Car Hire in Los Angeles - Getting to Los Angeles

20 miles southwest of the city, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the third busiest airport in the world, connecting the US with Asia, as well as flights to Europe. If you’re arriving from a US city its better to use either Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport (15miles) northwest), Long Beach Airport (25 miles south), John Wayne Airport/Orange County (40miles southeast) or Ontario International Airport (40miles east) Shuttle services to all areas are regular from all airports.

Greyhound buses depart from near Little Tokyo, as well as Hollywood, Santa Monica and Anaheim. It’s the cheapest but least comfortable means of travel, but services are regular and reliable.

Amtrak runs the length of the west coast departing from Union Station. There is also regular service to Phoenix, New Orleans and points beyond.

A car is obligatory in LA, it’s a huge web of highways and locals laugh when you enquire about the public transport options. Interstate 5 runs south through San Joaquin Valley, US 101 follows the coast much of the way down and joins I-5 in the LA city center. Both come from San Francisco, though the later is 3 hours faster. Hwy 1, (also known as route 66) is a spectacular coastal drive through Big Sur, if you have the time. Driving from San Diego and Mexico, I-5 is the best option. The I-15 arrives from Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon. Be sure to consult a map once arriving in and confronting the spaghetti of roads in the greater LA area.