Question About LAX Terminal In Usa

[jimmym40]

I'll be getting in to LAX after 10 p.m. and cannot get a flight out until 0620 the next morning. I do not sleep well to begin with and by the time I get to a hotel if I elect to do so, it'll be midnight. And just having to think about having to get up at 4 a.m. for the next flight seems ridiculous.

So, does anyone know, are the domestic terminals open all night long? Will I be able to just hang out at the gate area until morning? I know I'd probably have to pass thru security late p.m. and go directly to my gate - again, does this seem viable.

Anything else to do around LAX during those wee hours?

All replies welcome.

Thanks.

[allcladrad]

There will be some things open 24/7, the international terminal will probably be your best bet for choices. There are terminals on the northside that do international also and at the far east end is a busy commuter terminal that will have breakfast food early.

If you have a visa that will allow you to leave the airport you can take a cab/shuttle bus to El Segundo or Manhattan Beach, there are clubs in both that stay open til 2am, El Segundo is next door to the airport on the southside and Manhattan BCH is next door to El Segundo on the south side. If that fits in your plan PM me and I can add more specific info.

There is not much within walking didstance of the airport.

[lomatopo]

Have a read here... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=554820

A lot depends on your itinerary, carrier(s), immigration status, luggage, etc.. The way I see it you'll have to clear U.S. Immigration at TBIT, get any checked bags, clear Customs, then maybe hang out land-side at TBIT. I seriously doubt that you will have the next day's boarding pass in hand, although online check-in is a workaround, but no way to check bags, so no way to clear TSA and get airside in a domestic terminal. I'm not even sure they allow people to overnight airside in the domestic terminals? I'd have to hear more about your itinerary, carriers to add more recommendations.

[Spee]

Anything else to do around LAX during those wee hours?

The Hollywood Park racetrack/casino is about $10 away by taxi. If like to play poker, or just want to hang out where there are people and you can get a couple of drinks and some food, then you could go there. The casino should be able to get you a taxi back to the airport easily. As another suggests, this assumes you have a visa, but as you are going to the domestic terminal for a flight, it seems that you do.

[ovenman]

As another suggests, this assumes you have a visa, but as you are going to the domestic terminal for a flight, it seems that you do.

All passengers from non-visa waiver countries landing in the United States are now required to have a visa. The US suspended its Transit Without Visa program (TWOV) indefinitely after 9/11.

[scrunchielaura]

The airport is an unorganized mess for the most part, so by the time you clear immigration and customs and have a bite to eat it will probably be time to check in for your next flight anyway.

If jimmym40 arrives after 10PM, then by the time he clears whatever formalities are required, the food vendors will have shut down for the night.

One place to hang out in the airport until things start opening again is landside at TBIT. The vendors will be closed overnight, but the seating area remains open. I did exactly that once when connecting from a TG flight to a 6AM WN flight.

I wonder if it is possible to take one of the free hotel shuttles to a hotel where the restaurant remains open late. After a leisurely meal take the same shuttle back to the airport.

[gk10002000]

Depending on your citizenship you may not be able to leave the airport because the USA has gotten very strict on transit visas. You may be living in the transit area for the night.

The hollywood park casino is a very good idea. I myself just did the exact same thing in April as I had a layover coming bazck from thailand. I am a US citizen so it was no big deal. Played some poker, had a decnet dinner and took the bus back to the airport in the morning. Straight down Century blvd (100). bus runs fairly often.

Not easy to walk outside the airport., very dark, no sidewalks for several hundred yards near the Sepulveda over pass.

[NanLaew]

If International arrival, then the lounges and nicer places won't matter as they are air-side at the Bradley terminal.

Domestic terminals are... spartan.

LAX sucks basically.

Last time I passed through, they were doing a major rebuild of the air-side lounges in the Bradley terminal. Anyone with recent experience if they made any great improvements?

[mdechgan]

After clearing immigration and collecting your bags I suggest locking your bags in a locker, make a right turn after you exit the arrivals gate.

Your best bet is to take an elevator upstairs and get some food and shop in the departures area. The shops in the domestic terminals are closed. Only McDonalds is open after 5:00am.

Other than that take a taxi to hollywood park casino however the games are really weird. California blackjack (one doesn't bust) and super pan nine (kinda like pai gao poker with cards) . Oh and you don't bet against the house you bet against other players.