logo
The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station Is Now Open—Here's How to Use It

The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station Is Now Open—Here's How to Use It

In 2024, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) saw over 76.6 million passengers, averaging close to 210,000 travelers per day. But in a city known for its traffic congestion and lack of public transit options, travelers have limited options for getting to and from the bustling airport.
That's finally starting to change. On Friday, June 6, the highly-anticipated LAX/Metro Transit Center Station opened, connecting the airport to two Metro rail lines and 14 bus routes for the first time via a free shuttle. The nearly $900,000 million project has been years in the making and is the latest push toward a more accessible LAX, with bigger changes on the horizon.
In 2026, a new electric train called the Automated People Mover (APM) is set to debut, offering direct rail access to the airport terminals just in time for the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LXI in 2027, and the LA 2028 Summer Olympics. While the APM remains under construction, the new Metro station marks a major step forward for increasing connectivity between the airport and the rest of the city.
I checked out the new LAX metro station for myself shortly after it opened to the public last week. Here's everything you need to know before using it.
How to get to the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station
Located just east of the airport, The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, formerly called Aviation/96th Street, offers a new way to reach LAX without driving or relying solely on expensive rideshares. No new trains or lines were added; rather, the station connects to existing transit routes. Fares remain at $1.75 and can be paid via a TAP card or the mobile app. Here's how to get to the station from key locations in LA:
Hollywood: Take the B Line (Red Line) to 7th Street/Metro Center, transfer to the E Line (Yellow Line) toward Santa Monica, and then switch to the Expo/Crenshaw to the K-Line (Pink Line).
Downtown: Board the E Line (Yellow Line) from 7th Street/Metro Center and transfer to the K-Line (Pink Line). Or, take the A Line (Blue Line) from 7th Street/Metro Center and switch to the C Line (Green Line) at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks.
Santa Monica: Ride the E Line (Yellow Line) and transfer to the K-Line (Pink Line) at Expo/Crenshaw.
Long Beach: Take the A Line (Blue Line), transfer to the C Line (Green Line) at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks, and continue to the LAX station.
The station also connects to 14 bus routes, including; Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus, Torrance Transit, GTrans, and Beach Cities Transit.
Travelers can take a free shuttle from the LAX/Metro Transit Center to the airport.
Courtesy LAX Metro Center
The free shuttle to LAX
Once you arrive at the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, follow the signs to the free LAX shuttle. Buses run roughly every 10 minutes and drop passengers at each terminal's arrival level—just take an escalator or elevator up to departures.
If you're leaving from LAX, look for the pink LAX shuttle signs outside arrivals and hop on. The same bus runs in a continuous loop between the station and terminals. (Timing tip: I tested the loop on a Friday evening when traffic was relatively light and the full loop took about 45 minutes. If you're flying out of a later-stop terminal like 6 or 7, give yourself extra time.)
What to expect inside the station
Though the new station spans 500,000 square feet, it's easy to navigate. Clear signage directs passengers from the platform to shuttle pickup bays on the ground level.
Built to handle 5,000 passengers per hour, the space is fully accessible, with 11 elevators,12 escalators, and 9 staircases. Amenities include public restrooms, a customer service center, and secure automated bike storage. However, there are no dining or retail options.
When does it make sense to use the metro connection?
For locals near the K or C lines, this new connection is a game changer. For just $1.75, it offers a budget-friendly and relatively seamless way to reach LAX.
That said, the journey can still involve multiple transfers, and until the APM opens in 2026, it could take you potentially an extra hour to reach later-stop terminals. Travelers coming from farther out may find other alternatives like the LAX FlyAway bus more convenient.
At the very least, the LAX/Metro Transit Center provides a smart backup plan for when LA traffic is peaking and freeways grind to a halt. Consider the bigger picture, though, and it's a major step toward a more connected future for Los Angeles.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Observation deck operator in former John Hancock Center plans major expansion and a new ‘immersive experience'
Observation deck operator in former John Hancock Center plans major expansion and a new ‘immersive experience'

Chicago Tribune

time25 minutes ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Observation deck operator in former John Hancock Center plans major expansion and a new ‘immersive experience'

The operator of the 360 Chicago observation deck near the top of the former John Hancock Center said the attraction is taking over two additional floors, creating the city's first multilevel observation deck, a new three-story atrium and a 14,000-square-foot private event space. It's an encouraging sign for the Magnificent Mile, a retail district that has a lot of empty storefronts. Magnicity, the French company that owns 360 Chicago, last year bought the 95th and 96th floors, directly above the 94th-floor observation deck, after the abrupt closure of the legendary Signature Room restaurant and the Signature Lounge, both top tourist spots for decades. 'We are now positioned to bring much-needed investment into these iconic spaces, delivering an experience that truly reflects the historic and architectural significance of this incredible building,' said Nichole Benolken, managing director at 360 Chicago. Although 360 Chicago didn't provide many details about what visitors will experience in the expanded observation deck, it did drop a few hints. WB-Immersive, a global firm that helped design the opening ceremonies for the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2024 Paralympics, will create an immersive experience for visitors in the renovated spaces, which will also include new exhibits and attractions. 'I can't say too much because we are still in the conceptual design phase,' said Pierre-Antoine Batail, WB-Immersive's head of creative strategy. It's certain that the space will no longer host a restaurant, Benolken said. Immersive retail experiences, such as the new interactive exhibit dedicated to Harry Potter at 676 N. Michigan Ave., have become popular in downtown Chicago, and for many spaces now make more financial sense than restaurants. 'Our decision making was data- and research-driven,' she said. 'The dining scene in Chicago has evolved dramatically in the past 30 years.' The Signature Room closed in September 2023. Its shutdown was a blow to the Magnificent Mile, where the retail vacancy rate soared as a result of online shopping trends and the pandemic. A message posted to the restaurant's social media pages cited COVID-19 and subsequent 'severe economic hardship.' Magnicity invested about $17 million into the former John Hancock Center, the skyscraper now known as 875 North Michigan Avenue, after buying the 94th floor more than 10 years ago. It added attractions such as Tilt, a moving glass ledge that for two minutes dangles guests more than 1,000 feet above the street, and CloudBar, the highest bar in Chicago. Nearly 1 million people visit the observation deck each year, a roughly 60% boost from when Magnicity took over, Benolken said. The company operates similar attractions atop buildings in Berlin, Paris and Rotterdam, Netherlands. The three-floor reconstruction will take 18 to 24 months to complete, and is the most significant interior renovation in the building's 56-year history, said Scott Duncan, design partner at SOM, the architectural firm that designed the 100-story John Hancock Center and leads the current project. SOM plans to connect all three floors with a grand staircase, replace all the windows on the 94th, 95th and 96th floors, providing visitors with much clearer views, and transform the 96th floor into a private event space, he said. That will also raise the profile of 875 North Michigan Avenue, hopefully attracting the many office users seeking spaces in the city's top trophy buildings. 'People are now looking for something out of the ordinary when it comes to office space,' Duncan said. 'And the real pyrotechnics will come when the (observation deck's) new exhibits are revealed.'

NJ Gov Phil Murphy preparing for World Cup 1 year out: 'Most-watched event in human history'
NJ Gov Phil Murphy preparing for World Cup 1 year out: 'Most-watched event in human history'

Fox News

time25 minutes ago

  • Fox News

NJ Gov Phil Murphy preparing for World Cup 1 year out: 'Most-watched event in human history'

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Wednesday marks exactly one year until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America, and the party got started in the state where the final will be played. It's the first time since 1994 that the continent is playing host to the most popular sporting event in the world, and Phil Murphy's New Jersey will be the site of the final. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will host eight matches total, including five in the group stage and games in both the rounds of 32 and 16. In speaking to the media on Wednesday at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, the location of the official 2026 World Cup fan festival, Murphy predicted that the final at the home of the New York Giants and Jets will be "the most-watched event in human history." And for those in attendance, "the MetLife experience will be outstanding," said Murphy. "It will be secure and safe, easy to get in and out, great experience for the fans once they're in the stadium," Murphy continued. "This is what it's all about. A bunch of preparation, and now being able to show our vision and get the reaction we got, which was excitement, energy, interest. This is what it's all about," added Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee. "It's real. We're a year out, and to see the reaction from everyone of how much excitement there is for the World Cup makes us that much more excited." Liberty State Park is the home to tremendous views of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty while filled with greenery, making it the perfect spot for fans to gather. So, while Murphy will undoubtedly be at all eight World Cup games played at MetLife, there is a further responsibility to make sure that fans are entertained for the other 96 contests played in the other 15 host stadiums. "The fan fest, it's going to be beyond words. Twenty-two screens, capacity of 45,000. When we're not at MetLife, we'll be here watching. Those experiences are extraordinary. This will be no exception," Murphy added. "When you look at the ability for people to get here from New York and New Jersey, the iconic skyline and views from this, and then, when you're just thinking of where to put on the party, there's nowhere better," Lasry said. "It's a unique place to put on the most iconic fan fest that we're looking at. To be able to do that in New Jersey with the view of New York, it kind of brings together the partnership." The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place in North America next year and will be featured on FOX Sports. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

North Texas unveils World Cup plans with matches, media hub, and stadium name push
North Texas unveils World Cup plans with matches, media hub, and stadium name push

CBS News

time36 minutes ago

  • CBS News

North Texas unveils World Cup plans with matches, media hub, and stadium name push

With exactly one year to go until the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, organizers in North Texas are unveiling new details about the region's role in hosting the world's largest sporting event. Stadium name sparks discussion Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, speaks during a news conference on Wednesday. CBS News Texas Nine matches are scheduled to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which FIFA has officially designated as "Dallas Stadium" for the tournament. However, local organizers have submitted a petition to rename it "Arlington Dallas Stadium" or "Dallas Arlington Stadium," though no decision has been made yet. The proposed name change reflects a desire to better represent the host city of Arlington while maintaining the global recognition of Dallas. The final decision is still pending, but it has sparked conversation among local leaders and fans alike. Dallas to host global media The impact of the World Cup will extend far beyond the stadium. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas will serve as the International Broadcast Center, drawing thousands of media professionals from around the globe. Training camps across region In addition, six base camp locations will be established across North Texas, including TCU, UNT, Dallas Baptist University, Toyota Stadium, Mansfield Stadium, and the University of Dallas in Irving. These facilities will serve as training and lodging sites for teams, staff, and media in the weeks leading up to their matches. Fan fest to energize region A 39-day fan festival is also planned, promising to bring energy and excitement to the region throughout the tournament. The festival is expected to attract fans from around the world and showcase the cultural vibrancy of North Texas. Organizers highlight cultural impact Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, emphasized the significance of the event during a news conference at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. "The passion, the energy of the soccer… They are here to celebrate sport and culture that goes along with it, so we're very excited to welcome the world to Dallas," Paul said. Economic boost projected She also noted that updated projections estimate the World Cup will generate between $1.5 and $2.1 billion in economic impact for the region, with more than half of the visitors expected to come from outside the United States. Security plans underway Paul added that safety and security remain top priorities, with coordination underway between FIFA and both state and federal agencies to ensure a safe and seamless experience for all attendees. The first match at AT&T Stadium is scheduled for June 14, 2026.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store