Tips · United States
LAX to Hollywood, Downtown and Santa Monica
Landing at LAX? Choose between a ride-hailing app or taxi from the LAX-it lot, the FlyAway bus, or Metro C and K Lines. Times, fares and what to know by area.
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Before you land at LAX
Many Los Angeles trips start at LAX. When you book, check which airport is on your ticket and make sure it says LAX. There are four ways from LAX into the city: a ride-hailing app, a taxi, the FlyAway bus and Metro Rail (C and K Lines).
LA is huge and car-centric, so the right option depends on which area you're heading to. Ride-hailing cars and taxis don't pick up at the terminal curb but at a dedicated lot (LAX-it), and for Metro you first take a free shuttle to LAX/Metro Transit Center station.
Below you'll find times and fares for each option, what to consider by area, and a short checklist for your first day.
Ride-hailing and taxis: board at the LAX-it lot
At LAX you don't board a ride-hailing car at the curb. Take the free shuttle or walk to the dedicated pickup lot next to the airport (LAX-it). Pickup locations may change with airport construction, so check official LAX information.
To Hollywood or Downtown it takes about 30-60 min depending on traffic and costs about $40-80. Fares show in the app beforehand. Freeways jam at rush hour, so allow plenty of time.
Taxis also board at LAX-it. The time is similar to a ride-hailing app, and the fare is similar or a little more. A metered fare plus a tip is normal.
FlyAway bus: cheap for solo travelers
FlyAway is an airport express bus to Union Station downtown and other stops. It takes about 40-60 min and costs about $12-13, which makes it cheap for solo travelers.
Check routes and schedules on the official site before you go. Checking which stops it serves besides Union Station also makes it easier to plan the last leg to your hotel.
Metro Rail (C and K Lines): shuttle to the station first
To ride Metro, take the free shuttle from the terminals to LAX/Metro Transit Center station, then ride the Metro C or K Line. Transfers depend on your destination, so check Metro's official trip info. Travel time also varies by destination.
Check the official Metro fare. Metro Rail and buses take a TAP card or the mobile app. Around town, key routes such as Hollywood-Downtown and Downtown-Santa Monica are served by rail.
Late at night, take a ride-hailing app rather than walking through quiet streets or empty stations.
Think about where you're staying
LA is great for walking within an area, but you'll need wheels to get between areas. So it helps to plan the trip from the airport around the area where you're staying. Here is what each area is like.
- Hollywood: close to the Walk of Fame and theaters with Metro stations nearby, so it's easy without a car. About 30-60 min by ride-hailing app (traffic); can feel a bit rough at night
- Downtown: museums, concert halls and rail lines meet here. The FlyAway bus goes to Union Station, and a ride-hailing app takes about 30-60 min. Blocks vary a lot, so check the exact hotel location and reviews
- Koreatown: conveniently between Hollywood and Downtown, with reasonably priced hotels
- Santa Monica: beach, promenade and shopping streets within walking distance. Downtown-Santa Monica is served by rail; hotels are pricey
- Beverly Hills / West Hollywood: relatively quiet, at the highest hotel prices
At a glance
Times and fares are approximate. They can vary with traffic and your destination.
- Ride-hailing app: board at the LAX-it lot, Hollywood or Downtown about 30-60 min (traffic), about $40-80, fare shown in the app beforehand
- Taxi: board at the LAX-it lot, time similar to ride-hailing, fare similar or a little more, plus tip
- FlyAway bus: Union Station downtown and other stops, about 40-60 min, about $12-13, check routes and schedules on the official site
- Metro Rail (C and K Lines): free shuttle to LAX/Metro Transit Center station → C or K Line, time varies by destination, check the official Metro fare
Your first day: a short checklist
Day 1 in our guide is: arrive and eat in Koreatown, Hollywood Walk of Fame in the afternoon, then Griffith Observatory at sunset. Griffith Observatory (the building), the Getty Center and The Broad are closed on Mondays, so check the day when you plan your first days.
- If you plan to ride Metro, get a TAP card or the mobile app ready
- Taxis are a metered fare plus a tip. At restaurants, a tip of usually 15-20% of the pre-tax bill is standard, and listed prices usually exclude sales tax
- If you rent a car, never leave bags visible inside, and read parking signs carefully (day and time limits)
- US entry requirements such as ESTA can change, so check official US government sources before you travel
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FAQ
Can I get a ride-hailing car right outside the LAX terminal?
No. Take the free shuttle or walk to the dedicated pickup lot next to the airport (LAX-it). Taxis also board at LAX-it, and pickup locations may change with construction, so check official LAX information.
What is a cheap option for solo travelers?
The FlyAway bus costs about $12-13 and is cheap for solo travelers. It goes to Union Station downtown and other stops in about 40-60 min. Check the Metro fare on the official site.
How do I take Metro from LAX?
Take the free shuttle from the terminals to LAX/Metro Transit Center station, then ride the C or K Line. Transfers depend on your destination, so check Metro's official trip info.
How do taxi and ride-hailing fares compare?
A ride-hailing app costs about $40-80 to Hollywood or Downtown; a taxi is similar or a little more, metered plus a tip. With a ride-hailing app you can see the fare in the app beforehand.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Airport rail platform (Hong Kong Airport Station) · MNXANL / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco · Rich Niewiroski Jr. / CC BY 2.5