Finding a home in a sprawling metropolis can be a difficult task. And what if you make the choice to forego a car, especially when living in an urban city center that relies heavily on motor vehicles? How do you navigate in a large city where few residents walk? In a sea of daunting skyscrapers and a myriad of suburbia to choose from, here are some tips on how to get around Los Angeles using the city’s public transit system.

Know Your Transit Options

Metro train station in Los AngelesDowntown, CA

In the immediate Los Angeles metropolitan area, there are several different types of transit. The main vein is the LA Metro, which includes multiple bus lines, trains, and the light rail, as well as regional railway options. The Dash bus is only within the city itself, while the Metro covers the main parts of the city as well as some of the outskirts including Long Beach.

Around the Metro

 Metro bus in Los Angeles

In the suburbs, you’ll find local bus services. Each of these have different rates and will need a transfer payment (if switching from the Metro line) or their own form of payments (if going straight on them). Closely adjacent suburbs have their own bus services with their own schedules. The Culver City Bus, for example, costs $1.00 to ride each way. Santa Monica also has its own bus line called Big Blue Bus, and it costs $1.25 to ride each way.

Outside the Metro 

 LA Metro sign

Los Angeles transit connections go all over the county and into other neighboring counties. The Metro Trip Planner lists 70 partners within it’s massive sprawl of listings. Daily commuting is best planned from your location within Los Angeles County.

Not all neighborhoods and cities are as public transit-friendly as others. And, if you’re choosing an area to live in and want to use public transit to get there, planning around your neighborhood as well as your commute is worth looking into.

Choosing to Commute Outside of the Metro

Metrolink

Some residents of Southern California chose to live outside the city limits of LA but work close to a train line. The Metrolink is a great resource for these types of commuters. They offer seven different lines to get you around Los Angeles and its neighboring counties if commuting is your decision. The Metrolink and Amtrak overlap in some areas as well. Check out both to find out which one works best with your location and destination.