LAX isn’t the easiest airport for a long layover. If you don’t have airline or credit card lounge access you won’t find many great spots to relax. The terminals get crowded, outlets are limited, and food is expensive. That said, if you have more than 3 hours between flights, it might be worth leaving the airport for a quick taste of LA. Here’s a practical breakdown of what you can do based on how much time you have.
Less Than 3 Hours: Stay at the Airport
We wouldn’t leave the airport with less than 3 hours between flights. TSA lines at LAX can be long, and traffic outside the airport is unpredictable. If your layover is tight, stay put, grab a bite near your gate, and download a show. If you have lounge access, this is the time to use it.
3 to 4 Hours: In-N-Out Burger and Plane Spotting
If you’ve got a little more breathing room, head to the famous In-N-Out Burger just outside of the airport. It’s a five-minute Uber ride from the terminal or you can walk.
Pro tip: Order your food to go and walk across the street to the little airplane viewing park on Sepulveda Blvd and 92nd Street. It’s one of the best spots in LA to watch planes land and it’s more relaxing than battling the crowd for seats at In-N-Out.
It gets crowded, but it’s a quick and iconic LA experience. Just make sure you leave enough time to get back through security.
Travel time: 10 min each way
Minimum layover needed: 3+ hours between flights
4 to 6 Hours: Venice Beach to Santa Monica Pier
With a 4–6-hour window, head to Venice Beach and walk the boardwalk up to the Santa Monica Pier. This gives you a quick look at LA beach culture complete with street performers, murals, volleyball courts, and ocean views. It’s touristy, but still totally worth it for a first-time visit – and even for us time and time again. We love this stretch of LA.
If you’re thirsty, stop for a drink with a view at The Bungalow near the pier. Time it right and you can catch the sunset at Maria Sol at the end of the pier. For food, Sol Agave in Santa Monica serves solid Mexican dishes, and Chez Jay is a classic spot with old-school, dive bar vibes just down the street (and with some serious Hollywood history).
Travel time: Typically 30-45 min each way (depending on traffic). Traffic is intense and unpredictable in LA. So, we would leave an hour to get back, just in case.
Minimum layover needed: 4 hours
6 to 8 Hours: Head to the Getty
If you have more time, consider visiting the Getty Center. It’s located off the 405 freeway and offers impressive architecture, city views, gardens, and a large collection of art. Admission is free, but you’ll need a timed-entry ticket and time for the tram ride up from the parking area. You’ll also need to grab an Uber to get there.
It’s a quiet, scenic spot to stretch your legs and take in a different side of LA away from the crowds.
Travel time: 35-45 min each way, but again, leave plenty of time to get back, just in case.
Minimum layover needed: 6 hours
Overnight or 12+ Hours: Explore Griffith Park and Los Feliz
If your layover includes an overnight stay or you have 10-12+ hours, you can do more. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency LAX using 12,000 Hyatt points. It’s one of the most convenient options near the airport and has a shuttle.
From there, we made the trip to Griffith Park. We had an Uber drive us up to the top at the Griffith Observatory, which has great views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. You can explore inside the observatory, and there are trails if you want to walk.
We walked all the way down (bring water and good shoes, it’s steep in places!) and had dinner in Los Feliz at an amazing restaurant called Kismet and saw Wet Leg at the Greek Theatre.
Be aware that the Uber round trip cost us about $200, so it’s not cheap. If you make the trip, you could also check out nearby spots like Hollywood Boulevard and Vermont Avenue (lots of cool shops and restaurants).
We had such an amazing time, it was well worth the expensive ride-share, but only if you have ample time.
Travel time: 1-1.5 hours each way in traffic
Minimum layover needed: 10-12 hours or overnight
Important LAX Layover Tips
- Don’t cut it close. Leave at least 2-3 hours to return, re-clear security, and get to your gate. This is obviously way easier if you have TSA Pre-Check (our security line didn’t have CLEAR).
- Traffic is real. Avoid peak hours (3 PM to 7 PM) if possible.
- Use rideshare. Uber and Lyft are more efficient than renting a car or using public transit.
- Stash your bags. LAX doesn’t have lockers, but you can find independent luggage storage operators off site.
- Pack smart. Bring a portable charger, sunglasses, and comfy shoes.
- Track security wait times. Use the LAX app or website to check live TSA updates.
TL;DR: Quick Recap by Time
- < 3 hours: Stay in the terminal.
- 3–4 hours: In-N-Out and plane watching.
- 4–6 hours: Venice Beach to Santa Monica Pier walk.
- 6–8 hours: Visit the Getty.
- 10+ hours or overnight: Griffith Observatory, Los Feliz dinner, Greek Theatre, Vermont Ave, or Hollywood Blvd.
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Our Verdict
An LAX layover isn’t always ideal, but with good timing and a bit of planning, you can turn it into a mini trip. Stick to one area, give yourself plenty of time to get back, and don’t try to see everything. It’s better to enjoy one solid experience than to stress about making it to your next flight.
We’re actually pretty excited that LAX is finally getting a $30 billion revamp ahead of the 2028 Olympics. But until then, we try to spend as little time as possible in the terminals. We hope this plan helps for your next LAX adventure!
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