Local time Los Angeles

Currency

US$

Travel to Los Angeles

Flying to Los Angeles

Los Angeles International Airport serves as a hub airport for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Virgin America. Airlines offering flights to Los Angeles from the UK include American Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, Air New Zealand and Delta. Multiple airlines fly from other US cities. LA is a year-round destination but flights tend to be priciest during the school summer holidays. July and August are also the hottest months.

Flight times

From London - 11 hours; New York - 6 hours; Toronto - 5 hours 25 minutes; Sydney - 13 hours 40 minutes.

Travel by road

Freeway travel in California is excellent, with good roads connecting Los Angeles to San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Palm Springs. Side streets are often not in such good order, with potholes abundant, so mind your tyres, especially in areas like Hollywood and West Hollywood.

Driving in the USA is on the right and the minimum driving age is 16 years. A valid national driving licence is required, although check with your car hire company whether they require an International Driving Permit, especially if your licence isn't in English.

Speed limits are 40-56kph (25-35mph) in towns, 88kph (55mph) on highways and 105-113kph (65-70mph) on freeways, unless otherwise posted. Drivers may turn right at a red light, after stopping, unless there is a sign that prohibits it. California has strict laws against drink-driving, and open containers of alcoholic beverages are not permitted in vehicles.

The AAA (tel: +1 800 222 1333; www.aaa.com) can provide information on driving routes and online maps, and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown services

AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357).

During rush hours, Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) will assist freeway drivers with minor problems in order to keep traffic moving. For accidents and emergencies dial 911.

Routes

Interstate 5 (I-5) connects Los Angeles with Seattle in the north and San Diego in the south. The Pacific Coast Highway (State Highway 1) is a scenic route north along the California coast to Santa Barbara and San Francisco. Los Angeles is linked to Palm Springs by I-10, and to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City by I-15.

Coaches

The main Greyhound (tel: +1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) coach station is at 1716 East Seventh Street, Downtown. Greyhound provides coach services to cities nationwide. 

Megabus (tel: + 1 877 462 6342; us.megabus.com) runs coaches between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose.

Time to city

From San Diego - 2 hours 15 minutes; Las Vegas - 4 hours 30 minutes; San Francisco - 6 hours; Palm Springs - 2 hours.

Travel by Rail

Services

The main railway station in Los Angeles is Union Station, 800 North Alameda Street, on the edge of Downtown. This vast, art deco, Spanish-style building, built in 1939, is an attraction in itself.

Rail services have shrunk in recent years and tend to be slower than other forms of transport, but the 24-hour LAX FlyAway bus service (www.lawa.org/flyaway) provides fast, economical travel between the station and the airport.

The Los Angeles terminal is at the western end of major routes across the southern Rockies and is also the southern terminus of the West Coast line to Seattle (Washington). Frequent services go to stations as far south as San Diego.

Operators

National and regional rail services are provided by Amtrak (tel: +1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com). Metrolink (tel: +1 800 371 5465; www.metrolinktrains.com) is the regional rail system for southern California and connects with most cities in the region.

Five main Amtrak trains serve Los Angeles: the Coast Starlight, which begins in Seattle; the Pacific Surfliner, which runs from San Luis Obispo to San Diego via Los Angeles; the Southwest Chief from Chicago; the Sunset Limited from Orlando via New Orleans to Los Angeles; and the Texas Eagle from Chicago via San Antonio.

Journey times

From San Diego - 2 hours 45 minutes; Seattle - 35 hours 25 minutes.

Travel by boat

Located in San Pedro Bay, some 40km (25 miles) south of downtown Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles, 425 South Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro (tel: +1 310 732 7678; www.portoflosangeles.org), is one of the world's biggest and busiest seaports and cruise ships stop here regularly.

The area includes recreational facilities such as a Maritime Museum, marina, aquarium and historic fishing village.

Ferry operators

The majority of cruise ships head south towards Mexico, although Los Angeles is a stop on sailings to Alaska and other international destinations.

There is also the Catalina Express (tel: +1 800 481 3470; www.catalinaexpress.com), which operates a service to Santa Catalina Island.

Nearest port

Los Angeles.

Transfer

Travel into Los Angeles via taxi or car as the port is poorly served by public transport.

Transfer time

15 minutes.

Transfer distance

2.9km (1.8 miles).
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

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The Beverly Wilshire

Popularised by its appearance in Pretty Woman, this Four Seasons hotel is renowned for its classical grandeur and impeccable service. An ornately carved entrance leads to a magnificent lobby and a choice between the elegant Boulevard Restaurant, a wood-panelled piano lounge and Cut, the Wolfgang Puck steakhouse. Luxurious rooms have marble bathrooms and the spa is stunning.

Shutters on the Beach

One of two luxury hotels on the beach, Shutters combines sophistication with a beach holiday atmosphere. The lobby has esteemed modern art, including pieces by David Hockney and Roy Lichtenstein, and each room has a veranda. All have four-poster beds, plus a copy of Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea.

Howard Johnson Inn and Suites Reseda

A clean and affordable option in the San Fernando Valley, this hotel features free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and complimentary continental breakfast. Parking is free and access to the rest of California is made easy with Interstate 405 and Highway 101 running nearby.

Jerry's Motel

A low-key motel in Downtown, just minutes from major city attractions like Los Angeles Convention Center, Dodger Stadium, Broad Museum and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. Unfussy double and twin rooms offer free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and coffeemakers, and the hotel provides free parking for patrons.

Farmer’s Daughter Hotel

Featuring denim duvets, distressed hardwood floors and wrought iron artwork, this funky boutique hotel in West Hollywood is heavy on the rural theme. Located opposite LA's historic Farmer's Market, it also has a smart pool and sundeck, high speed Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. Its onsite restaurant, TART, serves up deliciously healthy hipster treats.

Sheraton Universal

Bang next door to Universal Studios, the Sheraton Universal has something of a corporate air to it but is relaxed enough to offer a poolside bar. Rooms are reasonably sized, with plenty of creams and browns keeping things neutral. It also has a small pool and modern gym facilities. Ask for a room with views of the Hollywood Hills.