How to Get from LAX Airport to Los Angeles
All transport options from LAX — FlyAway, Metro, taxi & rideshare (2026)
Quick Facts: All Transport Options
| Option | Cost | Journey Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚌 LAX FlyAway Bus | $9.75 | 30–50 min | Budget, Union Station |
| 🚇 Shuttle + Metro C Line | $1.75–3.50 | 45–75 min | Budget, light packer |
| 🚕 Taxi (metered) | $50–80 | 25–60 min | Groups, luggage |
| 🚗 Uber/Lyft | $35–65 | 25–60 min | Door-to-door |
| 🏨 Private Transfer / Limo | $70–120 | 25–50 min | Business travel |
LAX FlyAway Bus (Best Value)
The LAX FlyAway is an official LAWA bus service connecting LAX to Union Station (downtown) and other LA destinations. It's by far the best value option for most travelers.
- Take the free LAX Shuttle (Green Line G) from your terminal to the LAX Transit Center.
- Board the FlyAway Bus to Union Station (downtown LA) — operates 24/7.
- From Union Station, connect to Metro Rail, buses, or take a rideshare to your hotel.
Fare: $9.75 one-way. Journey time: ~35 min off-peak to Union Station. Buy tickets online or at the kiosk; cash and card accepted.
Metro C Line (Budget Option)
The free LAX Shuttle (Green Line G) connects terminals to Aviation/LAX Station, where you board the Metro C Line (Green Line) towards the city. It's the cheapest option but involves a transfer and is best for light packers.
- Free shuttle (Green Line G) from terminal → Aviation/LAX Station
- Metro C Line: $1.75 per ride with a TAP card (buy at the station machine)
- Transfer at Redondo Beach or Hawthorne/Lennox for the Blue Line to Downtown
- Total journey to downtown: 60–75 min; not ideal with heavy luggage
Taxi & Rideshare
Taxis from LAX are metered; expect $50–80 to most LA destinations plus a $4 airport fee. Traffic on the 405 can double journey times during rush hour (07:00–10:00 and 16:00–19:00).
- Taxi to Downtown LA: ~$50–65 + tip
- Taxi to Hollywood/West Hollywood: ~$55–70 + tip
- Taxi to Santa Monica: ~$40–55 + tip
- Uber/Lyft: use the LAX-it lot (free shuttle from terminals) — not at terminal curbside
Important: Since 2020, all rideshare pickups at LAX must use the LAX-it lot. Take the free LAX-it shuttle from your terminal's lower level.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way from LAX to downtown LA?
The Metro C Line + Blue Line combination costs just $1.75–3.50 via TAP card, but takes 60–75 minutes and requires luggage management. The LAX FlyAway Bus ($9.75) is a better balance of cost and convenience.
Where do I get Uber and Lyft at LAX?
All rideshare pickups must use the LAX-it lot — not at the terminal curb. Take the free LAX-it shuttle from the lower level of your arrivals terminal. Follow the orange "LAX-it" signs.
How long does it take to get from LAX to Hollywood?
By taxi or rideshare: 25–40 min off-peak, up to 60–70 min during rush hour. By FlyAway Bus to Union Station then Metro: about 60–75 min total.
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LAX transport — verified prices + times
Source: LAX authority + Metro LA + LAX-it hub · Sep 2026| Mode | Cost to Downtown | Time |
|---|---|---|
| FlyAway Bus (Union Station) | $9.75 | 30-45 min |
| Metro C + K Line | $1.75 | 60-80 min |
| Uber / Lyft / Curb | $45-95 + $4.50 LAX-it fee | 25-60 min |
| Yellow cab (flat rate) | $50.75 flat + tolls | 25-60 min |
| Prime Time / SuperShuttle shared | $28-45 shared | 45-90 min |
| LAX Automated People Mover | Free | 10 min |
LAX Automated People Mover is a game-changer since 2024 — makes Metro transit realistic where before it required a 25-min shuttle wait. Terminal → Metro station: 10 min via APM vs 25 min shuttle.
Editor's field notes
AirConnect EditorialLAX-it is confusing but non-negotiable. Since 2019 all ride-share pickups (Uber/Lyft/Curb) + taxis leave from LAX-it (a lot east of T1). You take a free green/purple shuttle from your terminal to LAX-it (10-15 min), then hail from there. It sounds annoying but the alternative is sitting in terminal-curb gridlock for 30 min. Follow "LAX-it" signs at every terminal arrivals level.
Bandit cabs are the biggest scam. Guys in arrivals offering "taxi $60 Hollywood" are unlicensed. Ignore them. Only legit rides leave from LAX-it. Yellow cab flat rate to Downtown is $50.75, hard-coded by LA regulation.
FlyAway bus is genuinely great. $9.75 to Union Station, 24/7, dedicated bus lane on the 405. Beats Uber in cost AND often in time during rush hour. Only downside: you still need to get from Union Station to your final destination (metro, another Uber). If your hotel is walkable from Union Station, FlyAway is the answer.
Now Metro is realistic. The 2024 APM changed everything. Terminal → APM (free, 10 min) → Metro station → C Line → K Line → wherever. $1.75 total. Takes 60-80 min but no traffic. Best for backpackers on tight budgets.
Terminal to terminal. If connecting between T1-T8, use the free A/B/C shuttle OR the APM. Never walk — the perimeter is 3+ km.
Late-night arrivals. FlyAway runs 24/7. Uber/Lyft 24/7 (surge to $80-120 for LAX-it after 22:00 due to shuttle wait). LAX-it can have 30-60 min queue on weekend nights — book Uber Reserved or take FlyAway to skip it.
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