half to one day layover at LAX
 

Hello, I am traveling with my sons (elementary and middle school age) to Asia from Midwest and are laying over in LAX. On the way back, there were three hours in between the flight from Asia to LAX and LAX to Midwest but the time for the second leg got changed so there is not enough time to catch that second leg flight. We are torn between catching a later flight that night that will get us to the home airport at about midnight (home by 1am?) and staying over in LA and taking the flight back the next day. If we are taking a flight home the next day, we'll take a mid day flight so we can get home in a decent time (I'm working the next day).

What would you do in this circumstance?

1) If we decide to take the flight home the same day, is there a good way to kill about six hours at LAX in between flights ?
2) If going home the next day, is there a good way to spend approximately one day? Would you stay in one of the hotels close to LAX? Or is there an affordable hotel that is close to a nice scenery that would be just pleasant to just sit around at/near the hotel? Just wondering because I don't think we'll have energy to sightsee but if we can be somewhere more pleasant than right by the airport that may be nice.

Thank you for your input!

I would take the later flight and get home sooner.

There are a few hotels in Manhattan Beach that are reasonably close to the beach and shopping. Sea View Inn very close to the beach, several others along Sepulveda. Decide if the extra expense is worthwhile to you.

I agree with MichelleY, just keep going that day. Without something in particular you'd like to see in LA you may very well wonder what the heck you're doing in a motel in LA overnight when you could be home. What to do? The usual, books, phones, tablets, food. Maybe walk around the circuit of terminals at LAX for some exercise.

Ditto MmePerdu & MichelleY - I'd get home the same day if you can.

The times really don't work in your favor. With a mid-day flight out of LAX, what with checking out, getting uber/lyft to the airport, security etc (and even more time if you decided to rent a car - having to deal with the return and transfer from the rental car center) you wouldn't have any time to see or do anything anyway.

If you have Lounge access that will help. If not, there are some lounges where you ca buy day passes.

How far in the future is your trip? If months, there may be more flight changes.

Does the "six hours" include time to collect luggage and get through passport control as well as time to go back through security before the second flight? If so, you don't have six hours. You might have three hours when you consider the time you also need to go somewhere and return. Still, that's enough to do something. If you'd like to get a meal with an ocean view, take a taxi (not Uber/Lyft which take longer and aren't cheaper) to Strand House restaurant in Manhattan Beach. (Closed Mondays, opens at 10 on weekends and 11:30 Tues-Fri.)

https://www.thestrandhousemb.com/about/overview/

If you finish your meal with time to spare, there is a small aquarium at the end of the pier (seen through the windows in the above link).

it is not too bad getting out of LAX if you can check your luggage through. If you think you can get a taxi curbside, check to see where (and IF) it is allowed near your terminal. I had two LAX-it busses in a row, fail to stop at the pickup area in the terminal a few weeks ago.

https://www.flylax.com/lax-traffic-a...portation#four

Getting back in allow at least two hours to reach your gate, and maybe another hour to wait for your ride back and go around the LAX loop to your terminal.

LAX is an even bigger mess than usual right now, what with the construction of the People Mover and all of that.

As far as what you can do in Manhattan Beach that you can't do back home, I think the key word is "beach".

Take the flight home.

What I'd probably do is take the late flight home and IF you think you'll be too tired to drive home after such a looooong travel day(s) is book an airport hotel that night (bound to be cheaper than the same quality in LA), get a good night's sleep and drive home in the morning.

Thank you for your comment! I had not thought about staying over at the airport after arriving at our home airport. A new idea to consider :)

Thank you for all of your comments and detailed info on what we may be able to do in LA! The trip is in July. I was told by the airline rep that there may still be changes in flight schedule, That was a couple of months ago and at that time, the only way to get back home was take the almost midnight flight to get home 5-ish am. Now they have added this flight to get home past midnight the same day.

I really appreciate your comments and recommendations! I see that most recommend going home the same day. And now I realize I may only have 3-4 hours to kill at the airport (after immigration, picking up checked luaggage, etc). Just a note that I did not intend to go out to see the city if we are taking the flight the same night -- only if we decide to stay over -- but accordign to mlgb (thank you!) it seems like it's not too difficult to get out.

I am now leaning towards going home the same day, but dread the kids being so cranky at the airport, it being the middle of the night Asia time where we will just have come from, and just wanting to rest, go somewhere with a bed... Maybe plan to feed them some good food (ice cream?) and bring or rent tablet etc. to entertain them with...

One option -- some LAX hotels offer day use rooms. You wouldn't need a car or taxi because they have shuttle buses. Kids could have a nap in a real bed and not on an uncomfortable airport seat and if they are napping you could order room service instead of dragging them to a restaurant.

You don't need to stay on Century Blvd to find a hotel with a free shuttle. The recently renovated Hyatt Place in El Segundo runs one on demand between 6AM and 10:45 PM. https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/ca..._gmb_seo_laxze

I haven't searched but I think there are other hotels in El Segundo which include airport shuttles.

[size=13px]The beach in Manhattan Beach near the Sea View Inn is nicer, though.[/size]

Unfortunately my post was chosen for moderation. I had recommended staying at one of the El Segundo hotels such as the Hyatt Place which also runs an airport shuttle.

Perhaps I shouldn't have included a link.

https://www.hotelsbyday.com/en/hotel...es/lax-airport

The closest hotel to LAX is the Hyatt Regency. They have a day rate with pool access. $199 for 6 hours (10-4 or 12-6). They offer free airport shuttle to "regular" guests, but it's not mentioned at the above site. Call and ask if included with day rate. However, you can walk to Terminal 1 and the first bus stop for the circulating shuttle.

janisj and Jean, thank you for info on day hotels! Did not know this type of service existed! Will look into it!

mlgb - it seems like your post got approved by a moderator. Thank you for the info on the hotel and Manhattan beach details! Appreciate you sharing your knowledge!

That $199 at Hyatt Regency LAX is the standard overnight rate (save $9 at member rate) for tonight. Total cost is $231.24. A day use rate of $199 would be ok, i guess, if that was the all-in price. I would be shocked if the day rate did not include the airport shuttle.

For option 1
I had good feedback from "the proud bird", close to LAX. Good place to spend some time watching the birds take off and land, check their own museum and have food and drinks.