Los Angeles
Los Angeles airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
LAX has no rail link to downtown. The cheapest route is the free shuttle to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, then the Metro C Line and a transfer to the E Line into downtown, about 60–80 minutes for US$1.75. Most visitors with luggage take a taxi or ride-hailing car, 30–60 minutes and roughly US$45–75 depending on traffic.
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GuideLos Angeles
Key facts
- Rail to downtown
- No direct train; free shuttle to LAX/Metro Transit Center, then Metro C Line and E Line, about 60–80 minutes
- Metro farecheck
- US$1.75 per ride, 2026 estimate; TAP card or contactless
- Taxi or ride-hailingcheck
- US$45–75 to downtown, 30–60 minutes in traffic, 2026 estimate
- FlyAway buscheck
- LAX to Union Station in downtown, roughly 35–60 minutes, fare about US$10
- Worst traffic
- Weekdays 07:00–10:00 and 15:00–19:00; allow double the off-peak time
- Other airports
- Hollywood Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB) are smaller and closer to some districts
Options at a glance
Distances are from LAX terminals to downtown Los Angeles, about 30 km. Times assume normal traffic; the 405 and 110 freeways can add 30 minutes or more at peak hours.
Prices are 2026 estimates and exclude tips. Ride-hailing fares move with demand.
| Option | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro C Line + E Line | 60–80 min | US$1.75 | Solo travellers with light bags, daytime arrivals |
| FlyAway bus to Union Station | 35–60 min | About US$10 | Downtown hotels, one bag, no transfers |
| Taxi (metered, flat-rate zones) | 30–60 min | US$45–75 | Two or more people, door to door |
| Uber / Lyft | 30–60 min | US$40–80 | Late arrivals, suburbs, price comparison |
| Hotel shuttle | Varies | Free or US$10–20 | Airport-area hotels only |
| Rental car | 30–60 min | US$45–110 a day plus fees | Trips beyond the city, coastal drives |
Times and fares are 2026 estimates; check live traffic and app prices before you commit.
Metro and buses
LAX does not sit on a rail line. The workaround is the free shuttle from the terminal islands to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where the Metro C Line (Green) runs east. From there you transfer to the E Line (Expo) toward downtown, or take a bus. The whole trip is roughly 60–80 minutes and costs one US$1.75 fare with a free transfer inside the two-hour window.
The system is thin by the standards of New York, Chicago or Washington, and late-night frequency drops. If you land after about 22:00 with luggage, the train is a poor bet; take a car.
The FlyAway bus is the simpler transit option for downtown: it runs nonstop between LAX and Union Station, takes about 35–60 minutes depending on traffic, and costs around US$10. From Union Station you can reach much of the city by Metro or a short taxi ride.
- Buy or tap a TAP card; contactless bank cards work on Metro gates.
- Keep your bag with you; escalators and lifts exist at most stations but not all.
- Union Station connects to Amtrak and Metrolink for onward trips.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Taxis at LAX pick up on the terminal islands, not at the kerb outside baggage claim. Fares to downtown are metered and commonly land between US$45 and US$75 before tip.
Uber and Lyft pick up from marked zones; follow the signs or the app map. Expect US$40–80 to downtown, more during surge. Both are usually faster than transit door to door and cheaper than a taxi for one or two people.
Traffic is the real variable. A 30-minute run at 11:00 can become 70 minutes at 17:00 on a weekday. If you have a flight or a fixed booking, add a large buffer.
| Destination | Distance | Typical time | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown LA | 30 km | 30–60 min | US$45–75 |
| Hollywood | 25 km | 30–55 min | US$40–70 |
| Santa Monica | 20 km | 25–45 min | US$35–60 |
| Long Beach | 35 km | 35–60 min | US$50–85 |
| Anaheim / Disneyland | 60 km | 50–90 min | US$80–130 |
2026 estimates before tip; ride-hailing varies with demand.
What it costs
A solo traveller on a daytime arrival can reach downtown for under US$12 using the FlyAway bus, or US$1.75 on Metro if willing to transfer. Two people sharing a ride-hailing car usually pay about the same per person as the bus, with far less effort.
Budget the return trip too. Early-morning departures often have no convenient transit, so a car is the practical choice. Airport-area hotels with free shuttles can cut the cost to zero if you only need a bed near the terminals.
| Traveller type | Cheapest sensible option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo, light bag, daytime | Metro C + E Line | US$1.75 | 60–80 min |
| Solo, one bag, downtown | FlyAway bus | About US$10 | 35–60 min |
| Couple with luggage | Uber / Lyft | US$40–80 total | 30–60 min |
| Family of four | Taxi or large ride-hailing car | US$50–90 total | 30–60 min |
| Late-night arrival | Ride-hailing | US$40–80 | 30–60 min |
Estimates for 2026; tips of 15–20% are normal on taxi and ride-hailing fares.
Practical tips
Land at LAX and you are 30 km from downtown with no train at the door. Decide before you land: transit if you are solo, daytime and travelling light; a car if you have bags, kids or a late arrival.
Terminal layout matters. LAX is a U-shaped loop; traffic crawls, and the inner lanes are for shuttles and taxis. Walking between terminals is often faster than riding the loop.
If your hotel is in Santa Monica, Hollywood or Long Beach, compare flying into Burbank or Long Beach instead. Both are smaller, quicker to exit and closer to those districts.
Buy travel insurance and keep a charged phone; you will need the app or a card for most options.
- Screenshot your booking address and show it to the driver; LA street names repeat across the city.
- Allow 90 minutes to clear LAX and reach the pick-up zone at peak times.
- Tipping: 15–20% on taxi and ride-hailing, US$2–5 per bag for a porter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How do I get from Los Angeles airport to the city centre?
There is no direct train. Take the free shuttle to LAX/Metro Transit Center, then the Metro C Line and E Line to downtown, about 60–80 minutes for US$1.75. The FlyAway bus to Union Station takes 35–60 minutes for about US$10. Taxis and ride-hailing take 30–60 minutes and cost US$45–75.
How much is a taxi from Los Angeles airport?
A metered taxi from LAX to downtown Los Angeles is roughly US$45–75 before tip, depending on traffic and destination. Ride-hailing is similar, US$40–80, and can surge. Both take 30–60 minutes; add a large buffer at weekday peak hours.
Is there a train from Los Angeles airport?
Not directly. LAX has no rail station at the terminals. A free shuttle connects to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where the Metro C Line runs east; you transfer to the E Line for downtown. The full trip is about 60–80 minutes and costs one US$1.75 fare.
What is the cheapest way from LAX to downtown?
Metro is cheapest at US$1.75, but needs a shuttle and a transfer. The FlyAway bus at about US$10 is simpler and still cheap. For two or more people with luggage, a shared ride-hailing car often costs about the same per person.
Should I fly into LAX or another airport?
LAX has the most flights and is the default gateway. Hollywood Burbank and Long Beach are smaller and closer to some districts, so compare them if your hotel is in those areas. Check routes and fares before booking.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialLA Metro
- officialLos Angeles World Airports (LAX)
- officialDiscover Los Angeles
- secondaryWikivoyage – Los Angeles