Los Angeles has a bigger rail network than many visitors expect. Metro trains reach Hollywood, Universal City, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach, Koreatown, Exposition Park and, since May 2026, the museums on Wilshire Boulevard. With a contactless card and a $5 daily cap, it is also cheap. This guide explains the lines that matter for visitors, how to pay, when trains run and how to plan a car-free day. Details come from Metro’s fare and schedule pages, checked in October 2026.
In this guide
It is part of our getting around Los Angeles guide. Arriving by air? See LAX to Downtown Los Angeles.
LA Metro at a glance
- Fare $1.75 per ride, with free transfers within two hours
- Fare caps $5 a day, $18 for seven days, on TAP or contactless
- TAP card $2 at station machines, or tap a contactless bank card or phone
- Kids Children under 6 ride free with a paying adult
- Seniors Riders 62 and older pay no more than $2.50 a day
- Hours Roughly 4am to around midnight or a little later, depending on line
Rail lines for visitors
| Line | Where it goes | Visitor stops |
|---|---|---|
| A Line | Long Beach to Downtown, Pasadena and Pomona | Downtown Long Beach, Little Tokyo, Union Station, Chinatown, Memorial Park (Pasadena) |
| B Line | Union Station to North Hollywood | Pershing Square, Hollywood/Vine, Hollywood/Highland, Universal City/Studio City |
| C Line | Norwalk to the South Bay | LAX/Metro Transit Center, Willowbrook/Rosa Parks |
| D Line | Union Station to Wilshire/La Cienega | Pershing Square, Wilshire/Vermont, Wilshire/Western, Wilshire/Fairfax |
| E Line | East LA to Santa Monica | Little Tokyo, 7th St/Metro Center, Expo Park/USC, Culver City, Downtown Santa Monica |
| K Line | Crenshaw corridor to the airport area | Expo/Crenshaw, Inglewood, LAX/Metro Transit Center |
Metro also runs two busways with rail-style stations: the G Line across the San Fernando Valley and the J Line along the 110 and 10 freeways.
Recent and coming changes
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, putting LACMA, the Academy Museum and the Petersen within walking distance of the subway. The next sections, to Beverly Hills and Century City and then Westwood, are scheduled for 2027.
How to pay
TAP and contactless
Metro uses TAP. You have three options:
- Tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet at the fare gate or validator.
- Use the TAP app on your phone.
- Buy a plastic TAP card for $2 at a station vending machine and load fare.
Tap every time you board, including at transfer points and on buses. On some rail stations there are no gates, so tap at the standalone validator before you board. Fare inspectors check for valid fare.
Fare caps
Metro’s fare capping means you stop paying once you hit the cap. After three rides in a day, the rest of the day is free, so you never pay more than $5 a day. Over seven days, you never pay more than $18. Caps apply only when you tap; cash fares on buses do not count. Each person needs their own card or phone.
Reduced fares
Seniors 62 and older pay no more than $2.50 a day or $5 over seven days. Metro’s LIFE program gives qualifying LA County residents free rides each month, and there are reduced fares for riders with disabilities and students. Children under 6 ride free with a fare-paying adult.
When trains run
Most rail lines start running around 4am and end around midnight or a little later, depending on the line and direction. Weekend schedules apply on Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays. Service can be reduced for maintenance, often at night and on weekends, so check Metro’s service alerts before a late trip. For a night out, plan a rideshare home if you might miss the last train.
Buses
Metro runs a large bus network that fills the gaps between rail lines. Fares are the same $1.75, and transfers to rail are free within two hours when you tap. Local services such as LADOT’s DASH in Downtown and Hollywood, Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus and Culver City’s buses run their own routes. Use the Metro trip planner or a map app to combine them.
Car-free day ideas
Day plans by rail
- Hollywood | B Line to Hollywood/Highland for the Walk of Fame, then Universal City/Studio City for Universal Studios.
- Beach | E Line to Downtown Santa Monica for the Santa Monica Pier, then walk or bike to Venice.
- Museums | D Line to Wilshire/Fairfax for LACMA and the Academy Museum; see our best museums list.
- Downtown | Any line to Union Station or 7th St/Metro Center; see our Downtown guide.
- Exposition Park | E Line to Expo Park/USC for the Natural History Museum and California Science Center.
- Pasadena | A Line to Memorial Park for Old Pasadena.
- Long Beach | A Line to Downtown Long Beach for the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Catalina ferry.
Safety and etiquette
Metro has safety staff and Metro Ambassadors on the system. Ambassadors are not security officers; they help riders with directions and fare questions and report problems. As in any big city, stay alert, keep phones and bags close, and ride in a car with other people late at night. Eating and smoking are not allowed on trains. Move your bag off the seat when it gets busy, and let riders off before you board.
Where Metro does not go
Rail does not reach Malibu, most hiking trailheads, Griffith Observatory or Disneyland. For Griffith Observatory, take the B Line to Vermont/Sunset and the DASH Observatory bus. For Malibu, the canyons and Orange County theme parks, a car or rideshare saves a lot of time.
Strollers, luggage and accessibility
Metro rail stations have elevators, and trains have level boarding and space for wheelchairs, strollers and bikes. Elevators are sometimes out of service, and Metro posts outages in its service alerts, so check before you set off with a stroller or suitcase. On crowded trains, fold strollers if you can and keep bags out of the aisle.
Metro Bike Share
Metro Bike Share has stations in Downtown, Hollywood, Venice and other areas. Rides are priced per 30 minutes; check the Bike Share site for current rates and passes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the LA Metro?
$1.75 per ride with free transfers within two hours. Fares cap at $5 a day and $18 for seven days when you tap.
Can I use my credit card on LA Metro?
Yes. Tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet at the reader. Fare caps apply.
Does the LA Metro go to Hollywood?
Yes. The B Line stops at Hollywood/Vine and Hollywood/Highland.
Does the Metro go to Santa Monica?
Yes. The E Line ends at Downtown Santa Monica station near the pier.
What time does the LA Metro stop running?
Most lines run until around midnight or a little later. Check the schedule for your line, and plan a backup for late nights.
Is the LA Metro safe for tourists?
Plenty of visitors use it every day. Stay alert, keep valuables close and check service alerts before late trips.
Official sources: LA Metro fares; LA Metro schedules and maps; TAP; Metro Ambassadors; Metro Bike Share.
Photo credits
Featured image: Downtowngal / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0