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Car-Free Olympics: Metro, Light Rail, and First/Last-Mile Tips

Los Angeles has spent the last decade preparing for a car-light Olympics: new rail extensions, protected bus lanes, and a network of spectator shuttles that knit together the massive venue map. Leave the rental car off your itinerary and rely on these proven transit tactics instead.

Key playbook for moving around LA28#

• Buy a reloadable TAP card (or load the TAP app) before you land; every Metro line and Olympic shuttle will accept it.
• Travel 90 minutes before competition start times to beat surge crowds, especially for SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, and Downtown arenas.
• Use LA28’s daily transport bulletin inside the official app—service boosts and lane closures will change per session.
• If you’re hopping venues, bookmark our Best Areas to Stay guide to plan a lodging hub that cuts transfer time.

Metro lines every spectator should know#

• K Line (Crenshaw/LAX): Connects LAX, Inglewood, and Expo/Crenshaw. Use it for SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, and shuttles to the Coliseum.
• E Line (Expo): Runs Santa Monica ↔ Downtown LA, linking beach events, USC, and Crypto.com Arena. Expect 6-minute headways during medal events.
• A Line (Long Beach/Pasadena): Essential for Long Beach waterfront competitions and Pasadena’s Rose Bowl. Late-night trains extended until 1:30 a.m. on peak days.
• C Line (Green): Serves South Bay, including shuttles to surfing, BMX, and indoor volleyball venues at the Sports Park.
• B/D Lines (Red/Purple): The north-south backbone for Hollywood, Koreatown, and Downtown cultural stops.

All rail cars will feature Olympic-specific wayfinding. Listen for announcements about dedicated shuttles at key transfer stations (Expo/Crenshaw, Aviation/Century, Union Station).

Olympic shuttle & express bus network#

LA28 overlays a fleet of express shuttles on top of Metro rail. Highlights:

• SoFi Stadium Express: Continuous loop between SoFi Station, Aviation/Century, and rideshare lots on Prairie Avenue.
• Downtown Venue Dash: Connects Union Station, LA Live, and the Convention Center with priority lanes along Figueroa.
• Coastal Connector: Links Long Beach competition zones with the Queen Mary fan village and downtown hotels.
• Valley Flyer: Runs from North Hollywood to Sepulveda Basin events (archery, canoe slalom) without parking hassle.

Shuttle schedules publish 60 days prior to the Games. Seats are first-come, first-served—arrive early for medal ceremonies and opening/closing nights.

First/last-mile toolkit#

• Metro Bike Share: Expanded docking hubs near SoFi Stadium, Venice, and Downtown LA. Unlock via TAP for $1.75 per ride.
• Community shuttles: Culver CityBus, Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica), and LADOT Dash offer fare-free rides during peak Olympic windows.
• Micromobility corral zones: Scooters will be geofenced around venues—look for parking corrals to avoid fines.
• Walking routes: LA28 wayfinding teams are adding shaded rest stops and hydration stations around the Coliseum, USC, and SoFi promenades.

Review our Inglewood essentials guide for street-level safety tips before and after night sessions.

Accessibility considerations#

• All Metro rail stations include elevators; staff will be on hand at transfer points to expedite boarding for mobility devices.
• Book Access Services (paratransit) rides at least 24 hours ahead; LA28 will reimburse eligible wheelchair users for trips to official venues.
• For sensory-sensitive guests, Quiet Coaches are being piloted on select express buses—check the daily bulletin for availability.

FAQs#

Q: Can I rely on transit after midnight?
A: Yes. Metro rail will run until at least 1:30 a.m. on medal nights, with supplemental buses covering gaps. Confirm return times before you leave the venue to avoid rideshare surges.

Q: Do children need their own TAP card?
A: Riders under five travel free with a paying adult. Ages 6–18 qualify for the GoPass—register online before your trip or pick up a temporary pass at Metro Customer Centers.

Q: How can I track live delays?
A: Follow @MetroLAalerts, enable push notifications in the LA28 app, and watch station monitors for crowd-control notices. Staff will deploy hold points when platforms reach capacity.