Home to iconic landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy Museum, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles is a must-visit if you want to experience the big city. Also known as “the entertainment capital of the world”, you can easily lose track of time as you experience LA’s busy streets, discover its food scene, and enjoy the nightlife scene.
However, aside from its thriving entertainment industry, another thing LA is known for is the prevalent myth that there’s no public transportation. A key concern that tourists tend to have is how to get around once they arrive in LA, especially if they aren’t qualified to drive a rental car. But did you know that Los Angeles’ public transportation has improved significantly in recent years? In fact, it’s now possible for you to visit some of the most popular destinations in the city just by using public transportation.
Read on below for more information on Los Angeles mass transit, as well as key tips to save money while planning your itinerary.
1. Los Angeles Metro Rail
The Los Angeles Metro Rail is the best way to avoid car traffic during your trip.
With more than six different train lines that span the city, the metro is the most convenient Los Angeles public transportation option if you’re trying to completely avoid car traffic. This covers most of the main tourist destinations in the city. This includes Hollywood, Universal Studios, Santa Monica, downtown, Disneyland, and more.
The Los Angeles Metro includes the following lines:
- A Line
- B Line
- C Line
- D Line
- E Line
- K Line
The LA Metro currently serves 109 stations, which all connect to a Metro bus.
One-way fares cost $1.75. Fares can be paid with a TAP card, Apple Wallet, TAP app or cash. Children aged 0-5 may travel free with a fare-paying adult.
Klook Tip: We recommend getting a digital or physical TAP card during your visit to Los Angeles to unlock perks such as:
• Two hours of free transfers to other LA Metro lines (bus or rail) with each ride paid using a TAP card. Exiting and re-entering a station will be charged as a new ride.
• Fare caps: maximum $5 a day or $18 a week for LA Metro lines.
2. Los Angeles Metro Buses
All Los Angeles Metro buses are equipped with free high-speed Wi-Fi.
Aside from the LA Metro Rail, another popular Los Angeles public transportation option are the LA Metro buses. While they aren’t as frequent as LA Metro Rail, they cover longer routes, which is why there’s free high-speed Wi-Fi on each one.
Note that LA city bus routes vary depending on the bus type:
- Local buses (orange): stop around every two blocks
- Rapid buses (red): faster buses with fewer stops at major intersections
- Express buses: travel on freeways for longer distances
- Bus rapid transit (BRT): limited to G and J lines that run on dedicated busways and require payment by TAP card.
Fares must be paid while you board the bus. Just like the LA Metro Rail, the LA Metro buses cost $1.75 per ride, with children aged 0-5 traveling for free with a fare-paying adult. Fares can also be paid with a TAP card, with the same benefits for free transfers within the LA Metro network and fare caps.
Klook Tip: You must wave your bus down at your station before you can board (check Google Maps and Apple Maps for departure times.) Similarly, you’ll need to notify the driver in advance before you reach your destination by pressing the STOP button on-board.
3. Los Angeles Metro Bikes
Los Angeles Metro Bike Share is a great transportation option for scenic rides around the city.
Want to go on scenic bike rides around Los Angeles? Then the Metro Bike Share may be for you! This Los Angeles public transportation option is ideal for those who wish to explore the city from a different perspective.
You can use the Metro bike rentals by following these steps:
- Buy a bus pass on the Metro Bike app or at the Metro Bike Share stations. Rentals cost $1.75 per 30 minutes, or you can get 24-hour access if you plan to use it the entire day.
- Hop on a bike and ride around.
- Once you’re done, you can leave your bike at any Metro Bike Share station within the service area.
Klook Tip: Some recommended neighborhoods for biking include Pasadena, Venice, Long Beach, and Downtown LA.
4. DASH Buses
Another Los Angeles public transportation option is DASH buses, which provide shorter bus services within specific neighborhoods. While it originally operated only in downtown LA, DASH buses now offer localized bus transportation across 31 routes in 27 different neighborhoods. They also offer the DASH observatory bus, which runs between the Vermont/Sunset Station of the Los Angeles Metro, Griffith Observatory, and the Greek Theater.
All DASH routes are the same fare. Fares are as follows:
- Regular: $0.50*
- Passengers aged 65+: $0.25*
- Children aged 0-4: free if accompanied by a paying adult (maximum of 2 children per adult.)
* Fares are discounted when paying with a TAP card.
Klook Tip: Similar to LA Metro buses, you’ll need to flag down your bus at the designated LADOT bus stop to board and pull the bell cord before your bus stop to alight.
5. Hop-On, Hop-Off Buses
See Los Angeles’ most popular tourist landmarks on the Los Angeles Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
Want to explore Los Angeles’ highlights in a short amount of time? Then the Los Angeles Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours are the perfect choice for travel! Craft your own itinerary and visit the places you want to see the most, or ride the bus from the beginning to end.
Travel around on an open-top bus, where you’ll get to enjoy panoramic views of the city and visit famous attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You’ll also learn more about the history of Los Angeles by listening to the live guide or the multilingual audio guides on board.
Los Angeles Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours have two routes: the red loop and the beach shuttle.
6. LAX FlyAway Bus
Travel hassle-free to and from the airport with the LAX FlyAway Bus, which provides convenient point-to-point transport for the following routes:
- LAX <> Union Station in downtown LA
- LAX <> Van Nuys
Travel time can vary between 35 minutes and an hour, depending on traffic.
Tickets cost $12.75* each and can be purchased online, on the mobile FlyAway app, or directly on the bus using contactless cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Cash and contactless cards are not accepted.
* Up to two children aged 0-5 can ride for free with each paying adult.
7. LAnow Shuttle Services
Los Angeles also offers a transportation service called LAnow, an on-demand shared shuttle service. With LAnow, you can travel across West Los Angeles and South Los Angeles hassle-free, provided that you make your reservations in advance. You can board the shuttle at your chosen pick-up point within the service area.
Fares are as follows:
- West LA (Palms, Mar Vista, Venice, and Del Rey): first 2 rides are free, then each ride after costs $1.50 for adults and $0.75 for seniors aged 65+ and students. Children aged 0-4 ride free of charge.
Fees can be paid in cash or through credit card.
- South LA: free until 30 June 2026.
8. Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps
Taxis and ride-sharing apps are great options if you want total convenience.
If the above public transportation options don’t serve the area you’re traveling to, then consider taking taxis or ride-sharing apps like Lyft and Uber. Unlike before, these are more readily available and price-friendly nowadays, which means you can hail a vehicle pretty much any time.
Klook Tip: To minimise costs, we recommend combining public transportation with taxis and ride-sharing. For example, you can use LA metro rail or buses to cover most of your journey, then hail a cab to cover the last stretch of your journey.
Explore LA like a local with Klook
Now that you’ve sorted out your transportation, it’s time to get back to planning your LA itinerary. To have a smooth trip, make sure that you’ve booked all the essentials like a US eSIM, your accommodation in LA, or maybe even the Klook Pass for Los Angeles for exclusive discounts to some of the city’s most popular attractions. See you on your next adventure!
FAQs
1. How do tourists get around in Los Angeles?
Most tourists in Los Angeles typically rent a car to get around the city, but they also have the option of using LA’s public transportation. This includes buses, rail, bikes, and rideshares.
2. Can you be a tourist in LA without a car?
Yes, you can explore LA as a tourist without a car. As Los Angeles public transportation has improved significantly, you now have a variety of options for traveling around the city, which include buses, rail, bikes, and rideshares.
3. Is public transportation free in LA?
No, public transportation is not free in LA. Each mode of transportation has its own set of fees and potential discounts for those using TAP cards.
4. Is LA walkable for tourists?
No. While some parts of LA are walkable, you’ll need to either rent a car or use Los Angeles public transportation to get around the city.
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
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