The Los Angeles Metro is a rail and bus network serving destinations across Los Angeles. Expo/La Brea, Farmdale and Wilshire/La Brea are stations to consider, while TAP or contactless payment can simplify boarding and transfers.
- Expo/La Brea is about a 23-minute walk or 4-minute drive from a motel in Los Angeles.
- Metro’s regular one-way fare is $1.75, with daily and 7-day fare caps.
Metro stations near the hotel
Expo/La Brea, Farmdale and Wilshire/La Brea are stations to consider for trips around the city. The station details do not identify a particular rail line for each station, so check Metro route information for the service you need.
For a broader look at car-free options between destinations, use this guide to getting around Los Angeles without a car.
How do Metro fares and TAP work?
Metro accepts TAP cards and contactless payment on buses and at rail stations. A regular one-way fare is $1.75; Metro also applies daily and 7-day fare caps.
Metro’s daily cap is $5: after you pay for three rides in one day, additional rides are free under the cap. The 7-day cap is $18.
Riders who tap to pay receive free transfers within two hours, but round trips are not included. To receive that transfer benefit with a credit or debit card, use the same physical or digital card throughout the trip.
Payment options include physical or digital credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as TAP cards. Metro accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB and UnionPay for tap payment. Children under age six may ride free with a fare-paying adult.
Discounted interagency transfers are available within 2.5 hours of the first tap. Before boarding, arrive 10 minutes early and tap at a validator or turnstile to enter the rail platform or waiting area. Fares and payment rules can change, so check the official site before you go.
Planning a route across Los Angeles
Metro says its E Line runs between East Los Angeles and Santa Monica, and its D Line between Union Station and Wilshire/La Cienega. The rail network has six train lines and 115 stations.
For a day built around several stops, check the map and station connections before choosing your route. The E Line’s Culver City station connects with Metro bus lines 33 and 617. At La Cienega/Jefferson, bus lines 38, 105 and 217 connect with the station, which also has parking.
These connections can help you combine rail with a bus for the final part of a trip. If your plans include a range of city sights, this Los Angeles day itinerary offers a route-focused planning companion.
When to combine Metro with other transport
Combine Metro with a bus when a station connection matches your destination better than a rail-only journey. Culver City links the E Line with buses 33 and 617, while La Cienega/Jefferson connects with buses 38, 105 and 217.
La Cienega/Jefferson has parking, which may suit a drive-and-ride plan. If your trip starts at the airport, compare transport approaches in this guide to airport transfers.
FAQs
Which Metro stations are closest?
Expo/La Brea, Farmdale and Wilshire/La Brea are stations to consider for trips around the area.
Can you pay for Los Angeles Metro with a contactless card?
Yes. Metro accepts physical and digital credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay on buses and at rail stations. Use the same card or device during a trip to receive the two-hour free-transfer benefit.
What is the Metro daily fare cap?
The daily cap is $5. After paying for three rides in one day, additional rides are free under the cap.
Does Metro connect with local buses?
Yes. The E Line’s Culver City station connects with buses 33 and 617, while La Cienega/Jefferson connects with buses 38, 105 and 217.