Universal Studios Hollywood is located at Universal City Plaza, 5.4 miles from Central LA and is easily accessible by numerous forms of transportation.
Trains are the most efficient mode of transportation. The Metro B Line (Red) will take you to the Universal/Studio City Station, where you can board a free shuttle or walk to the park.
Bus and vehicle travel are also feasible, with several routes and transfer options.
Biking is viable for individuals who prefer more environmentally friendly solutions with proper route planning.
Taxis and ride-sharing services provide convenient options for hassle-free transportation.
Location: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, United States. Get Directions
Cheapest Mode of Transport: Metro
Price: $1.75 per person
Distance from Central Los Angeles: 8.6 kilometers (5.4 miles)
Universal Studios Hollywood is located at Universal City Plaza, 5.4 miles from Central LA and is easily accessible by numerous forms of transportation.
Trains are the most efficient mode of transportation. The Metro B Line (Red) will take you to the Universal/Studio City Station, where you can board a free shuttle or walk to the park.
Bus and vehicle travel are also feasible, with several routes and transfer options.
Biking is viable for individuals who prefer more environmentally friendly solutions with proper route planning.
Taxis and ride-sharing services provide convenient options for hassle-free transportation.
By Metro
A metro ride from Central Los Angeles to Universal Studios Hollywood is easy and cost-effective.
The nearest metro station to Universal Studios Hollywood is the Universal / Studio City Station.
The Metro B Line, in red, is the most direct route to Universal Studios Hollywood.
You will reach Universal / Studio City Station, 34 minutes from Union Station, downtown LA, 20 minutes from Westlake/MacArthur Park Station, and 5 minutes from North Hollywood subway station.
A metro will be available every 12 to 20 minutes, depending on the time of the day, from each metro station on the B line.
If you take the D-line (purple) or A-line (Blue), you can change to the red line at the Wilshire / Vermont subway station.
After getting down at Universal / Studio City Station, you can walk for 0.6 miles or take a free shuttle to Universal Studio Park.
The shuttle services run every 15 minutes. You can find the shuttle stop near the NBCUniversal tower at the base of the hill.
Single metro rides typically cost $1.75 using a TAP card (reusable fare card) or $2 with cash.
Pro Tip: Metrolink trains are free for children under 17 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Metro Lines: B Line (Red Colour)
Nearest Station To the Universal Studio Hollywood: Universal / Studio City Station
Fare: $1.75 per ride
Download Metro Schedule
By Bus
Getting to Universal Studios Hollywood from Central Los Angeles via bus is doable, although it will take longer and need more transfers than the Metro Red Line.
Several bus routes will transport you to the Universal City neighborhood but not directly to the studio door. You’ll need to transfer buses or walk a short distance.
The free Studio City Shuttle service connects Universal CityWalk with numerous places in Studio City.
The nearest Bus station to Universal Studios Hollywood
- Lankershim / Campo De Cahuenga, 0.4 miles (approx. 640 meters)
- Universal Studios Station, 0.4 miles (approx. 640 meters)
- Universal Redline Station. 0.6 miles (approx. 960 meters)
Bus lines to Universal Studios Hollywood
- 155: From North Hollywood Station
- 222: From Sun Valley
- 224: From Olive View Medical Center
- 240: From Universal to Studio City Station
- PINK: Metrolink Station to Universal Studios Hollywood (Limited service)
The cost of a one-way bus ticket per person is $1.75.
Tip: New To Los Angeles? Do you want a hassle-free trip to Universal? The private Hollywood Film Studios Tour is perfect for you. It offers pick-up and drop-off services from your hotel doors.
By Car
This guide will help you negotiate the drive if you plan a road trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, making your arrival stress-free and seamless.
Despite the complex road system in Los Angeles, getting to Universal Studios Hollywood is relatively easy. Below is a summary of the trip from other places:
From Hollywood: The drive is brief and effortless. After traveling North on the 101 Hollywood Freeway, get off at Universal Studios Blvd. Follow the signage to the theme park after turning right onto Universal Studios Blvd.
From Santa Monica: To get to the 405 Freeway North from Santa Monica, take the 10 Santa Monica Freeway East. The 101 Ventura Freeway East/South is the exit. Follow the guidelines above after taking the 101 Hollywood Freeway North.
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Follow the signage to the 105 Freeway East from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Then, take the 105 Freeway East to the 110 Harbor Freeway North. After taking the 101 Hollywood Freeway North, follow the guidelines for Hollywood.
From Anaheim: Take the Golden State Freeway North (510). Take the 101 Hollywood Freeway North exit, then adhere to the above instructions.
From San Diego: Take the Golden State Freeway North (510). Proceed north on the 405 Freeway. Take the 101 Hollywood Freeway North exit, then follow the instructions for the Hollywood route.
From Santa Barbara: Take the 101 Hollywood Freeway South from Santa Barbara and get off at Lankershim Blvd. After heading east on Lankershim Blvd, turn right onto Universal Studios Blvd. Follow the Hollywood signs to Universal Studios.
Follow the brown and yellow signs that indicate Universal Studios Hollywood as you approach the complex.
You can follow these signs to navigate Universal CityWalk, a bustling entertainment complex with restaurants, retail stores, and movie theaters.
By Bicycle
Because Los Angeles is such a large city, getting around its streets safely takes preparation. There are two primary things to think about:
Distance: Depending on where you start, Universal Studios Hollywood is located in Universal City, around 12 to 20 miles from different parts of Los Angeles. Get ready for a demanding yet rewarding journey.
Terrain: The geography of Los Angeles is varied. The most direct routes will take you down congested, heavily used roadways. Though you will need more travel time, calmer side street routes offer a safer journey.
Route Options
Use the bicycle instructions on Google Maps to investigate both possibilities and select the one that best fits your comfort and experience levels.
Here are two potential routes with varying difficulty levels:
The Direct Route (For Experienced Cyclists)
This route uses roads such as Lankershim Blvd and Cahuenga Blvd., promoting speed. Although it is the quickest route, there are few bike lanes and lots of traffic. Casual cyclists are not advised to ride this route.
The Scenic Route (For Leisurely Riders)
With designated bike routes and picturesque scenery, this route emphasizes a more leisurely ride. Although it adds a few miles, the road is rather scenic and takes you beside Griffith Park and the LA River.
Pro Tip: You can avoid the hassle of getting a bike right before your trip and getting late to the park by reserving the e-bike far in advance.
By Taxi
A taxi ride provides a convenient and comfortable way to arrive in style, ready to conquer the park.
While some cities overflow with taxis, Los Angeles requires more planning to secure a cab.
First, figure out where you are going. The taxi driver can determine the best route if you know your address or the closest landmark.
If you are staying at a hotel in Hollywood or downtown LA, most of them have taxi stands or can hail one for you.
Look for the iconic yellow taxi with its illuminated Taxi sign on the roof. A lit sign indicates the taxi is available.
In some parts of LA, especially tourist areas, taxis may drive slowly, so stand on the curb, make eye contact with the driver, and raise your hand to show your intentions.
LA taxis use a meter system. The fee is calculated depending on distance and time.
The journey to Universal Studios Hollywood will cost between $20 and $65, depending on traffic and distance from your starting place.
While some cabs may take credit cards, having cash is suggested. To minimize hassle, have enough money for the trip and tip.
Vacatis Tips To Reach Universal Studios Hollywood
- Take a cab in a high-traffic tourist location. Taxis are more frequently accessible around Hollywood Boulevard, Downtown LA, and near large hotels.
- Several cab-hailing applications in Los Angeles, including Curb and Flywheel, let you request a cab and follow its arrival in real time.
- You can use a traffic app like Google Maps to see real-time traffic conditions and predicted arrival timings if you’re driving.
- If carpool lanes are available, consider using them to save time on your commute.
- Use a GPS navigation device or mapping software to receive turn-by-turn instructions to Universal Studios Hollywood.
- Download the Metro map for metro timings, departures, arrivals and route planning.
- To save money on future Metro journeys, buy a TAP card at a Metro station or from a partner shop.
- If you want to take a bus, you can see some buses indicating impending stops; it’s always a good idea to be familiar with the one nearest Universal Studios Hollywood.
Contents
FAQs
1. How do I avoid getting stuck in traffic when leaving Universal Studios Hollywood?
Leaving later in the evening, when crowds thin or taking public transportation like the Metro Red Line and shuttle, will help you escape peak hour traffic.
2. Are there sidewalks leading to Universal Studios Hollywood?
Yes, the pathways go to Universal Studios Hollywood. You can stroll from the Universal City / Studio City Metro Station or take the walkways along Universal Hollywood Drive from adjacent locations.
3. Is there a bike path to Universal Studios Hollywood?
There is no designated bike path heading straight to Universal Studios Hollywood. Cycling in Los Angeles is feasible, although it is difficult due to traffic and the need for bike lanes.
4. Do public transportation services to Universal Studios Hollywood run on holidays?
Public transit in Los Angeles, including trains and buses to Universal Studios Hollywood, usually runs on holidays, with different weekday timings.
5. How do I get to Universal Studios Hollywood from the airport?
Taxi service is ideal for transportation from LAX airport. Public transportation requires taking the FlyAway bus to a Metro station, then changing to a bus to Universal Studios Hollywood, and a complimentary shuttle to the entrance. It’s less expensive but takes around 2 hours.
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Featured Image: Latimes.com