With over 9 million people in the huge area of Los Angeles, smart travelers research and plan their transportation arrangements prior to their arrival in southern California. Making reservations and understanding the basics of L.A. transportation allows visitors to maximize their vacation time, and minimize unforeseen problems.
ARRIVING IN LOS ANGELES:
By Plane
Los Angeles World Airports owns and operates four airports in the City of Los Angeles including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario International (ONT), Van Nuys (VNY), and Palmdale Regional (PMD). Los Angeles International Airport is close to beaches, and just 30 minutes from Downtown. Airline passengers can take the Metro Rail lines from LAX to destinations around Los Angeles County. Other ground transportation options from the airport include private shuttle buses, taxis, limos and rental cars.
GETTING AROUND LOS ANGELES:
By Car
Los Angeles has great roads and highways, but there are 9.6 million people living, working and playing in the Los Angeles area, so traffic can be a headache and a vacation nightmare. However, barring traffic jams and accidents, driving throughout Los Angeles affords a pleasant and scenic trip, with views of hills, mountains and palm trees. Los Angeles is fairly spread out, so in most instances, taking the freeway is the best bet for getting around the city. As a general rule, remember that the mountains are to the east and north (unless you're in the Valley, when mountains are on all sides). In most cases, a simple map of Los Angeles, including freeways and major cross streets, should get you around town. To avoid rush hour traffic, don't drive from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., or from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and KFWB News Radio (980 AM) offers traffic updates every 10 minutes. One final tip: Allow about 40 minutes to get anywhere in the city, just to be safe.
By Public Transportation
Los Angeles has he second largest public transportation agency in the United States with more than 1,500 buses! Just as extensive and efficient is the Metro Rail, a subway system that can take passengers from Downtown Los Angeles to Hollywood in just 12 minutes. The Metro Rail runs between downtown and Long Beach, Union Station and Western Avenue, and Norwalk and Redondo Beach. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) maintains over 200 color-coded bus lines, and four Metro Rail lines. Metro bus and rail fares are $1.25 (senior/disabled/Medicare: 45 cents) while all-day passes are $3.00 (senior/disabled/Medicare: $1.50), with a 25 cent fee for transfers. Metro serves all neighborhoods of the 1,433-square-mile area of Los Angeles, with routes covering nearly the entire area, including Downtown Los Angeles, East Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando/Burbank/Glendale, South Los Angeles/Long Beach, and West/Central Los Angeles. Rail cars and buses are equipped to take bicycles.
Other affordable Los Angeles public transportation agencies include Long Beach Passport Buses, LADOT DASH minibuses (serving four routes through downtown), Pasadena ARTS Buses and Santa Monica Tide Shuttles. Local transit agencies include Culver City Bus (serving Culver City and the Westside); Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (serving the West Los Angeles area); Foothill Transit; and Santa Clarita Transit.
