Uber or Rental from LAX?

[3DisMunchkins]

I was planning Uber from LAX to DL tomorrow. Our flight lands at 450 so I am expecting signifcant traffic. I just check out of curiosity and found rental car rates for $135 for our trip (through Tuesday). Parking at hotel is free, but we'll be walking to the parks.
What would your choice be? Any experience with rental cars at LAX or UBER during rush hour?
thanks!
Jana

 

[gillep]

We only rented a car at LAX once, but we hit significant traffic leaving the rental car return going back to the terminal for our flight out, and were stuck for a while, it was the only time I have ever been worried about missing a flight as we were stuck creeping along for a significant amount of time. I do not know if this is common or not, but I would not risk it again personally. We don't fly into or out of LAX anymore, but if we did, I would not want the added time/steps of returning the rental car and would go with Uber.

 

[Geemo]

I was planning Uber from LAX to DL tomorrow. Our flight lands at 450 so I am expecting signifcant traffic. I just check out of curiosity and found rental car rates for $135 for our trip (through Tuesday). Parking at hotel is free, but we'll be walking to the parks.
What would your choice be? Any experience with rental cars at LAX or UBER during rush hour?
thanks!
Jana

When Alaska Airlines canceled our flight two days before our trip to DLR, we were forced to fly into LAX last October.

Getting a rental car was so much easier than I had expected.
I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I couldn't fly into SNA or LGB

 

[ParkHopper1]

Yup...rental cars outta LAX can be just as cheap if not cheaper than Uber outta LAX. I always check.

I love Uber, but all things being equal I will always go for the rental. Heading out, it can take just as long waiting for Uber as it does shuttle to rental cars so that is a wash. On the return, you will just need to allow a few extra min to return the car and shuttle to the terminal, but other than traffic which you will be subject to either way it is easy peasy.

I like the control...so in that case personally I would be renting a car and have done just that several times when it makes sense.

 

[squeezle]

edited for not fulling reading the thread

 

[RynB11]

I will say though, as someone who lives in LA, Friday Rush Hour Traffic is not fun. Ok, any traffic isn’t fun but even more so on a Friday night. I’m not sure if taking an Uber is necessarily going to save you any money and depending on surge pricing could even cost significantly more than you anticipated and unfortunately can’t predict ahead of time, but the convenience of having someone else driving you in traffic would be worth it IMO.

 

[smartlabelprint]

For cost alone I’d get the rental. Especially since parking so free. Plus, you may like to try some off site restaurants, grab some snacks and water. It’s just easier in a rental.

(I usually just Uber btw)

 

[disneymum58]

Don't forget to add the cost of gas in your calculations.

 

[bumbershoot]

If I recall correctly there are some hov lanes. If you will have others in the car with you and can use those lanes, then you’re no better or worse off getting the rental vs rideshare/taxi. Except that you’ll have a car and can go to the store if you wish.

Getting the car at and returning to lax is a bit of a process but it’s not *hard*. It just takes a bit of extra time and a little planning ahead.

 

[jsilvers]

Also, check the reputation of your rental car company at LAX. I never had problems with Avis elsewhere, but discovered - too late - that Avis at LAX is notorious for absurd lines, even for elite members.

 

[bumbershoot]

Only problem we had at Avis was the shuttle there. And that I booked way too small a car. They changed that for us easily for just a teensy fee. Fwiw.