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los angeles convention center transportation

Los Angeles Convention Center Transportation Guide

October 26, 2026 Babylovegrowth
Los Angeles Convention Center Transportation Guide

Los Angeles Convention Center Transportation Guide

Hand-drawn transportation title card

The easiest way to reach the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) is Metro rail to Pico Station. It is about an 8-minute walk from the main entrance. If you drive, plan on a cashless garage with flat-rate event parking. If you travel with a group of 8 or more, one rented passenger van often beats several rideshares.

This guide covers each option. It shows what each costs, where it drops you, and when it makes sense.

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TL;DR

Table of Contents

Where the Convention Center is

The LACC sits in downtown Los Angeles. It is steps from L.A. LIVE, with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment within walking distance. That helps. Once you arrive, you can often leave the car or van parked and walk.

Two points to know before you plan:

The LACC is not the same as the arena on the same block that locals still call by its old name. Search for the Convention Center by name in your maps app so your driver or GPS goes to the right gate.

Metro rail: the simplest option

Metro serves the Convention Center directly. You do not need a car to attend an event here.

Which station to use

Station Lines Walk to LACC
Pico A, E About 8 minutes
7th St/Metro Center A, B, D, E 10 to 15 minutes
LATTC/Ortho Institute E 10 to 12 minutes

Pico is the best choice. Metro’s own rider guide says the station is one block from the Convention Center. Use 7th St/Metro Center if your route needs a transfer to the B or D line.

What it costs and how to pay

The regular Metro fare is $1.75. Transfers are free within two hours when you tap to ride. You can pay with a TAP card, a credit or debit card, Apple Wallet, or cash on buses. Metro lists these options on its visitor page.

If you will ride a lot, TAP fare capping helps. Metro caps fares at $5 per day and $18 per seven days for TAP riders. A four-day trade show with trips to dinner and back to the hotel will reach the cap fast.

Metro fare and TAP fare cap amounts

Fares can change. Confirm the current price on Metro’s site before you travel.

Is it safe and easy without a car?

Many visitors ask if LA is workable without a car. Downtown is the easiest part of the city for it. The Convention Center area has rail, buses, and walkable blocks. Metro says safety is a priority and describes law enforcement, Transit Security Officers, and Ambassadors on the system.

Trains are less practical in some cases:

  • You carry booth materials, signage, or several large bags.
  • Your group is spread across hotels in different parts of the region.
  • You arrive late at night or leave early in the morning.
  • Someone in your group has trouble with stairs or long walks.

In those cases, read the driving and group sections below.

Getting there from the airport and Union Station

From LAX

You can reach LAX by rail. Take the C or K line to the LAX/Metro Transit Center. A free shuttle runs from there to the airport terminals, according to LA Metro. Airport officials also planned an automated people mover to connect the terminals with Metro. The airport announced that it would be free and take about 10 minutes end to end, with service expected to begin in January 2026. Check the airport’s site for the current status.

From the LAX/Metro Transit Center, you transfer onto the rail network toward downtown. Plan for more than one transfer. Allow extra time if you carry luggage.

From Burbank Airport

From Burbank, the usual rail route is a train to Union Station, then the Metro A Line to Pico Station. Route planners such as Rome2Rio show this path. Check times before you go, because schedules change.

From Union Station

Union Station is the easiest rail connection. From there, the A Line runs to Pico Station. A route planner puts the ride at about 9 minutes. Then walk to the venue.

Driving and parking

The LACC runs West Hall, South Hall, and Venice garages. Parking is a flat rate. It is $30 to $60 depending on the event and location, and premium pricing may apply for major events.

The West Hall and South Hall garages are cashless. They accept only credit and debit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, per the venue. Do not plan to pay in cash.

Here is what that means for a group:

  • Five people in five cars pay five flat rates.
  • Five people in one vehicle pay one.
  • A van is taller than a car. Check the garage height clearance with the venue before you enter. Ask about this for any high-roof van.

Group transportation to the Convention Center

Groups are where the options differ most. A team of exhibitors, a church delegation, a school group, or a family at a fan expo all face the same problem. One rideshare seats a few people. Two or three cars split the group.

Your options by type

Option Best for Watch for
Metro rail Small groups, light luggage, budget trips Transfers, walking, late-night service
Rideshare One to four people Several cars for larger groups, surge pricing at event end
Chartered coach Very large groups of 30 or more Minimum hours, fixed schedule
Rented passenger van Groups of 8 to 15 Someone must drive and park

A rented van fits the middle. You keep the whole group together. You split the cost. You keep your own schedule for hotel, venue, and dinner. And you can load cases, banners, or luggage in the same vehicle.

How a van compares on cost

Here is a simple way to check, using your own numbers:

  1. Count your riders.
  2. Add up one day of rideshare trips for the whole group, both ways, for each day of the event.
  3. Add one flat garage rate from the list above.
  4. Compare it with the van’s daily rate, plus fuel and any per-mile fees.

With a group of 10 or more, the van tends to win on convenience. Price depends on dates, vehicle, and city, so get a live quote rather than guessing.

Our perspective

We rent 12- and 15-passenger vans, and event travel is a big part of what groups ask us about. Here is what we see.

Our perspective — overview diagram

Most groups do not need a van for the whole trip. They need one for the parts that break down: the airport pickup, the early load-in, the late ride back, and any day trip. Metro covers the short hop between the hotel and the venue well. A van covers the rest.

We suggest you decide in this order:

  1. Count the people and the bags.
  2. Pick the vehicle size that fits both. A 15-passenger van full of people leaves little room for luggage. A high-roof model gives more cargo space.
  3. Decide who drives. Name one or two drivers before you book.
  4. Plan parking before you leave. Know the garage, the rate, and the payment method.
  5. Ask about the mileage rules. Mileage fees can change the total on a long trip.

This matters because a surprise at pickup ruins a trip. We publish our per-mile fees so you can plan. Extra miles are $0.50 per mile on the Ford Transit (low roof) and Med Roof Ford Transit, and $0.75 per mile on the Mercedes Sprinter and 8-passenger minivan. The Mercedes Sprinter Executive is $5.00 per mile.

— Gabriel

Renting a van for your Convention Center trip

Our fleet includes Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and Chevrolet Express vans. Choose by group size:

  • 12-passenger: a good fit for a team of 8 to 12 with luggage or equipment.
  • 15-passenger: for the largest groups traveling together.
  • 8-passenger minivan: for smaller families or a crew of up to 8.
  • Sprinter Executive: for client groups and executive travel.

Our nearest listed fleet to Los Angeles is in Orange County. See the Express 12-passenger van, the Express 15-passenger van, the Transit 12-passenger van, or the Transit 15-passenger van. For other models and the full lineup, see our fleet page.

We also offer airport pickup, and delivery to hotels or venues in many cities. Ask about options for your dates when you request a quote.

If you are booking for a church, school, or business, we support tax-exempt status and PO billing. See details on our van rentals page.

Insurance matters on a rental. We offer Renter’s Contingent Liability Insurance for renters who want added liability cover. Read the terms before you book.

Planning the rest of the event

Transportation is one line on a long list. If you host a reception, a client dinner, or an after-show party, plan food and drink early. An event team that has handled a convention bartending package before can show what to budget and what the venue requires.

Then build a simple day plan:

  • Arrival day: airport to hotel by Metro or van. Drop luggage, then walk the route to the venue.
  • Load-in day: use a van if you carry equipment. Check venue rules for loading areas.
  • Show days: take Metro to Pico Station, or park once and walk.
  • Departure day: leave early. Traffic near downtown builds around event end times.

Tips that save time

  • Tap in and out with the same card or phone each time. Fare capping only counts rides on the same TAP account.
  • Look up your exact event on the LACC site. Parking prices vary by event.
  • Save a screenshot of your route. Phone signal can be weak in crowded halls.
  • Book a van early for large events. Many groups need transport on the same dates.
  • Choose a meeting point near the venue for the group. Pico Station works well.

FAQ

Does LA Metro go to the Convention Center?

Yes. Take the A or E line to Pico Station, which is about an 8-minute walk from the venue. 7th St/Metro Center and LATTC/Ortho Institute are other nearby stations. Both are a 10 to 15 minute walk.

How much does public transportation cost in Los Angeles?

A regular Metro fare is $1.75, and transfers are free within two hours when you tap to ride. TAP fare capping limits you to $5 a day or $18 over seven days. Check Metro’s site for current fares.

How much is parking at the Convention Center?

The venue lists flat-rate parking from $30 to $60, depending on the event and garage. The West Hall and South Hall garages take credit and debit cards only. Look up your event’s rate before you go.

What is the best way to move a large group to the Convention Center?

For 8 to 15 people, one rented passenger van keeps everyone together and means one parking fee. Metro is a good backup for the last stretch. For 30 or more, a chartered coach may fit better.

Is it easy to get around Los Angeles without a car?

Downtown is the easiest area. The Convention Center has Metro stations and bus service nearby, and hotels and dining are within walking distance. Trips outside downtown take longer, so many groups add a van for those days.

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