Downtown LA is simultaneously the hub of the freeway network, road network, commuter rail network, subway / light rail network, and bus network in the region. It is thus accessible from multiple entry points.
By plane
Downtown LA is not directly served by an airport, but can be accessed via public transportation from Los Angeles International Airport IATA: LAX in Westchester and Bob Hope Airport in Burbank.
By Freeway
Downtown LA can be accessed directly via the Pasadena Freeway SR-110, the Santa Monica Freeway I-10, and the Santa Ana Freeway I-5 and US-101. Just outside Downtown LA, these freeways connect to the Golden State Freeway I-5, the Hollywood Freeway US-101, the San Bernardino Freeway I-10, the Harbor Freeway I-110, and the Pomona Freeway SR-60.
Drive your car to a parking lot and go by foot from then on. Downtown isn't that big. Most likely, a DASH shuttle has a stop where you want to go.
By Subway / Light Rail
For those visitors coming from within Los Angeles County, local subway and light rail service may be the best option to get to Downtown LA. Four of the five subway and light rail lines in the Metro Rail (http://www.metro.net) system terminate in Downtown LA's Union Station and 7th/Metro Center. Each boarding requires a $1.50 fare. For unlimited rides on Metro Bus and Metro Rail, purchase a $6 day pass on any Metro Bus or in any Metro Rail station.
The Red Line subway brings riders from the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood, and parts of the Eastside, cutting across the Financial District, the Jewelry District, the Civic Center, and El Pueblo, passing near the Historic Core and Bunker Hill, making four stops in Downtown LA 7th/Metro Center, Pershing Square, Civic Center, and Union Station.
The Purple Line subway brings riders from Mid-Wilshire, joining with the Red Line subway to cut across the Financial District, the Jewelry District, the Civic Center, and El Pueblo, passing near the Historic Core and Bunker Hill, making four stops in Downtown LA 7th/Metro Center, Pershing Square, Civic Center, and Union Station.
The Blue Line light rail brings riders from South Los Angeles also known as "South Central", Long Beach, and other southern suburbs, to two Downtown LA stops: Pico Station in the South Park district, and 7th/Metro Center in the Financial District.
The Gold Line light rail brings riders from Pasadena, Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles to three Downtown LA stops: Chinatown Station in the Old Chinatown district just north of the Civic Center, Union Station, and Little Tokyo/Arts District Station in Little Tokyo.
There is also a Green Line connecting the city of Norwalk to the beach area of Redondo/Hermosa with connections to the Blue Line and the LAX shuttle bus.
By Commuter Rail
If your point of origin is within the urban and suburban areas of Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, or San Diego Counties, you may be able to avail of the growing commuter rail network known as Metrolink (http://www.metrolinktrains.com) to visit Downtown LA. Six of the seven Metrolink commuter rail lines terminate at Union Station in Downtown LA's El Pueblo district. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at each station, and fares are determined by time peak or non-peak hour, weekday or weekend and distance:
The San Bernardino Line runs 34 trains on weekdays between Downtown LA and the eastern suburbs the "Inland Empire", running through the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, and San Bernardino County. There is also limited weekend service, and terminating in Downtown San Bernardino.
The Riverside Line runs 12 trains on weekdays between Downtown LA and the eastern suburbs the "Inland Empire", running through the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, and Riverside County, and terminating in Downtown Riverside.
The 91 Line runs 8 trains on weekdays between Downtown LA and the eastern and southeastern suburbs the "Inland Empire", running through the Orange and Riverside Counties, and terminating in Downtown Riverside.
The Orange County Line runs 20 trains on weekdays between Downtown LA and the southeastern suburbs, running through Orange and San Diego Counties, and terminating in Downtown Oceanside. There is also limited weekend service.
The Ventura County Line runs 20 trains on weekdays between Downtown LA and the northwestern suburbs, running through the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County, and terminating in Ventura's Montalvo neighborhood.
The Antelope Valley Line runs 24 trains on weekdays between Downtown LA and the northern suburbs, running through the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys, and terminating in Downtown Lancaster. There is also limited Saturday service.