Plan Your Trip
Every trip has a beginning and ending, and going Metro is no different. So the first step is to decide on your starting point, your destination, and the day and time you want to travel.
Then just enter that information in the Metro Trip Planner, and you’ll get a customized itinerary in seconds, telling you what line to take, where to catch it, where to exit and what it costs.
| |
TIP: Most bus and rail lines start around 4am and keep running past midnight, but they’re less frequent in the evening, so be sure to plan your return trip before you go.
|
|
If you want extra detail, you can:
- Check our Timetables for detailed route and schedule information on each line
- View our Maps for a more geographic look at the system
- Refer to our Destination Guides for the proximity of major attractions to select bus and rail lines
Have questions or need more help? Speak to one of our Customer Information Agents by calling 323.GO.METRO (323.466.3876) are available 6:30am - 7pm (Monday - Friday) and 8:00am - 4:30pm (Saturday/Sunday). Please note that you may have to wait for the next available agent.
| |
TIP: The shortest wait time for Customer Information Agents is usually between 11am and 3pm on weekdays, and between 10am and 3pm on weekends.
|
Pay Your Fare

Metro’s base fare is $1.50. You can pay cash each time you board a Metro bus (bus operators don't carry change, so you'll need exact fare) or buy and add value to a reusable TAP card from TAP vending machines at Metro Rail or Metro Orange Line stations.
Reduced cash fares are available for senior and disabled riders with valid proof of status.
| |
TIP: Two children under age 5 may travel free with each fare-paying adult on bus or rail.
|
|
If you’re going to be a frequent rider, a Monthly or Weekly Pass may be your best value. There are several types of Reduced Fare Passes for student, senior and disabled riders as well; a Day Pass is also available. All are sold on stored value cards called TAP cards at hundreds of locations throughout the county.
| |
TIP: If you're getting on a Metro bus with a pre-paid pass or stored value on a TAP card, simply tap it on the farebox's TAP target as you board. On Metro Rail lines and the Metro Orange Line, you need to tap your card on the turnstile or station validator as you enter the station.
|
|
Hop on Board

Congratulations, you’re on your way! No traffic to fight, no parking hassles – it’s time to enjoy the ride. Now here are some ways to make your trip even better:
On a Metro Bus
- Watch for your destination. About one block before your stop, press the STOP button or pull the cord between the windows to signal the operator to let you off.
- Check to be sure you have all your belongings before you leave.
- Exit through the rear doors whenever possible; it speeds up boarding for new passengers.
- If you happen to drop something when exiting, leave it on the ground until the bus drives away.
On Metro Rail
- Grab the handrails for stability if standing or moving around the train car.
- Use the overhead maps to help you watch for your station.
- Check to be sure you have all your belongings.
- Be ready to exit when your stop is approaching.
General Safety
- Never run after or next to a moving bus or train.
- Always stand back from the curb or platform edge.
- Hold onto your child when a train or bus approaches.
- Offer priority seating to senior/disabled riders.
Showing the latest posts relating to: Getting Started
-
-
Posted by Steve Hymon on April 16, 2013 11:53 am
- Click above to see larger version.
The 6th CicLAvia is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Sunday, April 21, so time to oil your bike chains, lace up your walking/running shoes or break out the ...
-

-
Posted by Steve Hymon on March 20, 2013 3:15 pm
- The ExpressLanes on the 110 freeway. Photo by Metro.
The Metro ExpressLanes pilot project released its first performance report on Wednesday, offering a statistical look at how the project ...
-

-
Posted by Steve Hymon on September 28, 2012 12:29 pm
-
Sen. Barbara Boxer and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa held a brief media briefing at today's Mobility 21 summit in Anaheim.
They both made a similar point in their remarks: the biggest ...
-

-
Posted by Steve Hymon on September 4, 2012 7:59 am
- Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the Library’s Headlines blog, which you can also access via ...
-
-
Posted by Steve Hymon on May 2, 2012 4:27 pm
- Photo by Gary Leonard for Metro.
EXPO LINE OPENING: First and foremost, a hearty congratulations to Los Angeles County taxpayers who mostly footed the bill for the $932-million first phase of ...
-
-
Posted by Steve Hymon on April 19, 2012 8:39 am
- Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the Library’s Headlines blog, which you can also access via ...
-
-
Posted by goodwindo on April 18, 2012 10:45 am
- Image provided courtesy of Los Angeles Walks
Ask anyone smart enough to get off the tour bus at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and they will mention something many people don’t know about Los Angeles. ...
-

-
Posted by Carter Rubin on November 9, 2011 8:04 am
-
The city of Los Angeles launched a virtual town hall yesterday to ask Angelenos how to improve mobility and make the best use of the city’s 6000-plus miles of streets. The town hall is the ...
-

-
Posted by Steve Hymon on June 22, 2011 12:46 pm
- View Larger Map
Public officials held a groundbreaking on Wednesday morning for a project to improve the Carmenita/I-5 interchange. As the Google satellite view above shows, the bridge is two lanes ...
-
-
Posted by Gayle Anderson on October 19, 2010 5:18 pm
- Even the event posters are archives. This one is based upon an illustration of a one-person rocket helicopter, 1951. From the Los Angeles Examiner Negative Collection.
The Metro Library is among some ...