How to bus to LAX from UCLA

Winter break is almost here and many Bruins will make their way down to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to fly home or go on vacation. Instead of taking an Uber or Lyft to LAX, travelers can save money by taking the bus. It’s easy — just hop on the Line 6 Culver CityBus at UCLA and hop off at the LAX city bus center, which has a free shuttle to the airport.

Keep reading for more tips on how to bus to LAX from UCLA.

Before taking the bus to LAX, get a Transit Access Pass (TAP) by downloading the TAP app or buying a physical card. UCLA undergraduate and graduate students can ride LA public transit for free with the U-Pass card and Bruin Grad Pass respectively, which students have to apply for and renew every quarter. Each bus ride costs just $1, so even without the university transit passes, taking the bus to the airport can be a huge money-saver. 

Those traveling should also familiarize themsevles with the Line 6 Culver CityBus stops and schedule. Travelers should board the bus at UCLA Gateway Plaza or the UCLA Medial Center depending on where they are on campus. Get off the bus at the LAX city bus center or wait a couple stops until the bus reaches the Green Line station; both bus stops have free shuttles to the airport. 

To get to the airport a bit faster, take the Line 6 Rapid instead of the regular Line 6 bus; it cuts the commute from around an hour and a half to just one hour. Make sure to factor in traffic when traveling during rush hour! As a rule of thumb, plan to leave Westwood at least three hours before the flight’s check-in time for ample time to get to the airport, check in and pass security. 

Good luck on the rest of your finals, and make sure you travel safe, Bruins!