Travel time to LAX

[meagus]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been asked before, but as it is our first time to Disneyland, I need your help.....please!
Our flight home to Australia departs LAX on a Sunday at 9.15pm. Our shuttle has been booked for a 5.15pm pick up in Anaheim. Does this sound like enough time to you?? I would have thought we would need to be picked up earlier than that to make it to LAX comfortably 3 hours before our flight.
Any thoughts?? Should I make up pick up time more like 4.15pm?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Aussie Princess]

Hello
When we fly out of LAX for Sydney we tend to leave Anaheim 4 hours before our flight to ensure we at there checking in 3 hrs before our flight
Our flight home last year was at 10.20pm and we were picked up at 6 and that was a Wednesday night

You would think there would be less traffic on a Sunday then a Wednesday but better to be safe than sorry IMO

 

[meagus]

Hello
When we fly out of LAX for Sydney we tend to leave Anaheim 4 hours before our flight to ensure we at there checking in 3 hrs before our flight
Our flight home last year was at 10.20pm and we were picked up at 6 and that was a Wednesday night

You would think there would be less traffic on a Sunday then a Wednesday but better to be safe than sorry IMO

Yes, I agree completely.....would rather be at the airport early, than be late and miss the flight home! Thanks for your reply

 

[aussiemumma101]

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[mikedoyleblogger]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been asked before, but as it is our first time to Disneyland, I need your help.....please!
Our flight home to Australia departs LAX on a Sunday at 9.15pm. Our shuttle has been booked for a 5.15pm pick up in Anaheim. Does this sound like enough time to you?? I would have thought we would need to be picked up earlier than that to make it to LAX comfortably 3 hours before our flight.
Any thoughts?? Should I make up pick up time more like 4.15pm?

Thanks in advance!

An hour travel time sounds about right. If you're using Karmel (they told me last year their business is almost exclusively from Australian visitors), I'm sure they have this down pat.

 

[meagus]

An hour travel time sounds about right. If you're using Karmel (they told me last year their business is almost exclusively from Australian visitors), I'm sure they have this down pat.

Thanks for your reply.
We were originally booked with karmel (by our travel agent), but then discovered that they will
Not supply car seats for our three children, so we cancelled that and are now booked with lansky (which will supply the car seats and we have read terrific reviews about!)!
I am thinking I should move our pick up to a slightly earlier time.....just to be sure we have plenty of time before check in!!

 

[RandFamily]

It sounds like you will enjoy yourself better that day if you get picked up earlier. You don't want to be worrying all day. LA traffic is SO unpredictable!

 

[meagus]

It sounds like you will enjoy yourself better that day if you get picked up earlier. You don't want to be worrying all day. LA traffic is SO unpredictable!

So true! The last thing I would need is to miss our flight home with three young kids in tow!!
It is 3 hours before flight departure that I am expected to check in by.....isn't it?? (International flight)

 

[sallmenyima]

It sounds like you will enjoy yourself better that day if you get picked up earlier.

 

[zanzibar138]

To save any unnecessary stress, I would book the earlier time. Better to be there early, as everyone has agreed.

FWIW, it is recommended that you be at the airport at last 3 hours ahead of an international flight. The check-in cut off is much later than that though. Can't remember off the top of my head, but maybe 90 minutes before departure

At LAX though, you want to allow plenty of time to clear security - it's really a nightmare! Passport control isn't so bad, but again, it's always better to have too much time than not enough. It will also give you plenty of time to find your gate, have a nibble/drink, and generally relax before boarding.

I can't imagine that having to rush through and boarding the plane all stressed out would be a great start to a 14 hour overnight flight...

 

[Lights_Out]

3 hours before check-in is the general rule of thumb for international flights, yes.

But all you have to keep in mind is that depending on how booked the flight is (flights are almost always fully booked and LAX can get crazy)... checking in can take around 25-45 minutes and getting through security can take around 25-45 minutes (and it is not uncommon to take longer). Also, planes begin boarding about 30 minutes before departure.

Personally, I think the 5:15 pick up would be fine, but maybe you should go with the 4:15 to be safe? Especially if this is your first time through LAX. There are charging stations and lots of shops and restaurants in LAX so one more hour shouldn't be too long of a wait.

According to LAX's website 9pm is peak time for international flights
http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=1318#q.1

Better to be safe and have your mind at (pretty much) complete ease.