Getting around Los Angeles is always an adventure. Rush hour is longer than an hour, congestion springs up at seemingly random times, and street closures for Hollywood events can turn once reliable shortcuts into parking lots. It’s part of LA culture, and ICLA students always find ways to adapt.
Most ICLA students find that having access to a car in Los Angeles is the best means of getting to and from work, running errands and exploring the city. Whether you drive cross country, ship your car, rent a car or share rides with friends, having access to a car is a plus. For students who need help finding rides to and from work, the ICLA staff work at connecting students who have cars to others who are looking for a lift.
RENTAL CARS
For those students who would like to rent a car in Los Angeles, we have quotes from Midway Auto Rental. See the document below for Midway's current rules and rates for ICLA students.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Los Angeles' public transportation, called The Metro, can be a great way to get around the city, and some students master the buses, subways and trains in order to get to their internships. The Metro bus system is extensive and provides access throughout Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and the communities east and south of L.A. They Metro’s subway and surface rail system is quite reliable and clean and provides great access to many points throughout the greater L.A. metropolitan area.
For a chart of Metro fares, click here: METRO FARE CHART
The Monthly Student TAP Card ($43.00/month) If you think you’ll be using the Metro as your primary mode of transportation, the monthly student Tap Card is your best bet. You should apply for the Student TAP Card one month before your arrival in Los Angeles.
To apply for the Student TAP Card, you will need:
- A TAP account (use the school's street address)
- A color full-face photo. (2Mb max, jpg, no hats or sunglasses)
- Valid drivers license, state ID, or passport
- Proof of enrollment from ICLA: Click here to get
Use ICLA's Pendleton Center street address for the school address and your LA mailing address:
3800 Barham Blvd Suite 305
Los Angeles, CA 90068
We'll let you know when your TAP card arrives at the Pendleton Center.
Click here to access the online College TAP Card application.
The application costs $1 to process, and you load your student monthly pass onto it once it arrives.
AIRPORTS
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (310-646-5252): LAX, Los Angeles' major airport, is located 27 miles from the AVA Toluca Hills Apartments. Travel time depends greatly on traffic and can take from 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Taxis, Lyft, and Uber are available to ride from LAX to the apartments. Please refer to the LAXit webpage for important information about where to pick up your ride at the airport.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) 2627 North Hollywood Way (818-840-8830): Located 15 minutes/5 miles from the AVA Toluca Hills Apartments. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are available outside the airport. American, JetBlue, Southwest, United and US Airways fly into Burbank. It will save you time and ride fare, but it is generally cheaper to fly into LAX.
RIDE SHARE SERVICE
Lyft and Uber are popular ride sharing apps you can download to your phone and use throughout Los Angeles.
TAXI SERVICE
If you want to take a taxi, you need to phone one in advance. Be aware that taxi cabs in Los Angeles can be expensive. The major taxi companies in Los Angeles are:
- Burbank Taxi (818) 845-2100
- Green Cab (213) 483-7600
- United Taxi (323) 653-5050
- Yellow Cab (213) 627-7000
- Yellow Cab also has an app you can use to request and track cabs: Click here for more!