Los Angeles Transportation

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is served by a huge number of both international and domestic carriers. LAX, like all airports in North America, has stepped up its security operations. Travelers, therefore, should allow plenty of time when arriving and leaving. Los Angeles, California also has excellent road links with a number of interstate highways running into and out of the city.

Arriving by Air

The third busiest airport in the world, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) south-west of downtown and takes about 30 minutes by taxi.

Arriving by Car

Interstate 5 (I-5) connects Los Angeles with Seattle in the north and San Diego in the south. The journey from San Diego to LA is likely to take around 150 minutes. If arriving from Santa Barbara and San Francisco, the Pacific Coast Highway (State Highway 1) offers a scenic route along the Californian coast. Los Angeles is also easily reached from Phoenix by the I-10, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City by I-15 and to Oklahoma City and Memphis by I-40.

Getting Around Los Angeles

Despite the volume of traffic, rental car is probably the best way to get around Los Angeles, as the roads are wide and well sign-posted. Various companies operate reliable and frequent bus services with most buses running on a 'grid' system, north-south and east-west, as well as the efficient (but limited) MetroRail system in the downtown area.