Getting Around Los Angeles: A Practical Guide
Los Angeles has a complex multimodal transportation system that includes freeways, public transit, airports, and intercity rail connections. However, visitors should understand that cars dominate transportation in the city, and the region is sprawling, so planning ahead is essential for efficient travel.
Arriving by Air
The Los Angeles metropolitan area is served by five major commercial airports. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary airport and one of the world's busiest. However, other nearby options may be more convenient depending on where you're headed:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): The main international gateway with service from nearly all major airlines. LAX has a comfortable and relatively frequent express bus service called LAX FlyAway that connects to Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles and Van Nuys.
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): Located in the San Fernando Valley, northeast of Downtown LA, it's closer to Hollywood than LAX. You can take a free shuttle to the North Hollywood Red Line subway station and ride two stops south to reach Hollywood, or use Metrolink/Amtrak trains or the Red Line to reach Downtown LA.
- Long Beach Airport (LGB): Serves southern Los Angeles County with service from Delta, Hawaiian, and Southwest.
- Ontario International Airport (ONT): Located in the Inland Empire east of Downtown Los Angeles. Omnitrans bus #61 runs to the Pomona Transit Center with connections to the Silver Streak to Downtown LA, or bus #380 connects to the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Station.
- John Wayne Airport (SNA): Located in Orange County southeast of Downtown Los Angeles, and closest to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.
None of the five major airports have direct train service, so using bus or rental car services is necessary. All major rental car agencies have locations near the airports with hundreds of cars available.
Arriving by Train
Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles is the primary regional train station and a spectacular example of Mission Revival architecture. It serves as the hub for both intercity and local transit connections.
Amtrak operates several routes through Union Station:
- The Pacific Surfliner runs multiple trains daily between San Diego and Los Angeles, with some trains continuing north to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. This is the only service that runs through Los Angeles multiple times daily.
- The Coast Starlight provides daily service between Seattle and Los Angeles, continuing to the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and beyond.
- Additional long-distance routes operate to Chicago (via the Southwest Chief and Texas Eagle) and to New Orleans (via the Sunset Limited), with connections to other regions.
Amtrak also stops at several locations throughout Los Angeles County including Glendale, Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Chatsworth, and Van Nuys, so you may want to check if another station is more convenient to your destination.
Union Station's Transit Connections
Union Station is exceptionally well connected to Los Angeles' public transit system:
- A Metro Red/Purple Line subway station is located in the basement
- A Metro Gold Line light rail station is located on platforms 1 and 2
- The Patsaouras Bus Plaza at the east portal serves many local buses and LAX FlyAway shuttles
- Taxis are available at the main entrance off Alameda Street
- Rental car desks (Budget and Hertz) are located in the station
Union Station is within walking distance to the Civic Center and Olvera Street, with Chinatown and Little Tokyo also nearby.
The Metro System: Rail and Light Rail
Since 1990, Los Angeles Metro has built over one hundred miles of light and heavy rail serving Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. The Metro system includes both rapid transit (heavy rail/subway) and light rail lines.
The Red/Purple Line subway provides rapid transit service with a station at Union Station in the basement, making it accessible from intercity trains. The Gold Line is a light rail service that also connects at Union Station on its own platforms.
These rail lines serve expanding portions of the greater Los Angeles area, connecting downtown, neighborhoods, and regional destinations. The system continues to grow and connect more parts of the city.
Buses and Local Transit
In addition to rail, Los Angeles Metro operates numerous bus lines throughout the city and county. The Patsaouras Bus Plaza at Union Station serves many of these local bus routes, making it a convenient hub for transferring between different transit modes.
Intercity bus services are also available, including Greyhound, FlixBus, and various smaller operators. Greyhound departs from Los Angeles Union Station and from a secondary terminal near the North Hollywood Metro station, connecting to destinations like Bakersfield, San Diego, Las Vegas, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available throughout Los Angeles, including at Union Station's main entrance on Alameda Street. Ride-hailing services with vehicle for hire companies also operate in the city as alternatives to traditional taxis.
Getting Around by Car
Cars are the dominant mode of transportation in Los Angeles. The region is served by a dozen major freeways that crisscross the area, and several additional highways provide connections throughout the greater region.
If driving, be aware that Los Angeles is notorious for traffic congestion. Rush hour typically occurs on weekdays between 5 am and 10 am, and in the afternoon between 3 pm and 7 pm, though traffic can extend beyond these times, especially on Fridays and before major holidays.
A local convention: Angelenos refer to freeways with the definite article, saying "The 101" rather than just "101," which differs from most other areas of the United States.
Walkability
Los Angeles is an extremely large and spread-out metropolitan area, so walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. While some areas like Downtown LA near Union Station, the Civic Center, Olvera Street, Chinatown, and Little Tokyo are pedestrian-friendly with nearby attractions, most of the region requires motorized transportation. Plan your itinerary with the understanding that significant distances separate different parts of the city, and traveling between neighborhoods typically requires transit, a car, or ride-hailing services.