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.
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.
