Getting around · Hub guide
Getting Around Los Angeles: Metro, LAX, Driving and Parking
Los Angeles is big, and getting around takes some planning. This guide covers Metro rail and buses, fares, getting from LAX, driving and parking, and when it makes sense to use each.
Getting around at a glance
- Metro fare $1.75 per ride, with free transfers for two hours
- Fare caps $5 a day or $18 for seven days, on TAP or contactless
- TAP card $2 for a new card; you can also tap a contactless bank card or phone
- From LAX to rail Free LAX Connector shuttle to the LAX/Metro Transit Center
- FlyAway bus $12.75 one way to Union Station or Van Nuys, card or app only
- Rental car Useful for Malibu, the canyons and theme parks outside the rail network
In this guide
Most visitors use a mix of transit, rideshare and driving. If you stay near a rail line in Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown or Pasadena, you can reach a lot by train. For Malibu, hiking trailheads and some theme parks, a car saves time.
Metro rail lines
| Line | Main stops for visitors |
|---|---|
| A Line | Long Beach, Downtown, Chinatown, Pasadena and on to Pomona |
| B Line | Union Station, Downtown, Hollywood, Universal City, North Hollywood |
| C Line | Connects to the LAX/Metro Transit Center and the South Bay |
| D Line | Union Station, Downtown, Koreatown, Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, Wilshire/La Cienega |
| E Line | Downtown, Little Tokyo, Exposition Park, Culver City, Santa Monica |
| K Line | Crenshaw corridor, Inglewood, LAX/Metro Transit Center |
The A Line extension to Pomona opened in September 2025. The D Line extension to Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega opened on May 8, 2026, which puts LACMA and the Academy Museum on the subway. The next two sections, to Beverly Hills and Century City and then to Westwood, are scheduled for spring 2027 and fall 2027. Check Metro for current service and planned closures.
Fares and TAP
Metro fares are $1.75 per ride with free transfers for two hours. Pay with a TAP card, the TAP app or a contactless bank card or phone at the reader. Fare capping means you never pay more than $5 in a day or $18 over seven days. A new TAP card costs $2 at station machines. Full details are on the Metro fares page and at TAP.
Reduced fares are available for seniors, people with disabilities, students and riders with low incomes through Metro programs.
Getting from LAX
The LAX/Metro Transit Center opened on June 6, 2025. To reach it, follow the pink “LAX Shuttle” signs on the arrivals level and take the free LAX Connector shuttle. From the Transit Center, the C and K Lines connect to the rest of the rail network.
For taxis and rideshare, follow the green LAX-it signs to the shuttle that takes you to the pickup lot. The FlyAway bus runs to Union Station and Van Nuys for $12.75 one way, paid by card or app only. The airport people mover is still under construction and not yet open, so allow extra time for terminal shuttles.
Other airports
Hollywood Burbank Airport
Closer to Hollywood, Burbank and Pasadena, with a train station nearby.
Long Beach Airport
A smaller airport that is easy for Long Beach and the South Bay.
Ontario International
East of Los Angeles, useful for the Inland Empire and some theme parks.
John Wayne Airport
In Orange County, close to Disneyland and the beach towns south of Los Angeles.
Driving and freeways
Driving gives you the most flexibility, but traffic is heavy at rush hour, roughly morning and late afternoon on weekdays. Freeways are known by number and sometimes by name, so the 405 is also the San Diego Freeway. Plan trips outside peak hours when you can, and check a live traffic app before you leave.
Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu is open but has work zones, and Caltrans repaving runs from October 2026 into the end of the decade. Check Caltrans District 7 for current lane closures.
Parking
Parking rules vary by city and block. Read every sign: street cleaning days, permit zones and time limits are enforced, and tickets add up. Hotels often charge for overnight parking. Museums such as the Getty Center charge for parking even when admission is free. Garages and paid lots are the easiest option in Downtown, Hollywood and Santa Monica.
Rideshare and taxis
Uber, Lyft and licensed taxis cover the whole region. Rideshare is the usual way home after a night out. Expect surge pricing after big events at stadiums, the Hollywood Bowl and Crypto.com Arena, and walk a few blocks away from the crowd to find your driver faster.
Biking, scooters and walking
Metro Bike Share has stations in Downtown, Hollywood, Venice and other areas, and e-scooters are common near the coast. The beach bike path, known as the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, runs along much of the Santa Monica Bay. Many neighborhoods are walkable along their main streets, though distances between neighborhoods are long.
Which option to choose
| Trip | Best option |
|---|---|
| LAX to Downtown | FlyAway to Union Station or rail from the Transit Center |
| LAX to Santa Monica | Rideshare or taxi; transit takes longer |
| Downtown to Santa Monica | E Line |
| Downtown to Hollywood | B Line |
| Hollywood to Universal Studios | B Line to Universal City/Studio City |
| Anywhere to Malibu | Car or rideshare |
| Night out | Rideshare or taxi home |
Tips for getting around
Transit and driving tips
- Set up payment first. Load a TAP card or add a contactless card to your phone before your first ride.
- Pick a base near rail. It saves time and parking costs.
- Avoid rush hour. Schedule cross-town trips in the middle of the day or evening.
- Leave room in your schedule. Allow extra time for traffic, especially when heading to the airport.
- Check service alerts. Rail closures for maintenance happen, often on weekends.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Metro ride in Los Angeles?
$1.75, with free transfers for two hours. Fares cap at $5 per day and $18 for seven days on TAP or contactless.
Can I get around Los Angeles without a car?
Yes, if you stay near a rail line and plan your days by area. A car helps for Malibu, the canyons and some theme parks.
How do I get from LAX to Downtown?
Take the FlyAway bus to Union Station, or ride the free LAX Connector shuttle to the LAX/Metro Transit Center and transfer to Metro rail.
Where do I catch a rideshare at LAX?
At LAX-it. Follow the green LAX-it signs to the shuttle that takes you to the pickup lot.
Does the Metro go to Santa Monica?
Yes. The E Line runs from Downtown to Downtown Santa Monica station, a short walk from the pier.
Does the Metro go to LACMA?
Yes. Since May 2026, the D Line stops at Wilshire/Fairfax, close to LACMA and the Academy Museum.
More guides
- Visitors guide
- Attractions and things to do
- Events calendar
- Where to stay
- Restaurants and food
- Nightlife
- Neighborhoods
- Weather by month
- Outdoor activities
- Beaches
- Theme parks
- Family vacation
- Living in Los Angeles
- All Getting Around posts
Photo credits
Featured image: AveryTheComrade / Wikimedia Commons, CC0