Transfer Options from LAX Airport to Union Station
Do you have an upcoming rail ride from the main LA train station, the Union Station? Is your lodging choice located in the nearby area? You’ll easily reach Union Station once you land at Los Angeles International Airport. Apart from the comfy taxicabs and the luxurious private airport transfers, you can take the FlyAway LAX to Union Station. Thus, there is a direct bus from LAX to Union Station. Alternatively, you can opt for a much cheaper yet indirect metro transfer. Last but not least, airport car rentals are usually preferred by LAX passengers who value independence during their travels.
| Options | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 55.15 | 51.75 | 30 min |
| Bus | 9.75 | 9.15 | 30 min |
| Metro | 1.75 | 1.64 | 70 min |
How to Get from LAX to Union Station by Taxi
If you are looking for a comfortable way to travel from LAX Airport to Union Station, you should opt for a ride with a LAX taxi. Nevertheless, you should bear in mind that although they are safe and operate around the clock, the different colored LAX taxis don’t line up outside the Los Angeles airport terminals. As a matter of fact, the only taxi stand near the terminal’s baggage claim area is the one located on the east side of T7. However, it is convenient mostly for passengers whose arriving terminals are T7 or T8. On the other hand, passengers landing at T3 or TBIT usually head to the taxi stand, lying on the first floor of the Car Park P3. Besides these options, taxi pickups and ride-sharing services are provided in the designated LAX-it area, which is to be found close to T1. Hence, once you collect your luggage, you’ll have to walk to LAX-it to catch your airport taxi. You should expect a 4-minute walk from T1, a 10-minute walk from T2, T7, and T8, whereas all other terminals lie within a 16-19-minute walking distance. If you don’t want to walk, you can catch the free airport shuttles from the stops, lying on the Arrivals level of all terminals, marked by the Green LAX-it signs. Shuttles run on a 3-5-minute frequency.
LA taxis are metered, although some taxicab companies have flat fares. Still, the ride from LAX to Union Station (actually the ride from LAX to downtown LA) comes with a set fare. Indeed, your taxi ride from LAX Airport to Union Station will cost 55.15$/51.75€ (51.15$/48€ + a 4$/3.75€ airport fee). Moreover, a 10$-15% tip is more than just expected. Cash and card payments are equally accepted. Even though in that case, the common LA traffic jams don’t affect the taxi rates, they do affect the transfer’s duration. Thus, the 30-minute journey may last up to 85 minutes when roads are congested.
How to Get from LAX to Union Station by Bus
The LAX FlyAway Bus is, by far, one of the most popular options for passengers heading to Union Station. Verily, the bus from LAX to Union Station is widely preferred, as it combines convenience and budget services. The LAX FlyAway Buses are modern and comfortable vehicles, equipped with charging points (but no restrooms) and offering free Wi-Fi. Moreover, they are accessible and accept pet transfers as well. Moreover, although most LAX transportation options don’t depart from the terminals, FlyAway LAX to Union Station calls at the bus stops, which are to be found on each terminal’s lower level (Arrivals). You’ll easily spot the FlyAway stops as they are indicated by a Blue LAX FlyAway sign. Buses run clockwise, passing through all the terminals. In general terms, they need 15 minutes to travel from T1 to T8. The bus from LAX to Union Station operates on a 30-minute frequency from 05:40 am to 01:10 am. It reaches its terminus in about 30 minutes. Nevertheless, even though FlyAway Buses can use the High Occupancy Vehicles Lane, the traveling time may abruptly rise (even to 1 hour) during the peak hours (from 07:00 am to 10:00 am, from 04:00 pm to 07:00 pm, and especially on Friday evenings).
Please be careful so as to hop on the right LAX FlyAway Bus. Apart from the FlyAway LAX to Union Station, there is another FlyAway bus route heading to Van Nuys Station.
The ticket for the LAX FlyAway Bus is priced at 9.75$/9.15€. Children younger than 5 (actually 2 children per adult) travel for free. You can buy your tickets online. In that case, you’ll simply have to scan them on the bus validator. Alternatively, tickets are available through the FlyAway Bus Ticket App. Still, if you purchase your ticket from the app, you’ll have to activate it. Please remember that once it is activated, your ticket will be valid for the next 3 hours.
Do you have an onward Metrolink rail transfer from Union Station? You don’t have to buy separate tickets. Verily, you can add the FlyAway ticket fares on the Metrolink ticket.
LAX Shuttle to Union Station
You’ll find several shuttles running from the Arrivals level of LAX terminals to Union Station. Still, their routes are usually less frequent than the LAX FlyAway Buses, while they are also much costlier.
How to Get from LAX to Union Station by Metro
The cheapest way to travel from LAX Airport to Union Station is via metro. However, you won’t find a Metro line running directly from LAX to Union Station. To begin with, Los Angeles Airport doesn’t have a rail station. Therefore, you’ll have to take the free airport Shuttles G traveling to Aviation/LAX Station. They call at all terminals, at the marked by the PINK LAX Shuttle signs stops. Their traveling time to the train station is around 15 minutes, and they operate every 15-20 minutes.
Aviation/LAX Station serves the Metro C Line (Green Line), which is available from 03:49 am to 00:08 am on a 10-minute frequency. Please note that during the off-peak hours, it runs every 12-15 minutes. As soon as you board the train, you’ll begin your 14-minute transfer to Willowbrook – Rosa Parks Station. From that station, you’ll catch the Metro A Line (Blue Line), which runs from 03:54 am to 11:34 pm. You’ll reach Union Station in about 40 minutes. Therefore, the total duration of your transfer from LAX to Union Station will be around 70 minutes.
Still, its cost will be as much as 1.75$/1.64€. Payments can be made only via TAP Cards, which allow free transfers within 2 hours from the first ride. TAP Cards are rechargeable cards that cost 2$/1.88€. You can buy them from the automatic vendors of Aviation/LAX Station, online or through the TAP app. You can use the same methods to recharge them or head to one of the authorized vendors. Finally, you can call TAP Customer Service to reload your card. One of the biggest TAP Cards’ advantages is the fare-capping system. Thus, once you pay a total amount of 5$/4.70€ for your daily transfers or 18$/16.90€ for your weekly public transport journeys, all other transfers via LA’s public transportation are out of charge.
How to Get from LAX to Union Station by Car Rental
LAX airport car rentals are another option for your journey from LAX to Union Station. Whether you want to catch a train from the main station in LA (thus, planning on dropping off the rental car once you arrive at your destination) or your accommodation lies in the nearby area, you’ll be able to schedule your transfer at your own pace. Please note that LAX Airport doesn’t house car rental desks. Thus, you’ll have to take the free airport shuttle to reach the LAX Car Rental Center, or if your car rental agency isn’t one of the companies authorized to operate there, use your company’s airport shuttle to get to the Remote Rental Car Depot. In any case, you should bear in mind that the competition is harsh. Thus, if you opt for an early-in-advance reservation, you should find top deals and offers.
You should expect a 30-minute ride from LAX to Union Station. Still, LA’s traffic jams are an everyday nuisance. Verily, during rush hours, your ride may last up to 85 minutes! As soon as you reach Union Station, you’ll have to park your Los Angeles car rental. Fortunately, Union Station houses parking facilities.
LAX Airport Transfers from LAX to Union Station
The most stress-free option to get from LAX Airport to Union Station is undoubtedly a private airport transfer. Passengers who opt for a LAX airport transfer collect their luggage as soon as they land at Los Angeles International Airport and head to the Arrivals hall, where they are greeted by their professional driver. Drivers are overall highly skilled and area-knowledgeable. Thus, not only do they help passengers with their luggage and escort them to the vehicle of their preference, but they also know all the shortcuts and traffic patterns so as to reach the destination fast and hassle-free. What’s more, with a private airport transfer, you can make use of the available side amenities (child seats, luggage racks, etc.), and customize the transfer to your exact needs.
FAQs
How to get from LAX to Union Station?
You can catch a cab, book a car rental, or opt for a lavish private airport transfer to get from LAX to Union Station. Alternatively, another direct option is the FlyAway LAX to Union Station, the bus departing from the Los Angeles airport terminals, whereas metro transfers are ideal for passengers looking for the cheapest LAX transportation option, even if it is also the most tedious one.
How long does the FlyAway Bus take from LAX to Union Station?
Under normal traffic conditions, the FlyAway Bus takes 30 minutes to get from LAX Airport to Union Station. Nevertheless, during peak hours, traffic levels rise. Therefore, if you travel during rush hours, you should expect an even 60-70-minute ride.
How much is FlyAway from LAX to Union Station?
The FlyAway LAX to Union Station costs 9.75$/9.15€, whereas children younger than 5 travel for free. As a matter of fact, two children per paying adult are out of charge. Tickets are available online or through the LAX FlyAway app.