Quick Summary:
- Exit Terminal 5 baggage claim and follow ground transport signs outside.
- Walk along the arrivals kerb to the purple Rental Car Shuttles stop.
- Allow 10 to 20 minutes, longer during peak arrivals and congestion.
- Board the correct shuttle and confirm your partner brand with the driver.
If you have arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and landed in Terminal 5, the key to reaching Hola’s car hire shuttle is to stay at ground level, follow the airport’s official ground transport wayfinding, and make sure you are waiting at the correct kerbside stop for rental car shuttles. Terminal 5 serves high volumes of passengers, so the route is straightforward but can feel busy, especially at peak times.
Before you set off, take a moment at baggage claim to check you have everything you will need on the kerb, such as driving licence, payment card, and your confirmation details. It is also worth knowing that LAX kerbs are divided by airline doors and columns, and shuttle pickup points can be signed by colour and by the type of transport. Your goal is the designated rental car shuttle stop, not the rideshare pickup area.
If you want background on the overall LAX rental process, Hola’s LAX pages can help you understand what to expect for collections and partner counters, including car rental at Los Angeles Airport (LAX) and car rental in Los Angeles via LAX.
Step-by-step: Terminal 5 arrivals to the rental car shuttle stop
Step 1, follow the Arrivals flow to baggage claim. After leaving the aircraft, follow the signs for Arrivals and Baggage Claim. In Terminal 5, the main arrivals level is the lower level. If you find yourself on the departures level, look for lifts, escalators, or stairs down to Arrivals.
Step 2, collect bags first if you checked luggage. It is possible to head outside before your bag arrives, but it usually creates extra stress. The kerb can be crowded, and you do not want to leave bags unattended. Once you have everything, check the door number above the exit that is closest to you, this helps you re-orient yourself outside.
Step 3, exit the terminal to the lower kerb. Walk through the doors from baggage claim to the outside kerbside area. You will be on the arrivals kerb where private cars, shuttles, and other transport pick up. Stay alert for buses and do not step into the roadway.
Step 4, look for ground transportation and rental car shuttle signage. LAX signage changes over time, but you are typically looking for directional signs that mention Rental Car Shuttles. Follow those signs along the pavement to the marked pickup zone. In many cases, you will see purple wayfinding for rental car shuttles, and the stop will be labelled for rental car transport rather than hotel shuttles.
Step 5, stand at the correct pickup point for rental car shuttles. At Terminal 5, the rental car shuttle stop is usually a specific section of the arrivals kerb, often referenced by a colour zone and by signage listing rental car shuttle service. If there are multiple bus stops close together, read the sign at the post, do not assume the first queue is correct. Hotel and parking shuttles may stop nearby but are not what you need for car hire.
Step 6, confirm the operator brand shown on the shuttle. Hola works with major partner brands, so the bus you board may show a rental brand name rather than Hola itself. When the bus arrives, check the destination signage on the front and side, and ask the driver which rental facility it serves if you are unsure. This is especially useful at busy times when several shuttles pull in together.
Step 7, stay with your party and keep documents accessible. Once on board, keep your confirmation, driving licence, and card easy to reach. When you reach the rental facility, you may be directed to a particular counter depending on your booking. For example, you might be collecting from a partner such as Hertz at LAX or Alamo at LAX, so having details ready speeds things up.
Timing tips: how long it really takes from Terminal 5
Most travellers underestimate how long the airport part of the journey takes. From the moment you step into Terminal 5 arrivals to the moment you are actually seated on a shuttle, a realistic range is 10 to 20 minutes, and it can be longer when the kerb is congested.
Allow extra time for these common delays: baggage delivery, crowded pavements, long queues at the shuttle stop, and heavy traffic on the loop road. LAX can also experience brief kerbside holds, where buses take longer to pull in and load. If you are arriving during late afternoon and early evening, build in more buffer.
Shuttle wait time: it varies more than the walking time. If you have just missed a bus, you might wait 10 to 15 minutes, whereas at quiet times a shuttle can arrive quickly. If you see two different rental car shuttles serving different facilities, make sure you are waiting for the right one rather than taking the first bus that stops.
How to avoid common mistakes at Terminal 5
Mistake 1, going to rideshare pickup instead of rental shuttles. Rideshare and taxis can have different pickup rules at LAX. For car hire, you want the rental car shuttle area. If you see signs for app-based rides or taxi queues, you are in the wrong place.
Mistake 2, waiting at a hotel shuttle stop. Hotel shuttles are frequent at LAX, and some stops look similar. Always read the stop sign and verify it mentions rental cars.
Mistake 3, not checking which facility the bus serves. Different rental companies may use different pickup arrangements. If your booking is tied to a specific brand, confirm the bus serves that brand or facility. If you are considering vehicle type, such as larger cars for luggage, Hola’s SUV hire at LAX page is useful for understanding typical options, but your immediate priority at the kerb is boarding the correct shuttle.
Mistake 4, underestimating kerbside crowding. Terminal 5 can be hectic. Keep your bags close, avoid blocking the pavement, and be prepared to step forward quickly when your shuttle arrives.
Practical on-the-spot checklist before you leave the terminal
Use this quick mental checklist before stepping out from arrivals. Do you have your phone, wallet, driving licence, and confirmation details? Are your suitcases securely closed and easy to roll? If travelling as a group, agree a simple meeting point outside the terminal doors in case you get separated.
What happens after you board the shuttle
After boarding, the bus will typically make its way along the LAX loop before exiting towards the rental facility. Keep an eye on stops if the shuttle serves multiple facilities. When you arrive, follow signage for the correct counter and have your documents ready. If your booking is with a partner brand, you may see signage and staff under that brand name. That is normal for car hire arranged through an aggregator like Hola.
If you would like to understand specific partner pickup experiences, you can also review the dedicated page for Thrifty at LAX, so you know what the counter process may look like once you arrive.
FAQ
Where exactly do I go in Terminal 5 to catch the car hire shuttle? From Terminal 5 baggage claim, exit to the arrivals kerb and follow signs for Rental Car Shuttles. Wait at the marked rental car shuttle stop and confirm the bus serves your rental facility.
How long should I allow from landing to reaching the shuttle stop? A practical estimate is 10 to 20 minutes from arrivals to boarding, depending on baggage, crowds, and shuttle frequency. At peak periods, allow extra buffer.
What if the shuttle does not say Hola on it? Hola bookings are often fulfilled by partner rental brands, so the shuttle may display the partner name. Check your confirmation, and ask the driver which facility the shuttle serves before boarding.
Is the rental car shuttle stop the same as rideshare pickup at LAX? No. Rideshare pickup and rental car shuttles use different areas and signage. Follow airport directions specifically for Rental Car Shuttles to avoid ending up in the wrong queue.
What should I do if I cannot find the rental car shuttle stop outside Terminal 5? Stay on the arrivals level outside baggage claim and look for ground transport or rental shuttle signs. If signage is unclear, ask airport staff or a shuttle driver at the kerb to point you to the rental car shuttle stop.
