Getting around Los Angeles

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.