Hertz Car Hire
Los Angeles

The Hertz car hire facility is not within the airport terminals themselves but at a nearby, dedicated rental car centre. After you collect your luggage, you will need to exit the terminal on the arrivals level. From there, follow the purple signs for "Rental Car Shuttles" to the designated pickup island. A complimentary Hertz shuttle bus runs on a continuous loop, collecting passengers from all terminals and taking them directly to the rental facility.

Once you have collected your checked bags from the baggage reclaim carousel, the most direct and designated method is to use the airport’s shuttle system. Exit the terminal on the lower arrivals level and look for the signs indicating the pickup area for rental car shuttles. Board the dedicated Hertz shuttle, which will transport you and your luggage efficiently to the rental counter. This process is the same for all travellers, regardless of how much luggage they have.

For a morning flight, it’s wise to plan for potential traffic, especially on weekdays. A safe guideline is to arrive at the Hertz return facility at least three hours before your flight’s scheduled departure. This allows ample time to complete the vehicle return process, take the shuttle back to your terminal, check in your bags with the airline, and clear security without feeling rushed. Factoring in this buffer helps ensure a stress-free start to your travel day.

When driving from Downtown Los Angeles, the most common route is to take the I-110 South freeway towards San Pedro. You will then merge onto the I-105 West freeway heading towards LAX. As you approach the airport, begin looking for the overhead signs for "Rental Car Return". Follow these specific signs, which will guide you off the freeway and directly to the entrance of the Hertz return facility.

Yes, Hertz generally offers the flexibility of one-way rentals, which can be very convenient for travellers. You can arrange to pick up your vehicle at the LAX location and drop it off at another Hertz branch in the greater Los Angeles area, such as in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, or Anaheim. This option is ideal if your travel plans don’t conclude near the airport, saving you a return trip just to drop off the car.

International visitors should be prepared to present a valid driving licence issued by their country of residence. In addition, it is often highly recommended to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP), which serves as a standardised translation of your home licence. For the most accurate and current requirements, it is always best to confirm documentation policies directly with Hertz before your trip.

The process for international arrivals is very similar to domestic ones. After you clear customs and immigration at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) and collect your luggage, you will exit onto the main arrivals level. From there, follow the prominent signs for rental car shuttles to the designated pickup kerb. The Hertz shuttle will then take you on the short ride to the rental facility to complete your paperwork and pick up your car.

Friday afternoons and bank holiday weekends are peak travel periods, so you should anticipate potentially longer wait times at the rental counter. To help speed up the process, consider enrolling in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards programme, which often provides access to a dedicated counter or allows you to bypass the counter entirely. Having your driving licence and reservation details ready will also help ensure a smoother and quicker experience.

The Hertz location serving LAX is designed to accommodate travellers at all hours and is typically open 24/7. The complimentary shuttle service from the airport terminals to the rental facility also runs continuously, including late into the night. As long as you have a reservation, you can proceed to the shuttle pickup area upon arrival, and the staff at the rental centre will be there to assist you with your vehicle.

After you’ve collected your luggage from baggage reclaim, exit the terminal on the lower arrivals level. Once outside, look for the purple overhead signs that read "Rental Car Shuttles". These signs will direct you to a designated traffic island on the outer roadway where all rental agency shuttles pick up passengers. Wait there for the clearly marked Hertz bus to arrive.

The most efficient approach for a last-minute rental is to book your car using the Hertz website or mobile app as soon as you know your new flight details. This allows you to secure a vehicle and have a reservation ready by the time you land. Once you arrive at LAX, you can proceed directly to the rental car shuttle pickup area. Having a reservation is almost always faster than attempting a walk-up rental at the counter.

For security and contractual reasons, the person whose name is on the reservation and credit card must be present at the rental counter to sign the agreement. If another individual will be driving the car, they must also be present at the time of pickup to be officially added as an authorised additional driver. Both parties will need to show their valid driving licences to the Hertz agent.

A compact or mid-size saloon is often the most practical choice for navigating Los Angeles. These vehicles are easier to manoeuvre through heavy traffic and can fit into the tight parking spaces commonly found in city car parks and residential neighbourhoods. They also typically offer better fuel efficiency, which is a significant advantage when spending time on LA’s extensive freeway system.

For the drive between Los Angeles and San Diego, a mid-size or full-size saloon provides an excellent blend of comfort, luggage space, and fuel economy for freeway cruising. If you prefer a higher driving position or need more room for passengers and gear, a standard SUV is also a very practical and comfortable option. Both choices are well-suited for the roughly two-hour journey each way.

For a family heading to Disneyland, a people carrier (minivan) is an ideal choice as it offers maximum space for passengers, luggage, and pushchairs. A full-size SUV is another excellent option, providing ample cargo room and comfortable seating for the whole family. Hiring one of these larger vehicles ensures you won’t have to worry about fitting everything in and that everyone has a comfortable ride to and from Anaheim.

To fully embrace the scenic coastal drive to Malibu and the winding roads of the Santa Monica Mountains, a convertible offers an unforgettable California experience. For those who prefer more interior space or a higher vantage point for the views, a mid-size SUV is a great alternative. An SUV provides confident handling and versatility for exploring the diverse terrain in the area.

Driving from LAX to Hollywood during weekday rush hour is a classic Los Angeles traffic experience and can be quite slow. You should expect the trip to take significantly longer than it would during off-peak times, often more than an hour. Using a GPS navigation app with real-time traffic updates is essential, as it will help you navigate the congested freeways and potentially guide you to faster surface-street alternatives.

Before you start driving, take a moment in the car park to enter your destination into your preferred navigation app. Listen carefully to the turn-by-turn directions, especially for the first few manoeuvres to get onto a major freeway like the I-405 or I-105. Pay close attention to the large overhead freeway signs and give yourself plenty of time to change lanes safely for your slip road.

While most freeways in Los Angeles County itself are free, you may encounter toll roads if you travel to surrounding areas. The most common are the Express Lanes on parts of the I-110 and I-10 freeways, which require a special transponder. Additionally, several state routes in neighbouring Orange County, such as the 73, 133, and 241, are fully tolled highways.

You will find numerous petrol stations conveniently located along the main roads leading to the LAX rental car return area. Look for stations on major thoroughfares like Century Boulevard, Aviation Boulevard, and La Cienega Boulevard. Using a map app on your phone as you get close to the airport will help you spot the nearest and most accessible option for a quick refuel.

When parking in LA, it is crucial to read all posted signs carefully to avoid a ticket. Pay close attention to restrictions for street cleaning days, permit-only districts, and posted time limits. Also, be aware of kerb colours: red means no parking at any time, while green indicates a short-term time limit, and white is for passenger loading and unloading only.

Finding parking in popular beach cities can be challenging, particularly on sunny weekends and during the summer months. Your best strategy is to head for the public parking lots and multi-storey car parks, which are plentiful but often fill up quickly. Arriving early in the morning significantly increases your chances of securing a convenient spot close to the beach or pier.

For an efficient one-day trip, it’s best to reserve a compact or mid-size car online in advance. This ensures a quick pickup process at the Hertz LAX facility. Plan your route logically to minimise backtracking, perhaps starting at Santa Monica in the morning, driving through Beverly Hills midday, and ending at Griffith Observatory for sunset. Using a GPS app will be essential for navigating between these popular destinations.

To make the most of a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, an early start is critical. You should aim to be on the road from the LAX area no later than 6:30 AM. This allows you to get ahead of LA’s notorious morning rush-hour traffic. An early departure ensures you have a full day to hike, explore the unique landscape, and enjoy the park before making the long drive back.

Arriving in the afternoon means you will likely be driving during peak traffic hours. The most direct freeway route is typically the I-405 North to the US-101 South, but this can be heavily congested. It is essential to use a navigation app like Google Maps or Waze for real-time traffic information. The app may direct you to use a combination of freeways and surface streets to find the most efficient path.

Planning this classic California road trip is simple. After picking up your car at Hertz LAX, the primary route is to take the I-405 North until it merges with the US-101 North. To avoid the worst of LA’s traffic, try to leave mid-morning or after the evening rush hour. The drive itself is beautiful, especially as the 101 begins to run alongside the Pacific Ocean just past Ventura.

A frequent mistake is underestimating travel times; a short distance on the map can take a long time to drive in LA traffic. Other common errors include not leaving enough space between cars on the freeway, making last-minute lane changes, and failing to read parking signs carefully, which can result in costly fines. Always allow extra time for your journey and drive defensively.

The most efficient method is to designate one or two people, including the primary driver, to take the shuttle to the Hertz facility. They can handle the rental agreement and get the vehicle while the rest of the group waits with the luggage at the terminal’s arrivals kerb. Once the car is ready, the driver can circle back to the terminal’s passenger pickup area to load everyone and their bags.

To make the pickup process as fast as possible, have your documents ready before you get to the counter. You will need your valid driving licence and the credit card you used to make the reservation. If you are a member of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards programme, having your membership information handy can also help speed up your rental.

A great strategy is to have one adult take the shuttle to the Hertz facility to complete all the paperwork and pick up the car. Meanwhile, the other adult can wait with the children and luggage at the terminal, perhaps finding a less crowded spot to sit. Once the car is ready, the driver can return to the terminal’s passenger pickup area, making the process much smoother for the kids.

If you find that the assigned vehicle is too small for your luggage, simply speak with a Hertz representative at the facility before you leave the lot. They are there to help and can usually find you another vehicle in the same rental class that might have a different configuration. If needed, they can also discuss options for upgrading to a larger car category that will better accommodate your needs.

Before you drive away, perform a thorough walk-around inspection of the vehicle. Carefully check the exterior for any scratches, dents, or scuffs, and examine the windscreen for any chips or cracks. It’s also a good idea to check the interior for any stains or tears. Use your phone to take photos of any pre-existing damage and ensure a Hertz employee acknowledges it.

If you encounter a mechanical issue or feel that the car is not driving properly after you’ve left the LAX location, your first step should be to pull over safely. Contact the Hertz roadside assistance number provided with your rental agreement. They will assess the situation and direct you to the nearest Hertz branch in the area to exchange the vehicle for a different one.

During weekday evening traffic, there is no single "easy" route, so using a real-time navigation app is crucial. A common route is the I-105 East to the I-605 South, connecting to the I-5 South or SR-91 East into Anaheim. Your GPS may also suggest taking the I-405 South to the SR-22 East as an alternative to bypass major congestion points, depending on the live traffic conditions.

If you need to drop off passengers before returning the car, you should add extra time to your schedule. Plan to arrive at the airport with at least 30 additional minutes to spare. First, navigate the terminal loop to drop off your passengers and their luggage at the departures level. After they are safely dropped off, follow the airport signs for "Rental Car Return" to the Hertz facility.

Once you have completed the vehicle return process at the Hertz facility, you will proceed to the designated shuttle bus stop. Complimentary Hertz shuttles run continuously from the rental centre back to the main airport terminals. These shuttles will drop you off directly in front of your airline’s check-in area on the upper departures level.

The key to a low-stress return during peak times is to allow a significant amount of extra time. Use a navigation app to monitor traffic conditions as you approach the airport and adjust your departure time accordingly. As you get close to LAX, ignore the signs for specific terminals and focus only on the large, clearly marked signs for "Rental Car Return" to avoid getting caught in terminal traffic.

While the I-405 freeway is an option, a simpler and often more direct route is to take major surface streets. From the Hertz facility, you can navigate to La Cienega Boulevard and take it north. La Cienega is a major thoroughfare that runs directly through Beverly Hills and into West Hollywood. This route helps you avoid some of the worst freeway congestion in the area.

After picking up your car, your first goal is to head west towards the ocean. You can take surface streets like Lincoln Boulevard north to Santa Monica, which is the iconic starting point for the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also known as Highway 1. From the Santa Monica Pier, simply head north on PCH to enjoy the stunning coastal views through Malibu and beyond. A convertible is an excellent choice for this classic drive.

For pickups, the most important signs to look for inside the terminal are the purple ones that say "Rental Car Shuttles", which will lead you outside to the correct pickup island. When returning your vehicle, the key is to follow the general airport signs from the freeway, then transition to the specific "Rental Car Return" signs as you get closer. These dedicated signs will guide you directly to the Hertz facility, bypassing the main terminal loop.