Los Angeles, California Hotels and City Guide

Los Angeles - Transportation

Getting Around Los Angeles

When in LA, be prepared to experience LA traffic. While congestion has actually declined in recent years, Los Angeles still has traffic that may very well intimidate those from less urbanized areas. The city does have numerous forms of public transportation, but cars remain the best way to see LA. Attractions and event locales tend to be spaced far apart, which discourages walking, and quite often, there are no rail or bus stops at these tourist hotspots.

The positive side of this is that Los Angeles has a comprehensive grid of freeways and arterial streets that provide numerous alternative routes should traffic become backed up. It is always a smart idea to plan your route, along with an alternative. Often, freeways run parallel to each other, making them excellent backups. Yet another positive: Los Angeles has some stellar views that can only be seen from the road. Mulholland Drive, the Pacific Coast Highway, and Sunset Boulevard show off their amazing vistas to drivers and passengers.

In addition, Los Angeles has an extensive bus system, metro rail line, and commuter rail line. Knowing about these systems ahead of time will help you plan how to get around in LA – you don’t want to miss a single attraction.

Buses

LA buses can seem a little confusing at first; in the central area of the city, from Downtown to the coast, buses are frequent and easy enough to use. The Rapids are similar to express buses, with fewer stops. These have special transponders in them that cause traffic signals to turn in their favor, thus saving untold idling time. The Rapids will get you to your destination more quickly. In other parts of LA, you may have better luck using neighboring cities’ bus systems. For instance, Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus system has a number of lines that reach Brentwood, Westwood, and Venice Beach. The Culver CityBus also has lines that run around sections of LA. LA buses, Big Blue Bus, and Culver CityBus all run to LAX, where you then need to get a shuttle to the terminals.

Buses are typically $1.25 per trip or $5.00 for the day. The day pass is also good for Metro Rail and is available from Metro stations or bus drivers. They run 24 hours, though their frequency is great reduced at night, so make sure to check schedules or better yet, ask a local.

The following buses offer the best east-west routes across town:

#2 Local or #302 Limited: on Sunset Boulevard
#4 Local, #304 Limited, or #704 Rapid: on Santa Monica Boulevard
#20 Local, #720 Rapid, or #920 Rapid Express: on Wilshire Avenue
#33 Local or #333 Limited: on Venice

Metro Rail

The Metro Rail subway and light rail system has a vast network routes that require both a bit of planning and flexibility to negotiate. You will be able to get to popular destinations but you may have to transfer trains or take a bus in the process. Traveling from Pasadena to LAX requires three transfers and a shuttle bus. This 25 mile trip takes more than two hours. Shorter trips, such as between North Hollywood and Long Beach, take about 45 minutes. For visitors, this may be much more desirable because they don’t have to contend with LA traffic and getting lost on unfamiliar streets.

The Metro Rail costs $1.25 for one trip on one line. A day pass, also good for buses, is a good value for visitors, as they can ride all day for only $5. There is also a $17 week pass or $62 month pass. Metro Rail lines run from 4:00 am to 1:00 am.

Visitors can use the Metro Rail to reach the following attractions with the least amount of hassle: Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mann’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood & Highland, Thai Town, Koreatown, Griffith Park, Downtown, Disney Hall, Broadway, Union Station, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, the Convention Center, Staples Center, LAX, downtown Long Beach.

Metro Rail Lines:

Red Line: subway from Downtown’s Union Station to Hollywood and San Fernando Valley.
Orange Line: busway (bus-trains on rubber wheels) system to west end of the San Fernando Valley.
Purple Line: subway from Downtown to Mid-Wilshire, or Koreatown
Blue Line: light rail line connection with Red and Purple Lines Downtown through South LA to Long Beach
Gold Line: light rail line connection with Red and Purple Lines Downtown to Pasadena
Green Line: light rail line from South Bay to Norwalk. Connects with Blue Line in Watts.
Orange Line: busway across San Fernando vallye

MetroLink Commuter Railroad System: terminus at Union Station. Reaches Ventura, Lancaster, San Bernardino, and Oceanside. MetroLink closes most lines on weekends, has limited evening hours, and requires separate passes from the Metro Rail lines. A one-way trip from Union Station to Anaheim, for example, costs $6.75. Weekend and return discounts may be available.

Car

Despite the traffic, driving a car gives you the best means of getting where you want to go without having to switch trains or buses. Again, make sure you plan alternate routes and check out some of LA’s great views as you get to your destinations. If you have at least two people in the car, driving in the carpool lane should speed up your journey. Angelinos employ a “floor it to capacity” philosophy, meaning that they drive as fast as they possibly can given the traffic. This means that speeds may reach 85 mph (when there are no visible police). Listen to the radio to hear traffic conditions.

Car Rentals
Visitors wanting to rent cars can find major rental companies at LAX, such as Alamo, Enterprise, and Hertz. Several smaller companies are also located within walking distance of LAX, such as Ace Rent A Car, E-Z Rent-A-Car, and Fox Rent A Car. It is best to make your reservations in advance by phone or online. Shuttles are available to take visitors to their car rental lots. LA freeways and streets tend to be well-marked, and drivers are less aggressive than those in other big cities. Even though it is a massive city, it can be driver-friendly.

To find great deals on car rentals in Los Angeles, visit our car rental page

Taxis

In some cities, notably New York, you can hail a cab from many different points. Los Angles does have taxis – nine companies run in the city, with others in the County, as well as Orange County. You can find taxi stands near some attractions and in Hollywood, but other than that, you need to call for a taxi. Official City of Los Angeles Taxicabs are all insured, inspected, and have drivers who undergo training. You can find more about official LA cabs the City of Los Angeles Taxi Services website.

Traveler Information, Los Angeles Street Maps & Books

Los Angeles can seem intimidating for visitors, so before you set out on your vacation, check out the various resources available to help you. The Metro website or calling 1.800.COMMUTE will help you to plan your bus and Metro Rail trips before even getting to LA. For those driving around Los Angeles, street and freeway maps are a must. A Thomas Brothers Guide (conveniently large and spiral-bound) is helpful, as are free maps from AAA for members. AAA publishes a pocket-sized freeway guide that even Angelinos use.

Also listen for SigAlerts. These are issued by the California Highway Police (CHP) when traffic is backed up for two or more hours due to an accident rather than construction or other planned events. You can find SigAlerts on the radio, television, electronic message signs on the freeways, and on the CHP website, and SigAlert.com. KNX 1070 and KFWB 980 am provide updates frequently for the metropolitan area, Orange and Venture counties, and the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties). If you are unsure of which routes are best or which mode of transportation is appropriate for certain destinations, it may be a good idea to ask a local, such as a hotel employee.

Hotels in Los Angeles, California