City in California, United States
Getting around Los Angeles
How to get around Los Angeles
Most people drive; use Metro rail and Uber/Lyft for Downtown, Santa Monica and Hollywood. Base near a Metro line if you skip a car, and travel off-peak.
Ways to get around Los Angeles
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Rail and buses | $1.75 per ride | Tap TAP card or phone; daily and weekly fare caps apply |
| Uber / Lyft | About $15–28 for short trips | Prices spike at rush hour and after events |
| Waymo | Similar to Uber | Driverless rides in much of central LA; use the Waymo app |
| Rental car | About $45–90 a day | Often the practical choice; parking costs $10–40 in popular areas |
Ride-hailing apps in Los Angeles
A 5 km ride costs about $15–28 ($15–28).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Most drivers; works throughout LA County |
| Lyft | Often priced similarly; useful at surge |
| Waymo | Driverless rides in central LA, Santa Monica and Hollywood |
- Taxis are rare outside airports and hotels; use Uber/Lyft. At LAX you board rideshares at the LAX-it lot via a shuttle.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International (LAX)
FlyAway bus to Union Station or Van Nuys $9.75, 30–60 min; LAX-it for Uber/Lyft pickups, $35–65, 30–60 min.
Hollywood Burbank (BUR)
Closer to Hollywood and Downtown; Metrolink or taxi $30–50, 15–25 min.
Driving and onward travel
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences work for visitors in most states; carry an IDP if yours isn't in English. Under-25s pay rental surcharges.
- Onward travel in United States: Distances are long, so domestic flights are usually fastest. Amtrak works well in the Northeast Corridor; buses are cheapest. Outside big cities you often need a car.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Los Angeles?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber, Lyft, Waymo.
What's the best way to get around Los Angeles?
Most people drive; use Metro rail and Uber/Lyft for Downtown, Santa Monica and Hollywood. Base near a Metro line if you skip a car, and travel off-peak.
How do I get from the airport to Los Angeles?
FlyAway bus to Union Station or Van Nuys $9.75, 30–60 min; LAX-it for Uber/Lyft pickups, $35–65, 30–60 min.
Is Los Angeles walkable?
You'll need transport.
More about Los Angeles
Going to Los Angeles solo?
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Sources
- Amtrak
- Greyhound
- FlixBus
- LA Metro (fares and maps)
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Discover Los Angeles (tourism board)
- LA Department of Water and Power
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.