Los Angeles Transportation
A jet take-off from LAX Airport, with International Terminal in the background; (c) Soul Of America
Airports
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), second busiest airport in the nation. It features the most direct flights to Hawaii, Asia, and Australia. Century Blvd leading to the airport is landscaped with palm trees. The entrance has large LAX letters lined with 100-foot pylons. The pylons alternate to millions of different colors every few minutes.
The post-modern architecture of LAX Tower is often featured in movies. It’s now a meeting place for USO families. Each terminal hosts an array of gift shops, cafes, lounges, restrooms, wifi, public art, and other amenities. If you have 1+ hours between flights, consider visiting Tom Bradley International Terminal for a peek at its dazzling architecture. The international terminal also features a monument to Tom Bradley who served 20 years as LA’s first Black mayor. All terminals are or will shortly be modernized in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
Navigating between terminals is easy, but distant between some terminal pairs. Review the use the LAX Airport Map. Teerminals can be 5-25 minutes of walking time apart. Keep that in mind for connecting flights with different airlines.
When you walk to LAX lower-level roadway, carefully color-coded ground transport options posted on pylons that support upper-level roadway. The lower-level roadway closest to each terminal hosts a variety of LAX Airport buses. One set of LAX Airport buses transport passengers to the area just east of Terminal 1 for Taxi, Uber & Lyft rides. The other LAX Airport buses transport passengers to the Long-Term Parking Facility, LAX Metro Transit Center, and the Rental Car Center for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty brands.
LAX lower-level roadway from the center islands hosts Super Shuttle, All American Shuttle, Airport Express shuttles, individual driver pick-ups & drop-offs.
LAX is notorious for its elongated, bi-level, U-shaped roadway. Some people call it the “Horseshoe.” Even with two crossover roadways before reaching the furthest point in its U-shape, it takes 20 to 60 congested minutes to enter & exit the Horseshoe. Though the LAX Metro Transit Center recently opened to host 2 Metro Light Rail lines, a dozen regional buses, and LAX bus shuttles, more congestion relief is coming as part of a $30 billion modernization since 2018.
In January 2026, the Automated People Mover opens with 24-hour service every 2 minutes. The APM will reduce airport roadway congestion because LAX bus shuttles will no longer be needed between LAX Airport, LAX Long-term Parking Facility, LAX Metro Transit Center or LAX Consolidated Rental Car Facility. The APM also has 3 stations inside LAX Airport property making it easy to reach 9 terminals. LAX Metro Transit Center is particularly important for its connections with Metro Light Rail and over a dozen shuttle and regional buses.
LAX is the dominant airport for international flights to the metropolis. But if you are traveling from a domestic origin to this massive metropolis, you can save 30-90 minutes of highway commute time by using one of four auxiliary airports:
• To San Fernando Valley, Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) is served by Jet Blue, Delta, American, United, Southwest, Delta, Alaska Airlines, Taxis/Uber/Lyft, shuttles, and car rentals.
• To Long Beach, Carson, Lakewood & Bellflower Long Beach Airport (LGB) is served by Jet Blue, Delta, American Airlines, Taxis/Uber/Lyft, shuttles, and car rentals.
• To Eastern Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, or Riverside County, consider Ontario International Airport >(ONT) is served by AeroMexico, Alaska, Delta, Southwest, United, Volaris Airline, Taxis/Uber/Lyft, shuttles, and car rentals.
• To Orange County, John Wayne International Airport (SNA) is served by American, United, Southwest, Delta, Alaska, Frontier, WestJet Airlines, Taxis/Uber/Lyft, shuttles, and car rentals.
Train Stations
Los Angeles Union Station lobby appears the same as it when it opened in 1939; (c) Soul Of America
Opened in 1939, Los Angeles Union Station was the last great train station built in America. It is located at 800 North Alameda Street, just north of Hollywood Freeway across from Los Angeles Civic Center.
Featuring Moorish-Spanish architecture and loads of movie appearances, Los Angeles Union Station once hosted 70,000 daily passengers and anchored LA’s 450-mile streetcar system. By 1963, transportation hub status was ended by corporate collusion, federal regulations, and more consumers switching from trains and streetcars to cars, buses, and planes. It was practically a ghost town when once-daily Amtrak long-distance trains began service here in 1971. Many believed the station had an appointment with the wrecking ball. Fortunately, this architectural gem was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Once Metro light rail service began in 1990, Metrolink commuter rail service began in 1992, and Metro heavy rail (subway) service began in 1993, the future of Los Angeles Union Station was reassured. Over the decades, more Amtrak, Metrolink Commuter Rail, Metro Rail, and Metro Bus services were added. Los Angeles Union Station hosts these Amtrak routes:
• Pacific Surfliner: San Diego-Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo
• Coast Starlight: Los Angeles-Oakland-Sacramento-Portland-Seattle
• Texas Eagle: Chicago-St. Louis-Little Rock-Dallas-San Antonio-Tucson-Los Angeles
• Southwest Chief: Chicago-Kansas City-Albuquerque-Los Angeles
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner takes 8 hours and 15 minutes to cover its 351-mile length, but LA to San Diego takes about 2 hours 50 minutes. Pacific Surfliner operates 7 daily roundtrips between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. Pacific Surfliner operates 12 daily roundtrips between Los Angeles and San Diego. Amtrak Coast Starlight and Amtrak Southwest Chief are long-distance trains that operate one daily roundtrip, with plans for 2 daily roundtrips in 2026-27.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train stopped at Glendale Station; (c) Soul Of America
Amtrak, MetroLink, LA Metro Rail, a dozen Bus Rapid Transit lines, LAX-LA Union Station Flyaway shuttle, and Taxi/Uber/Lyft services have made Los Angeles Union Station a thriving multimodal transportation center with over 100,000 daily passengers. The station has begun upgrades for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Some years afterward, the station will also host California High-Speed Rail trains whose 220 mph Central Valley infrastructure is under construction.
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) features attractive modern architecture and open space for passengers connecting between Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Metrolink, Disneyland-Anaheim Convention Center shuttle, Greyhound, Megabus, Taxis, Uber/Lyft, local buses, and bike storage. In the future, ARTIC will be a California High-Speed Rail Station.
Tours
Starline Tours
Since 1935, these shuttle buses have conducted tours of Hollywood, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, Miracle Mile, Melrose Avenue, Santa Monica, Venice, celebrity homes, movie studios, and night tours. In LA, they are branded StarLine and City Sightseeing. Red open-top double-decker buses imported from the UK are used on Hop On-Hop Off routes but often have recorded guide information. Small shuttle buses are used to tour Movie Star Homes with the driver serving as your guide. Clarify which movie star homes to see before your tour since some take different routes. Closed-top vehicles are deployed when it rains. If you prefer not to drive, they offer a 48-hour Hop-on/Hop-off Pass and tour packages to many attractions.
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9:30 am
BOX OFFICE: Starline kiosk in Chinese Theater courtyard; other prices available for tours combined with destinations such as Universal Studios, Getty Museum, and Disneyland
ADDRESS: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
PHONE: 800-959-3131
WEBSITE: https://www.starlinetours.com
StarLine Hollywood Fun Tour bus at Hollywood & Highland Entertainment Center; (c) Soul Of America
Catalina Island Helicopter from Long Beach
For aerial views that include Long Beach, consider this option which takes only 15 minutes to reach Avalon, Catalina in good weather. Each helicopter carries 1 to 6 passengers. If you easily get motion sickness, buy Dramamine 30-60 minutes before a helicopter flight.
ADDRESS: 1175 Queens Highway, Queen Mary Heliport, Long Beach, CA
PHONE: 800-228-2566
WEBSITE: https://www.maverickhelicopter.com
Rapid Transit
LA Metro B Line Hollywood/Highland Station; (c) Soul Of America
Metrorail consists of two Metro heavy rail (subway) lines and four Metro light rail lines to over 100 stations with Los Angeles Union Station as the anchor. B Line & D Line Metro heavy rail currently terminate in Los Angeles Union Station. Sunday-Thursday service 5 am–12 pm. Metro B Line & D Line run until 2 am on Friday & Saturday nights.
Some Metro Rail subway stations are designed to be tourist attractions. Metro Rail conveniently takes you to attractions in Union Station, LA Civic Center, LA Music Center, Los Angeles Convention Center-LA LIVE, USC-Exposition Park, Koreatown, Chinatown, Crenshaw & Exposition, Little Tokyo, East Los Angeles, East Hollywood, Hollywood, Universal Studios, La Cienega & Exposition, Culver City, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Carson, Long Beach, Pasadena, Azuza-Pacific University.
If your hotel is near a Metro Rail station, consider purchasing a Metro Day Pass + Taxi/Uber/Lyft rides to reduce driving hassles and parking expenses. Metro Rail System Map
LA Metro E Line train at LaCienega/Expo Station ; (c) Soul Of America
LA Metro Rail is expanding faster than any other rapid transit system in America. In 2025, Metro K Line from Redondo Beach began stops at LAX Metro Transit Center in route to Metro E Line. Metro C Line from Norwalk now terminates at LAX Metro Transit Center. In September 2025, Metro A Line extends from Azuza to Pomona. By December 2025, Metro D Line extends from Wilshire/Western with a stop at the Museum District in route to Wilshire/La Cienega.
In early 2027, Metro D Line extends to Beverly Hills and Century City. In 2028, Metro D Line extends to Westwood/UCLA as indicated on this forward-looking LA Metro Rail 2028 Future Map.
Metrolink commuter train at a station; credit Metrolink
Metrolink is a 416-mile, 7-line commuter rail system for regional areas not served by Metrorail. Most MetroLink and Metrorail lines meet at Los Angeles Union Station for convenient transfers. MetroLink service is frequent during weekday commute hours but runs 60-90 minutes otherwise. MetroLink trains run faster than Metrorail and expand commutes to longer distances in the metro area. Metrolink System Map
Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) provides shuttle service from Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) to large Anaheim hotels, Downtown Disney, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Anaheim Convention Center. One-day passes are available. Children under the age 10 ride free. ART operates every 10-20 minutes, depending on weekends, summer, and holiday periods.
Cruiseports
Princess cruise ship at Los Angeles World Cruise Center in San Pedro District; (c) Soul Of America
If you think you may get motion sickness over the waves, use Dramamine 30-60 minutes before any cruise and sit in the rear lower deck where motion sensation is reduced.
Marina Del Rey Harbor Tours to Catalina Islands & More
Enjoy 40-minute narrated tours of multi-million dollar yachts, homes, and sometimes sea lions in the harbor. Fisherman’s Village is not as vibrant as it used to be, but there are nice seafood restaurants for pre- and post-dining.Two 149-passenger ferries make the 90-120 minute cruise to beautiful Catalina Island – only 40 miles southwest. Dolphins like to approach the vessel shortly after the cruise departs – a nice reminder that you are getting away. If you like boating, then enjoy upper deck views with a light jacket, since the Marina Del Rey Flyer, travels up to 30 knots per hour and it gets windy. Snacks, beverages, and mixed drinks are available onboard. Eight passengers can upgrade to the Admiral’s Lounge inside the upper deck for fantastic views. Outbound from Marina Del Rey, the Flyer first stops at Avalon at the southern end of the island, then doubles back to Two Harbors at the northern end of the island.
DAYS & HOURS: tours depart 12a, 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p and 5p
ADDRESS: Fishermans Village, Marina Del Rey
PHONE: 310-577-6660
WEBSITE: https://www.cityexperiences.com/marina-del-rey/
Los Angeles World Cruise Center
Home port of The Love Boat television series from 1977-1986 and next to a port of cargo vessels, World Cruise Center handles three major cruise lines and express ferries to Catalina Island. You will often see 3000-passenger cruise ships docked at two large terminals when they are not traveling to Mexico. The complex has ample parking, a cafe, and restrooms. Courtesy shuttles from the ship to the parking lot are scheduled on ship days only. Taxis and Uber/Lyft are always around when ships port, and you can rent a car. The cruise center is managed by Pacific Cruise Ship Terminals.
Royal Caribbean offers regular 3 and 4-night cruises to Mexico Baja on Monarch of the Seas and 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises
Princess Cruises: 10-night & 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises plus 7, 10 and 11-night Alaska cruises.
Disney Cruise Line 7-night cruises to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas
ADDRESS: World Cruise Center at 500 North Front Street, San Pedro
PARKING: 2500 over-night secured parking spaces available
PHONE: 800-540-PARK
WEBSITE: http://www.pcsterminals.com
Catalina Island Cruises from San Pedro
During warm months, it’s popular to cruise to Catalina Island. Highly active travelers go there to hike year-round because most of the island is a habitat preserve. So there are rules to protect wildlife. Boats dock at scenic Avalon Harbor. Get there in 60 minutes aboard Catalina Express; reservations are recommended.
ADDRESS: 95 Berth, San Pedro
PARKING: 2500 secured parking spaces available
PHONE: 310-519-1212
WEBSITE: http://www.catalinaexpress.com
Catalina Island Cruises from Long Beach
Embark at the passenger terminal next to the Queen Mary; from LA take the I-405 Freeway south to the I-710 Freeway south to its end. Stay to the left, and follow signs to downtown Long Beach. Look for Queen Mary signs and exit on Golden Shore. Get to Catalina Island in 55 minutes; reservations are recommended.
ADDRESS: 320 Golden Shore, Long Beach
PARKING: secured parking is available
PHONE: 310-519-1212
WEBSITE: http://www.catalinaexpress.com
Freeways & Tollways
Los Angeles Freeway & Tollway Network is America’s largest when you combine mileage with lanes per mile. It features more carpool lanes, sound walls, modern interchanges, metered entrances, and freeway status signs that enable it to carry more autos than any other freeway network in the world. Nevertheless, LA freeways are congested 5 hours each weekday morning, 5 hours each weekday evening and on weekends when there is a UCLA, USC, Rams or Chargers football game.
High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes are on I-10 Freeway going east of Downtown, I-110 Freeway going south of Downtown, and I-105 Freeway going east from LAX to I-110 Freeway. Traffic moves a little faster in those HOT Lanes, but requires a FasTrak transponder in your vehicle to automatically deduct a toll when you ride in the lane.
No matter how congested other lanes get on I-10, I-110 and I-105, do not use HOT Lanes without a FasTrak transponder. High-resolution video cameras surveil those lanes 24/7 and the fine is painful. If your stay in LA requires multiple business trips on the I-110 Freeway and I-10 Freeway, inquire with your airport rental car agency to rent a FasTrak transponder. Tolls are based on the current congestion level and the length of your trip. Orange County features more Tollways than Los Angeles County.