Quick Summary:
- Exit Terminal 6 arrivals, then follow purple “Rental Car Shuttles” signs.
- Go outside to the kerb, locate the marked shuttle stop zone.
- Stand at the correct bay for “Off-Airport Rental Car” shuttles.
- Board the Hola partner shuttle, confirm pick-up location with the driver.
If you are landing at Los Angeles International Airport and arriving into Terminal 6, the off-airport shuttle for Hola rental car pick-up is collected from the terminal kerbside shuttle stop area, not from the on-airport rental car facility. The key is to follow the airport’s purple wayfinding for rental shuttles, reach the correct kerb, then wait at the bay used by off-airport rental car operators.
This guide walks you step by step from arrivals to the right place to stand, including which signs to follow, what to look for at the kerb, and a few practical checks so you do not end up at the wrong shuttle queue.
Before you start: know what “off-airport” means at LAX
LAX has multiple shuttle streams. Some shuttles serve airport facilities, and others serve off-airport companies. For Hola car hire pick-up, you will be looking for the off-airport rental car shuttle stop at Terminal 6. These are usually clearly marked at the kerb with overhead boards and painted kerbside signage.
If you want a general overview of Hola options at the airport, see car rental Los Angeles LAX. If you are comparing operator pages for the same airport, you can also reference Avis car rental Los Angeles LAX or Avis car rental California LAX for context on how airport pick-ups are described across brands.
Step-by-step: from Terminal 6 arrivals to the shuttle stop
Step 1: Follow the “Baggage Claim” flow to the public arrivals level. After disembarking, follow the standard arrivals corridor signage for baggage claim and ground transportation. Terminal 6 arrivals typically funnels you down to the lower level where luggage belts and exits to the kerb are located.
Step 2: Collect bags first if you checked luggage. If your car hire pick-up relies on a specific shuttle, it is better to have all bags with you before heading outside. Returning inside can be slow during busy periods, and kerbside spaces can get crowded.
Step 3: Look for the purple “Rental Car Shuttles” signs. At LAX, rental shuttle wayfinding is commonly presented in purple. You may also see “Ground Transportation” and “Shuttles” headers, but the purple rental signs are the quickest confirmation you are heading to the right kerb zone.
Step 4: Exit through the nearest door to the kerb. From baggage claim, you will see multiple doors leading outside. Choose the closest exit that corresponds with rental shuttle signage. If you do not see the purple rental sign above the door, step left or right along the baggage claim frontage until you do.
Step 5: Once outside, stay on the lower level kerb. Terminal 6 has different kerb lanes. The shuttle stop area is on the arrivals (lower) level. Do not go upstairs to departures for rental shuttles unless instructed by airport staff, because most shuttle pick-ups are arranged at arrivals kerbside.
Step 6: Identify the shuttle stop zone and bay markers. At the kerb, look for overhead or pole-mounted signs that list shuttle categories. You are specifically aiming for the bay used by “Off-Airport Rental Car” operators. The wording can vary slightly, but the phrase “Off-Airport Rental Car” is the important part.
Step 7: Check you are not in the “Hotel and Parking” queue. Hotel and private parking shuttles can stop near the same kerb area. If the sign above your head lists hotels, parking, or employee buses, move along the kerb until you find the bay that explicitly references rental cars and off-airport operators.
Step 8: Wait where the sign indicates, not in the roadway. Stand back from the kerb edge and keep bags close. LAX kerb lanes can be hectic, and shuttles pull in quickly. Staying within the marked waiting area helps drivers spot you and keeps you safe.
Step 9: Board the correct shuttle and confirm the operator. When a rental shuttle arrives, check the branding on the vehicle and, if unsure, ask the driver which off-airport rental partner they are collecting for. This is especially useful if several off-airport shuttles stop in the same bay within a short time.
Step 10: Keep your confirmation details handy. Have your reservation name and any pick-up instructions accessible on your phone. It can help if the driver asks for the company name, or if you need to confirm you are going to the correct facility.
What signage to follow at Terminal 6
Inside Terminal 6 on the arrivals level, the simplest rule is to follow signs for “Ground Transportation”, then narrow it down to the purple “Rental Car Shuttles” signage. Once you step outside, rely on the bay marker signs rather than assumptions about where other passengers are waiting. At busy times, queues form for many different shuttles, and following the crowd can put you in the wrong line.
If you find yourself looking at a signboard that lists only hotels, parking operators, or airline employee transport, you are close but not quite there. Walk along the kerb in the direction of the next bay marker until you see the rental car category, then stop there.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mixing up on-airport and off-airport pick-ups. Some travellers head towards the consolidated rental car facility thinking all rental pick-ups are centralised. For Hola car hire that uses an off-airport shuttle, you should start at the Terminal 6 kerbside shuttle zone as described above, then travel to the pick-up location by shuttle.
Waiting at the first shuttle stop you see. Terminal 6 has multiple doors and multiple bays. A nearby bay might be for parking, hotels, or a different transport stream. Always match the bay marker to “Off-Airport Rental Car”.
Standing too far from the sign. Drivers sometimes load only passengers waiting under the correct bay marker. If you are a few metres away under a different sign, you may be missed, even if the shuttle is the one you need.
Not allowing for kerbside congestion. Traffic around LAX can slow shuttle arrivals. Build a small buffer into your plans, especially in late afternoon and early evening when the roadway is busiest.
Practical tips for a smoother pick-up
Choose a meeting mindset: treat the shuttle bay like a meeting point. If you are travelling with others, agree to regroup at the “Off-Airport Rental Car” bay marker outside Terminal 6, rather than just “outside baggage claim”. Terminal 6 has several exits, and it is easy to get separated.
Keep essentials in your carry-on: if you checked a bag, keep licence, payment card, and phone charger accessible. Shuttle waits can be longer than expected, and your phone is your map, confirmation, and contact method.
Be clear about Terminal 6: if you message or call for help, specify you are at LAX Terminal 6 arrivals, waiting at the off-airport rental car shuttle bay. That single sentence usually resolves most confusion.
Know nearby alternatives if plans change: if your itinerary shifts to Orange County, Hola also covers other airport areas, such as car rental airport Santa Ana SNA and car hire Santa Ana SNA, which can be useful context when comparing pick-up styles across Southern California.
How you will know you are in the right place
You are in the correct spot when all three are true: you are on the Terminal 6 arrivals kerbside, you are standing under or directly beside a bay marker that mentions rental cars and off-airport operators, and the shuttles pulling in are labelled for rental car pick-ups rather than hotels or parking. If any one of those is not true, move along the kerb until it is.
FAQ
Q: Is the off-airport rental car shuttle stop inside Terminal 6?
A: No. You exit Terminal 6 arrivals to the kerb and wait at the marked off-airport rental car shuttle bay.
Q: Which signs should I follow from baggage claim?
A: Follow “Ground Transportation” first, then the purple “Rental Car Shuttles” signs to the correct kerbside bay.
Q: Can I catch the shuttle from the departures level instead?
A: Generally you should use the arrivals (lower) level shuttle zone at Terminal 6, unless airport staff directs otherwise.
Q: What if I end up at a hotel or parking shuttle stop?
A: Walk along the kerb to the next bay marker until you see “Off-Airport Rental Car” or similar rental wording.
Q: How do I confirm I am boarding the right shuttle?
A: Check the vehicle branding and ask the driver which off-airport rental partner they are serving before loading bags.
