Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Arriving to Los Angeles
  • The Best Way to Get to Los Angeles
    1. Personal or Rented Vehicle
    2. Airplane
    3. Train
    4. Bus
  • The Cheapest Way to Get to Los Angeles
    1. Bus
    2. Personal or Rented Vehicle
    3. Airplane
    4. Train
  • Getting To and From the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Transportation Within Los Angeles
  1. Personal Vehicle
  2. Rented Vehicle
  3. Los Angeles Metro
  4. Ride-Share Apps
  5. Taxis
  6. Public / City Buses
  7. Metro Bikes
  8. Electric Scooters
  9. Walking
• How To Use the Los Angeles Metro
  • What to Expect Taking the L.A. Metro
  • How to Use the L.A. Metro
• Getting from Los Angeles to Other Popular Cities
  1. Anaheim
  2. San Diego / Tijuana
  3. Las Vegas
  4. San Francisco
• Conclusion
• Los Angeles Blogs

Introduction

With a city as big as Los Angeles (the second-biggest in the United States), you would assume that it has some good public transportation. Big enough to take it’s some 3.9 million people across this massive metropolis, right? Unfortunately, you would be incorrect. Although L.A. has a metro and public buses, the public transportation in the city is bad, especially compared to other cities in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. This blog post will discuss how to get to Los Angeles, the different transportation options you have available in the city, how to use the Los Angeles Metro, and how to get from Los Angeles to other larger cities nearby.

Arriving to Los Angeles

Los Angeles has seen itself high on the international stage for many years making it a main transportation hub. L.A. has three airports; one international and two domestic. Alongside these airports, L.A. has a pretty large Union Station where the majority of trains arrive and depart. With all these entry points, it is straightforward to get to Los Angeles, whether you are arriving by plane, train, or car. This section will discuss the best ways to get to Los Angeles and the cheapest ways to get to Los Angeles. It will also discuss the Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX) FlyAway to get you to and from LAX.

The Best Way to Get to Los Angeles

There are a few different ways to reach L.A., have it be trains, planes, or automobiles. I will also be posting some pros and cons about each option to give a more rounded view. In order of the most convenient to the least convenient, here are the different ways to get to Los Angeles.

1. Personal or Rented Vehicle

Los Angeles, like many cities in the United States, was built with a personal vehicle in mind, and even though traffic can be atrocious, it is still the best way to reach the city. If you need to rent a car on your L.A. travels, you can go down to the “Transportation Within Los Angeles” section to learn more about renting a car in L.A. For those of you who have already rented a car or have a personal vehicle in your possession, you have struck L.A. gold. Every city in the United States can be reached by its expansive use of highways from Key West in Florida to Anchorage, Alaska. 

If you are driving into Los Angeles, you will either be driving from the north, east, or south as the Pacific Ocean occupies the west of the city. Since the United States is so expansive, and you are driving to the city it’s safe to assume that you are driving from a longer distance such as Las Vegas (~5 hours), San Diego / Tijuana (~3 hours), and San Francisco (~7 hours).  So it is worth discussing the traffic situation in Los Angeles to not make your journey any longer.

Although the traffic scenario is not as bad as in other parts of the world, it can still be a headache, adding hours to your already long journey. Do not drive from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. / 06:00–10:30 and from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. / 15:00–18:30. These times are the busiest for traffic (rush hour). The weekends do see less traffic as many people do not work, so the hours can narrow on the weekends. I use an app called Waze, which is a good way to check for accurate traffic in the city. Click here to download the app on either the Apple Play Store or the Google Play Store.

Pros:

• Getting to decide when you leave, arrive, etc.
• Freedom to stop and take breaks when you need
• Control the speed and internal temperature to your liking
• Privacy

Cons:

• Gas can be expensive
• You have to research what route you are going
• No assistance (at times)  if any problems or issues arise
• Upkeep and car maintenance
• No restroom in the vehicle

2. Airplane

As previously mentioned, there are three airports in Los Angeles. I want to distinguish between Los Angeles and Orange County since I will not be adding the airports from Orange County (where Disneyland is located), even though it is relatively close to the city, to keep this blog post concise. Air travel is the second-best way to reach the city. I will be discussing the three airports in detail below.

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

LAX is the largest airport in California, and Los Angeles’ only international airport. If you are flying internationally (and from some domestic areas), you will be arriving at LAX. It is a very busy area with some of the worst traffic in the city. The airport is undergoing some renovations due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. A tram is being added, and the streets are being adjusted to relieve congestion. If you want to know how to get from LAX to the city, without a car, go to the “Getting To and From the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)” section.  If you want more information on LAX, click here to go to their official website.

• Hollywood / Burbank Airport (previously called the Bob Hope Airport)

The Hollywood / Burbank Airport (usually just called Burbank) is the second-largest airport in Los Angeles. It is a much calmer airport, and it’s very common for people flying out of Los Angeles to hope they get a flight leaving from Burbank as opposed to LAX. It’s easier to access and has a fraction of the traffic LAX has, but flights are typically a little more expensive. Burbank Airport is only used for domestic flights, so you may fly through here if you are flying within the United States. If you want more information on the Hollywood / Burbank Airport, click here to go to their official website.

• Long Beach Airport

The smallest of the three airports in L.A. is the Long Beach Airport, and it is one of the most beautiful in the city. I have never flown out of the Long Beach Airport and only driven by, but some friends I have who have used the airport, say it’s the most gorgeous in the city. Just as in Burbank Airport, this airport does not have nearly the same traffic issue LAX has. This airport only sees domestic flights. Out of all three airports in the city, this is the most improbable you will fly into, but if you do, know that it is a good one. If you want more information on the Long Beach Airport, click here to go to their official website.

To make your life easier, I recommend you utilize flight-comparing websites.  I use websites like Kiwi.com, Skyscanner, and KAYAK to compare hundreds of different flight prices to try and find the best prices. Be sure to check them out if you plan on flying into your destination.

Pros:

• The fastest way to get to L.A.
• Can be the most comfortable way to travel (on non-budget airlines)
• Restroom on the plane

Cons:

• Can be very expensive
• Having to deal with airline rules (i.e. liquids, luggage restrictions, etc.)
• Can be crowded
• Possible noisy neighbors

3. Train

The third-best way to travel to Los Angeles is by train. The train system is much safer than the L.A. metro system but is normally used to travel into Los Angeles as opposed to throughout. The train system connects Los Angeles to the rest of the United States through the Union Station. If you are in the U.S. and do not want to fly, taking a train is the next best option. Depending on where you are staying in Los Angeles, there are train stations throughout the city, so you can get off there and take a ride-share to your accommodation. 

The two main train companies are Amtrak and Metrolink, both use the Union Station as their base in L.A. But keep in mind that the train routes do not go to the coastal areas, so if you are trying to get there or are staying there, you should get off at Union Station and from Union Station, ride the L.A. Metro to the closest metro station to your area. If you want more in-depth information on the L.A. Metro, go to the “How to Use the Los Angeles Metro” section to learn more. If you want more information on Union Station, click here to go to their official website.

Pros:

• Get to have restrooms on the train
• Sometimes has eating carts and cafés
• Getting able to see the beautiful cities and U.S. landscape
• Most comfortable way to travel (in my opinion)

Cons:

• Trains can be very expensive
• It can take longer to reach your destination due to added stops
• Can be crowded
• Luggage limitations
• Possible noisy neighbors

Just as in flights, some websites compare different train ticket prices to organize them and look for the cheapest or fastest route. I use Omio, and it has served me well traveling throughout California. Click here to go onto Omio’s website to learn more and start looking at train tickets.

4. Bus

If planes and trains are not in your budget, then buses can get you to L.A. These buses are different from the L.A. city buses, as the latter are restricted to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, and the former is used for long distances. There are plenty of different companies to get you to Los Angeles, but I recommend Flixbus. I rode Flixbus overnight from El Paso, Texas to Los Angeles and it was a good ride. The prices are also very fair, I paid about $70.00 / €65.15 for a one-way ride. Keep in mind that buses can run a little late, be a little crowded, and be slower, but I ran into no issues with Flixbus. If you want more information about FlixBus, click here to go to their official website.

Pros:

• Can be very affordable
• No hassle when on the road
• Restrooms located on the buses
• Get to see the U.S. countryside

Cons: 

• Depending on the price, not worth the extra time
• Longest way to get to Los Angeles
• Can be crowded
• Possible noisy neighbors

In general, if you are located about 12 hours or less away (within the U.S.) I’d recommend you either drive or take a bus. If you are over 12 hours away (still within the U.S.), flying or train travel can be a good option depending on your budget. If you are anywhere internationally, flying may be your only option, and you will most definitely be arriving at LAX.

The Cheapest Way to Get to Los Angeles

Los Angeles is normally a very expensive travel destination. Although it can be done cheaper, the accommodation options, things to do, and food make it hard to make your money go far. To help you save some money for your trip to L.A., there are some more affordable ways to get into the city. I would like to add that depending on the time of year and the distance you are from L.A., train and plane prices can fluctuate making one more affordable than the other, but their addition to this list is a generalization. Here is a list of how to get to Los Angeles in order from cheapest to most expensive.

1. Bus

Using the bus is (normally) the cheapest way to get to Los Angeles. Buses can take you throughout the country and at a meager cost. If you want to, you can get from New York City to Los Angeles, all on buses. It would require exchanging buses in different cities, and hours upon hours, but it is possible nonetheless. I want to say that in some cases it may be cheaper to fly than take a bus. Of course, this is dependent on the date and location, but please research both to figure out the cheapest price between them. The buses in the U.S. are very basic, but come with almost everything you need. I have only used Flixbus, but all the buses have air conditioning (A/C), a restroom, and offer stops to get some snacks if traveling a long distance. Here are just some prices I pulled from their website:

San Diego, California to Los Angeles, California (One way) = $36.00 / €33.51

Las Vegas, Nevada to Los Angeles, California (One way) = $41.00 / €38.16

Seattle, Washington to Los Angeles, California (One way) = $118.00 / €109.84

Please keep in mind that prices change, and to travel by bus you need to be prepared to sit for long periods to account for stops and on occasion bumpy roads. Traveling by bus is very safe, but some of the stops can be a bit more unpredictable, so research the area you are getting off. As previously stated, for drives 12 hours or less, I recommend you travel by bus.

2. Personal or Rented Vehicle

Los Angeles was constructed to have a personal vehicle in mind. Road trips are very popular in the U.S. whether it’s riding Highway 1 (that goes from San Diego, California to Seattle, Washington, or vice versa) or Route 66 (that goes from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California, or vice versa). If you happen to have a rented car already in your possession or live in the U.S. and are driving to Los Angeles, it can’t get more simple getting to the city. Just take one of the many highways around the city and get to your accommodation.

The reason why this isn’t before buses is that gas can sometimes be very costly on road trips. Gas in southern California has been notorious for being expensive, and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine hasn’t helped the price of gas. The only advice I can give to you is to fill up your tank (if you are driving a non-electric car) in a county outside of Los Angeles, as the prices can be up to a dollar cheaper.

If you are driving from San Diego or Tijuana, fill up in San Diego County if you can, as Orange and Los Angeles Counties have slightly higher gas prices. If you are driving from the east (i.e. Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, etc.) I recommend you fill up in San Bernardino County, Nevada, or Arizona. If you are driving from the north (i.e. San Francisco, Reno, Yosemite National Park, etc.) you can fill up in Ventura County. The prices are still a little high, but not as high as Los Angeles County. If you are driving an electric car, please be mindful of charging stations. In more remote areas (i.e. the Mojave Desert, Death Valley National Park, etc.) charging stations can be scarce, so plan accordingly. In Los Angeles, charging stations are abundant.

3. Airplane

The fastest way to get to Los Angeles is by flying. Domestic flights inside the U.S. can be very expensive, but that is not always the case. Depending on the time you are going and where you are going, flying may be the cheapest and most convenient way to travel. There are two main budget airlines in the United States that can offer flights from less than $80.00 / €74.46 for a roundtrip ticket. The two budget airlines are Spirit and Frontier. Please keep in mind that they are budgeted for a reason. Everything costs a little extra including drinks, food, carry-on luggage, and much more. Also, the seats and area around the seats tend to be a bit smaller. So that $80.00 / €74.46 ticket can easily spring up to over $150.00 / €139.62 if you bring a carry-on or want more legroom. If you packed light or want a quick and cheaper way to reach L.A. these budget airlines may be a good option.

If you want to ride a more common carrier (i.e. United Airlines, Delta, Southwest, etc.) with more amenities and free carry-on luggage, the prices do go up. Domestic flights in the U.S. on non-budget airlines are known to be a bit pricey. But for an increased price, you pay for comfort, speed, and safety. Please keep in mind that international flights are much more expensive, and just as domestic prices, can fluctuate throughout the year, so research the prices before booking. Here are some flights I found using Skyscanner to show you an example of prices.

New York City, New York to Los Angeles, California (Roundtrip) = $310.00 /  €288.56

San Francisco, California to Los Angeles, California (Roundtrip) = $91.00 /  €84.70

Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California (Roundtrip) = $400.00 /  €372.32

I do want to say it is ALWAYS worth signing up for each airline’s rewards program. You can acquire flight miles for upgrades and even free flights, and it is free to sign up. Be sure to always put your ID number or mileage rewards number when you check out. I also recommend you use apps like Kiwi.com and Skyscanner to find and compare the best-priced flights.

4. Train

Train travel within the U.S. is surprisingly expensive. Traveling by train is safe and faster than driving or taking a bus, but comes with a strong price tag. If you are traveling from nearby areas like San Francisco, San Diego, or Sacramento, it may be the better option, but across states, I’d recommend you stick to flying. Trains have the most comfortable seats in my options. They beat out buses, cars, and planes for seat size and space. It is very easy to fall asleep on a train due to their comfort. I also really enjoy being able to look out the window and see the rolling landscapes and cities passing by.

Trains can go pretty fast sometimes. As you are on the train, you will hear different names of the cities that they are going to stop at. It is up to you to get up right before you get off and be ready to disembark. It’s not uncommon that trains are stopped for less than three minutes. Be sure you have your luggage in hand, and ready to disembark, before they stop in your station. Here are some train prices I found using Omio, to give you examples of train prices.

Sacramento, California to Los Angeles, California (One way) = $52.00 / €48.40

San Diego, California to Los Angeles, California (One Way) = $35.00 / €32.58

San Francisco, California to Los Angeles, California (One Way) = $60.00 / €55.85

Please keep in mind that prices can change, but not as much as flights. Traveling by train is very safe and in the United States, many stations are centrally located in major cities, so you shouldn’t be dropped off anywhere too dangerous. That being said, there are plenty of train stations in sometimes less safe areas, so be sure you are getting off at the right stop.

Getting To and From the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

LAX is one of the most visited places in Los Angeles, out of necessity. This is one of the most congested parts of L.A. also affecting the surrounding areas with traffic and expensive parking. There have been improvements at the airport, but it is still a headache to try and navigate. Ride-share apps and taxis can charge a lot more going to LAX since it takes so much time to get there, but there is another alternative. 

The LAX FlyAway is a set of buses that runs multiple times a day, seven days a week. The buses depart from the Van Nuys Airport and the Los Angeles Union Station. The one I recommend you utilize is the buses at Union Station. The Union Station is the main transportation hub where city buses, the L.A. Metro, and trains stop. If you are arriving at LAX you can take the FlyAway to Union Station and from there take a ride-share (which will be cheaper), use the L.A. Metro, or take a train. And if you are leaving via LAX, you can get to Union Station or the Van Nuys Airport and take the bus (which is faster due to special lanes) to LAX.

Tickets cost $9.75 / €9.07 for a one-way trip and can be purchased online here, either by downloading the app or creating a profile and purchasing online. The buses stop at every terminal, just be aware of where your terminal is. If you are flying internationally, your terminal will be the Tom Bradley International Airport. The FlyAway is a great option that costs less and is the most effective way of getting to LAX.

Transportation Within Los Angeles

Okay, so you have arrived at the famous “Entertainment Capitol of the World,” How do you get to where you need to go? Well, you have a few options to get you around the city. You have personal or rented vehicles, the Los Angeles Metro, buses, and ride-share applications. I do want to mention that it is possible to get around Los Angeles without a personal or rented car, but it is not the easiest. This section will discuss the different options you have to traverse the city and will go into detail about how much they cost, how to use them, safety, and much more.  I will also be posting some pros and cons about each option to give a fuller view. In order of best to least productive way, here are the different ways to travel throughout Los Angeles.

1. Personal Vehicle

Having a car that you own is the best-case scenario when traveling to Los Angeles. I can’t say enough that Los Angeles, as much of the United States, is built to have an automobile in your possession. There are still some things I think you should be aware of. Of course, in a car-centered city like Los Angeles, parking can be limited and very expensive. Just because you have a car, does not mean you should use it. Use a ride-share app if you can, or the metro if it is nearby. Hollywood, Malibu, Santa Monica, and Downtown Los Angeles have some of the highest parking prices. So if you want to eat there or visit for the day, try to check out nearby areas for the cheapest parking and stay there. I use Parkopedia to find the cheapest parking lots in the area I will be in. Click here to go to their website.

Unfortunately, gas is also very expensive in the city, and there is no way around that price tag. Some areas do have cheaper gas stations, but it is up to you if driving that distance is worth the price reduction. For those of you who have an electric car, most parking lots do have charging stations and are readily available throughout the city. Los Angeles is a great place to have an electric car. Although it may seem like having a car can be troublesome, it is the best way to travel.

Pros:

• Freedom on where you are going
• No extra fees 
• Get to go where public transport does not

Cons:

• Gas can be very expensive
• Parking is expensive
• Parking can be scarce
• Traffic can be annoying and worrisome

2. Rented Vehicle

If you are visiting from across the country or internationally, renting a car may be on your list. There are plenty of areas for you to rent a car. Many companies rent out cars, but I recommend Enterprise. They are the most reliable company for renting cars that I have witnessed, and the most recommended by my friends and fellow travelers. If you are flying in, there is an Enterprise in LAX, but only LAX. If you are flying into Burbank or Long Beach Airports, there is not one located in or next to the airport, but there is one in their respective cities.

A car rental will set you back $60.00 – $500.00 / €55.85–€465.45 per day, depending on the car you want to rent. This price also does not include any insurance or other fees added on. I’d recommend you pre-book your car to ensure you get the car you want. If you are going off-roading or to national parks that require or recommend a 4×4, make sure you get that. Almost all cars offered in L.A. are automatic. Things you will need to rent a car in California are a photo ID or passport and a valid driver’s license, and you also need to be at least 25 years of age. If you are under the age of 25, you may be charged a “young driver’s fee” and that can shoot up the cost of your car rental. Note that an international driver’s license is not required, only an ID or passport and a driver’s license from your home country. If you want more information about Enterprise, click here to go to their official website.

Overall, if it is within your budget, I highly suggest renting a car. If not, you can get around Los Angeles with the other options on this list. 

Pros:

• Freedom on where you are going
• No extra fees 
• Get to go where public transport does not
• Decide what kind of car you want to get

Cons:

• Renting can be expensive if you are under 25 years of age
• Gas can be very expensive
• Parking is expensive
• Parking can be scarce
• Traffic can be annoying and worrisome

3. Los Angeles Metro

Many people are shocked to find out that Los Angeles has a metro. It is not the cleanest, but it gets the job done and can be very effective if where you are going has a metro station. The metro is part below and part above ground and goes all over the city and stops at over 100 stations! There are six Metro Rail and two Metro Busway lines. The Metro Rail lines are: A, B, C, D, E, and K. And the Metro Busway lines are: G and J. 

Four of the Metro Rail lines (A, C, E, and K) are light rails, meaning they are located above ground and tend to be a bit slower. Lines B and D are rapid transits (commonly called subways), and are located underground and tend to be faster. Lines G and J are the Metro Busway which is a bus that takes you to the metro stations. The busway differs from city buses as the busways do have roads that only busway buses can access. This makes the trips faster and gives the illusion of a more private ride.

Look at the map (to the left)  of the metro lines to get a better feel for the metro network. Please be advised that using the Los Angeles Metro requires some basic English to ensure you are getting off at the right stops. For more detailed information about the L.A. Metro, click here to go to the “How to use the Los Angeles Metro” section.

Pros:

• It is very affordable
• You get to skip a lot of the traffic
• Easy to use
• Goes to major stops in Los Angeles

Cons:

• The metro can be dirty
• It can be a bit crowded
• The underground portion of the metro can be unsafe at night
• You are limited to where the metro can go

4. Ride-Share Apps

As you can probably guess, ride-sharing apps are very popular here. Uber and Lyft have operated in Los Angeles for years, and it is not going anywhere. If it is so popular, why is it fourth on the list? Well, it can get expensive, very expensive. Since many of the things to do in and around the city are spread out, going from one place to another can run you a very high bill, and fast. Ride-share apps work a little differently when compared to taxis due to how they charge. When you go to the app and request a ride, the app will automatically populate a price based on those driving conditions (traffic, road closures, etc.) at that current time. Taxis normally run a meter-based system, but go to the next number entitled “taxis” to learn more about taxis.

This can be both a good and bad thing. If you request a ride with no traffic (costs less money) and then traffic suddenly appears, the price will not be changed. But if you request a ride with high traffic causing a higher price, and it immediately dissipates, the cost will not go down. To save you some money, do not drive from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. / 06:00–10:30 and from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. / 15:00–18:30. These times are the busiest for traffic (rush hour), but the weekends do see less traffic as many people do not work, so the hours can narrow on the weekends. Also, if it is past 10 p.m. / 22:00, prices do shoot straight up, but there are usually drivers throughout the night, especially on weekends.

You may need help finding a ride for a variety of reasons. It may be too long of a drive, the price offered may not be worth the distance for the driver, and they may also think you are drunk and do not want vomit in their car. I have waited well over 20 minutes for a ride, so please be patient, or pre-arrange a ride to ensure you have a ride back. Prices have the widest range than any other method of transport within Los Angeles but can be very convenient and do cost much less than taxis. For a price estimation on Uber, click here. Between Lyft and Uber, I highly recommend Uber. I feel as if they have more drivers (which cuts costs at times), great customer service, good drivers, and more international usage. Not to say Lyft is bad, but between the two, Uber is better in my opinion. To go to Uber’s official website and sign up, click here.

Pros:

• You don’t have to worry about parking
• It is the safest option to get around Los Angeles (aside from driving yourself)
• Gets you everywhere public transportation
• There is an abundant amount of drivers
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Prices can be inconsistent
• You may need to wait a bit (although it is rare)
• Some drivers are a little awkward (most are great!)

5. Taxis

Do taxis exist in Los Angeles? Yes, yes they do. They are not nearly as popular as ride-share apps, but they are here. Although taxis are a little bit more expensive, there is one advantage that they have to ride-share apps. They are consistent. Sometimes, it can take more than 20 minutes for a rider to pick you up on Lyft or Uber, but not for taxis. These are pre-arranged in Los Angeles. None are driving around where you can flag one down easily, this is not New York City. I would recommend you use L.A. Yellow Cab as they are reliable and popular if you want to use a taxi around the city, you can click here to look at rates and locations where they operate.

Pros:

• Don’t need to worry about parking
• You have a confirmed place and time
• Consistency

Cons:

• Taxis are expensive
• They are not as abundant as ride-share apps
• Taxis are not convenient to order

6. Public / City Buses

The most inexpensive way to get around the city is by using public buses. There are over 11,500 different bus stops in Los Angeles that go to anywhere your heart desires. With a bus network this big, why is it not the best way to travel? The buses themselves are not bad, but they can be unsafe, confusing, and dirty. It is recommended you do not use the public buses unless you know what you are doing and where you are going.

If you are insistent on using public buses, they are very inexpensive and easy to use. Please do not confuse easy to use to easy to traverse. Please be advised that using the Los Angeles Metro requires some basic English to ensure you get off at the right stops. 

To use the public buses in Los Angeles, you will need a Tap Card. A Tap Card is a reloadable card that you use for public buses, L.A. Metro, and the electric bikes offered throughout the city. You can get a physical Tap Card by going to a TAP vendor located around the city. You could also get a digital Tap Card by downloading the Tap Card Application called “Tap LA.” To look up TAP vendors in certain areas, click here. Tap LA can be downloaded for free in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Buses across the city will either have a farebox or mobile validator. The farebox is for the physical card and the mobile validator is for the phone. Just put your card or phone on top of the device and “tap” to pay for the fare. The price to take the bus is $1.75 / €1.61 for a two-hour ride. Reloading the TAP Card or the Tap LA app is very easy and can be done online. Even though it is cheap to ride and easy to get and reload the TAP Card, I would advise you to leave the public buses to the locals and use the metro or a ride-share app to get to your destination. 

Pros:

• Public buses are very affordable
• They can get you anywhere in the city
• Do not need to worry about parking
• Easily accessible and easy to use

Cons: 

• Public Buses can be dirty and sometimes dangerous
• They can be confusing to navigate
• Buses go to dangerous parts of Los Angeles
• Seats can be uncomfortable

7. Metro Bikes

Metro bikes are a weird addition to this list, but yet a legitimate way to traverse Los Angeles on a smaller scale. The metro bike is a newer form of micromobility aimed at traversing Los Angeles in smaller distances. The bikes do have a battery and move a lot faster than an average bike. They are more popular on the coast and can be found from Malibu to Long Beach. I think that going from Santa Monica to Venice Beach is lovely on a metro bike. The most popular areas for metro bikes are Downtown Los Angeles, the coast, and North Hollywood. You can find available bikes by clicking here and viewing the Metro Bike Share Stations. You can also download an application to help you find available bikes by clicking here, and downloading the “Metro Bike Share App” for free in both the Google Play Store and the Apple Play Store.

Using metro bikes is easy and utilizes the TAP Card just like the L.A. Metro, public buses, and electric scooters.  You can also use a credit or debit card at any Metro Bike Share Station. To rent the bike, place your card or phone on top of the device and “tap” to pay for the fare. The price to take the bus is $1.75 / €1.61 every 30 minutes. Reloading the TAP Card or the Tap LA app is very easy and can be done online or at a respective station. When you are done with the bike, return it to a similar station. If you do not dock the bikes, the charges will not stop, so please remember. Make sure you securely lock the bike in the holder. Also, please wear a helmet to make sure you are being as safe as you can be. In California, anyone under 18 is required to wear a helmet, but anyone over 18 does not need to have one. Click here to go to the Metro Bike official website.

Pros:

• Do not need to worry about parking
• They are affordable
• You can skip a lot of the city’s traffic

Cons:

• You are limited to where you can go
• Not a legitimate way to traverse the city
• Can be tiresome to ride around Los Angeles
• Cannot take the metro bikes everywhere
• Can be a bit dangerous if you are riding in the city

8. Electric Scooters

Electric scooters are a fun way to get around the city but do have more restrictions than metro bikes. First, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license to rent an electric scooter. Why are these necessary? I have no idea, but my best guess is to decrease the amount of accidents that can occur in the city. In California, anyone under 18 is required to wear a helmet, but anyone over 18 does not need to have one. However, I recommend you have one anyway to increase your safety. 

Many different companies are offering electric bikes for rent throughout Los Angeles, but the most popular and the one I have used is Lime. Lime electric scooters (or e-scooters) are offered in dozens of cities across the United States and are very simple to use. The ones in Los Angeles are offered in almost every part of L.A. that a tourist would be. Download the Lime app to get your preferred payment method and get ready to use the scooter. The Lime App can be downloaded for free in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by clicking here.

Using the app is very simple. You have to pass a brief driving test (which can be done with common sense) and then you’ll be ready to ride. Just scan the QR Code on the bike and you’ll be set to ride. You can take the scooters almost anywhere in the city and the app and the website have advice on how to park the scooters, so please do so accordingly.  All scooters do have an activation fee that varies in price, but from what I saw, the activation fee was ~$1.00 / €0.92. Each additional minute after that activation is 0.49¢ / €0.45. They are a little pricey, but I would only recommend them for shorter distances.

Pros:

• Do not need to worry about parking
• Can avoid some of the city’s traffic
• It is very eco-friendly
• Can ride the scooters anywhere around the city

Cons:

• The scooters are surprisingly expensive
• You are limited to being 18 and having a driver’s license
• Can be a bit dangerous if you are riding in the city

9. Walking

Last but not least is walking. I love walking and can walk for miles just admiring the sites of the city. Unfortunately, Los Angeles is not a city that you can do that in. Not necessarily due to safety but rather the large distances. You have to be in the city to grasp just how big it is, but it can (and probably will) take you two hours to get from one end of Los Angeles to the other in a car. You could only imagine just how long of a walk that may be. Some things are located in clusters, but walking everywhere is just not practical. I think the most walkable part of the city is Downtown Los Angeles, as many of the activities in the city are within a 20-minute walk.

Pros:

• The cheapest way to get around (not really) Los Angeles
• Get a good workout for the day

Cons:

• Very impractical to traverse Los Angeles
• It can get a bit dangerous (depending on where you are at)
• It can get a bit tiring

How To Use the Los Angeles Metro

Using the Los Angeles can be a very daunting experience. The size of the city, reputation, and homeless problems can lead someone to avoid the very useful and affordable method of transportation in Los Angeles. This section will cover what to expect and how to use the metro itself.

What to Expect Taking the L.A. Metro

The L.A. Metro is very useful, but there are some things to note. The first and most important is that it is public transportation, meaning almost anyone can use it. Some individuals will be intoxicated, high, or even disruptive. However, compared to the city buses and busways, the chance of encountering these individuals is dramatically decreased on the metro. Part of the reason is that there is security ensuring everyone is scanning their TAP cards. On occasion, some people may slip through who are not in the mental shape to be taking the metro. 

Please make sure you have a translator handy, or you know how to speak/read some English as all the messages, audio, and written text are in English. It is worth noting that there are a few different areas where they have translations in Spanish, but I wouldn’t rely on that.

I know I’ve said it before, but I will repeat it to drive my point. The L.A. Metro does not go everywhere and is very restrictive. Very popular places like the Getty museums, the Griffith Observatory, Six Flags: Magic Mountain, and Malibu do not have access to the L.A. Metro. The places it does go to have limited stops, and you should always make sure wherever you are going is not too far a walk from where the station is.

The last point I want to highlight is the time it can take to get to certain locations. The L.A. Metro is a very affordable way to traverse the city. You get to use it for less than $4.00 / €3.66 all while avoiding traffic and parking limitations and prices. The price you pay is time. It can take up to two hours to get to downtown only using public transportation. Depending on the time and day, it can be much faster if you drive. This was a big shock to me as I was an hour late to my reservation at the Broad Museum due to this extra time.

How to Use the L.A. Metro

The first thing you will need to get is a TAP Card. The TAP Card is required to ride the L.A. Metro. You can either download the TAP L.A. application here or purchase one at any of the metro stations. Once you have a physical or digital card, just put your card or phone on top of the device and “tap” to pay for the fare. The price is $1.75 / €1.61 for a two-hour ride. Reloading the TAP Card or the Tap LA app is very easy and can be done online.

Once you are on the metro, you have to figure out where you are going. Look at the map on the left as a reference. The metro is part below and part above ground and goes all over the city and stops at over 100 stations! There are six Metro Rail and two Metro Busway lines. The Metro Rail lines are: A, B, C, D, E, and K. And the Metro Busway lines are: G and J. 

Four of the Metro Rail lines (A, C, E, and K) are light rails, meaning they are located above ground and tend to be a bit slower. Lines B and D are rapid transits (commonly called subways), and are located underground and tend to be faster. Lines G and J are the Metro Busway which is a bus that takes you to the metro stations. The busway differs from city buses as the busways do have roads that only busway buses can access. This makes the trips faster and gives the illusion of a more private ride.

As you are leaving the station at your required destination, you will tap once more. The main hours of operation are from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. / 05:00–00:00 but can differ. The main cities that the metro goes to that may interest you as a tourist are Long Beach, Santa Monica, Downtown Los Angeles, Redondo Beach, Pasadena, Hollywood, and Universal Studios. Each one of these cities has its own different safety requirements so If you want to learn more about safety in each one of the cities, click here to go to the “Safety in Los Angeles: Complete Guide” blog post.

Getting from Los Angeles to Other Popular Cities

Los Angeles is very popular to use as a base for travel around the area or to start road trips. This section will discuss how to get from Los Angeles to many different popular cities. It is worth mentioning that all prices listed are the base fair (ex. coach), and prices can change dramatically depending on time of year, holidays, events, etc. I also used Omio.com to search for train prices, Flixbus to search for bus prices, and Skyscanner to search for plane flights. The cities discussed in this section will be Anaheim, San Diego / Tijuana, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. This list will organize the destinations from closest to furthest away.

1. Anaheim

Anaheim is a popular destination to visit from Los Angeles because of what is in the city. The world-famous Disneyland and California Adventure parks are located in Anaheim. If you look at a map, it is right next to Los Angeles, but the city lies in Orange County, so I have excluded it from the Los Angeles section. You have a few options to get from Los Angeles to Anaheim. The best and most convenient way to get to Anaheim is by driving. Just put in the city’s name on any map application and drive on over.

Alternatively, you can also take a train. A train from Los Angeles to Anaheim takes about 40 minutes and costs roughly $16.00 / €14.90 for a one-way trip. Just take the train from Union Station in Los Angeles, to Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center in Anaheim. If Disneyland and/or California Adventure are your final destinations, you can take a ride-share app to get you to the parks. Some people prefer this route as they don’t have to worry about traffic or pay for Disney’s parking prices, but keep in mind that trains don’t run all night and trains tend to run until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. / 22:00 to 23:00. 

The last way to get to Anaheim is by bus. A bus will take at least an hour and a half, but probably more to account for L.A. traffic. It costs roughly $10.95 / €10.19 for a one-way trip. You can find buses throughout the night, but it is the most uncomfortable but cheapest way to get to Anaheim. If you are visiting the Disney parks or Knott’s Berry Farm for the day, I recommend you drive, as trains do not run late and buses can be sketchy.

2. San Diego / Tijuana

Los Angeles to San Diego is a trendy route. Many L.A. residents go to San Diego for a weekend getaway or to visit theme parks like Legoland California Resort and SeaWorld San Diego. Tijuana is a city in Mexico and is the sister city of San Diego. Tijuana is also popular for a weekend getaway due to its excellent food and affordable nightlife.  Since the two cities are located right next to each other, I’ve put them together.

• San Diego

There are three ways to get to San Diego from Los Angeles: Plane, Train, automobile, and bus. The fastest way to get to San Diego is by flying. It takes about an hour and costs roughly $162.00 / €150.85. Traveling by plane is the most expensive way to get to the city. You will be landing at the San Diego International Airport, and there are flights from the Hollywood / Burbank and LAX airports.

The next option is by train, and in my opinion the best way to get to San Diego from Los Angeles. It takes about two and a half hours and costs roughly $35.00 / €32.59 for a one-way trip. The ride is relaxing, and you don’t need to deal with gas, traffic, or parking. Some people will try to see San Diego or Tijuana as a day trip, but I think that would be doing both cities a disservice. There is so much to do in San Diego and Tijuana, and a weekend is a perfect taste of these cities.

The third option is to drive. It is as simple as putting San Diego/Tijuana in your map application and heading out. It will take anywhere from three to four hours to reach San Diego from Los Angeles. The last option is taking a bus. There are buses throughout the day and costs roughly $20.00 / €18.62 for a one-way trip. It takes about three and a half hours but can go longer due to traffic.  I would not recommend you take a bus, but if you are on a budget, it could be the best option. 

• Tijuana

If your final destination is Tijuana, you can cross the international border once you get to San Diego. Just take a ride-share app to the Cross Border Xpress (CBX), Otay, or San Ysidro points of entry. Alternatively, you can utilize the city’s public transport and take San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System to the San Ysidro Port of Entry. The way I recommend you get to San Diego is by train or driving. If your end goal is Tijuana, I recommend you drive.

3. Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a very popular destination in the United States. The city is synonymous with partying, gambling, and dancing. It is very popular for people who are turning 21 (the legal drinking age in the United States) to go and get their first (legal) drink. You can get to Las Vegas in a multitude of ways. You can take a bus, train, drive, or fly.

The fastest and easiest way to get to Las Vegas is by flying. You can get to Las Vegas in less than an hour and get very affordable tickets on budget airlines, costing around $90.00 / €83.79 for a round-trip ticket. There are flights from the Hollywood / Burbank and LAX airports to the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

The next way to reach Las Vegas is by driving. It will take approximately four hours to drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas without any stops. This is the best option, but if you can find affordable plane tickets, that is the better way. You can also take a train. There is no direct route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, so it will require one transfer. It will be about 11 and a half hours and costs about $124.00 /  €115.44 for a one-way trip. There is only one train that goes from Los Angeles to Las Vegas per day, so keep that in mind. There is currently a high-speed rail that will link Los Angeles with Las Vegas in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics, but at the time of my writing this blog, they have barely broken ground on it.

The last option is traveling by bus. Buses can be a good option if you do not have a car and can’t find cheap plane tickets. It is worth mentioning that the prices for buses and planes can be very similar, so please check both prices. The bus takes about five to six hours to get from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and costs about $60.00 /  €55.86 for a one-way trip. Overall, I’d recommend you fly, and if you can’t do that, drive.

4. San Francisco

Did you know before the COVID-19 Pandemic, Los Angeles to San Francisco was the most taken flight route in the United States? San Francisco has long been a weekend or week trip for many coming to Los Angeles. Your options are similar to Las Vegas as you can fly, drive, or take a train, or a bus. Driving is the simplest, as you can just put San Francisco into your map application and drive on over. You have two main routes to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco; you can take Highway 5 (commonly called “the 5”) or Highway 101 (commonly called “the 101”). The 5 is a little faster, but the 101 has better views of the road, and since it is a six to seven-hour car ride, I’d recommend taking the 101. 

The next option is taking a bus. A bus will take about 10 to 11 hours and cost roughly $40.00 / €37.24 for a one-way trip. The long bus ride, possible traffic, and moderate pricing put bus travel to San Francisco at the bottom. The next option is a train. There is no direct train from Los Angeles to San Francisco, so you will need to get through one transfer on your journey. It will cost about $60.00 / €55.86 and take 11 to 12 hours. I do think there are better ways to get to San Francisco, such as flying.

You can always take a flight, which in my opinion is the best way to get to San Francisco. It costs about $70.00 / €65.18 for a roundtrip ticket and takes about an hour and a half. In general, I’d recommend you fly, and if you can’t, you should drive.

Conclusion

Please keep in mind all prices fluctuate depending on the time of year. I do hope this transportation guide has helped to make this immense city seem easier to traverse. Have you been to Los Angeles or used the L.A. Metro? How was your experience? If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, feel free to post them below. Also, please check out blog posts related to Los Angeles below, or go back to the Los Angeles page to learn more about traveling to the “City of Angels.”