LA Metro runs seven rail lines covering some 105 miles of track. That's a lot of city to navigate — and the system map can look intimidating at first. But here's the thing: most of the network is actually pretty intuitive once you understand which lines serve which parts of the city.
This is a rider's guide, not a brochure. We'll tell you what each line is actually good for, what the frequency is like, what's worth doing near the key stations, and where the quirks are.
First time on Metro? Read our TAP Card guide first. Then come back here with your card loaded and ready.
Understanding the System
Metro rail has two basic shapes. The B and D Lines (Red and Purple) run underground through the core of the city — from Union Station through DTLA and up through Hollywood. These are your fast, frequent, frequent-running urban subway lines.
The A, C, E, and K Lines are light rail — mostly at-grade (street level or elevated), longer distances, and with slightly less frequency. The G Line is technically a bus rapid transit line but functions like rail in its own dedicated corridor.
All lines use the same $1.75 fare and the same TAP card. Transfers between lines within 2 hours are free.
The Lines
A Line (Blue)
| Route | Downtown LA → Long Beach |
| Frequency | Every 12 min peak, 20 min off-peak |
| Best for | Beach trips, Cal State Dominguez Hills, downtown Long Beach |
| Transfers | Connects to C and E lines at different points |
💡 One of the oldest lines and very reliable. The ride to Long Beach is about 55 minutes from DTLA — bring a podcast.
Key stations: 7th St/Metro Center · San Pedro St · Grand/LATTC · Compton · Willowbrook/Rosa Parks · Long Beach Transit Mall
B Line (Red)
| Route | Downtown LA → North Hollywood (via Hollywood) |
| Frequency | Every 10 min peak, 12 min off-peak |
| Best for | Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, NoHo Arts District, Universal Studios area |
| Transfers | Shares Union Station with Metrolink and Amtrak; connects to D Line |
💡 This is the backbone line. Runs underground through Hollywood and is fast, frequent, and air conditioned. Great for evening plans.
Key stations: Union Station · Civic Center/Grand Park · 7th St/Metro Center · Pershing Square · Hollywood/Highland · Hollywood/Vine · North Hollywood
C Line (Green)
| Route | Norwalk → Redondo Beach (east-west through the South Bay) |
| Frequency | Every 12 min peak, 20 min off-peak |
| Best for | LAX access, South Bay, Hawthorne, El Segundo |
| Transfers | Connects to A Line at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks; K Line at Hawthorne/Lennox |
💡 Doesn't go directly to LAX terminals — you catch a free shuttle bus from Aviation/LAX station. Allow 20 extra minutes if catching a flight.
Key stations: Norwalk · Hawthorne/Lennox · Aviation/LAX · Redondo Beach
D Line (Purple)
| Route | Downtown LA → Koreatown (currently); extending to Westwood by 2026-27 |
| Frequency | Every 10 min peak, 12 min off-peak |
| Best for | Koreatown, Wilshire corridor, and soon: Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood |
| Transfers | Shares stations and trains with B Line (Red) in DTLA |
💡 The Purple Line Extension is the biggest transit news in LA right now. Sections 2 and 3 will push this line all the way to the VA and UCLA. Mark your calendar.
Key stations: Union Station · 7th St/Metro Center · Wilshire/Vermont · Wilshire/Normandie · Wilshire/Western · Wilshire/La Cienega* · Wilshire/Rodeo* · UCLA/Westwood* (* = under construction/planned)
E Line (Expo)
| Route | Downtown LA → Santa Monica |
| Frequency | Every 12 min peak, 20 min off-peak |
| Best for | Beach days, USC, Culver City, Sawtelle, Santa Monica |
| Transfers | Connects to A Line; easy bike share connections at Santa Monica stations |
💡 This is the line that changed the conversation. DTLA to the beach in 46 minutes. On a sunny Saturday, grab a TAP card and go.
Key stations: 7th St/Metro Center · LATTC/Ortho Institute · Expo/Vermont · USC · Culver City · Palms · 17th St/SMC · Downtown Santa Monica
G Line (Orange) — Rapid Bus
| Route | North Hollywood → Chatsworth (San Fernando Valley) |
| Frequency | Every 10 min peak |
| Best for | The Valley, Van Nuys, Canoga Park, connecting to B Line at North Hollywood |
| Transfers | Connects to B Line at North Hollywood station |
💡 Technically a bus rapid transit line, not rail — but it runs in a dedicated busway, so it's fast and reliable. Transitioning to zero-emission electric buses.
Key stations: North Hollywood · Van Nuys · Reseda · Canoga · Chatsworth
K Line (Crenshaw/LAX)
| Route | Expo/Crenshaw → LAX/Automated People Mover |
| Frequency | Every 12 min peak |
| Best for | Leimert Park, Inglewood, SoFi Stadium, Crenshaw corridor, LAX |
| Transfers | Connects to E Line at Expo/Crenshaw; C Line at Hawthorne/Lennox; LAX APM |
💡 The newest line, opening in 2023. Serves communities in South LA that were historically underserved by rail. The Leimert Park station is a cultural hub — plan time to explore.
Key stations: Expo/Crenshaw · Leimert Park · Hyde Park · Fairview Heights · Downtown Inglewood · Westchester/Veterans · Aviation/Century
Tips for Reading the System Map
- 7th St/Metro Center is your central hub. The A, B, D, and E Lines all converge here. If you're not sure how to get somewhere, there's a good chance it involves this station.
- Union Station is the other major hub — and also connects to Metrolink commuter rail and Amtrak, so you can get to Ventura, San Bernardino, and beyond without a car.
- Starred stations on the D Line map (Wilshire/La Cienega, Wilshire/Rodeo, UCLA) are under construction as part of the Purple Line Extension — scheduled to open in phases through 2026-27.
- The G Line (Orange) doesn't appear on rail maps at the same level — look for it as a distinct line serving the San Fernando Valley from North Hollywood station.
Real Talk: Where the System Falls Short
We'd be doing you a disservice if we pretended Metro rail covers everything. It doesn't — yet. The Westside outside the E Line corridor, the South Bay coastal areas, the Eastside beyond East LA, and much of the Valley require bus connections or creative combinations.
That's where Metro's bus network picks up the slack. And it's worth knowing: the bus + rail combo unlocks most of LA. The rail lines are the spines; the buses are the capillaries.
Plan your ride: Use the Metro Trip Planner for turn-by-turn transit directions, or the Transit app for real-time arrival tracking.
Want to explore what's near each station? Browse our Neighborhood Guides — we've mapped out great local spots along the Silver Lake, Koreatown, Chinatown, Leimert Park, and Echo Park corridors.