Home » Park Guide » Guides » Taking the Metro Red Line
Choo-choo!
Metro’s Red Line subway service offers quick and convenient transport to Universal Studios Hollywood. Offering service from North Hollywood to Union Station (downtown Los Angeles) both ways, the Red Line offers a direct stop to Universal City.
Getting Started
Understanding the Red Line
The Metro Red Line has 14 stops (including Universal City) that spans from Hollywood to Downtown Los Angeles – outlined in red below. Street addresses to all the stops can be found on Metro’s website. A rough outline of the Metro Red Line’s stops can be found in the map below:
Purchasing your TAP Card
With the advent of reusable plastic TAP cards, guests can no longer use paper tickets to pass through the Metro’s turnstiles. TAP cards are required and can be purchased for a nominal fee. Kiosks are also available at every Metro station, which allow you to purchase a new TAP card, or fill up an existing TAP card with additional fare. Depending on your situation, the following options are provided:
» One-way Pass: A single ride on one train (most used option – fill your TAP card with enough fare for two trips – which is currently $3.50)
» Day Pass: You can travel on any train or bus for one day (recommended for connecting buses or multiple trips)
» Metro-to-Muni Transfer: Allows you to transfer on one non-Metro connecting bus
We highly recommend filling your TAP card with a monetary value higher than a round trip. This will give you some wiggle room in case you make a mistake. Kiosks accept both credit card and cash for your convenience.
Boarding
Boarding is relatively simple. Purchase or refill your TAP card at the kiosks provided, tap your card on the turnstile plate and head in the direction of Universal City. Maps are posted throughout the station, and audio announcements are made on a regular basis.
Universal City is the second stop if you’re on the Red Line heading to Union Station, and the second to last stop if you’re on the Red Line heading towards North Hollywood.
Tap your TAP Card onto these stations to pay your fare
A Red Line train headed towards North Hollywood
Editor’s Note: Don’t only pay attention to colors! Both the Red Line and the Purple Line share the same red striped trains, and it’s easy to accidentally end up on the Purple Line by mistake. If you accidentally end up on the wrong train, simply head towards Wilshire/Vermont Station to connect back to the Red Line train to North Hollywood.
Once you’ve reached the Universal City station, you may exit through the turnstiles. A second tap using your TAP card on the turnstile is not required for exit.
Arriving at Universal City
As you disembark, please check your surroundings to ensure you’ve reached the correct station. We’ve included photos below of the Universal City station for reference.
Taking the shuttle
Universal provides free shuttle service from the base of the hill to CityWalk. Simply wait near the NBCUniversal tower for the next shuttle to arrive. Shuttles usually rotate every 15 minutes, and operate around Universal Studios Hollywood’s park hours. Hours of operation for the shuttle are also posted near the queue on small LED ticker boards for your convenience. If you are unsure, we also suggest asking a Universal team member for specific shuttle and park hours on the day of your visit.
