By Metro Rail in Los Angeles

By Metro Rail

Metro Rail covers a limited area of L.A.'s vast expanse, but what there is, is helpful and frequent. The underground Red Line runs from Union Station downtown through Mid-Wilshire, Hollywood, and Universal City on its way to North Hollywood, stopping at the most popular tourist destinations along the way. The light commuter rail Green Line stretches from Redondo Beach to Norwalk, while the partially underground Blue Line goes from downtown to the South Bay (Long Beach/San Pedro). The Green and Blue lines are not often used by visitors. The monorail-like Gold Line, opened in summer 2003, begins at Union Station and heads northeast to Pasadena and Sierra Madre. The Orange Line, a 14-mi bus corridor connecting the North Hollywood subway station with the western San Fernando Valley, opened in fall 2005.

Fares & Schedules

There's service from about 4:30 AM to 12:30 AM, every 5-15 minutes, depending on time of day and location. Buy a ticket from any station's vending machines (use bus tokens, coins, or $1 or $5 bills). It costs $1.25 plus 25¢ per transfer, or $3 for an all-day pass. The machines print your tickets and make change. (If you have a valid Metro Pass for buses, you don't need a ticket.) Metro Rail operates on the honor system; officers make periodic checks for valid tickets or passes onboard. Bicycles are not allowed during rush hours and then only with permits, but you can store them on a rack (free) or in a locker (fee). The Web site is the best way to get info on Metro Rail. See also "L.A. on the Fast Track" in Chapter 1.

Metro Rail Information

Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) (800/266-6883 or 213/626-4455. www.mta.net).