How bad is LAX?

[ahill004]

Ok - so we are considering flying to LAX and out of San Diego on our upcoming so cal trip. However, we can rent a car fairly inexpensively from san diego airport (if we pick up and return) so we might fly in and out of san diego. I've heard that the route from san diego to anaheim is terrible during the week (and we will be flying in on a wed). We plan to do DLR first and then San Diego second. So if we fly into San Diego we will drive up there after the arrival flight. Is that better than flying into LAX and driving to Anaheim?

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Is that better than flying into LAX and driving to Anaheim?

Nope. I don't think so. I'd fly into LAX, if it isn't more expensive.

 

[ahill004]

Is is about $200 cheaper to fly into LAX. So I guess we will stick to that airport.

 

[HydroGuy]

I would pay extra to avoid LAX in the future. Sometimes it can't be avoided of course. See Comments on LAX and other SoCal airports

 

[bumbershoot]

FYI, getting into or out of the San Diego airport, if you time it wrong, is TORTURE. Think...half an hour just sitting there in your car, airport in your rear view mirror, while lights cycle through and one car goes through at a time b/c of the traffic...that's just city streets.

Can you tell my brother lives in San Diego, picks us up when we fly in, and the first few times he didn't check the schedule for games and concerts at the downtown arena, or make sure he wasn't hitting a rush hour, before booking our flight????


I'm not big on renting a car at LAX (after having done it)... But if you do, get a map from them, and exact instructions to the gas station for when you bring it back.


And as for the drive from SD to Anaheim...it's not a short one, but if you avoid rush hours entirely it's not bumper to bumper the whole way. My brother drives it rather quickly, and I made it in good time as well. You just have to choose your times carefully.

 

[skiingfast]

SD airport is really simple and quite the opposite of LAX in so many ways. But being conservative, the drive to Anaheim will take a couple hours. Being literal if you go during rushour you will regret it the whole way, in either direction either morning or evening.

One of my biggest questions in life has been if there are so many people living and working in SD and so many in LA, why don't they just live near where they work?

Just don't attempt it unless it's during the night or midday.

I'd really think about the relative price of flight and rental cars in SD and LAX. There is also the alternaive of taking trains. Commuters trains run more or less a paralell route, but require taxis on each end.

 

[bumbershoot]

One of my biggest questions in life has been if there are so many people living and working in SD and so many in LA, why don't they just live near where they work?

It's the question of the ages. DH's old friend lives in Sacramento and works in San Jose. I think I would move to North Dakota and start a farm in the *winter* after a year of that level of commuting frustration...

 

[Vala]

I can only tell from my own (tourist) experience.

The first year I came to DLR my local friends warned me "don't go through LAX, it's a hel hole." I ended up going to Burbank because our convention was there anyway. Then I went with them when they drove to LAX to drop a friend off who couldn't get another flight, and really went: "This is it?!"

It's no bad or worse than any of the German airports I've used in my opinion.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I can only tell from my own (tourist) experience.

The first year I came to DLR my local friends warned me "don't go through LAX, it's a hel hole." I ended up going to Burbank because our convention was there anyway. Then I went with them when they drove to LAX to drop a friend off who couldn't get another flight, and really went: "This is it?!"

It's no bad or worse than any of the German airports I've used in my opinion.

You are correct on that and NO ASH.

Jack

 

[brenda1966]

I'm really starting to feel bad for LAX! There is nothing wrong with that airport!!!

There is NO WAY I would fly into SD and then make that long drive up to DL when I could fly into LAX, $ave money, and have a shorter drive to DL.

If LAX were such a h3ll-hole, do you think all of the stars and celebrities would fly in and out of it all the time? It's a big airport with many direct and international flights coming and going. It's like a huge machine, but nothing to fear.

 

[Huff]

SD to DLR is about 95 miles, LAX to DLR is 45 miles. I-5 from SD to DLR is very slow during rush hours but is fine otherwise and is a scenic drive. The 405 near LAX is properly nicknamed 'The Parking Lot' for good reason during rush hour but is also fine outside of rush hour.

Can you fly into SNA or Ontario? Both are quick easy drives to DLR. Other options are Long Beach or Burbank. All are shorter distance than SD.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Is that better than flying into LAX and driving to Anaheim?

Simple answer? No.

 

[Huff]

If you fly into LAX and rent a car there they will most likely add a surcharge for returning the car to a different airport (SD).

 

[brenda1966]

I have had luck with AVIS not charging a surcharge. You have to check out each rental agency as to what their policies are.

I rent my car in Santa Barbara and return it at Disneyland. Avis. And I've never paid a surcharge.

Now, when you rent at one place and drop off at another you often can't apply any "coupons", so you have to shop around for a good base rate.

 

[Dobie]

I don't mind flying into LAX. I just hate flying out of it.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm really starting to feel bad for LAX! There is nothing wrong with that airport!!!

There is NO WAY I would fly into SD and then make that long drive up to DL when I could fly into LAX, $ave money, and have a shorter drive to DL.

If LAX were such a h3ll-hole, do you think all of the stars and celebrities would fly in and out of it all the time? It's a big airport with many direct and international flights coming and going. It's like a huge machine, but nothing to fear.

Actually I agree with all of this. And I too would not fly into SD either if going to LA. I might however if part of my trip was to SD.

My recent post about LAX is not that it is horrible. It is an airport like many others. I fly into many airports around the country and around the world. LAX is just an airport and you should use typical cautions like you would in any big city.

My recent post on LAX which I linked earlier is that it has a less magical feel for infrequent travelers than perhaps SNA, Ontario or maybe SD.

Heck, I just flew there this weekend. And would do so again. Why? Because it was a direct flight for me and the price was really low even though I bought the tickets on Friday and the flight was Saturday. And it was relatively convenient to where I was going which was to Ventura County up the coast to the north.

If I was flying to visit DLR I would try SNA as a first choice. I personally would pay a little more to fly there because it is closer, nicer and smaller (which allows you to get in and out more quickly). However, after awhile these benefits are outweighed by price and other conveniences (like having to take connector flights which I try to avoid if possible).

 

[tholczer]

My recent post on LAX which I linked earlier is that it has a less magical feel for infrequent travelers than perhaps SNA, Ontario or maybe SD.
.

Thanks for giving me a good chuckle! It never occurred to me that anyone might want a magical airport experience.


Tracy

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for giving me a good chuckle! It never occurred to me that anyone might want a magical airport experience.


Tracy

Not sure about magical airport experience. But a magical trip to DLR of course, and the airport is part of that trip.

 

[brergnat]

The problem with LAX is mainly the inefficiency caused by the awful employees there. The staff is all poorly trained and managed, and the entire experience of flying into or out of LAX is (for me) wrought with frustration, anger, and disbelief that such a large airport can be run so poorly.

We avoid LAX at ALL costs. I pay more to fly out of SNA...or even Long Beach. In fact, we DID just pay more (over $500 more for our family) just recently to fly to Orlando via Long Beach on Jet Blue vs. LAX...

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I live between LAX and Long Beach airport, and have only flown in and out of LAX. It is really an okay airport, and though there may be the occasional frustration due to the amount of people who come in and out, it is definitely doable.

I would just say, make sure you get there at least an hour before your flight (if you're going SW, then 1.5 to 2 hours ahead of time, and only because the security line is sooo long), if you're going to check in your bags at the curb prepare to pay a tip, and whenever you can, print out your boarding passes at home. It will make your flying trip so much easier.