Coming from outside the city? Park your car at an LA Metro lot and ride direct to Olympic venues. Here's where to park and how to save money during the 2028 Games.
Park and Ride (often called "Park & Ride" or "P&R") is a simple concept: drive to a Metro parking lot at a rail station, park your car, then hop on the train for the rest of your journey. You avoid traffic, parking headaches at your final destination, and often save money compared to driving the entire way.
During the 2028 Olympics, Park and Ride is an excellent option for people living in nearby suburbs (Pasadena, Long Beach, Ventura County, San Bernardino, and others) who want to attend Olympic events without dealing with Olympic-time traffic.
| Comparison | Driving All the Way | Park and Ride |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Cost | $15–$40+ at venue | $6–$10 at Metro lot |
| Traffic Stress | Stuck in Olympic-time congestion | Zero traffic on the train |
| Time Spent Driving | 45 mins–2+ hours | 30–45 mins by train |
| Post-Event Hassle | Waiting in parking lot gridlock | Walk out of venue, get on train |
| Total Cost (family of 4) | $60–$160+ in parking | $30–$50 (parking + transit) |
LA Metro operates Park and Ride lots at dozens of stations throughout the city. Here are the most useful locations for Olympic visitors:
| Station | Line | Spaces Available | To Downtown / Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake/Olive Station | Gold Line (L) | ~450 spaces | ~30 minutes to Union Station |
| Pasadena Central Station | Gold Line (L) | ~300 spaces | ~40 minutes to Downtown |
| Heritage Station | Gold Line (L) | ~250 spaces | ~35 minutes to Downtown |
| Station | Line | Spaces Available | To Downtown / Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosa Parks Station | Blue Line (A) | ~400 spaces | ~20 minutes to Downtown |
| Long Beach Station | Blue Line (A) | ~850 spaces | ~45 minutes to Downtown |
| Lakewood Station | Blue Line (A) | ~1,300 spaces | ~50 minutes to Downtown |
| Station | Line | Spaces Available | To Downtown / Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Madre Villa Station | Gold Line (L) | ~500 spaces | ~50 minutes to Downtown |
| Arcadia Station | Gold Line (L) | ~650 spaces | ~45 minutes to Downtown |
| Station | Line | Spaces Available | To Downtown / Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Hollywood Station | Red Line (B) | ~1,200 spaces | ~25 minutes to Downtown |
| Universal City/Studio City | Red Line (B) | ~400 spaces | ~30 minutes to Downtown |
For a complete list of all Metro parking lots and real-time availability, visit metro.net/riding/park-and-ride/.
Parking fees vary by location and may increase slightly during the Olympics. Current rates (2026):
Standard Parking: $6–$10 per day (depends on lot size and demand)
Weekday Rates: Often lower than weekend rates
Pre-Purchase Discounts: Some lots offer discounts for multi-day passes
Monthly Permits: $80–$150/month for regular commuters
Check the specific Metro lot's website before arriving to confirm current rates. During major Olympic events, some lots may fill up completely by mid-day, so plan to arrive early.
Most Metro parking lots use one of these payment systems:
Always check your specific lot's payment methods before you go — different lots may use different systems.
When selecting a lot for the Olympics, consider these factors:
Once you park and board the train, here's how to reach major Olympic venues:
From North LA: Take Gold Line to Exposition/Vermont, transfer to K Line to Inglewood/Downtown Inglewood. Walk 5–10 minutes to SoFi.
From North LA: Take Red Line directly to Civic Center/Grand Park. Walk 5 minutes to the arena.
From Long Beach: Take Blue Line to Civic Center/Grand Park. Walk 5 minutes to the arena.
From North LA: Take Gold Line to South Pasadena or Pasadena Central. Walk or take a local bus to the Rose Bowl.
After you exit the Metro train:
After Olympic events finish:
For the smoothest experience:
Riding the LA Metro rails to venues during the summer heat requires proper prep. We recommend carrying these essential travel accessories.
Avoid dead device batteries while scanning TAP transit cards or navigating venues. This ultra-slim 10,000mAh portable charger fast-charges iPhones and Androids perfectly.
Keep clean clothes, towels, transit map books, and stadium accessories compressed and separated in your daypack. Heavy duty zippers provide maximum luggage consolidation.