In major news for both outgoing Angelenos and incoming tourists, the LAX/Metro Transit Center is finally opening at Los Angeles International Airport next week. The world-class transport hub is one of numerous public transport projects rolling out ahead of the 2028 Olympics, addressing a major gap in the L.A. transport system by connecting the airport with Metro’s K and C rail lines and numerous bus lines. Is traffic at LAX a thing of the past? Read on for a rundown of everything you should know before your next flight.
When does the LAX/Metro Transit Center open?
The LAX/Metro Transit Center opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 6th, 2025.
Where is the LAX/Metro Transit Center located?
The new center is located at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street on the northeastern side of LAX.
Which rail and bus lines connect to the transit center?
Upon the June 6th opening date, the following Metro and bus lines will connect to the LAX/Metro Transit Center. If you take the K or C rail line to LAX, you could bypass much of the airport’s notorious traffic.
- Metro K Line connects through LAX and south to Redondo Beach
- Metro C Line adds the new LAX station after its current end-of-line Aviation/Century station
- Metro Bus Lines to South Gate (102), Norwalk (111), Downey (117), Whittier (120), and Long Beach (232)
- Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (3, Rapid 3) to Santa Monica
- Culver CityBus (6, Rapid 6) to Culver City and UCLA
- Beach Cities Transit (109) to Redondo Beach
- GTrans (Gardena) Line 5 to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station, with connections to Metro A Line and El Segundo
- Torrance Transit Line 8 to Torrance
The C & K Line Link 857 will discontinue service on June 6th, 2025.
How do I get to my terminal?
LAX offers a free dedicated shuttle that runs between the LAX/Metro Transit Center and all LAX terminals. The shuttle runs every ten minutes and drops travelers off at the lower level of each terminal.
This shuttle system is a temporary solution available until LAX opens the Automated People Mover in 2026, which will connect directly to the terminals via an elevated guideway.
How do I pay my fare?
If you don’t already have a TAP Card, they will be available for purchase and reload at the LAX/Metro Transit Center. You can also get a virtual TAP Card and pay on your phone.
Single rides on the LA Metro cost $1.75, and you can purchase a round-trip fare to save time on your return. Remember that Metro has a fare-capping system, so if you’re planning to take more trips on public transit, you’ll never pay more than $5 per day or $18 per week.
What should I know about accessibility, amenities, and other features?
The LAX/Metro Transit Center is fully ADA-accessible with elevators, ramps, and guidance features. The design includes a pedestrian plaza, a dedicated passenger pick-up and drop-off area, a customer service center, restrooms, a bike hub, and a commercial area. You can learn more about these features in our article.
What’s next for LAX?
The $900 million Metro Transit Center is a key component of LAX’s broader $30 billion modernization and upgrade initiative. As part of the Capital Improvement Program, the airport is undergoing significant renovations, including the new Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility, the expansive 146,000-square-foot Midfield Satellite Concourse, and a complete overhaul of Terminal 6.
While some major parts of the LAX overhaul will be finished before the 2028 Olympics, this is just the tip of the iceberg when looking at the ambitious “Twenty-Eight by ’28” initiative. In an effort to improve city infrastructure and host the country’s “cleanest” Games ever, LA Metro plans to complete 28 key projects before 2028—you can read more about them in our article.
Where can I learn more?
Visit L.A. Metro’s website to learn more about the LAX/Metro Transit Center.