We will be travelling in the summer and visiting the main attractions. we are totally relient on public transport so would like to get some idea of costs, accessibility, locations, safety, etc of this. Could anybody inform me of the local bus or metro service and prices, etc? Thanks
2007-05-15 13:28:36 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Los Angeles
The reason I have asked this questions so many times is that I am travelling in america not staying in one place, therefore I want to have some idea of what to expect to enable me to plan my trip better. I apologise if this question is borad but I have no experience of Los Angeles at all. All I can say is I am wanting to stay in the centre of LA and visit the big attractions.
2007-05-15 13:47:27 · update #1
Our Metro bus and rail system costs $3.00 for an all day pass. You can do a search for Metro Los Angeles on your search line. I work for Travelers Aid at Los Angeles International Airport. Every terminal has a Travelers Aid booth. Go to one of them and they can help you. They have bus schedules, maps and brochures. Also most hotels have brochures of fun things to do. You can also travel by Amtrak train if you go to, say like, San Diego. We have good buses and our Metro Rail system go right to Universal Studios and Hollywood. They have a stop right next to the Chinese Theater. The airport has buses and shuttles (Super Shuttle) available. Taxis are very expensive. You can take the buses and shuttles from the Airport to Disneyland and to almost anywhere you want to go. Cost varies. $15 to $40 is average depending where you want to go. Try and stay away from Downtown Los Angeles, It is yucky and the people are not very nice. Santa Monica, Hollywood, Anaheim are nice places. You can email me if you need more info. I will be happy to help. kingsleydr60@yahoo.com
2007-05-15 14:08:00 · answer #1 · answered by kingsley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Know this about LA, the reason we have horrible traffic is because the area is so vast, a car is often the only option.
Sure, we have buses, taxis and trains, but they don't take you everywhere and can be terribly inconvenient.
If there is absolutely no way you can rent a car, my suggestions are:
Call the hotels and see if they have any shuttle services.
Check with the venues to see if they offer shuttles. I know, for instance, that Universal Studios have a shuttle from Anaheim.
Consider some of the tour companies, like Gray Line.
Consider renting bicycles, or even an electric, street-legal vehicle. Of course, you would need a driver's license. There are even places you can rent Segeways and scooters.
Put an ad on Craigslist to see if you can find someone who wants to earn a little extra pocket money playing taxi.
LA without a car is do-able, if you coordinate. For example, don't try to take a bus from Hollywood to Anaheim in the morning, then expect to get back to Hollywood that night. Plan on spending at least 2 day around Disneyland, to get a chance to the park without being rushed.
2007-05-15 14:09:11 · answer #2 · answered by chieromancer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chiero is right. The area is so vast, and the attractions so far apart, that public transporation just isn't practical. This is not San Francisco, where you can stay in the middle of town and be close to everything. The city of Los Angeles is over 450 square miles, ten times the size of San Francisco. Metropolitan LA is over 4500 square miles. It's HUGE. For example, it's a good 40 miles from Universal Studios to Disneyland. The bus & metro system (at www.metro.net, by the way), just cannot get you there easily.
Check out metro.net, and try to go between a few attractions, and you will see.
Just rent a car while in LA. In SF or Vegas you don't need one, in LA you definitely do.
Good luck
2007-05-15 18:05:21 · answer #3 · answered by Capt. Obvious 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As the second largest city in the United States, Los Angeles has a terribly inadequate public transportation system. That's why so many cars. Some area cities like Long Beach, Torrence, Gardena, and much of Orange County have fairly good systems, but don't have or service many of the touristy attractions.
You can log on to "www.mta.net" and get a map of the L.A. transportation, but is is very confusing. Look for your self. If you do use public transport you will spend most of your day transferring from bus to bus to bus to train to bus ad nauseum, and will have little time to do much else. Rent a car!
EVERYONE IS TELLING YOU THIS. PLEASE BELIEVE US.
2007-05-15 21:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by Peedlepup 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see you were also going to Vegas on another post which has better transportation options. My honest opinion for L.A. is to rent a car. Avoid the freeways between 3:30 - 7:00 pm and 6:30 - 9:30 am. Depends on which way your heading. Ask at your hotel. They will know!
2007-05-15 13:49:37 · answer #5 · answered by SoCal40 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can get a day pass (be advised that in July the day
pass *Might* go up from $3.00 to $5.00 for a day pass
the day pass will be valid on all metro operated services
including the rail lines. and its a pretty good deal
the day pass is good from time of purchase till 3am the next morning)
2007-05-15 16:15:03 · answer #6 · answered by mobilemark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every one above is right and the main reason is that the public transportation sucks in So. Cal.
2007-05-15 20:21:50 · answer #7 · answered by Servette 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋