The LAX FlyAway bus is the easiest route to Amtrak at Union Station: nonstop, $12.75, and about 35–75 minutes.
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For transportation from LAX to Amtrak Union Station, take the LAX FlyAway bus unless you have a tight train connection, mobility needs that make the bus harder, or three-plus people splitting a car. The FlyAway runs nonstop from every LAX terminal to Union Station East, costs $12.75 one way, and drops you beside the Patsaouras Transit Plaza, a short indoor walk from Amtrak platforms.
Los Angeles Union Station is the downtown rail hub at 800 North Alameda Street; Amtrak uses station code LAX there, which can confuse first-time visitors because the airport also uses LAX. The safe planning rule is simple: use FlyAway for the cleanest airport-to-rail connection, use Metro only for the lowest fare, and use taxi or rideshare only when timing beats cost.
After choosing the bus or a car, compare current airport-to-station options for the route here:
LAX To Amtrak Union Station: Every Route Compared
The FlyAway bus is the default choice because it is nonstop, luggage-friendly, and priced for solo travelers. Metro rail is cheaper, but the extra transfer usually makes it worse for anyone carrying bags to an Amtrak train.
| Mode | Typical Time | Rough Cost |
|---|---|---|
| LAX FlyAway bus | 35–75 minutes, traffic-dependent | $12.75 one way |
| Metro rail via LAX/Metro Transit Center | 70–95 minutes from terminal curb | $1.75 Metro fare |
| Taxi from LAX-it | 30–90 minutes, traffic-dependent | Usually about $60–85 with fees and tip |
| Uber or Lyft from LAX-it | 30–90 minutes, plus LAX-it transfer | Often $45–90, higher during surge |
| Pre-booked car service | 30–90 minutes | Often $80–150+ |
| Shared airport shuttle | 60–120 minutes with other stops | Often $25–45 per person |
| Rental car | 60+ minutes with pickup and return | Rental, fuel, fees, and downtown parking |
The table shows why the bus wins for most Amtrak-bound arrivals. A car can be faster when traffic is light, but the FlyAway avoids LAX-it, avoids downtown parking, and drops you on the correct side of Union Station for trains.
Why The FlyAway Bus Wins For Most Rail Travelers
The LAX FlyAway bus is built for exactly this transfer: airport terminal to Union Station with luggage. FlyAway buses use underfloor baggage space, run directly to Union Station East, and do not require a rail transfer with suitcases.
The main catch is traffic. Downtown Los Angeles can be 35 minutes away late at night or more than an hour away during weekday rush periods, stadium events, or freeway incidents.
For same-day Amtrak departures, use these buffers:
- Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink-style short train: aim to reach Union Station at least 45 minutes before departure.
- Long-distance Amtrak train: aim for 60–90 minutes before departure, especially with checked bags.
- Friday afternoon or holiday arrival: add another 30 minutes because the LAX terminal loop and 110 freeway can both slow down.
Missed-train risk: A cheap transfer stops being cheap if your flight lands close to your train time. For tight connections, a taxi or rideshare may be worth the extra money.
How Do You Board The FlyAway At LAX?
LAX FlyAway boarding is on the Lower/Arrivals Level at the blue FlyAway columns outside each terminal. The bus stops at multiple terminals before leaving the airport, so Terminal 7 and Terminal 8 passengers may spend extra minutes inside the airport loop.
Los Angeles World Airports’ LAX FlyAway fare and ticket page lists the $12.75 one-way fare, mobile and web ticket options, contactless in-bus payment, and the no-reservations policy.
Use this boarding flow after baggage claim:
- Go down to Lower/Arrivals if you are not already there.
- Look outside for the blue FlyAway column, not the green LAX-it rideshare signs.
- Confirm the bus says Union Station, not Van Nuys.
- Pay with a mobile ticket, web ticket, or contactless Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, or Google Pay on board.
- At Union Station East, follow signs from Patsaouras Transit Plaza toward the main concourse and Amtrak tracks.
FlyAway seats are first come, first served. During busy travel periods, arriving at the stop about 10 minutes before the scheduled bus gives you a better chance at the next departure.
Metro Rail Is Cheaper, But Slower For Union Station
Metro is the lowest-cost way from LAX to Union Station, but it is not the smoothest airport-to-Amtrak transfer. The route adds a free airport shuttle to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, then a rail trip that usually includes a transfer at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks.
The common rail path is the free LAX shuttle to LAX/Metro Transit Center, Metro C Line toward Norwalk, then Metro A Line north to Union Station. The fare is $1.75 on Metro, but the terminal-to-platform time and transfer time matter more than the fare for train passengers.
Choose Metro when your Amtrak train is later in the day, your luggage is light, and saving money matters more than comfort. Skip Metro when you have checked bags, a late-night arrival, a child in tow, or a train you cannot miss.
When Should You Choose A Taxi Or Rideshare?
A taxi or rideshare is the right move when your train departure is tight or your group can split the cost. Cars pick up away from most terminal curbs at LAX-it, so the ride is not truly door-to-door until you walk or shuttle to the pickup lot near Terminal 1.
Taxis give you a regulated airport pickup and a downtown fare structure, while Uber and Lyft can swing sharply with demand. The car trip itself can be faster than FlyAway in light traffic, but a long wait at LAX-it can erase that advantage.
- Pick a taxi when you want a staffed queue and do not want app surge pricing.
- Pick rideshare when the app shows a fair fare and your driver is close to LAX-it.
- Pick FlyAway when your train is not tight and you would rather pay $12.75 than gamble on traffic pricing.
Where To Stay Near Union Station Before An Early Train
Downtown Los Angeles, Little Tokyo, and the Arts District are the easiest bases before an early Amtrak departure from Union Station. Staying near those areas lets you reach the train without crossing the whole city in morning traffic.
Use a hotel map around Union Station if your flight arrives late, your Amtrak train leaves early, or you are breaking the airport-to-rail transfer into two calmer parts:
The safest search radius is near Union Station, Little Tokyo, Civic Center, or the northern edge of Downtown LA. Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills can work for sightseeing, but they add a longer morning transfer back to Amtrak.
Your Arrival Plan For Amtrak At Union Station
The cleanest plan is to ride FlyAway from LAX, enter Union Station from the east side, then give yourself enough time to find the Amtrak board and platform. Union Station is large, but the airport bus drop-off is on the rail-station side, not across town.
Use this final decision list:
- Lowest stress: LAX FlyAway bus, then walk into Union Station East.
- Lowest fare: free airport shuttle to LAX/Metro Transit Center, then Metro rail to Union Station.
- Fastest in light traffic: taxi or rideshare, after reaching LAX-it.
- Worst fit for most travelers: rental car, because pickup time and downtown parking erase the point of an airport-to-train transfer.
For most people landing at LAX and catching Amtrak, the right answer is simple: take FlyAway, build in a buffer, and treat taxis or rideshares as the backup when the train time is too close for a bus.
References & Sources
- Los Angeles World Airports.“FlyAway Fares and Ticket Information.”Supports the current FlyAway fare, ticket options, contactless payment rules, and no-reservations policy.