How to Get Around Los Angeles

Public transit is the easiest way to explore LA. The city is huge, with heavy traffic. As a visitor, navigating by car can be tricky. LA has an excellent public transportation system. It covers the metro area and top attractions.

Run by LA Metro, it includes buses, subways, light rail, and bikes. It’s user-friendly and cheaper than cars, taxis, Uber, or Lyft. The LA Department of Transportation (LADOT) operates DASH buses too. This guide explains your options.

LA Buses

Avoid peak hours if possible. Start early. For airport transportation details, see: How to Get from LAX to Downtown LA. Find a map of transit stops and nearby points of interest here:

Metro Buses

200+ routes connect the city and suburbs like Santa Monica. Buses are a convenient choice. Special bus/taxi lanes help them beat traffic. Just avoid rush hour.

Bus Types:

Orange Metro Local buses have frequent stops in main areas and tourist spots.

Red Metro Rapid buses run less often but travel quickly using sensors that keep traffic lights green.

Blue Metro Express buses connect downtown to business districts and highways used by workers.

Metro Orange Line and Silver Line are express bus routes linking different areas.

Getting Around by Subway:

The metro has two subway and four light rail lines. Subways are faster than buses for long distances.

Service runs from 5 AM to midnight, less frequently at night. Some areas are unsafe then.

Subway Lines:

The Red Line is most useful for tourists, connecting Union Station to North Hollywood via Hollywood and Universal City. It links to the Blue, Expo, Orange and Gold lines.

The Purple Line links downtown LA with Westlake and Koreatown.

The Expo Line is a light rail that connects USC, Exposition Park, Culver City, Santa Monica, and downtown.

The Blue Line is a light rail running from Downtown to Long Beach. It connects with the Red, Expo, and Green lines.
The Gold Line is a light rail linking East LA with Little Tokyo, Chinatown and Pasadena. You can transfer to Union Station.
Green Line Routes

DASH BUS

Run by LADOT, it has about 30 shuttle routes downtown and around the city. It connects with Metro Rail and Bus lines. Service ends at 7 pm and is limited on weekends. For tourism, the Griffith Observatory bus is useful.

DASH Buses Routes:

Beachwood Canyon Route: Monday-Saturday, links Hollywood Blvd, Vine St to Beachwood Drive

Downtown Routes: Five daily routes to attractions like Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Financial District, and Union Station.

Fairfax Route: Monday-Saturday, stops include Beverly Hills Mall, Central Mall, Pacific Design Center, Melrose Ave, The Grove, Museum Row

Hollywood Route: Daily service to the east side of Highland Ave and Hollywood

Getting around LA? Public transport is an option.

Big Blue Bus

The Santa Monica bus runs in West LA. Areas covered Beverly Hills, Culver City, Venice, Westwood, LAX Airport. Route 10 goes to Downtown and Union Station. Covers 150 km2. 195 buses. Running since 1928. Good for beaches.

TRAIN

Union Station Downtown is LA’s main train hub. Amtrak serves nearby cities. Popular: Pacific Surfliner (San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis). Book on website. Fares from $35, vary by distance.

Amtrak routes:

Pacific Surfliner: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Diego
Coast Starlight: Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco Bay, San Luis Obispo
Southwest Chief: Chicago, Kansas City, Albuquerque, Flagstaff
Sunset Limited: New Orleans, San Antonio, Tucson, Phoenix
Texas Eagle: Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, San Antonio
San Joaquin: San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Southeastern California
LA has many transport choices.

Metro Bike Share

Metro offers bike rentals. There are 60 locations around town. Pay with a card or get a TAP card. 30 mins cost $1.75. Daily pass is $5.

In the Santa Monica area, try Breeze Bikes. The app costs $7 per hour. LA isn’t very bike-friendly though.

Getting Around LA.

Scooters

LA streets have Lime, Bird, Jump, and Lyft scooters. Be careful! Santa Monica has lots. Long Beach and Hollywood too.

Ride-shares

Uber and Lyft are popular. The apps find nearby drivers. Cheaper than taxis. Useful for LA traffic.

Get ready before your trip. Install the app and add payment details so you can use it right away. Like taxis, Uber and Lyft are handy if you have poor connections or heavy luggage.

Transportation: mobility guide

TAXI

Booking taxis in LA can be tough. Reserve them in advance via phone or Curb app (formerly Taxi Magic). Fares start at $3 plus $3 per mile. Don’t forget to tip 15-20%.

Some taxi firms: Beverly Hills Cab, Checker, and Taxi Taxi. You’ll find cabs at airports, hotels, and stations. They help when connections are poor or you have luggage. Tip: Avoid rush hour traffic.

Vehicle Rental

Renting a car service for lax is ideal to explore LA and beyond, like California’s West Coast towns and beaches inaccessible by public transit. Rentals are affordable, with major companies at airports and hotels. LA’s freeway system connects different regions.

Driving in Los Angeles has challenges. Avoiding rush hours from 7-9 am and 3-7 pm is wise. Know that the minimum driving age is 16. Traffic rules must be followed.

Reserve cars online in advance for the best rates.

Use TAP Card for Metro buses, rails, and DASH buses. Buy passes to save money. Kids under 5 ride free with an adult.

Take a bus? Here’s what you pay: a single ride without a TAP Card is $1.75, no change given. With a TAP Card, it’s $1.75 and you can transfer within 2 hours.