Los Angeles Area Transit

Taxis are also available, but they can be expensive due to the long distances. Note: When you take a taxi from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you will be presented with a ticket stating typical fares to major destinations. Only authorized taxis with an official seal, illustrated on each vehicle, are permitted in the airport.

Click here for more information on taking a taxi and fares:

LA is one of the cheapest places in the country to rent a car. The city of LA sprawls over such a large area that getting around without a car can be frustrating and time consuming. The complex network of freeways connecting the sprawl can be intimidating, especially for those not used to driving in big cities, but with a map or good directions, hiring a car is the best and most popular way to see LA.

Approximately 40 rental car companies operate out of LAX, but only ten rental car companies are permitted to pick-up and drop-off their customers directly from the airline terminals using courtesy shuttles. These are the following companies:

You can easily get a shuttle from any Los Angeles area airport to your hotel. It's best to make a reservation ahead of time but shuttles operate every few minutes and a Coordinator of the particular shuttle company you wish to use will place you with the first available shuttle.

Two shared ride van companies, Prime Time Shuttle and SuperShuttle, operate out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and are authorized to serve all Southern California counties.

Call directly or use the Web links to find the shuttle that best suits your needs.

Super Shuttle (800) 974-8885

PrimeTime Shuttle 1-800-RED-VANS or (800) 733-8267

Note: Free shuttle bus service is provided from Los Angeles International Airporty to the Aviation Metro Rail Station. Passengers wishing to use this shuttle bus service should wait under the LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections sign on the Lower/Arrival Level islands in front of each terminal, and board the "G" Shuttle.

Metro operates the city's rail network, the Metro Rail. It is composed of three above-ground light rail systems (Gold Line, Blue Line, and Green Line) and one underground subway with two branches (Red Line and Purple Line).

Some Metro Rail Stations do not have fare gates but note that Metro fare inspectors conduct random checks of the system. If riders are caught without a ticket they can be fined up to $250 and/or ordered to perform community service for 48 hours.

Fares:
One way fare $1.50
Metro Day Pass $6.00

Metrolink is Southern California's rail system. Metrolink covers the following counties -Los Angeles(Universal Studios, Hollywood), Orange(Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm), Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura(6 flags Magic Mountain).

Metrolink fares are calculated with a distance based formula using the shortest driving distance between stations, with an 80 -mile maximum charge. To find out exactly what the fare will be for your trip, check out any of the following:
An automated ticket vending machine (located at every Metrolink station)
800-371- LINK(5465)
metrolinktrains.com

Free Transfers: Just show your valid Metrolink ticket or pass to the driver or conductor of almost any local bus, shuttle, light rail or subway that connects to your train's arrival station, and you'll ride free for the rest of your trip.

How to Ride Metrolink

Flyway Bus

Flyway is a Convenient Non-Stop Bus Service to LAX picking passengers up from Van Nuys, Union Station, Irvine and Westwood.

From LAX: You would catch the "Flyaway" bus on the "Arrival / Lower Level" of each terminal. Look for a green sign saying "Flyaway, Buses & Long Distance Vans". They depart LAX every 30 minutes on the hour & half hour daily from 5:00 am to 1 :00 am.

LAX FlyAway Bus Service

LAX FlyAway Service to Union Station (Downtown)

LAX FlyAway Service to Van Nuys (San Fernando Valley)

LAX FlyAway Service to Westwood (UCLA)

1-866-435-9529 ; 1-866-IFLYLAX Official Website

Disneyland Resort Express

Servicing most hotels in Anaheim, Buena Park, Garden Grove and Orange, the Disneyland ® Resort Express makes it easy to travel between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Orange County's John Wayne Airport (SNA), and the Disneyland® Resort and the Anaheim area hotels. Click here for more details.

Metro Bus

It is also possible to get around by bus, but frequent transfers and long distances can make this slow and impractical, and it is not recommended for late-night travel.

The city of Los Angeles was designed with the automobile in mind and is more driver-friendly than most big cities in the US.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to drive.

1) You must have valid driver's license and liability insurance to legally drive within the state of California.

2) Child seats are a requirement for children weighing under 60 pounds or for children under the age of 6 years old.

3) Driving while intoxicated is illegal and anyone caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .08% or greater will be immediately arrested.

4) Seat belts are mandatory when your vehicle is in motion.

5) Car pool lanes are for vehicles with two or more passengers. (Infants count, pets do not!) To enter or exit the carpool lane properly and legally you must wait until the broken white line appears. If you cross the double yellow line to get in or out of a carpool lane you will be given aticket and a stiff fine of $271.00.

6) Starting July 1, 2008 it will be against the law to drive on California roads while talking on your cell phone. All drivers must use a hands-free device.

7) If possible, avoid rush hour traffic, which is heaviest from 7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm.