Los Angeles - Inexpensive transportation?

I will be in LA for a few days but I do not drive. I need pick up and return to/from airport to Los Feliz area - as well as some transporting around the city for meetings and such. I cannot afford to take taxis everywhere...

Anyone know of an alternative option? I know public transit is a moot point given it's pretty terrible and the city is so sprawling...

Anyone know of an alternative option? I know public transit is a moot point given it's pretty terrible and the city is so sprawling...

Public transit in LA is much better than most people think (I use it far more often than my car), unless you're headed way into the boondocks. Getting to/from the airport with it is cheap and easy.

First, when you exit the baggage claim, look for the green sign that says "FlyAway, Buses and Long Distance Vans". You'll want the FlyAway bus to Union Station. It costs $7.00 (paid on arrival at the station) and takes you nonstop to downtown LA. See http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292 for schedules and other details.

Using the driving directions/"public transit" option on Google Maps will show you the easiest way to get from Union Station to the specific address you need in Los Feliz. It will probably involve some combination of the Metro Red Line (subway, $1.50) and local bus. More info on the rail/bus system is at http://www.metro.net

Enjoy your stay!

Just out of curiosity, for initial and final trips to/from LAX, wouldn't it be easier if OP takes private shuttles that can reach the destination (presumably a hotel) in one trip? I am asking because I thought it might be a bit much for a visitor to change buses/metro more than once in unfamiliar surroundings. The cost of the shuttle shouldn't be too expensive to downtown, right?

LAX

if we could confirm that Shuttle2LAX.com works then its $20

Better than the hassle the first day here of buses , metro etc,

Rally

Just out of curiosity, for initial and final trips to/from LAX, wouldn't it be easier if OP takes private shuttles that can reach the destination (presumably a hotel) in one trip? I am asking because I thought it might be a bit much for a visitor to change buses/metro more than once in unfamiliar surroundings. The cost of the shuttle shouldn't be too expensive to downtown, right?


True, the cost of the shuttle won't be too much. Whether or not the OP wants to avail her/himself of public transport depends on several presently unknown factors, including:

- how much luggage the OP will be carrying

- how comfortable s/he is navigating unfamiliar cities' public transit systems

- whether the Red Line's Vermont/Sunset stop is close to the final Los Feliz destination

Flyaway Bus + Red Line is one of the simplest public transit journeys you can take in LA, comparable to the rides I've taken from the airport on my first visits to DCA, ORD, BOS, and other unfamiliar places. If you've done this sort of thing before it's a piece of cake. However, if the OP is carrying heavy luggage or is uncomfortable in these situations, a shuttle would definitely be the better option.

We can give you much better advise if you tell us exactly where in Los Feliz you are staying (don't give out your address on the internet, just the nearest cross street); and where will you be visiting for meetings.

Los Feliz in general is very easy to access via public transportation due to proximity to red line, and plentiful and frequent buses.

Cross streets will definitely help, as some of Los Feliz's residential streets are on hilly terrain.

also what time you are arriving would help


Rally

To get from the airport (LAX/ BUR? Other?) there are a few options, but I agree that shuttles or, in some limited circumstances, a FlyAway bus or public transportation, could be feasible. At this point we know that OP wants to get from LAX to somewhere along Los Feliz and back, but have no idea where they'll be going from there. By Los Felez I'm guessing somewhere in the Hollywood area, but am not sure. To get there from the airport I'd probably suggest a shuttle (Supershuttle and Prime Time are at LAX) or, if they don't have much luggage and want to save money and don't mind the time, take the FlyAway bus from LAX to Union Station (http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292_) , and then the Red Line subway (IF the Red Line goes close to their destination). I know of some people who take regular L.A. or Santa Monica busses with their luggage.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Web site at http://www.metro.net/ has a trip planning feature. If they're going some distance, especially to outlying areas or Orange County, they could look at Metrolink commuter rail, http://www.metrolinktrains.com/, or even Amtrak.

Los Angeles is a huge, spread-out area, and the term is often used not just to describe the City of Los Angeles, but the larger County of Los Angeles, and even nearby counties e.g., Orange). It is what it is. If OP can't drive and can't afford to take taxis, the most feasible option I can think of is to make the best of the public transportation system,which includes not just busses, but also light rail and subways. We've taken Metrolink from Ontario/Upland to downtown L.A. and from Van Nuys to downtown L.A., and subway from Universal City to Hollywood, and busses from LAX to Westwood and Santa Monica. And lived to tell the tale.

We've taken Metrolink from Ontario/Upland to downtown L.A. and from Van Nuys to downtown L.A., and subway from Universal City to Hollywood, and busses from LAX to Westwood and Santa Monica. And lived to tell the tale.

Oh dear. How long did those take?

LAX to Westwood/SM is pretty short (about an hour) for a good 12 mile ride.

Oh dear. How long did those take?

LAX to Westwood/SM is pretty short (about an hour) for a good 12 mile ride.

Both less than an hour, as I recall, but maybe not much less. We took the FlyAway bus to Westwood the first day (I had appointments at UCLA), but the next day decided to take a Culver City bus, to save money and also since it left right from the "LAX transit center" a block or two from our hotel (for the FlyAway we first took the hotel shuttle to LAX). When it turned out late one afternoon we had to rush to UCLA and took a cab, that also took an hour, due to the traffic. And cost a lot more than the regular bus or FlyAway.

Just rent a car and drive. It's Los Angeles. Everyone drives.

What do you mean you "don't drive"? Why not?

You don't have a license?
Doesn't stop anyone else in Los Angeles.

You don't know how?
Doesn't stop anyone else in Los Angeles.

You can barely see over the wheel, can't see at night, and don't know where you're going?
Doesn't stop anyone else in Los Angeles.

Just rent a car and drive. It's Los Angeles. Everyone drives.

What do you mean you "don't drive"? Why not?

You don't have a license?
Doesn't stop anyone else in Los Angeles.

You don't know how?
Doesn't stop anyone else in Los Angeles.

You can barely see over the wheel, can't see at night, and don't know where you're going?
Doesn't stop anyone else in Los Angeles.

While this may be true, as I've seen insurance being advertised as "no license, no problem!," this is not sage advice and could pose a hazard for the rest of us who do drive in Los Angeles. At least clarify it by saying, don't drive west of the 405!

Just rent a car and drive. It's Los Angeles. Everyone drives.

What do you mean you "don't drive"? Why not?

You don't have a license?
Doesn't stop anyone else in Los Angeles.

But it definitely WILL stop you from renting a car...

Since every LAX rental agency I know of is going to ack to make a copy of your licence.....and when you fail to present it, that will end any chance of renting.

Maybe you should take that rant and get it looked at...

Maybe you should take that rant and get it looked at...:D

"Rant-a-Wreck". perhaps? :p