Los Angeles (also known as LA), the largest city on the west coast of the United States, is a unique geographic and multicultural city that is not only the center of the global film and entertainment industries, but also a place of natural beauty and urban splendor. From the breathtaking Pacific coast to the hilly cityscape, Los Angeles is home to a wide range of tourist attractions, and getting to these destinations is one of the most important things a traveler can do beforehand.
Is it necessary to rent a car in Los Angeles? Many people say that not having a car in Los Angeles is like not having a leg to stand on, is it really that serious? In fact, besides driving, there are other transportation options in Los Angeles, but there are many inconveniences compared to driving. This article will comprehensively analyze the various modes of transportation in Los Angeles, including the public transportation system, taxis, ridesharing services, bicycles, scooters, and rental car options, to help you choose the most suitable transportation according to your own needs and preferences.
i. los angeles' mass transit system
Public transportation in Los Angeles is provided by Metro Operations, including subway, light rail and buses, connect the city's major districts and attractions. The subway and light rail lines primarily cover Downtown LA, Hollywood, and Santa Monica, and are suitable for short commutes and visitors who only travel to and from key attractions, while the buses provide a wider range of routes that connect to areas not covered by the subway.
However, due to the dispersed nature of Los Angeles' urban fabric, the public transit system has limited coverage and is very infrequent during off-peak hours. Although relatively inexpensive, relying solely on subways or buses can add significant complexity and time costs to trip planning for travelers who need to explore the area in depth.
How to ride:
FareSingle: $$1.75, Day $$7; Weekly $$25. Free transfers within two hours (TAP card required).
UsageTo use your TAP card, purchase a TAP card and swipe it into the station after you have stored the value. Or download the TAP app on your phone and use it as a transportation card.
MTR, Light Rail
- Advantages: Affordable for getting to and from major attractions; avoids traffic jams during peak hours.
- Disadvantages: Routes are limited and do not cover all areas of the city; frequency decreases during off-peak hours and most do not operate 24 hours a day, which affects the ease of traveling.
bus
- Advantages: Affordable fares and unlimited distance traveled on a single journey ticket provide wider coverage to areas that are difficult to reach by the MTR.
- Disadvantages: susceptible to traffic and long waiting times; routes may be more complicated for non-locals.
II. Taxi and ride-hailing services (Uber, Lyft)
There are different cab companies in Los Angeles, with a starting price of about US$$3 and an additional charge of about US$$2.70 per mile, so most of the users are for short-distance needs or airport connections. If you can't communicate fluently with the driver, you can easily go the wrong way or take a detour and have no way to get help. Most tourists will choose to call a taxi service, and in Los Angeles, there is Uber, which is available all over the world, as well as Lyft, and if you need to call a taxi, the two apps can be downloaded to check the price, and they each offer different discounts for users, so the quality does not vary much. However, given the vastness of the U.S., prices and wait times fluctuate according to distance and current demand, making it difficult to predict and creating uncertainty for your trip.
How to use:
Cabs can be stopped on the side of the road or hailed over the phone, and both Uber and Lyft use a mobile app to hail and pay for a taxi.
Traditional Taxi
- Advantages: Instant blocking is convenient, no reservations are required, and the price is fixed and does not fluctuate due to demand.
- Disadvantages: Prices are high and cash is often required; English communication is required.
Uber and Lyft
- AdvantagesTransparent pricing and easy payment, as well as the option to share rides during peak hours to reduce costs. Save the exhaustion of traffic jams and time spent looking for parking spaces.
- Disadvantages: Rates may rise during peak hours, or you may not be able to get a ride; reliance on cell phones and internet may affect your trip if the signal is bad or the cell phone is dead.
Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Buses
If you're visiting Los Angeles for the first time, this is a great way to get around the city's major attractions and landmarks.Hop-On, Hop-Off BusesThis may also be an option. The bus offers two main routes, each of which takes about two hours to complete, but visitors can board and disembark as many times as they like during the validity of their ticket. On board the buses, there will be lively tour guides or multi-language audio guides to help travelers understand the attractions they are passing through. Travelers can plan their trips according to the route map provided and freely choose to visit their favorite spots. Compared with fixed itinerary tours, this method is more flexible and interesting, and there is no need to worry about getting lost when changing buses.
How to ride:
Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Internet or at the bus stops on site. After purchasing a ticket, follow the route map to the attractions and get on the bus as long as it is available.
- Advantages: An ideal day to visit the key attractions of the city of Los Angeles without having to think or worry too much, but at the same time with flexibility.
- Disadvantages: Expensive, and boarding and alighting is limited to bus route attractions only, so you can't go to more places you want to visit.
Shared Bicycles and Electric Scooters
Los Angeles has a growing number of eco-friendly shared transportation options, including bikes and electric scooters, suitable for short-distance exploring in transit-friendly areas such as around the beaches and downtown. Notable companies offering the service include Lime, Bird respond in singing Metro Bike ShareFor example, Metro Bike Share charges $$1.75 for every 30 minutes of bicycle rental. While enjoying the city's atmosphere and natural scenery, it is important to pay attention to traffic rules, your physical fitness and weather conditions to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
How to use:
Download the APP and scan the QR code on the vehicle to unlock it, some require a US cell phone number. Bike rentals are about $$5-$10 per hour; scooter start-up costs $$1 and $$0.15-$0.30 per minute.
- Advantages: Creates an alternative to urban exploration, especially in the beach area and around the city, which is not only environmentally friendly but also allows you to experience the cityscape in detail.
- DisadvantagesBicycle sharing: Only available in certain areas, it is important to be aware of where you can borrow or return bikes, taking into account safety and weather conditions. Some bikes or scooters are not in good condition or cleanliness.
Los Angeles Car Rental
Renting a car is almost always the first choice for most travelers when visiting Los Angeles for pleasure or business. For those who visit the United States once in a while and want to enjoy the city and its surrounding attractions, renting a car and driving is still the best way to explore Los Angeles in depth, or to go to Las Vegas, the major national parks, and Disneyland.
To rent a car in the United States, all you need is to be over 21 years old, have an international driver's license, a local driver's license, and a credit card that can be used abroad. Driving and road conditions are also relatively easy for Asians living in high density circles. If you are traveling as a family or with a group of friends, you can save a lot of time waiting for a bus or transferring to another bus, avoid relying on public transportation that is not easy to use, and in addition to being cost-effective, your trip can be more flexible, free, and relaxing, as well as being able to travel outside of the city to visit spectacular national parks or desert landscapes. If you're worried about problems with your English or hidden fees, you can contact Sky Horse, a Taiwanese-run company, for more information. LINE With a simple booking process with no hidden fees, and the option of picking up and returning the car at your own location, renting a car and driving in Los Angeles is just like being in a familiar hometown.
How to rent a car:
The process is pretty much the same for all major car rental companies. First you book the car online, then you pick up the car at the airport or downtown store, choose the insurance plan and sign the contract. The car rental company will deduct a deposit first, and then you will receive a bill for the final total cost after returning the car. If you choose Sky Horse, you will directly choose the insurance and confirm the total amount when you book the car on the official website, and then the customer will choose the location for picking up and returning the car, and the car will be driven to the outside of the airport building or the point of your choice to deliver the car, and it is the same when you return the car, and if there are no additional conditions, there will not be any hidden charges.
Please refer to the detailed rental car introduction:https://skyhorseauto.com/safety-guide3/
- AdvantagesFlexibility and freedom of itinerary: You can travel to many attractions that are not accessible by public transportation. No need to carry your luggage on the subway or bus, and you can have a comfortable trip no matter how hot or cold the weather is or whether it's in the afternoon.
- Disadvantages: the overall cost is higher, including rent, insurance, fuel and parking fees; inDriving in Los AngelesYou may be nervous at the beginning and need to adapt to the traffic rules and driving habits.
六、【最新】無人出租車（Waymo）
And now there's a new form of transportation in California-WaymoThe service started in San Francisco and has since expanded to parts of Los Angeles and Phoenix. Many people in California will want to try out this advanced service, which is now open for all to sign up for and is available year-round for short-distance mobility within the city.
How to use:
Download the Waymo APP, specify your destination (the APP suggests a safe place to get in and out of the car), get in the car (the APP instructs passengers to wear seat belts and unlock the doors), and click "Go" on the in-car screen to start the trip.
In Los Angeles, Waymo's driverless taxis are also available using the Uber APP.
- Advantages: No need to interact with taxi or ride-hailing drivers, simply enjoy the ride; excluding different drivers' driving habits, moods, and odors, it may be more stable and safe.
- Disadvantages: The number of vehicles is relatively small and there is currently a range restriction; some people still have concerns about the safety of unmanned autonomous driving.
Conclusion
After introducing the various transportation options, you will find that you don't have to rent a car and drive yourself when traveling to Los Angeles. In fact, according to your needs and budget, from bus, subway, Uber, bike sharing, to hop-on/hop-off sightseeing buses, unmanned taxis, etc., you can satisfy different travel needs, or plan the most efficient and exciting trip by combining the use of these means of transportation. or to plan the most efficient and exciting trip by integrating these means of transportation.
However, if you are considering the decentralized nature of Los Angeles' urban planning and the wide distribution of attractions, and want to maximize the scope of your trip with free and unfettered access to the world's must-visit wonders such as Las Vegas, San Diego, Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, etc., or if you are on a long business trip or business trip, then renting a car and driving your own car is a much more suitable choice for you. When choosing a car rental company, Sky Horse is definitely worth your top priority. Familiar language, familiar way of communication, and the most sincere and enthusiastic Taiwanese spirit will ensure that your trip will be convenient, enjoyable and reassuring!
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