What is Park and Ride?
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.
Why Park and Ride Beats Driving to Venues
| 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) |
The Math: Park and Ride costs about 1/3 the price of venue parking, eliminates Olympic traffic stress, and is often faster than driving to the venue. For a family of 4, you'll save $100+ per day.
How Park and Ride Works
- Drive to a Metro parking lot at a rail station in your area (Pasadena, Long Beach, Burbank, etc.)
- Park your car in the assigned lot (payment may be required)
- Walk into the station and buy a TAP card if you don't have one
- Board the train heading toward your Olympic venue
- Ride to your destination (typically 30–60 minutes depending on your starting location)
- Walk to the venue from the Metro station
- Reverse the process after the event to get home
LA Metro Parking Lot Locations
LA Metro operates Park and Ride lots at dozens of stations throughout the city. Here are the most useful locations for Olympic visitors:
For North LA / Pasadena Residents
| 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 |
For South LA / Long Beach Residents
| 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 |
For San Gabriel Valley Residents
| 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 |
For West LA / Burbank Residents
| 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 During the 2028 Olympics
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.
Paying for Parking at Metro Lots
Most Metro parking lots use one of these payment systems:
- License plate payment: Register your vehicle online and pay through the Metro app or website
- Parking kiosks: Pay cash or card at the entrance kiosk when you arrive
- Prepaid permits: Monthly or multi-day passes purchased in advance
- LA Metro app: Some lots allow mobile payment directly through the app
Always check your specific lot's payment methods before you go — different lots may use different systems.
Choosing Which Park and Ride Lot to Use
When selecting a lot for the Olympics, consider these factors:
- How far do you live? Shorter drives to the lot save time and gas.
- Which Olympic venue are you heading to? Choose a line that connects directly.
- How early do you want to arrive? Popular lots fill up during major events.
- What's the total trip time? Factor in parking + train time vs. driving all the way.
- Check lot availability before you leave home. Metro posts real-time lot occupancy online.
Transit from Park and Ride to Olympic Venues
Once you park and board the train, here's how to reach major Olympic venues:
To SoFi Stadium (Inglewood)
From North LA: Take Gold Line to Exposition/Vermont, transfer to K Line to Inglewood/Downtown Inglewood. Walk 5–10 minutes to SoFi.
To Crypto.com Arena (Downtown)
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.
To Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
From North LA: Take Gold Line to South Pasadena or Pasadena Central. Walk or take a local bus to the Rose Bowl.
Making Park and Ride Easy for Families
- Designate a "meeting spot" in the parking lot in case your group gets separated
- Get everyone TAP cards or reloadable passes before arriving
- Plan your route step-by-step on the Metro app before you leave home
- Bring snacks and water for the train ride and waiting time
- Arrive at the parking lot 90+ minutes before major events start
- Leave the venue early to avoid post-event train crowds
Safety Tips for Park and Ride Lots
- Park in well-lit, populated areas of the lot
- Lock your car and don't leave valuables visible inside
- Walk with others through the lot, especially at night
- Note your parking location clearly (take a photo of the lot number)
- Keep your keys and ID in a secure pocket
Arriving at Your Olympic Venue
After you exit the Metro train:
- Allow extra walking time from the station (5–15 minutes depending on the venue)
- Follow directional signage and volunteer guides (plentiful during Olympics)
- Expect security screening at the venue entrance — have your tickets and ID ready
- Plan to arrive at the venue 60–90 minutes before events start
Going Home After the Event
After Olympic events finish:
- Expect crowds on the train back to your parking lot
- If possible, stay in the venue for 30+ minutes after the event to let the crowd thin out
- Have your TAP card ready for the return journey
- Remember which line and direction you came from
- Walk back to your car — remember the lot number you noted earlier
Pre-Planning Your Park and Ride Trip
For the smoothest experience:
- Visit metro.net a week before your trip and check lot availability
- Plan your route using the Journey Planner tool
- Download the LA Metro app for real-time train tracking
- Check weather and plan accordingly
- Make sure your vehicle has enough gas
- Confirm parking rates and payment methods for your chosen lot
- Get your TAP cards or passes in advance
Bottom Line: Park and Ride is perfect for suburban Olympic visitors. Save $100+ in parking costs, avoid traffic stress, and arrive refreshed at your Olympic venue. Choose your closest Metro lot, park for $6–$10, and ride direct to the Games.