How to Plan a Trip and Check Arrivals with LA Metro

Use LA Metro's Trip Planner to get step-by-step directions for a Los Angeles trip, then check real-time arrivals and service alerts in the official LA Metro app before you leave. For route and station details, use Maps & Schedules on metro.net. This works for bus and rail riders planning a single trip or a recurring commute; you'll need a starting point, a destination, and a rough travel time.

Plan the trip first

1. Open the Trip Planner on metro.net. Enter your starting point and destination, plus your travel date and time if you're planning ahead.
2. Review the options. The planner returns step-by-step directions, so you can compare routes and see where transfers happen.
3. Check the route and station details in Maps & Schedules. Use this section to confirm which lines serve your stations and to look at schedules for the time you plan to travel.
4. Save the plan. Note the line names and transfer stations — you'll use them to check arrivals next.

Expected result: a route with directions you can follow, plus the line and station names you need for the arrival check.

Check arrivals and alerts before you go

The official LA Metro app is the tool for this step. According to Metro, the app provides real-time arrivals, step-by-step directions, and service alerts, "so you always know what to expect as you travel."

• Real-time arrivals: confirm when the next bus or train reaches your stop or station.
• Service alerts: check for disruptions before you leave, especially on rail lines where maintenance closures can affect stations.
• Step-by-step directions: follow the trip in the app if your plans change mid-journey.

For example, if you're heading to a stadium event, check the app for alerts on the lines serving the venue before you set out, then recheck arrivals at your transfer station.

Paying and boarding

Metro states that riders can now pay fare with a digital wallet, credit or debit card — just tap on the bus or at train stations and ride. Have your payment method ready before boarding so you don't hold up the line.

Common snags

• Station closures: rail stations can close temporarily for maintenance. Metro has announced closures for Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega stations from Oct. 23 through Nov. 1, reopening Nov. 2. Check alerts for your stations before traveling.
• Planning too early: schedules and arrivals change, so confirm the trip again shortly before you leave rather than relying on a plan made days ahead.
• Skipping the alert check: a route that worked last week may be affected by construction or events — the app's alerts are the quickest way to catch this.

Quick reference