Overview
Los Angeles Metro (formally the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or LACMTA) is the second-largest public transportation system in the United States by ridership, serving over 10 million residents across Los Angeles County. As a visitor, you'll navigate a multi-modal system combining rapid transit, light rail, buses, and bus rapid transit to reach most major destinations across the sprawling region. The network is designed to connect downtown, beach areas, airports, and major neighborhoods through an integrated fare system.
To ride end-to-end, you'll purchase a fare payment method (single ride, daily pass, or weekly pass), board at your nearest transit stop, and tap your payment card or phone to register your fare. Most journeys involve either direct service on a single line or a transfer to another bus or rail line using the same fare payment. The system operates from early morning until late evening on most lines, with some routes running 24 hours.
The network
Metro Rail
Metro Rail comprises six urban rail lines totaling 125.1 miles (201.3 km) with 110 stations as of May 2026. Four are light rail lines and two are rapid transit (subway/elevated) lines.
- A Line – Light rail running between Pomona and Long Beach via Downtown Los Angeles
- B Line – Rapid transit line (subway/elevated) running between North Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles
- C Line – Light rail running between Westchester and Norwalk, largely in the median of Interstate 105, providing direct access to Los Angeles International Airport via the LAX/Metro Transit Center
- D Line – Rapid transit line running between Beverly Hills and Downtown Los Angeles, with westward extension underway as of May 2026
- E Line – Light rail running between Santa Monica and East Los Angeles via Downtown Los Angeles
- K Line – Light rail running between Expo/Crenshaw and Redondo Beach via Westchester, also providing direct access to Los Angeles International Airport via the LAX/Metro Transit Center
Metro Bus
Metro operates 117 local bus routes (as of June 2023) serving over 11,000 bus stops across the Los Angeles Basin, San Fernando Valley, and western San Gabriel Valley. Most local routes stop at marked stops approximately every two blocks. Metro Rapid services offer limited stops at major intersections only, while Metro Express services use Southern California freeways for nonstop service between regional destinations.
Metro Busway
Metro Busway is a bus rapid transit system with two dedicated or shared-use lines totaling 55.7 miles (89.6 km) with 29 stations.
- G Line – Bus rapid transit running between Chatsworth and North Hollywood, with some trips terminating in Canoga Park
- J Line – Bus rapid transit running between El Monte, Downtown Los Angeles, and Harbor Gateway, with some trips continuing to San Pedro
Busway vehicles stop at dedicated stations, receive priority at traffic intersections, and are painted in silver livery similar to Metro Rail vehicles. The J Line operates over two busways integrated into the Southern California freeway system: the El Monte Busway (in the median of Interstate 10, providing express service between Downtown LA and the San Gabriel Valley) and the Harbor Transitway (in the median of Interstate 110, providing express service between San Pedro and Downtown LA).
Other services
Metro Bike Share offers bicycle-sharing stations in Downtown LA, Central LA, Hollywood, North Hollywood, and on the Westside. Metro Micro provides on-demand van transit in eight zones around the region. The system also includes 475 miles of bike paths for commuter and recreational use.
Tickets & fares
Metro uses an integrated tap-to-ride payment system accepting multiple payment methods. Daily and weekly fare caps apply, meaning you never pay more than a preset daily or weekly maximum once you've made enough taps.
Fare types and payment
- Single ride fares are available for one journey on any bus or rail line
- Daily passes cover unlimited travel for one day
- Weekly passes cover unlimited travel for seven days
- The EZ Transit Pass is a monthly pass covering local service across 23 transit agencies in the region
- Tap-to-ride payment is available via contactless card or mobile phone
Discounted and free programs
- Students: Free rides with GoPass at participating K–12 schools, adult schools, and community colleges
- Low-income riders: The LIFE program provides 20 free rides per month for qualifying Los Angeles County residents
- College U-Pass: Discounted transit passes available directly on campus at participating colleges
- Employer commuter benefits: Metro offers transit pass programs for businesses of all sizes to provide to employees
Specific fares and prices change regularly; check the official Metro website for current rates before your trip.
From the airport
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the region's primary air hub and is served directly by public transit.
LAX to downtown and central areas
- C Line (light rail): Direct service from LAX/Metro Transit Center to Westchester, Norwalk, and onward
- K Line (light rail): Direct service from LAX/Metro Transit Center to Redondo Beach, Expo/Crenshaw, and onward
- LAX FlyAway bus: Express bus service to Union Station (Downtown LA) and Van Nuys; comfortable and relatively frequent
The C Line and K Line both connect at the LAX/Metro Transit Center, providing the most direct rail access to the airport. Union Station, located at 800 N. Alameda St in Downtown Los Angeles, is the region's primary transit hub and connects to the Metro Red Line and Purple Line subway stations (in the basement), the Metro Gold Line light rail station (on platforms 1 and 2), and the adjacent Patsaouras Bus Plaza serving numerous local bus routes and LAX FlyAway shuttles.
For other regional airports, Hollywood Burbank Airport offers a free shuttle to the North Hollywood Red Line station with service to Downtown in 2 stops. Long Beach Airport is connected by the A Line light rail. Ontario International Airport (in San Bernardino County) is reachable via Omnitrans bus #61 to the Pomona Transit Center with connections to the A Line, or via the ONTConnect bus to Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Station.
Etiquette & customs
Los Angeles Metro serves a large, diverse ridership, and observing local customs ensures a smooth journey for all passengers.
- Queuing: Queue in an orderly line when boarding buses and trains, especially during peak hours.
- Escalators and stairs: Stand on the right side of escalators to allow others to pass on the left; use stairs when available to keep escalators clear.
- Priority seating: Priority seats near doors are reserved for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and parents with young children. Offer your seat if you see someone who needs it.
- Eating and drinking: Food and drink (excluding water) are not permitted on Metro trains and buses.
- Rush-hour behavior: During peak commute times (typically 7–9 AM and 4–7 PM on weekdays), trains and buses are crowded. Move toward the center of the car or bus to make room for boarding passengers, and be prepared for standing-room-only conditions.
- General courtesy: Keep noise levels low, avoid blocking doors or aisles, and refrain from using speakerphone. Respect personal space and avoid blocking views for other passengers.
Official links
Before your trip, visit the official Metro website to check current fares, download transit maps, use the trip planner, and confirm service changes or special schedules.