If you’re planning to travel this summer, there’s now one more reason to celebrate! Besides the joy of a quick getaway, the LAX/Metro Transit Center is finally open and it’s set to transform the way locals and visitors get around the city. The ambitious project officially opened on June 6 and marks a major step forward, finally giving travelers the kind of public transportation access you’d expect in major cities like Tokyo, London, or Paris.
To help you make the most of it on your next trip to the airport, here’s a quick guide on how to navigate the new station.
When is the LAX/Metro a good option?
If you live near the K or C Lines, this new connection is a game-changer. For just $1.75 (payable via TAP card or the TAP mobile app), it offers an affordable and relatively smooth ride to LAX. Depending on where you’re coming from, the journey might involve a few transfers.
Until the Automated People Mover (APM) opens in 2026, give yourself an hour of wiggle room to get to the farther terminals just in case there are any delays. In some cases, the LAX FlyAway bus might be more convenient for travelers coming from farther out.
How to reach the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station from these areas in LA:
Hollywood: Take the B Line (Red) to 7th Street/Metro Center, transfer to the E Line (Yellow) toward Santa Monica, then hop on the K Line (Pink) at Expo/Crenshaw.
DTLA: Board the E Line (Yellow) from 7th Street/Metro Center and transfer to the K Line (Pink). Alternatively, ride the A Line (Blue) and switch to the C Line (Green) at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks.
Santa Monica: Take the E Line (Yellow) and change to the K Line (Pink) at Expo/Crenshaw.
Long Beach: Ride the A Line (Blue), transfer to the C Line (Green) at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks, and continue to the LAX station.
The Free Shuttle to LAX
Once at the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, follow the signs to board the free airport shuttle. Buses arrive approximately every 10 minutes and drop passengers off at the arrival level of each terminal. From there, you can head up to departures via escalator or elevator.
If you’re flying out of LAX, look for the pink shuttle signs near the arrival area outside each terminal. The same looped shuttle service runs continuously between the station and terminals. Pro tip: on a light-traffic Friday evening, the full loop took about 45 minutes, so if your terminal is toward the end (like Terminal 6 or 7) give yourself some buffer time.