Getting Around Los Angeles

Airports
Los Angeles International Airport, or LAX, as it is locally known as, is the third busiest airport in the world. It is about 30km southwest of Downtown L.A. Public transport from LAX is slow but cheap. The "C" shuttle leaves from the LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections sign on the Lower/Arrival Level islands in front of each terminal and brings passengers to the Metro Bus Centre, where you can catch city buses serving the Los Angeles area. Information on city bus services is available by telephone on the Information Display Board in the baggage claim area in each terminal. In addition, passengers can obtain local transit information by calling 1(800) 266-6883. L.A. City's well laid out transport website also gives routes and timetables for public transport to and from the city. Private shuttle buses do hotel drop offs right to the door, cheaper than a taxi and quicker than the public bus. These can be found on the Lower/Arrival Level islands in front of each terminal under the red sign Hotel & Parking Lot Shuttles. Taxis are readily available but expensive (they add a service charge from the airport). They can be found on the Lower/Arrival Level islands in front of each terminal. Passengers are given a ticket stating typical fares to major destinations. There are also plenty of car rental agencies at the airport with competitive prices. Smaller airports in the Los Angeles area avoid the LAX gridlock and provide connections to almost anywhere within the US. Check the individual websites for details on flights and ground transport. Also check www.mta.net for public transport routes and timetables. Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport is located 25km northwest of Downtown. Long Beach Airport is located 40 km south of Downtown.

Local Transportation
Los Angeles is a city designed for cars. Getting around without one is generally slow and complicated. Most visitors rent a car for their stay, but if you decide not to, there are options. Buses, trains and trams are run by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority. Basic bus fare is $1.25, trains a little more, and you can get a day pass for around $3. The Metro, which runs both over and under ground, is sometimes handy for getting from Downtown outwards. The Transit Authority's website (www.mta.net) is well laid out and provides all necessary information on routes, timetables and fares. The Downtown Area Short Hop (DASH) shuttle system operates buses throughout Downtown, Hollywood, and the west side of L.A. Service runs roughly every 5 to 20 minutes and costs 25¢. Contact the Department of Transportation for routes and timetables.

Taxis
Cabs do not usually stop when hailed down. There are cabstands at all major hotels and stations. Check that your cab has the official City of Los Angeles Taxicab Seal, which ensures that it is insured, inspected and driven by a trained driver. If not, it is illegal. The website below provide all the necessary information with company listings, phone numbers and service areas. To order a cab in advance, call LA Taxi (+1 213-6277000) or United Taxi (+1 213-4837604).