You researched your family trip. You booked your hotel. You packed your bags. The last piece of the puzzle? Figuring out LAX transportation with a car seat. Do you bring your car? book a car service? Use public transportation?
Here are all your car seat-friendly transportation options to LAX:
Travel Vest – Most Creative Alternative to Bringing a Car Seat With You
Wait, wasn’t this a post supposed to be about LAX transportation with a car seat? It is, but some of you might not know that there is a safe alternative that doesn’t require schlepping the car seat with you in the first place! It’s called the Safe Traffic System Ride Safer Travel Vest.
Rides Safer Travel Vest is a wearable booster seat alternative for young children. Rather than boosting a child up to the correct seat belt position, It works by bringing the seatbelt down to your child’s level. It is certified to use in motor vehicles, meets all applicable FMVSS 213 and can support kids 3 years and older that weigh at least 30lbs.
Still not sure about this product? Read Car Seats for the Littles – RideSafer Delight Travel Vest Review for more information on the product and how to use it for maximum safety.
If you have younger children or are still planning to bring a car seat – read on.
Curbside Valet Parking – Most Convenient if Driving to Airport
If you decide you want to bring your own car and car seat with you to LAX, curbside valet parking is a convenient option. For a little over $40 a day, you can book LAXValetService. Drive your car to the terminal and one of their drivers will meet you there for both drop off and pick up and park the car for you. This however is not the most economical option, especially when going on longer trips.
MomTip#1: If you’re planning on bringing a car seat with you to LAX, why not bring a more travel-friendly option? The Cosco Scenera NEXT is lightweight, compact, and certified to use on aircraft.
Self-Park Outside LAX – Best Budget-Friendly Option for Frequent Fliers
For families who travel on a regular basis, are budget minded, and still want to bring their cars, self-park options outside the LAX will provide a good middle ground. Different lots provide tiered parking options ranging from $9 to $40 a day.
Here are some ways to navigate all the parking options:
- Willing to shop around for the best bargains at multiple parking lots? Try Way.com for real-time rates from various lots.
- Looking for a popular lot used by many families? Visit Cheap Airport Parking. Their prices start at $8.95 a day and shuttles to the terminal leave every 15 minutes.
- Frequent flier? Look into TheParkingSpot long-term parking option. They give AAA member discounts and their loyalty program TheSpotClub can save you money on future trips.
Car Service – Most Reliable Door-to-Door Service
The most reliable LAX transportation with a car seat option is no doubt a car service. Services like LAX Transport take the hassle out of airport transportation and many can provide car seats or the option to install your own. It is, however, an expensive option (with some costing close to $150 per trip) so read on for more budget-friendly alternatives.
It is however important to remember that not everyone who provides a large car and transportation to the airport is a car service. Car services are required to carry insurance and hire drivers with clean driving records. Avoid utilizing rides from private entities that can put you and your loved ones at risk.
Mom Tip #2: If you decide to go the car service route, consider using a local family business such as LA Car Service rather than a larger national one, at least some of the time. Let’s support families where we can.
Public Transit – Most Cost-Effective LAX Transportation with a Car Seat
If leaving your car in long-term parking or using a car service is out of your budget, public transportation to LAX is a readily available alternative. Public transit providers to LAX include L.A. Metro, Culver City Bus Lines, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Torrance Transit, and Beach Cities Transit. With most fares costing only a few dollars, this is the most economical option and it is accessible from multiple locations across the Los Angeles Metro area.
It is however harder to carry car seats and strollers on buses and subways. Looking for an economical option that makes it easier to transport multiple large items? Try the LAX Flyaway bus.
The LAX Flyaway Bus departs from two locations – Union Station and Van Nuys, every half hour. It costs $10 per adult with children under 5 riding for free (up to two kids per paying adult). You can store all your luggage in the undercarriage and be dropped off directly at your terminal.
MomTip#3: Worried about using public transportation to LAX while schlepping your car seats, strollers, luggage, and kids? Consider investing in at least one travel item to make your life easier. Read more about them in 5 Lazy Ways to Prepare for Flying With Kids.
As it turns out – LAX transportation with a car seat is not as complicated as it seems. Whether you choose to buy a travel vest, use public transportation, self-park, valet, or a car service, your family and your car seats will make it to the flight unscathed.
Now that your family and car seats have made it to the airport it’s time to figure out the flight itself. Check out Long-Haul Flights with Kids: Ultimate List of Activities for ideas on how to engage your kids while flying.