Riding Metro from South Pasadena to LAX (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
Joining other major cities worldwide, Los Angeles now offers light rail service to and from its international airport. For just $1.75 on the Metro, it’s the cheapest way to catch a flight.
By Melissa Michelson
I set off from the South Pasadena Mission Street station at 2:30 pm on a hot Thursday afternoon just to check things out. Google maps projected a 1 hour and 50-minute ride on the Metro’s “A” Line (formerly the Gold Line) with a free transfer at the Metro “C” Line. I arrived at Tom Bradly International Terminal at 4:55 pm.
The new LAX Metro Transit Center, located at the western end of the C Line, opened June 6, 2025. From there, a free 10-minute shuttle takes passengers to LAX. In January 2026, after seven years of construction, LAX’s 100% electric Automated People Mover (APM) will replace the shuttle, transporting passengers 24/7 on a 2-mile elevated loop to and from LAX, including LAX parking lots and the car rental facility.
Historically, Los Angeles boasted an extensive rail system, with street trams from Altadena over to Palos Verdes and beyond. But the Pacific Electric Railway was dismantled in the 1950s. For airport transit, Angelenos have relied on taxis, Super Shuttle vans, Flyaway coaches to and from Van Nuys Airport and Union Station and, of course, rideshare apps. Now, Angelenos can take the Metro.
L.A. Metro transit map. Insert: Security sign inside rail car. (Photos – Melissa Michelson)
$1.75 instead of $80+ one way
The most convenient way to buy a Metro ticket is through the Tap app in your phone’s e-wallet, or with a physical Tap card. Load up the fare ahead of time, and before hopping on a train, tap your phone or card at one of the vending machines at a Metro stop. Some stations, like South Pasadena, are on the honor system and don’t have turnstiles, so keep an eye out for the discreet tap stations at the entrances to platforms. Even though transfers are free, you still need to “tap” again at transfer stations.
It’s hard to get lost on the LA Metro. There are only 8 lines covering LA County’s 4,000+ square miles. Currently, only 14 of the 103 stations share another line, making transfers easy, especially if the monitors are working. The only complication that can arise is if you don’t pay attention to the PA system announcing your stops.
On my way to LAX, the A/C was on full blast, so I wasn’t bothered by the 95-degree weather outside. The train cars and stations were clean, and because most of the ride is above ground, I stayed entertained watching Los Angeles and the clogged freeways. Waiting times at stations were minimal, clocking in at 5-7 minutes.
For the most part, I felt safe, as the train cars filled up, especially after Union Station. There are also security cameras in each train car. A February 2025 Metro survey states that “53% of riders said they had seen improvements to the transit system over the past year, with improving service quality and safety as the top reasons cited.” I saw Metro security personnel and LA police at four separate stations en route to LAX, either walking through my train car or just present on the platforms.
The shiny new LA Transit Center, the last stop before taking the shuttle to LAX (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
Tourists, LAX and the Metro
With Los Angeles hosting the World Cup in 2026 and the Olympics in 2028, the Metro will no doubt play a key role in moving visitors around the county. Will tourists approve of LA’s relatively young Metro?
First, they’ll need to account for LA’s vast distances. The Metro ride from South Pasadena to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station took 1 hour and 20 minutes, without any transfers. That’s starting to feel like freeway travel times, although it’s far less stressful.
Some stations aren’t well-equipped for travelers. The Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station doesn’t have many escalators and, unless travelers know there’s an elevator at the end of the platform, they’ll have to take the stairs, a major inconvenience for anyone with heavy luggage.
In the shiny new Metro from Willowbrook/Rosa Parks to the LAX Metro Transit Center, I met a pair of Italians heading back home to Mantua. Since the A and C lines cross through traditionally rough parts of Los Angeles, I asked if they felt safe on the ride. They said yes, because of the police presence.
More than safety, though, it seemed finding their way on the Metro was a concern for the Italians. To navigate to the shuttle bus connector to LAX, they cautiously relied on Google Maps to track their live location. As a first-timer on this route, I was confused too because of the minimal signage, both on the Metro and at the LAX Metro Transit Center.
Italian tourists using their phone to find the shuttle stop to LAX (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
Once at the LAX Metro Transit Center shuttle stop, set to become a large bus and Metro hub, I asked someone from Monterey Park and a local family headed on vacation about their experiences. They agreed there wasn’t enough signage in the expansive LAX Metro Transit Center to find the shuttle stop. And why did they choose to take the Metro to LAX? They all said, “It’s cheap.”
Helpful Metro Ambassadors (in yellow vests) were visibly present at the LAX Metro Transit Center, but I heard no operating PA system telling passengers where to go, confirming that the shuttle would be free/ticket-less, explaining that the shuttle would stop at each terminal at LAX, estimating how long the ride would take (10 minutes), or stating how often the shuttles come (I waited 6 minutes). This is basic information anxious travelers need to make a connection for a flight.
Curious how many travelers would take the shuttle back to the Metro from LAX, I accompanied the Italians to Tom Bradley International Terminal. After wishing them buon viaggio, I noticed on the return to the transit center that the shuttle filled up mostly with airport personnel and very few travelers, if any.
If you have a lot of extra time and don’t want to pay $80+ for a private pickup to or from LAX, the Metro is certainly now another option for both Angelenos and tourists alike.
Tourists at the L.A. Transit Center (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
Traveler walking with luggage (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
Scenes from L.A. Transit Center (Photos – Melissa Michelson)
10-minute shuttle to LAX (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
Thanks for the info! We’ll try it!