Getting around LA: car, Uber or Metro?
LA is 80 towns stitched together. This guide helps you pick how to move around, and decodes HOV lanes, FasTrak and the infamous parking signs.
Do you need a car?
Usually, but not always. Staying in Santa Monica, Venice, Hollywood or Downtown and mostly sticking around there? Walking, Metro and Uber take you far. Want to beach-hop, do Malibu, Universal and a day trip? A car helps. Rule of thumb: count the Uber rides you expect per day. Above three a day, renting is almost always cheaper, even with parking ($20–50 a night at hotels).
Your Dutch license is valid for tourists. An international driving permit is a handy translation, not a requirement.
Rush hour and the freeways
Avoid driving between 7–10 am and 3–7 pm if you can. The 405 (Westside ↔ Valley) and the 10 (Downtown ↔ Santa Monica) are the worst. Locals say 'the 101', 'the 405'. Use Waze or Google Maps with live traffic and trust the ETA; add 30% for LAX trips.
HOV lane and FasTrak
The left lane with a diamond (◇) is the HOV or carpool lane: 2+ people in the car only (sometimes 3+ at rush hour, see the sign). Enter and exit only where the white line is broken. Some freeways (the 10 and 110 toward Downtown) have ExpressLanes: toll lanes needing a FasTrak transponder, even when carpooling. Rental cars often include a transponder at a daily fee; ask at the counter.
Alone in the HOV lane? Fine starts around $490. Crossing a double yellow line is a fine too.
Decoding parking signs
LA signs stack rules; read top to bottom and the strictest rule wins. Red curb = never park. Green = limited time (e.g. 2 hours). White = passenger loading only. Yellow = commercial loading during business hours. 'Street cleaning' with a day and time means: be gone before that hour or pay $73. 'Permit only' without a permit = towing. Our parking sign decoder explains every combination.
Garages with 'validation': get your ticket stamped at a shop or restaurant and park free or cheaper.
Metro and TAP
LA Metro is cleaner and more useful than its reputation: the E Line links Downtown to Santa Monica (about 50 min) and the B Line takes you to Hollywood and Universal. A ride is $1.75 with a TAP card ($2 once, or free in Apple/Google Wallet). After two rides a day you ride free (daily cap $5). Late at night, take Uber.
Uber, Lyft and LAX
Rides within a neighborhood cost $10–20, Santa Monica ↔ Hollywood $30–45. At LAX you can't be picked up at the terminal: walk or take the green shuttle to LAX-it. The FlyAway bus to Union Station is $12.75 and often faster at rush hour. Tip 10–15% in the app.