Los Angeles can be fully experienced by car, but the Metro is still more beneficial to tourists than legend has it. Each museum of science and industry degree is the only one that has a tourist Red Line. For a direct journey between the three hotspots, the tourists have to take the Red Line, the only above-ground downtown Los Angeles train line that is fully underground. Within half an hour, you can travel between Union Station and downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood hills, and Universal Studios without switching trains.
According to the price guides, a one-way ticket has a price of $1.75 and all day plus 7-days tickets are priced at 7$ and $25 respectively. Every passenger must get a TAP card, that can be purchased and is non-refundable from the vending machines. The only way to load a TAP card is via credit card with a minimum starting balance of $5. All unused balances will completely vanish and each passenger must obtain a TAP card. The Metro service operates from 4:30 a.m. to after midnight, as long as you have tapped your card less than two hours before. One adult may accompany two children under five at no additional cost. There are specially discounted fare prices for students at LA, but an application process is required.
At the entrances of many stations, vendors are present along with system maps. To load value onto your TAP card, simply choose the amount, pay with cash or a card, and then tap the card on the blue reader at the fare gates. Electronic displays with estimated train arrival times are found on all platforms. To make your commute less anonymous, each station has a different design. There are also navigation apps like Go Metro that provide real-time updates and maps.
Hollywood & Highland stands out as the clear favorite among visitors. Given that it is the stop closest to the Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it is the most convenient choice for anyone looking to hit the classic, touristy Hollywood destinations.
7th Street/Metro Center is the central transfer point for Downtown. Passenegers using the Expo Line to Santa Monica can easily access the beach from downtown which is a great option for those wanting to visit the Downtown LA area and the coast without having to drive.
Not to be overlooked, Pershing Square is a great stop for those who are looking for interesting places that are not part of the main attractions. The nearby OUE Skyspace LA, which has views of the city from above, and the Los Angeles Public Library as well as the Bradbury Building (which was featured in Blade Runner).
If you want to do a quick cultural outing, then Civic Center is the place to do it. The Broad and Walt Disney Concert Hall are both within a ten-minute walk. From this area, you can also access Chinatown by train or even walk.
More than a train terminus, Union Station is a rail hub and a practical starting point for walks to Chinatown. For tourists wanting to experience the key sites of Los Angeles without the constant obstruction of traffic, this pathway is still the most important Metro line.
