Los Angeles wheelchair accessibility guide

Los Angeles is car-first. The Metro rail network runs 110 stations across six lines, and every station has a ramp, walkway or lift to the platform. Distances between major attractions are long, so plan around a car, rideshare or paratransit rather than chained bus transfers.

Standard fare is $1.75 per ride. Riders with a Reduced Fare TAP card never pay more than $2.50 a day or $5 in seven days, then ride free for the rest of the period. Apply for the card through LA Metro's customer service. LA County residents who qualify for the LIFE programme get 20 free rides each month.

If a station lift is out of service, Metro advises taking a bus to the next station at no cost. Service animals are welcome on Metro trains and buses without certification. The bus network covers more of the basin than rail does, so plan trips through the Metro Trip Planner rather than relying on rail alone.

Many of the city's biggest sights are free for every visitor. The Getty Center, The Broad, Griffith Observatory and California Science Center all admit visitors at no charge. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a public sidewalk and free to walk. Paid parking at the Getty and Griffith is the main cost on a free-museum day.

LACMA, Universal Studios Hollywood and Walt Disney Concert Hall sell tickets. LACMA admits a Professional Personal Care Attendant free with any paid Disability Ticket, and offers complimentary wheelchairs at the Ticket Office. See the Disability Discounts page for the full table of per-venue fares and policies.

Build extra time into LA itineraries. The basin is wide and traffic adds noticeable time to most cross-town hops. Pair venues by neighbourhood: downtown for The Broad plus the Music Center; Exposition Park for the Natural History Museum plus California Science Center; the Westside for the Getty plus Santa Monica. That cuts driving time and keeps each day to one or two accessible-parking decisions.

Hotels in walkable pockets save trouble. Downtown, Santa Monica and West Hollywood have the densest accessible sidewalks and rideshare supply. Book timed-entry tickets (Getty, LACMA, planetarium shows at Griffith) ahead so the accessible queue is held. Beach wheelchairs are sometimes available near Santa Monica Pier through the City of Santa Monica; check the lifeguard service for the current programme.