Arrival Time at LAX for International Travellers

[Mama Bear Me2]

Hi All,

I was just reading another thread and there was some discussion as to when to leave for the airport etc.

This got me thinking ...

For International Travellers (specifically in my case CANADA) who need to clear customs are you finding that arriving at LAX about 2 hours earlier than flight departure time sufficient time to check-in and clear customs?

I was advised that perhaps we need to arrive more than 2 hours because there are more security measures in place than in the past.

What have your experiences been?

Thanks a lot for sharing!

 

[Missknz]

We left the parks 5 hours before our international flight as we were driving during peak traffic hours. We were at LAX in plenty of time to check in smoothly and have dinner before getting on the plane.
Security was interesting. The x-ray scanners were not working so we were waved through without checking our carry on bags at all. Therefore it was very very quick.
LAX is loads more efficient than it used to be, but I'd still allow plenty of time so there's no stress.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I'm a perpetual worry wart and would not be comfortable checking in at LAX 2 hours prior to my flight home to Canada. But you might have a different comfort level. Does your airline have a later flight you could take if something goes wrong and you don't make it in time? That would also influence my choice.

 

[Susie63]

Terminal 2? We always get there about 2.5 hours ahead of time. There never seems to be massive line ups....unlike Orlando . I worry more about the traffic. One accident and it all goes south....

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

Thanks for your help everyone!

Departing LAX: July 22 (Saturday) @ 8:30 pm flight

Any experience how bad Saturday traffic is to LAX in the afternoon?

Idea is to return car around 4:00 - 4:30 pm AND
Allow about 1 hour to get from car rental to Airport (in case there's a long wait for the shuttle)
Get to LAX around 5:30 pm which leaves about 3 hours for check-in and customs

Thanks for your input!

 

[Disney_Alli]

Thanks for your help everyone!

Departing LAX: July 22 (Saturday) @ 8:30 pm flight

Any experience how bad Saturday traffic is to LAX in the afternoon?

Idea is to return car around 4:00 - 4:30 pm AND
Allow about 1 hour to get from car rental to Airport (in case there's a long wait for the shuttle)
Get to LAX around 5:30 pm which leaves about 3 hours for check-in and customs

Thanks for your input!

I can't really help with traffic but that timeline sound like the one we would follow. I don't know what the food choices are like at LAX but if you're through security early you can always have a decent sit down dinner there before getting on the plane.

 

[Susie63]

Thanks for your help everyone!

Departing LAX: July 22 (Saturday) @ 8:30 pm flight

Any experience how bad Saturday traffic is to LAX in the afternoon?

Idea is to return car around 4:00 - 4:30 pm AND
Allow about 1 hour to get from car rental to Airport (in case there's a long wait for the shuttle)
Get to LAX around 5:30 pm which leaves about 3 hours for check-in and customs

Thanks for your input!

You should be good. Better to sit in the airport a wait for a flight than miss it. The traffic on Saturday afternoon should be good.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

I can't really help with traffic but that timeline sound like the one we would follow. I don't know what the food choices are like at LAX but if you're through security early you can always have a decent sit down dinner there before getting on the plane.

Thanks!!

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

You should be good. Better to sit in the airport a wait for a flight than miss it. The traffic on Saturday afternoon should be good.

Thanks!!

 

[bellrae]

I've always left at least 4 hours before, sometimes 5 depending on the time of day. But I do like to make sure I am at the airport early

 

[ashley0139]

Thanks for your help everyone!

Departing LAX: July 22 (Saturday) @ 8:30 pm flight

Any experience how bad Saturday traffic is to LAX in the afternoon?

Idea is to return car around 4:00 - 4:30 pm AND
Allow about 1 hour to get from car rental to Airport (in case there's a long wait for the shuttle)
Get to LAX around 5:30 pm which leaves about 3 hours for check-in and customs

Thanks for your input!

The problem with Saturdays is that it's extremely hard to predict traffic, but you should definitely plan for some in the afternoon. Traffic here isn't like the rest of the country - there is always traffic on the weekends as well. Especially headed that direction.

 

[bumbershoot]

Get to LAX around 5:30 pm which leaves about 3 hours for check-in and customs

That's what we would be comfortable with.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This link will give you some ideas for places to eat at LAX: lax-los-angeles-airport-dining-guide-winter-2015. There is a listing for Terminal 2.

 

[kaosin3d]

Traveling from the US to Canada you will be going through customs once you arrive in Canada. It's just US immigration that you clear prior to departure.

So you will just need to make it through security. I would feel comfortable with what you have planned!

 

[felice]

If your ticket includes it, check out the access to the airport lounge on Level 5 at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Food there is very good and plentiful, also is a reasonably priced visit as somewhere to go providing it isn't too busy, if your tickets don't include access.

 

[Aurora_Australis]

Definitely second heading round to the TB terminal. Having just spent a 7hr and 5hr layover there, with kids, walking round there not only killed time but gave much better food choices.

 

[Albort]

Terminal 2? We always get there about 2.5 hours ahead of time. There never seems to be massive line ups....unlike Orlando . I worry more about the traffic. One accident and it all goes south....

There was a recent shuffle of airlines, i think delta moved to Terminal 3. everyone else got thrown to other terminals. Anyone flying out of LAX should double check!

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

THANKS AGAIN Everyone!!

 

[Sparrow78]

I wanted to jump in here.... We have an 11:55am flight home to Canada on a Saturday... If we left hojo for 8am will that be enough time?

 

[ashley0139]

I wanted to jump in here.... We have an 11:55am flight home to Canada on a Saturday... If we left hojo for 8am will that be enough time?

Yes.