How to get around in Los Angeles?
What are the best ways to get around in Los Angeles?
How to get around in Los Angeles? One of the most common question when traveling to a new city. Figuring out how to get around efficiently and cost effectively is important when traveling to a new city. Visiting a new city can be a ton of fun, but pricey if you don't know your way around. We have created a list of some of the most popular transportation options available in Los Angeles during your sports trip. Plan the ultimate trip with the help of our travel experts and don't get caught unprepared when traveling to a new city!
LA is an extremely large city by area. The most recommended method of transportation in this city would be by car. Fortunately, car rentals are relatively cheap in Los Angeles and all major car rental companies have offices at the airports and at popular hotels. Be sure to reserve ahead of time to get a good rate. Los Angeles is a car-centric city and is connected to several major highways. From the north you will likely take I-5 or U.S. 101 (called the Hollywood Freeway). From the east, you’ll be coming in on I-10, which continues through downtown and ends at the beach. From the South, you’ll drive north on I-5, merging onto I-405 if the beach communities are your destination.
How to get around in Los Angeles?
Renting a car and driving out to Malibu or Venice Beach are always popular things to do. Here is a list of options on how to get around in Los Angeles:
- Car Rental
- Elite Sports Tours can assist you with a car rental reservation during your trip. One of the more efficient ways to get around Los Angeles without racking up huge uber fees.
- Elite Sports Tours can assist you with a car rental reservation during your trip. One of the more efficient ways to get around Los Angeles without racking up huge uber fees.
- Bus
- Metro Local Buses - Painted orange and make frequent stops along major districts and tourist attractions around the city
- Metro Rapid Buses - Painted red, stop less frequently but allow for an express ride. These buses have special sensors that keep the lights green in order to avoid traffic. Check schedules and routes ahead of time and see if the Rapid Bus is right for you
- Metro Express Buses - Painted blue and are typically utilized by LA commuters. This route connects DTLA with other business districts and travels on a few of the city’s freeways.
- Metro Rail - The railway system consists of two subway lines, four light-rail lines, and two express bus lines that connect to DTLA
- Red Line - most useful for tourists and visitors. This line links Downtown Union Station to North Hollywood via Hollywood and Universal City. It also connects with the Blue, Expo and Orange lines.
- Purple Line - connects Downtown Los Angeles to Westlake and Koreatown.
- Expo Line - light-rail that links USC and Exposition Park with Culver City, Santa Monica, and Downtown LA.
- Blue Line - light-rail line that runs from Downtown LA to Long Beach, connecting with the Green, Red, and Expo lines along the way.
- Gold Line - light-rail line that connects East LA to Little Tokyo, China Town and Pasadena via Union Station, where it connects with the Red Line.
- Green Line - light-rail line that services Norwalk and Redondo Beach.
- Orange Line - express buses connect the San Fernando Valley to North Hollywood.
- Silver Line - express buses connect the El Monte regional bus station to Harbor Gateway Transit Center in Gardena.
- Ridesharing - If you’re not renting a car, we think this is the best option to get around LA. Keep in mind sometimes it's cheaper to rent a car vs uber 3-5 times in a day.
- Uber
- Lyft
- Scooters - Download the app and pickup/dropoff the scooter pretty much anywhere. Great for going up and down venice beach.
- Lime
- Uber
- Taxis
- Can be difficult to hail on the street, best to get one at a hotel.
- Can be difficult to hail on the street, best to get one at a hotel.
These are some of the best transportation options when trying to figure out how to get around in Los Angeles.
Airport (LAX) & (BUR) to Downtown Los Angeles?
# of Los Angeles Airports: 2
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Hollywood Burbank Airport
How to get to and from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the second largest airport within the United States and the most commonly used for tourists traveling to Los Angeles. This international airport is one of the busiest in the world serving 88,068,013 passengers in 2019.
Located just 18 miles southwest of Downtown Los Angeles, it is quite easy to get to and from LAX. If you are flying in for a sporting event be sure to leave your self-plenty of time, traffic around any major airport can be unpredictable and you don’t want to be late to the game!
Below are your best available options for how to get to Downtown Los Angeles from LAX so you can start your sports getaway!
∙ Public Transit: You can get to downtown Los Angeles by taking the FlyAway which leaves LAX every 30 minutes. Your total transportation time is 35 minutes depending on Los Angeles Traffic. The bus only costs $9.75. Making the FlyAway bus one of your cheapest options when trying to get downtown Los Angeles. Upon arrival at LAX you will find the FlyAway bus stops located on the Arrivals Level at each terminal, easily indicated by the green FlyAway bus signs.
∙ Taxi: Taking a cab from the airport to downtown Los Angeles may be your best bet in terms of convenience. The official airport taxis offer a flat rate transfer to downtown at $49.50 USD. Taxis are available at LAX 24/7 and depending on traffic it is about a 30 minute drive to downtown Los Angeles. Taxis are very easy to track down at LAX as they are available at the exit doors of the 8 different terminals. Though it is a little costly, if you are looking for any easy transfer between LAX and your hotel a cab could be your best bet.
∙ Sedan Service/Limo: You pay for the added luxury of riding in a limo in Los Angeles, with an average trip downtown from the LAX costing $80.00 USD. The companies have options at your disposal including classic limos, sedans, SUVs and buses. Similar to a cab this option is just a 30 minute drive to downtown Los Angeles, of course depending on traffic. A limousine service is a great option for groups that are flying into LAX and want to get downtown in style.
∙ Rental Car: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to secure a rental car for you before your trip! LAX offers twelve different car rental options, including Enterprise, Budget and National. All of the car rental companies are located near the economy parking lot and can be accessed via airport shuttles.
∙ Ride Sharing: Both ride sharing giants Uber & Lyft service LAX to downtown. Ride sharing combines ease with affordability making for a perfect option when choosing how to head to Los Angeles from the airport. The ride takes at least 30 minutes and you can expect it to cost from $25 to $30 USD, though this of course can vary depending on time of day, etc. If you are going to request a ride from Uber or Lyft, you will need to head to the LAX-it which can be accessed via airport shuttle on level one.
∙ Airport Shuttles: There are various hotel in downtown Los Angeles that offer a complimentary shuttle service to and from LAX for their guests. Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative about your hotel’s shuttle service, if applicable. Pick-up times can be coordinated by communicating your flight information with your hotel.
For getting to Downtown Los Angeles from LAX we recommend taking a Taxi. This transportation method offers you ease of service combined with affordability. Now if you are looking to travel on a little more of a budget consider a ride sharing company or the FlyAway bus.
How to get to and from the Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is one of the largest airports within Los Angeles and commonly used for domestic tourists traveling to Los Angeles. This airport is one of the busiest in SoCal serving 5,983,737 passengers in 2019.
Located just 18 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, it is quite easy to get to and from BUR. If you are flying in for a sporting event be sure to leave your self-plenty of time, traffic around any major airport can be unpredictable and you don’t want to be late to the game!
Below are your best available options for how to get to Downtown Los Angeles from BUR so you can start your sports getaway!
∙ Public Transit: You can get to downtown Los Angeles by train via the Burbank Airport – South station. Your total transportation time is only 25 minutes. The train only costs $5.00 USD - $7.50 USD. Making the train one of your cheapest options when trying to get downtown Los Angeles. Upon arrival at BUR you can use the Parking Lot C Shuttle to get transported to the Burbank Airport-South Station.
∙ Taxi: Taxis are available at BUR at the front of the airport terminal at the ground transportation islands. Taxis to downtown from BUR are run on a meter, though with it being roughly a 25 minute drive depending on traffic will keep your costs down. Though it is a little costly, if you are looking for any easy transfer between BUR and your hotel a cab could be your best bet.
∙ Sedan Service/Limo: You pay for the added luxury of riding in a limo in Los Angeles, with an average trip downtown from the BUR costing $100.00 USD. The companies have options at your disposal including classic limos, sedans, SUVs and buses. Similar to a cab this option is just a 25 minute drive to downtown Los Angeles, of course depending on traffic.
∙ Rental Car: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to secure a rental car for you before your trip! BUR offers various car rental options, including Enterprise, Budget and National. All of the car rental companies are located at the Airport’s Regional Intermodal Transportation Center.
∙ Ride Sharing: Both ride sharing giants Uber & Lyft service BUR to downtown. Ride sharing combines ease with affordability making for a perfect option when choosing how to head to Los Angeles from the airport. The ride takes about 25 minutes and you can expect it to cost from $21 to $27 USD, though this of course can vary depending on time of day, etc. If you are going to request a ride from Uber or Lyft, you will do so at the ground transportation island located at terminal B.
∙ Airport Shuttles: There are various hotel in downtown Los Angeles that offer a complimentary shuttle service to and from BUR for their guests. Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative about your hotel’s shuttle service, if applicable. Pick-up times can be coordinated by communicating your flight information with your hotel.
For getting to Downtown Los Angeles from BUR we recommend taking at the train. This transportation method offers you ease of service combined with affordability. It is also the only airport in Los Angeles that has a connecting line to Union Station. Another great option is also an Uber or Lyft.
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