Getting around Los Angeles | Intrepid Travel NZ

Moving around Los Angeles is relatively easy however it's not always a quick process. Los Angeles is known for bad traffic conditions during peak periods of the day and can cause a delay in getting to and from places. We recommend allowing for extra time when you're moving about to ensure you don't arrive late to your destination.

Having said that, there are quite a few options when it comes to traveling around Los Angeles and the public transportation system is easy to use, albeit not always reliable or time efficient. You can certainly walk around various locations in Los Angeles, like down Hollywood Boulevard or the Sunset Strip however most iconic attractions and sights in this city are not within walking distance of each other. Driving your own car or going for a ride share option is a more feasible way of getting around.

Walking around Los Angeles

Walking around Los Angeles is not the recommended form of travel if you're trying to go between various attractions or sights. More often than not, the popular tourist destinations are quite far apart and would take you hours to get there if you were walking. If you did want to walk, it is quite safe to do so if you stick to the tourist destinations and popular residential areas.

There are some destinations that are perfect for walking however, such as the Runyon Canyon hiking trail and the Hollywood sign hiking trial.

Make sure you're always wearing sunscreen when you're out and about in Los Angeles as the sun's UV rays can be quite high, even during the Winter months.

Driving around Los Angeles

Driving around Los Angeles is the most popular form of transportation and is often the quickest (even though traffic can get congested). If you didn't drive to LA, there are a number of rental car companies located at LAX where you can hire a car for the duration of your stay. Alternatively, ride sharing options such as Uber or Lyft are also quite popular if you have flown into LA and want to get around quickly and conveniently.

Catching public transport in Los Angeles

Public transport in Los Angeles consists of Metro buses and the Metro rail system. If you're taking the bus, there are options for a single-fare ride starting at $7 or if you're going to be using it on a regular basis, you can purchase a weekly fare for $25.

If you'd rather travel by rail, there are six different lines to take you across Los Angeles inlcuding downtown and the San Fernando Valley. You'll need to have fares stored onto a TAP card (a reusable, plastic card) that can be used whenever you're travelling by rail. To top up the fares on your TAP card, use one of the vending machines located at all rail stations.

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