From LAX Airport to Los Angeles Union Station
All Amtrak trains serving Los Angeles depart from Union Station. The best way to travel between the airport and Union Station is by FlyAway express coach. Express buses are fast and run frequently, and the entire journey (including walking) takes approximately 1 hour. Beware that private shuttles run less frequently than FlyAway buses do, and so you are not going to save any time by taking a shuttle despite paying at least 3 times as much as the FlyAway fare. Moreover, FlyAway buses run at all times and operate in separate "high-occupancy vehicle" lanes on freeways. So, a FlyAway ride is a more sensible option in most cases.
First of all, you need to get to a FlyAway stop. FlyAway buses stop at all airport terminals. Simply exit any terminal at the arrival (lower) level and locate a green sign "FlyAway, Buses, and Long-Distance Vans" above the island curb. The walk from any gate to a stop takes about 10 minutes.
Now you are at the FlyAway stop. The fare is $9.75; you will have to pay it upon exiting the bus. FlyAway buses are large blue coaches properly marked as "FlyAway". Board any FlyAway bus headed to Union Station. Beware that several other FlyAway routes also serve the same stop, so check the destination signs on the arriving bus to make sure you are taking the correct route. Travel to Union Station and get off the bus. The travel time from LAX to Union Station is about 45 minutes, but it may take up to 1 hour during rush hours on weekdays. Buses run every 30 minutes daily, with departures from Terminal 1 on the hour and on the half-hour. All other terminals are served in numerical order after Terminal 1, with departures from Terminal 8 following about 15 minutes later.
Once you arrive at Union Station, first pay your fare at the kiosk next to the bus stop (debit or credit cards only) and then follow the descending pathway in the middle of the bus island. This ramp connects to a wide underpass leading into the station. The entire walk takes about 2 minutes.
The total travel time from LAX to Union Station should be about 1 hour including all walking and riding the bus (up to 1 hour 15 minutes if traveling during rush hours on weekdays). In addition, do not forget to factor in the wait time, which may add up to 30 minutes to the travel time depending on when you arrive at the bus stop in the airport.
The FlyAway service operates at all times, and so there is no last bus to miss.
If you have any questions, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions" page first. If you carefully read all of the above, checked the FAQs, and still have a question, please feel free to contact me.
Reverse directions: from Los Angeles Union Station to LAX Airport