Thrifty Car Hire
Los Angeles

Your Thrifty hire car pick-up is at an off-site rental facility that serves Los Angeles International Airport, not within the terminal buildings. After you collect your luggage, head outside to the arrivals-level roadway and look for the clearly marked shuttle bus stops. From there, take a shared shuttle directly to the Thrifty location to complete the paperwork and collect your vehicle.

The most straightforward option is the dedicated hire car shuttle bus. After collecting your bags from baggage reclaim, exit the terminal at arrivals level and look for the purple signs for "Rental Car Shuttles". These shuttles are set up for travellers with luggage and run frequently between all terminals and the rental facilities. This avoids having to navigate pavements or cross busy roads with your bags, providing a direct, convenient transfer to the Thrifty counter.

Reaching Thrifty from the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) works the same way as from any other LAX terminal. Once you clear customs and collect your luggage, exit on the arrivals level. Cross the inner roadway to the outer island where the shuttle stops are located. Look for the purple overhead "Rental Car Shuttles" signs and wait there for the next bus, which will take you straight to the Thrifty facility.

A good approach is for everyone to meet at the baggage reclaim area of the person who will be the primary driver on the rental agreement. That lets you combine luggage in one place before heading outside. Alternatively, each person can go to the designated rental car shuttle stop outside arrivals at their terminal, and then you can all board the same shuttle for the short ride to the Thrifty facility.

Times vary, but it’s sensible to allow around 60 to 90 minutes for the full process on a typical weekday afternoon. That covers walking from the gate, waiting for and collecting luggage, waiting for and riding the shuttle to the rental facility, and then time at the Thrifty counter to collect your vehicle. Allowing for potential queues at baggage reclaim and the rental desk helps set a realistic timeline.

Late-night arrivals at LAX are generally straightforward, as the airport is well lit and operates 24/7. Signs for baggage reclaim and ground transport remain clear. Rental car shuttles continue to run for arriving flights, so the procedure is the same as during the day: go to the designated shuttle stop and take the bus to the Thrifty facility, which is also well lit and staffed for late-night pick-ups.

After you finalise the rental agreement at the counter, your paperwork will state the exact location of your assigned vehicle, typically a row number/letter and a specific bay number. The lot is laid out with clear overhead signage for each section and row. Follow the signs to your area, and if you’re unsure, staff are usually available in the lot to help.

A practical place to get organised is the LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot on 96th Street, just east of Sepulveda Boulevard. It’s a large, safe area where you can park briefly free of charge. You can enter your destination, connect your phone to the car, and adjust mirrors and seating in a calmer environment before joining busy motorways or surface streets.

To reach the 405, exit the rental facility and follow signs for Century Boulevard. Head east on Century Boulevard briefly, then watch for the large green overhead signs for I-405 North (towards Santa Monica and The Valley) and I-405 South (towards Long Beach and Orange County). Follow the signage carefully to take the correct slip road for your direction.

A common error is moving into an exit-only or turn-only lane too early on major roads such as Century Boulevard or Sepulveda Boulevard. It’s often easier to stay in the middle lanes until you’re certain of your next manoeuvre. Another confusing area is the interchange between the 105 and 405, where lanes split in multiple directions. Using GPS and listening closely to voice prompts can help you handle these transitions smoothly.

For a lower-stress drive to Santa Monica, consider surface streets rather than joining the motorway immediately. A simple option is to take Sepulveda Boulevard north from the airport area, then after a few miles turn left on to Lincoln Boulevard (California State Route 1). Lincoln runs roughly parallel to the coast and takes you into Santa Monica without the fast merges of the 405 and 10.

A straightforward approach to West Hollywood that avoids most motorway complexity is to take La Cienega Boulevard north. From the LAX area you can access La Cienega easily; it’s a major north–south route that runs through Beverly Hills into the southern part of West Hollywood. It’s a well-travelled surface road and a calmer way to get oriented than high-speed motorway driving.

The most common and well-signed route into Downtown Los Angeles is via the motorway network. From the airport, follow signs for I-105 East, then stay on the 105 until the interchange for I-110 North, which is clearly marked for Downtown LA. Once on I-110 North, you have a direct run into downtown with clearly labelled exits for streets and convention centre access.

The drive to Anaheim involves several motorway changes that can be challenging. A common route is I-105 East to I-605 South, then to SR-91 East or I-5 South. The move from the 105 to the 605 requires getting into the correct lanes well in advance, and the junction where the 605 meets the 91 and 5 can be complex. Keep your GPS running and pay close attention to overhead signs.

A sensible plan is to move in a geographic line to minimise backtracking. Start with Santa Monica in the morning for the coast. Then head east along a major boulevard such as Wilshire or Santa Monica Boulevard to reach Beverly Hills for the afternoon. Continue east to Hollywood later in the day. This west-to-east flow is efficient and generally less stressful.

To avoid the hassle of street parking in Venice, go straight to a large paid public car park. Several county-operated lots sit right by the beach, particularly near the ends of Venice Boulevard and Washington Boulevard. There’s a fee, but it saves time and stress so you can park once and enjoy the boardwalk and canals.

Weekend traffic near Santa Monica Pier can be very heavy, especially in the afternoon. The small car park on the pier fills very early. A better option is one of the large public parking structures in downtown Santa Monica, a few blocks from the beach—look around 2nd Street or 4th Street. Parking is generally easier there, with a short walk to the pier and Third Street Promenade.

SoFi Stadium is close to LAX. The most direct route is along Century Boulevard heading east from the airport area. For a major event, aim to arrive very early—at least two to three hours before start time—to handle event traffic, find your designated parking area and walk in without rushing. Consider pre-purchasing parking online via the official stadium or event vendor to secure a space and simplify arrival.

Parking at Griffith Observatory is limited and fills quickly. For less stress, arrive early in the morning or later in the evening on a weekday. Another strong option is parking in the larger lots near the Greek Theatre at the bottom of the hill, then either hiking up or taking the DASH Observatory shuttle to the top, avoiding congested narrow roads.

For a practical start with more dependable parking, consider trailheads near Griffith Observatory. You can park around the observatory or the Greek Theatre and use routes such as the Fern Dell Nature Trail or the Boy Scout Trail. These are more accessible than residential-area trailheads like Beachwood Canyon, where parking is heavily restricted and enforced. Always check posted parking rules before leaving your car.

In Los Angeles, many large junctions have dedicated left-turn lanes with their own signals, often a green arrow. When the green arrow is showing, you have right of way to turn. At other junctions you may only have a solid green light, meaning you must give way to oncoming traffic before turning. Be patient and make sure it’s clear. Also watch for lanes marked "Left Turn Only" to avoid an unexpected forced turn.

If you’re uneasy about your first night drive, major well-lit surface streets are often less intimidating than the motorways. Boulevards such as Sepulveda, Lincoln or La Cienega are good choices: they’re multi-lane, usually clearly marked, and traffic tends to move at a more manageable pace than on the motorway. This helps you settle in before tackling complex interchanges in the dark.

Express lanes (toll lanes/FasTrak lanes) are motorway lanes that require a special transponder. In a hire car, it’s safest to avoid them to prevent unexpected charges or penalties. They’re usually the far-left lane and clearly signed overhead as "Express Lane" or "FasTrak Only". Stay in the general-purpose lanes for a smoother, toll-free drive.

Before you set off, connect your phone to the car’s infotainment system. Find a USB port (often required), plug in using your own cable, and confirm the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto icon appears on the main screen. Make sure it launches and your navigation app displays properly. It’s safer and easier to sort this out while parked than while driving.

The safest and most practical place is in a marked bay within the Thrifty rental lot before you leave, where you’re away from moving traffic. Take your time to install the seats securely according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you need more space or feel rushed, you can also drive to the nearby LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot for a calmer spot to make final adjustments.

A compact or mid-size saloon is often the easiest choice for Los Angeles. It’s comfortable enough for motorway driving on day trips, but small enough to make parking far simpler. Many car parks—especially older ones—have tight turns and narrow spaces that can be difficult in a large SUV or people carrier. A smaller car gives you more flexibility and reduces parking stress.

With lots of luggage, a mid-size or full-size SUV offers the most flexible cargo space. The open area lets you stack bags efficiently, and you can often fold part of the rear seat if needed. A full-size saloon with a deep, wide boot is another good option that keeps luggage out of sight. Whichever you choose, arrange bags so they don’t block your view through the rear window, which is important for safe lane changes in LA.

Choose a hotel in a very walkable area such as Santa Monica, Beverly Hills or West Hollywood that offers guest parking. Once you arrive and check in, leave the car parked while you explore local shops, restaurants and sights on foot. Then only use the car for longer trips to other parts of the city, such as the beach or a museum downtown.

In heavy rain, motorways such as the I-405 often slow significantly, and water can pool in the outer lanes, obscuring lane markings. Major surface roads like Sepulveda Boulevard can also be tricky, as worn tarmac plus water can make painted lines hard to see at night. In these conditions, reduce speed, increase following distance and favour the centre lanes, where drainage is often better.

The simplest route to Malibu is to get to the coast and stay there. From the LAX area, take I-105 West until it ends and merges into Sepulveda Boulevard. Go north briefly on Sepulveda to join I-10 West. Stay on I-10 West all the way to its end in Santa Monica, where it becomes the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also known as California State Route 1. Continue north on PCH for the scenic drive into Malibu.

To miss the peak northbound traffic, try to leave the LAX area either before 2:00 pm or after 7:00 pm on a weekday. This usually avoids the worst of the afternoon rush through the Westside and the San Fernando Valley. If you land during that window, consider having a relaxed dinner near the airport before setting off. This simple timing choice can save a lot of time stuck in traffic.

The cleanest way to start on PCH is to take I-10 West. From the LAX rental area, take Sepulveda Boulevard north to the I-10 West slip road. Stay on I-10 West towards the ocean. It ends in Santa Monica and automatically becomes the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1 North). There are no complicated merges or exits—just keep going straight as the road changes name.

A great two-car meeting point is the LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot at 6221 W 96th St. It’s only a few minutes from the rental facilities and offers a large, calm place to park and coordinate. Another easy option is a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant with a big car park on a main road such as Sepulveda or Century Boulevard, so both cars can get set up, confirm navigation and then depart together.

A convenient cluster of major-brand petrol stations is on Airport Boulevard, which runs parallel to the main airport entrance. They’re just north of the rental return area and are used to serving travellers, so stops are usually quick. Another good option is the group of stations on La Cienega Boulevard just north of the I-405. Both areas offer easy entry and exit, letting you refuel and return to the drop-off facility without hassle.

As you approach the airport on roads such as Century Boulevard or Sepulveda Boulevard, start moving into the right-hand lanes. Look for large overhead signs separating airline terminal traffic from "Rental Car Return" traffic. Follow the rental return signs, which route you to a dedicated entrance that bypasses the congested terminal loop and takes you straight to the facility where you collected the vehicle.

First, follow the airport signs for "Departures" to reach the upper-level roadway. Drop passengers and luggage at the kerb for your airline. Then continue driving around the terminal loop. As you exit the central terminal area, look immediately for the "Rental Car Return" signs and follow them to complete the return.

After you return the vehicle and complete the check-in, take one of the rental car shuttle buses at the facility. They run continuously and stop at every terminal. Simply stay on the bus until it reaches your airline’s terminal, wherever it is on the airport loop.

During peak traffic, allow extra time and use a navigation app with live traffic updates. When you’re within a couple of miles of LAX, move into the far-right lanes earlier than you think you need to. Following the overhead "Rental Car Return" signage well in advance helps you avoid sudden lane changes in heavy congestion.

If you miss the entrance, don’t panic—LAX roads operate as a loop. Continue following signs for the airline terminals to enter the main terminal loop, then drive all the way around and try again on your second approach, watching the signs closely. This lets you re-attempt the "Rental Car Return" entrance without leaving the airport complex.

People often underestimate the combined time of several small steps: finding a nearby petrol station, the vehicle inspection and check-in at the return facility, and waiting for the next shuttle. The shuttle ride can take 10–15 minutes depending on traffic and which terminal you need. It’s wise to allow at least 45 to 60 minutes for the full return process before you even enter the terminal.