Los Angeles, as one of the most influential cities in the world, attracts thousands of tourists with its unique culture, long history and rich entertainment industry. Whether it is the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or the vibrant downtown, tourists will linger. However, Los Angeles is a vast city with a large population, and the complex transportation system is often confusing, especially for tourists who come to the city for the first time.
1. Why choose public transportation
Los Angeles does not have a well-developed public transportation system like New York, Tokyo or London. However, with the growth of the city’s population and the improvement of environmental awareness, Los Angeles’ public transportation has gradually improved. Although many tourists are accustomed to renting a car and driving themselves, if you don’t want to be troubled by traffic jams or don’t want to spend high parking fees, then the subway and bus are a very practical and economical choice.
There are several advantages to choosing public transportation:
Cost saving: Compared with renting a car, the cost of using the subway and bus is much lower, especially for short-term travelers, buying a multi-day pass can greatly save transportation expenses.
Avoid traffic jams: The traffic conditions in Los Angeles are sometimes very bad, especially during peak hours. Public transportation can avoid these congested areas and make it easier for you to reach your destination.
Environmental protection: Using public transportation helps reduce carbon emissions and contributes to environmental protection.
Convenience: Los Angeles’ public transportation network covers most major attractions, especially the subway system, which allows you to easily reach some places that are difficult to reach by car.
2. Overview of Los Angeles Metro System
The Los Angeles subway system is operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and is one of the most convenient public transportation methods in the city. Although Los Angeles’ subway lines are not as dense as those in other large cities, the existing lines have covered major attractions and business districts in the city. Los Angeles’ subway lines include:
Red Line: Starting from North Hollywood in the north, passing through Hollywood, Waverly Hills and downtown, and finally reaching downtown Los Angeles in the south.
Purple Line: Partially overlaps with the Red Line, but its end point is closer to the city center.
Blue Line: Connects downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach, passing through several important areas along the way, such as South Los Angeles.
Green Line: Starting from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), passing through Torrance and other communities along the line.
2.1 Buying subway tickets
The ticket price of the Los Angeles subway is relatively affordable. You can buy single-trip tickets, day passes, or multi-day passes at the ticket machines at the subway stations. Each single-trip ticket usually costs $1.75 and is valid for the entire system. If you want to buy a day pass, you can choose to spend $7 to get unlimited rides.
There is a prepaid card called TAP card, which can facilitate your use of subways, buses, and other means of transportation. You can buy and recharge TAP cards at the ticket machines at any subway station. This card can give you greater flexibility and avoid the hassle of buying tickets every time you ride.
2.2 Recommended subway lines
Hollywood Discovery Tour: Take the Red Line to Hollywood/Highland Station (Hollywood/Highland), you will walk to landmarks such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and the Hollywood Museum.
Downtown Los Angeles Cultural Tour: Start from any subway station and arrive in the city center. You can visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Guggenheim Museum.
2.3 Things to note when riding the subway
Although the subway system is relatively safe, there are some things to note:
Crowded during rush hour: The Los Angeles subway can be very crowded during rush hour. If you don’t like crowded environments, you can avoid this time and choose to go in the morning or at noon.
Anti-theft awareness: Like other large cities, the subway also has pickpocketing problems. Please always pay attention to your personal belongings, especially in crowded carriages.
3. Overview of Los Angeles Bus System
Compared with the subway, Los Angeles’ bus system covers a wider range and can reach many places that the subway cannot reach. Los Angeles’ buses are operated by the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Company (LA Metro), and routes are spread throughout the city, including downtown, suburbs, and routes connecting to the airport.
3.1 Buying bus tickets
Similar to the subway, Los Angeles’ bus fare is also $1.75, and passengers can pay cash directly on the bus or use TAP cards. If you plan to take the bus many times, it is recommended to buy a day pass or recharge TAP cards to facilitate switching between different modes of transportation.
3.2 Recommended bus routes
Santa Monica Beach Tour: Take bus No. 33 or 534, which will take you through downtown Los Angeles and eventually to the beautiful Santa Monica Beach.
Griffith Observatory Tour: Take bus No. 204, which will take you directly to Griffith Observatory, one of the best places to overlook the panoramic view of Los Angeles.
3.3 Bus Notes
Bus Station Location: Some bus stations may be difficult to find, especially in more remote areas, so it is important to use mobile map navigation to plan your route.
Bus Schedule: Although Los Angeles’ bus system runs frequently, the bus intervals in some areas are longer. It is recommended to use Google Maps or Metro Trip Planner to check the real-time arrival time of the bus to avoid wasting too much time waiting at the station.
4. Other Transportation
In addition to the subway and bus, Los Angeles has many other convenient transportation options for tourists to choose from.
4.1 Bicycles and Electric Scooters
Los Angeles is a very cycling city, especially in the seaside areas and city parks. Many shared bike and electric scooter service providers offer convenient rental methods. You can find the nearest shared bike or electric scooter through a mobile app, easily rent it and use it for short trips.
4.2 Taxis and ride-sharing
If you don’t want to use public transportation, you can choose to take a taxi or ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. In Los Angeles, taxis are relatively convenient, especially in the city center and tourist hotspots.
4.3 Car rental
Although the public transportation system is relatively complete, if you plan to explore the suburbs of Los Angeles or other areas that are not convenient for public transportation, renting a car is still a good choice. Many car rental companies in Los Angeles offer short-term and long-term car rental services. Choosing the right car model and rental plan can better plan your trip.
5. How to book transportation tickets
Book through the official TAP card channel
The most commonly used transportation card for Los Angeles’ subway and bus systems is the TAP card, which can be used at most subway stations and buses in Los Angeles. You can book and recharge in advance, which can avoid the trouble of queuing to buy tickets when you arrive on site. In addition, the TAP card also supports a variety of payment methods, such as credit cards and debit cards, which is convenient for tourists to recharge online.
Book using travel apps
For the convenience of tourists, many travel apps provide booking functions for Los Angeles public transportation tickets. For example, some applications support the purchase of single-trip tickets, day tickets or multi-day passes in advance, and provide instant QR codes for passengers to swipe cards at the automatic gates at the station. Through these apps, you can also check real-time bus and subway arrival times to make your trip smoother.
Advantages of third-party platforms
For tourists who plan to explore Los Angeles in depth, booking transportation tickets through third-party platforms is a very convenient way. These platforms not only provide different kinds of ticket options, but also usually provide price comparison and travel planning functions to help tourists better arrange their travel. At the same time, when booking, you can choose to send the ticket information directly to your mobile phone, avoiding the loss and inconvenience of paper tickets.
Through Los Angeles’ subway and bus systems, tourists can not only travel around the city quickly and conveniently, but also save costs, avoid traffic jams, and contribute to environmental protection. Although Los Angeles’ public transportation system is relatively young, it is gradually improving and may become the main mode of transportation for more tourists in the future. During your trip, you might as well try a new experience of Los Angeles public transportation and discover a different side of this city.
Whether you take the subway or take the bus, you can have a different experience in Los Angeles. Choosing public transportation not only allows you to go deep into every corner of the city, but also makes your trip more environmentally friendly, economical and convenient.
