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Public Transportation

Getting Around Los Angeles: Guide to Public Transportation

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More than 10 million people live in Los Angeles County, which, of course, results in a lot of cars on the road, the infamous smog, and legendary traffic. While many visitors still rent cars or rely on ride-share services, a fairly comprehensive public transportation system of buses and trains does exist. 

Learning how to navigate the Metro system can save money, time, and headaches when exploring the sprawling county, 1,433 square miles of which are serviced by the Los Angeles County MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority). Here’s a crash course in ditching the car and joining the 383 million riders who used Metro in 2018.

How to Ride Metro Rail

Back in the 1920s, LA was connected by Pacific Electric Railway Company aka Red Cars. It was the largest electric railway system in the world. But it was dismantled as auto ownership became the dream and massive freeway systems were built. It wasn’t until 1990 that the subway, the blue line, returned to Southern California. And despite the common misconception that no one uses it, it’s one of the largest public transit systems in the country by ridership. 

While buses go more places, they tend to be slower and used mostly by locals trying to get to work. The train system is currently comprised of four above-ground light rails and two underground subways, but it is constantly growing. In 2015, the Expo Line's Santa Monica extension and the Gold Line’s Azusa extension were completed. The Purple Line is currently under construction to add nine new miles of track to eventually go from downtown to Westwood. The first stage from Koreatown’s Western Station to Wilshire/La Cienega is expected to open in 2023.

Fares:  The Metro's base fare is $1.75. Metro has transitioned from tickets to TAP cards for all trains. Each passenger needs their own card. All fares must be loaded onto your TAP and then tapped on the box at each station to validate. The reusable card costs $2 in machines or on buses. The card must be tapped for each train or bus that you board. Five TAP cards can be purchased in one transaction but cards have to be reloaded separately.

Metro trains and buses in the same direction within two hour windows are now included in the base fare as long as you use TAP and tap the final transfer within that window. TAP connects most of the county bus lines, city-specific buses, and shuttle options including LADOT, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, LAX buses, Santa Clarita Transit, Long Beach Transit, and even the historic Angels Flight funicular.

Reduced rates are available to seniors, students, and disabled riders. Two children under the age of five-years-old may travel free with each fare-paying adult on bus or rail. These groups may also apply online for a free TAP card.

Different types of passes: Options include the Metro Day Pass ($7), 7-Day Pass ($25), and the 30-Day Pass ($100). Day passes are really only worth it if you plan to take four or more legs with more than two hours between them.

How to pay: As stated above, riders must have a TAP card to ride. As not all stations have TAP vending machines, it's best to order it online ahead of time. Refill your card at the machines with a credit card or online. Some stations do not have turnstiles but make sure you tap the card for every ride. Otherwise you could face up to a $250 fine.

Hours of operation:  Most lines operate from before 5 a.m. to midnight or later on weekdays, with service until 2 a.m. on weekends. Trains run as often as every five minutes during peak times. But late-night rides can leave you waiting at stops for 20 or 30 minutes. Some are not in the safest of neighborhoods and the stops are on the street level and are open-air so be aware of your surroundings.

Routes: There are currently 93 stations on six lines, covering 98 miles. The Blue Line takes passengers between downtown and Long Beach. The Red Line goes from North Hollywood to Union Station, where you can connect to Amtrak long-distance trains. The Purple Green Line travels between Wilshire/Western and Union Station. The Gold Line goes from East LA through Pasadena to Azusa. The Expo Line deposits riders at stops from downtown to about a block from the beach in Santa Monica.

Accessibility concerns:  Certified service animals are allowed on Metro. For more information on this topic, check here .

How to Ride Metro Bus

The bus system is mighty thanks to 2,308 buses, 13,978 stops, and 1,479 square miles of service area. 

Fares:  Metro's base fare is $1.75. You can pay cash when you board, but you'll need exact fare as bus operators don't carry change. You can also buy and add up to $20 to a reusable TAP card. Reduced rates are available to seniors, students, and disabled riders. Two children under age five may travel for free with each fare-paying adult. 

Travel routes: There are bus routes that give access to almost the entirety of the city. There are some specialty routes like the Dodger Stadium Express. You can board D.S.E. at Union Station or at four South Bay stations (Slauson, Manchester, Harbor Freeway, or Rosecrans). Arrive early as buses and stations get quite overloaded near game time. The Metro also has two extended fast-track busways: Orange (Chatsworth to North Hollywood) and Silver (San Pedro to El Monte).

Other Public Transportation Options

Metro Bike Share : The 1,000-bike-strong rental program is available in downtown, the port of LA, mid-city, and on the Westside. Riders must be 16 or older and bikes must be returned to one of the 150 stations around the city. Single ride fares are $1.75 for 30 minutes of use and you pay by TAP. Rides longer than 30 minutes incur extra fees. Passes are available for 24 hours of access, 30 days, and 365 days. Reduced fares are available for the same groups as on other Metro services. 

LAX FlyAway : It offers cost-effective round-trip transportation to LAX from four spots around the city (Hollywood, Long Beach, Union Station and Van Nuys). Some pick up/drop-off locations are on streets while others like Van Nuys have full stations with cheaper long-term parking lots than found at the airport. The service is offered seven days a week, but the times and amount of shuttles per day varies depending on the line. One-way fares are between $8 and $10 and can only be purchased with credit cards. No reservations needed. Two children five years and under can ride for free with each paying adult.

Metrolink: These are long-distance commuter trains . They connect the city with outlying areas like Orange County, Antelope Valley, Ventura County, San Bernardino, Riverside and the Inland Empire via seven lines. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, much of which has an ocean view, is also part of this system and takes visitors all the way down the coast from Ventura to downtown San Diego.

Taxis and Ride-sharing Apps: Several taxi companies operate in LA, but usually have to be called when needed unless you're at LAX. A better, cheaper option is a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. They can pick up at LAX in designated zones on the departures level. 

Electric Scooters/Bikes: The app-rentable bike and scooter invasion has hit LA street corners much to the discontent of businesses and homeowners. They are more prevalent in tourist-heavy areas and beach towns like Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Venice, but can even be found in the San Fernando Valley now. Companies include Lime and Bird.

Tips for Getting Around LA

• If you want to get somewhere via subway or bus, the Metro Trip Planner will be your best friend and should be your first stop to figure out routes, stations/stops, and travel times.
• There are Park & Ride lots available for most lines. Some lots charge for parking and some have free spaces. A good rule of thumb? Read all parking lot and street signs very carefully. This is a good practice in general even if you rent a car. Most Angelenos have a story about getting a ticket because they misunderstood the posted regulations.
• As some public transportation methods, especially buses, are on street level, they're affected by heavy traffic and construction. Some sections have bus lanes at certain times, dedicated busways, or signal priority.
• Remember that LA has three periods of heavy congestion daily—morning (6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.), lunch, and after work. And the concept of reverse commute is not applicable in most parts of the city.
• The Metro is a museum in motion as many of the stations have site-specific art installations. There are regularly scheduled art tours  and occasional live performances.

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Getting around Los Angeles

It is possible to get around Los Angeles with or without a car - you just have to know how to master the roads and local public transportation systems like a pro.

Ask anyone what they know about Los Angeles, and it's more than likely that one of the first things they will mention is the terrible traffic. The city is infamous for having some of the worst traffic in the country, with the freeways getting particularly snarled up. Another common misconception is that you have to have a car to get around LA. While it is a fact that most Angelenos drive everywhere (hence the traffic), and the public transportation system is not quite as well-connected as some other major cities, there are still plenty of car-free ways to get around the city. From getting the most out of the Metro system to navigating the multiple bus schedules and mastering the rules of ride-sharing, there is a wide variety of ways to see the sights in the City of Angels, whether you happen to have your own set of wheels or not. Read on for the best ways to get around the city.

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Getting around by car.

Despite Los Angeles’ infamous traffic, most would still agree that renting a car is the best way to get around the city, especially if you have limited time there. Nothing puts a damper on a vacation like wasting precious time waiting around for a bus. Due to LA’s size and the way its many neighborhoods are spread out, hopping in your own car is the most hassle-free way to get around, even if you are likely to spend much of the time sitting bumper to bumper.

Try to avoid driving during rush hour if you can, which on weekdays usually runs between 6 am-10 am and 3.30 pm-7 pm. Fridays can also be particularly busy on the roads, with locals heading out of town for the weekend, so if possible, plan your longer trips on other days. The city is well-lit, so driving at night is not usually a problem, but driving in the rain can be an issue as many of the streets get flooded during heavy downpours, so take extra precautions when it is wet out.

Getting Around by Taxi

Despite there being thousands of taxis in Los Angeles, it can be surprisingly difficult to get one. While you can hail a taxi on the street in LA, if you are not outside one of the city’s major attractions, they can be tricky to locate. There are numerous taxi companies you can call to book a car in advance, but this can be quite a long-winded process, and the car is not likely to arrive for at least 45 minutes. Our advice? Make like a local and download the free taxi app Curb, which will allow you to schedule a pick-up in advance and call a cab at the touch of a button. While some private taxi companies offer a set cost for the most popular routes, many of the local taxis run on meters. The fees for metered taxis cost the same during the day and night, with the base rate starting at around $2.85 and costing roughly $1 per mile.

Getting Around by Ride Share

Since it has become increasingly difficult to flag down a cab on the street in LA, ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft have become more and more popular in the city over recent years, in many cases eclipsing the use of traditional taxis. They are generally less expensive than metered taxis, though prices vary depending on the route, with the estimated charge shown at booking likely to change slightly if you hit bad traffic. Uber is also subject to “surge pricing” at peak demand times, so bear that in mind when using the app.

Getting Around by Metro

The Metro Trip Planner is a handy tool to use when planning your way around LA, generating detailed instructions on the best way to get to and from your destination.

The Los Angeles Metro offers a cheap and relatively easy way to get around the city, with the railway system made up of two subway lines and four light-rail lines. The base rate for the Metro starts at around $1.75, while a Metro Day Pass will set you back around $7, and a seven-day pass around $25. The best way to pay for tickets is by purchasing a reusable TAP Card, which you can buy at TAP machines in subway stations. Load it up with cash and you can use it to travel across the city’s three main public transportation systems: Metro Rail Trains, Metro Buses, and DASH Buses.

Of the six different rail lines, the most useful one for tourists and visitors is undoubtedly the Red Line, which provides service through downtown LA, the Mid-Wilshire area, Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley. It also connects with the Blue Line, which runs from Long Beach to downtown LA, and the Expo Line, which connects the Westside to downtown LA, Hollywood, South Bay, and Long Beach. The Purple Line serves downtown LA, running along Westlake and Koreatown; the Gold Line runs between Pasadena and East LA; and the Green Line runs east and west between Norwalk and Redondo Beach. The Metro Rail runs daily from approximately 4.30 am to 1.30 am, although the schedule varies depending on the line and day of the week.

Getting Around by Bike

Thanks to LA’s temperate climate and numerous sunny days, cycling is a popular way to get around the city, particularly in certain neighborhoods like Santa Monica. The city’s bike share program, Metro Bike Share, is run by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and offers a fast, fun, and inexpensive way to get around the city. There are 250 stations dotted around the city, from downtown and Central LA to Hollywood and the Westside, where you can pick up either a classic metro bike or an electric version. Rides cost around $1.75 for every 30 minutes (electric bikes also require a $1 unlock fee for casual riders) and you can buy passes and tickets online, at any Metro Bike Share station, or using a TAP Card .

Getting Around by Bus

There are two different types of buses you can take in Los Angeles: Metro Buses and DASH Buses, both of which operate as part of the public transit system. Metro Buses operate across nearly 200 different lines, which will take you all over the city and are a great way to reach many of LA’s major attractions and destinations.

There are three main types of bus service to know about when navigating Metro Buses. Metro Local Buses are painted orange and make stops along major streets and tourist attractions throughout the city. Metro Rapid Buses are painted red and stop less often but allow for a quicker ride – these buses are equipped with special sensors that cause traffic signals to stay green, making for a much swifter experience. Metro Express Buses, meanwhile, are painted blue and stop along the city’s freeway systems, making them particularly popular with commuters. There are also two express buses (Orange and Silver Line), which run from North Hollywood to Warner Center in Woodland Hills and the San Gabriel Valley to downtown LA respectively. The regular fair costs around $1.75 and is good for two hours of unlimited transfers in one direction.

DASH Buses are smaller shuttle buses operated by the LA Department of Transportation and run along 33 different routes around the city, serving around 30 million passengers per year. Five quick routes run daily and serve the Downtown area, while other routes will take you right up to the Hollywood Sign via Beachwood Drive, around the main museums in the Fairfax District, and all along the east side of Hollywood. You pay the fee for these buses when you board, which typically costs around 25-50 cents.

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