Blog › Getting Around LA Without a Car
Los Angeles has a reputation as an impossible city to navigate without a car. For everyday commuters in normal LA life, that reputation is partly earned. But for Olympic visitors in 2028, the situation is meaningfully different: LA Metro is being significantly expanded, Olympic venue zones will have dedicated shuttle and transit services, and many venues are already accessible by rail without driving.
This guide covers which neighborhoods work well as car-free bases and how to think about Olympic transport realistically.
Yes, for most visitors. The key is choosing the right base and being realistic about which venues you are attending.
For major venues like SoFi Stadium, Crypto.com Arena (Downtown), and the Rose Bowl, public transit is feasible and in many cases preferable to driving. Metro lines, Olympic shuttles, and rideshare services will collectively handle the majority of visitor transport. What you cannot do is expect to drive between venues quickly — that plan will fail.
Downtown sits at the center of the Metro network. From Union Station, you can reach most parts of the city via rail without transfers. Crypto.com Arena (Basketball, Boxing) is walkable from DTLA. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is about 45 minutes by Metro. The Rose Bowl requires a transfer but is reachable.
Downsides: Downtown LA has less pedestrian charm than Santa Monica or Silver Lake, and the surrounding blocks vary significantly in character. It is functional and well-connected, not a vacation destination on its own.
Santa Monica is the most genuinely walkable neighborhood in greater LA. The Third Street Promenade, the beach, and a concentration of restaurants make it pleasant to exist without a car for daily life. The Metro E Line (Expo Line) connects Santa Monica to downtown and can reach venue zones.
For SoFi Stadium events, Santa Monica is not a Metro ride away — you will likely need rideshare or shuttle services for those. Distance to SoFi is roughly 15–18 miles. Budget time accordingly.
If SoFi events dominate your schedule, staying in Inglewood cuts your transit time dramatically. The Metro C Line connects here. For non-SoFi days, rideshare to other parts of the city is needed — Inglewood is not itself a walkable neighborhood for tourism.
Old Town Pasadena is genuinely walkable and pleasant. The Metro A Line (Gold Line) connects Pasadena to Downtown LA and further west. For Rose Bowl events, Pasadena puts you close without driving. The city has good dining, cafes, and independent shops to fill days between events.
Koreatown sits centrally and is one of the best-connected neighborhoods on the Metro B Line (Purple Line). It puts you within 15–20 minutes of Downtown by Metro. The food scene is excellent and it is significantly cheaper than Santa Monica or West Hollywood for accommodation. Less walkable for casual tourism but highly practical.
See our full LA Metro guide and LAX airport transport guide for more detail.
Our neighborhood guides include public transport context for each area and its relation to Olympic venues.
Explore neighborhoodsIs LA Metro safe and reliable for tourists?
LA Metro is generally safe and reliable, particularly on the rail lines during daylight and early evening hours. As with any major city transit system, exercise normal awareness. The rail network is the most consistent option; some bus routes are slower or less predictable. The Metro app provides real-time tracking.
Will there be Olympic-specific shuttle services between venues?
LA28 is expected to operate dedicated shuttle services between major venue clusters during the Games. Details have not been fully confirmed as of mid-2026. Check la28.org for updates as they are announced.
Can I use rideshare as my main transport during the Olympics?
Rideshare is useful as a supplement but not reliable as your primary transport strategy for venue days. Prices will surge significantly after major events, and wait times can be long. Plan Metro as your primary venue-day transport and use rideshare to fill gaps.
Related: LA Metro Guide | Planning Mistakes to Avoid | Neighborhood Comparison