How to get around Los Angeles

Metro rail and buses are most useful when both ends sit near a strong corridor. Downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown, Universal City, Exposition Park, Santa Monica and the LAX/Metro Transit Center can fit transit-led plans. Check the exact route and late-evening frequency before committing.

The regular Metro fare is $1.75. TAP, contactless credit or debit payments include two hours of free transfers and cap eligible regular fares at $5 per day and $18 over seven days. Use the same payment form each time for the cap to register.

LAX connects to the LAX/Metro Transit Center by airport shuttle. FlyAway buses run between the terminals and Union Station or Van Nuys. Traffic is unpredictable, so airport journeys need more margin than the distance suggests.

Driving helps with widely separated destinations and mountain-edge sites, but parking, traffic and freeway crossings can erase that advantage. Do not schedule a west-side museum, Downtown attraction and evening in the Valley as one tidy day.

Paying fares

Metro's regular base fare is $1.75. Use one TAP card or the same physical or digital bank card for transfers and fare caps. Cash does not provide the same capping benefit.

From LAX

Free airport shuttles connect terminals with the LAX/Metro Transit Center. FlyAway serves Union Station and Van Nuys from marked terminal stops. Confirm the latest pickup point because airport construction can move ground-transport operations.

Choosing transit

Use rail for strong station-to-station pairs and buses for the last corridor. A route that looks simple may require a long walk on either end. Check accessibility, frequency and the return trip before leaving.

Driving

Plan by time, not miles. Avoid moving the car between nearby stops when paid parking can serve a whole cluster. Never leave luggage or visible valuables in a parked vehicle.

Walking and cycling

Walking works within districts, not as a citywide strategy. Heat, hills, wide roads and freeway crossings change short map distances. Use marked crossings and evaluate protected cycling infrastructure route by route.