be the same group but they have 2 different locations. I like Trifty: it's next to hwy 405 which becomes the I-5 all the way north.
 
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