Is it easy to go from LAX to downtown by metro or bus? I'll be in LA next week in a hotel near LAX airport

yes roaddog has some good suggestion -antoher routing (its all rail but it takes 3 transfers) you can also catch the Lax "G Shuttle to the Green Line then you can will either have to pay 3 times $1.25 on each mode of transportation (Green Line , then Blue Line to downtown then the Red Line (or you can get a day pass from the Ticket vending machine for $5.00 then you would first take the Green Line to the Rosa Park station, then Blue line to downtown then the Red Line to Union station

I work at LAX and transportation to downtown is very good. Several ways to go. The bus, the Metrorail, taxi (most expensive) and shuttle. When you arrive, on the lower level in every terminal is a Travelers Aid Booth. Go talk to them and they can make sure you get on the right form of transportation. When you go outside and look overhead you will see different colored signs. Orange is the shuttle, blue sign get on the C shuttle for the buses or the G shuttle for the Metrorail.

yes it is possible, but it will take you about 1.5 hrs or longer because you are not familiar with the system..if you want to kill time and see LA's rougher neighborhoods take the train...from the airport take a cab to the train about 5-10 minutes from airport.that will be the gold line, take it to the blue line and take the blue all the way into downtown.. its a long trip and its very safe, if not try a shuttle service going to one of the downtown hotels.

Bus!!!!!!!!!