LAX (Los Angeles International) — LAX Automated People Mover + Metro K Line
Los Angeles International (LAX) to Los Angeles — Updated 2026
Los Angeles International (LAX) finally got a rail connection in 2026 with the opening of the LAX Automated People Mover (APM) — a free, elevated 2.25-mile shuttle that links the horseshoe terminals to the LAX/Metro Transit Center at Aviation/96th. From there, the Metro K Line ($1.75 with TAP card) connects to Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Culver City, and eventually LAX itself, transforming what was one of the worst rail-served major airports in the world. The APM runs every 2-3 minutes, 24 hours a day, and stops at all nine terminals plus the Consolidated Rent-a-Car facility and the transit center. Trip time from a mid-terminal to the K Line platform is 10-12 minutes end-to-end. For travellers going to Downtown LA, the total journey is APM (10 min) + K Line to Expo/Crenshaw (14 min) + E Line to 7th/Metro (18 min) = ~45 minutes for $1.75 — dramatically cheaper than the $60 Uber. Note that the K Line does not yet stop at the LAX/Metro Transit Center directly (as of March 2026) — you must take the C Line one stop from Aviation/96th to Aviation/LAX and transfer.
LAX Automated People Mover + Metro K Line stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LAX Terminal 1-9 (APM) | 0 min | Board APM at any terminal, free |
| LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car (APM) | ~5 min | Rental car centre stop |
| LAX/Metro Transit Center (APM) | 10-12 min | End of APM; walk to C Line + K Line platforms |
| Aviation/LAX (C Line, one stop) | ~15 min | Transfer to K Line here |
| Expo/Crenshaw (K Line) | ~30 min | Transfer to E Line for Downtown or Santa Monica |
| 7th St/Metro Center (E Line) | ~48 min | Downtown LA, transfer to A/B/D lines |
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| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| APM + Metro K + E Line | $1.75 | 45-55 min | Best budget option to Downtown LA. Free APM. |
| FlyAway bus to Union Station | $9.75 | 30-50 min | Direct to Downtown Union Station. Every 30 min. |
| FlyAway bus to Van Nuys | $9.75 | 45-60 min | Direct to San Fernando Valley. |
| FlyAway bus to Hollywood | $9.75 | 40-60 min | Direct to Hollywood/Vine Metro. |
| Uber/Lyft to Downtown | $45-85 | 25-60 min | Airport surcharge; use LAX-it lot. Surge common. |
| Taxi (flat fare) | $50 to Downtown | 25-60 min | Flat fares from LAX to zones. $4 airport fee added. |
FAQ
Is there finally a train from LAX?+
Yes — as of 2026, the LAX Automated People Mover (free) connects all nine terminals to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, from where you can reach the Metro K Line and (with one transfer) the C Line. The APM runs 24 hours, every 2-3 minutes. Before the APM opened, you had to take the "LAX Shuttle G" bus to the Aviation/LAX station — a chronically unreliable option. The APM ended that.
How do I get from LAX to Downtown LA by train?+
APM to LAX/Metro Transit Center (10-12 min, free) → walk to Aviation/96th Station → Metro C Line one stop north to Aviation/LAX → transfer to K Line north to Expo/Crenshaw (14 min) → transfer to E Line east to 7th St/Metro Center (18 min). Total ~45-55 min, $1.75 with TAP card (free transfers within 2 hours). By 2027 the K Line will run directly to LAX/Metro Transit Center, eliminating the C Line transfer.
FlyAway bus vs Metro from LAX?+
FlyAway is faster + direct but more expensive. FlyAway Union Station: 30-50 min, $9.75, every 30 min, drops at Union Station where you can transfer to Metrolink or the A/B/D Metro lines. Metro K/E Line: 45-55 min, $1.75 with 2 transfers. Take FlyAway if going to Union Station, San Fernando Valley, or Hollywood — it's worth the extra $8. Take Metro if going anywhere else on the K/E/C Line network.
When does the K Line direct-to-LAX open?+
Metro's current schedule targets the LAX/Metro Transit Center station on the K Line for late 2027 / early 2028 — after which the K Line will stop directly at the APM interchange without a C Line transfer. Until then, all K Line airport journeys require the one-stop C Line transfer at Aviation/LAX. The K Line itself opened in October 2022 (initially to Westchester/Veterans), was extended to LAX in stages, and will complete the direct link with the LAX/Metro Transit Center infill station.
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