Timing to get to LA Union Station?

[tbdanny]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of planning a honeymoon to the US, and part of the trip includes a two-night trip on the Southwest Chief between Los Angeles and Chicago.  Given that I don't want to miss the train, I was wondering how early I should leave before the scheduled departure time to ensure I get to the station with enough time to spare.

We're staying at a hotel directly across the road from Disneyworld, and will be taking a taxi.  The train is due to leave at 18:15 on a Monday evening.  Given that it's rush hour, I'm just a bit worried.

Thanks in advance,

tbdanny
(Aussie honeymooning in the US of A)

[DaveVan51]

Disneyland is a good distance from Union station with MANY variables that could effect your arrival time.

What I would do is head toward Union station around noon. There is a lot to do around the station. If you are traveling first class on Amtrak you can check your luggage and check in with Amtrak. Then you can go across the street to Olvera Street a traditional Mexican small town village. There is a tour bus that runs around downtown LA. There is Angels Flight railway, The Bradbury building from many movies like Blade Runner and other movies is fantastic.

 At any rate you will not have to face traffic delays or other things that might make you miss your train....and downtown LA is something not to miss.

Look at my website of my trip to SoCal in may.....check May 7 for my day in downtown.

www.currtail.com and got to Dave's trip

good luck

Dave

[Deggesty]

I would take Amtrak's Surfliner from Anaheim to Los Angeles. There are four afternoon departures from Anaheim that will put you into Los Angeles in time to board the Southwest Chief: 12:48, 13:58, 15:23, and 16:57, which put you into Los Angeles at 13:35, 14:40, 16:05, and 17:45, respectively. Doing so, you will not have to worry about rush hour traffic.

[Deggesty]

I should have added that it is about two miles from Disneyland to the Amtrak station in Anheim.

[travelingengineer]

Welcome to the USA, Aussie "tbdanny!" Hope that you and your spouse have a delightful time. Whilst I am not too excited about recommending downtown Los Angeles or Anaheim, I will say that you chose well with the SOUTHWEST CHIEF to Chicago. If you had more time in California, you might wish to stay/visit less populated communities in that state, such as along the coast, north or south. With regard to Amtrak, I trust that you all have Sleeping Car accommodations aboard the CHIEF, in which case you should avail yourselves of the complimentary Amtrak private, sleeping-car passengers only, Metropolitan Lounges in both Los Angeles and in Chicago stations. Therein you can get away from the "maddening crowds," with baggage check, escort-to-train service, complimentary beverages and snacks, television, privacy, and quietude. En route on the CHIEF, you will pass through remarkable parts of our country. Is there any further assistance that we can provide you?

[Dragoman]

Careful now.  Los Angeles does NOT have a Metropolitan Lounge (they offer similar services, using the facilities of the station's reataurant "Traxx", but only for the morning departures of the northbound Coast Starlight, and not for either of the eastbound evening departures).

If you don't have more luggage than you can comfortably handle, then I would second the recommendation of an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from Anaheim direct to LA Union Station.

The cabs are fairly expensive, but they are allowed to use the extensive carpool lane system on the freeways, which make them somewhat less susceptible to the rush-hour traffic problems.

Once at your hotel, you might also look into a shuttle bus to LAUS (I don't know if there are any or not).  There definitely are airport shuttle busses to LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), where you could just transfer to a Fly-Away nonstop bus to LAUS.  It would take longer than the taxicabs, but should be much cheaper.

[travelingengineer]

Right, "Dragoman," you are absolutely right re: Metropolitan Lounge locations. I was thinking (wrongly) of Spokane (and Chicago), not LA (and Chicago). Thanks for your correction. Re: the PACIFIC SURFLINER, I would also agree - it is the way to go. If affordable, it would be most pleasant to ensure Business Class seating, which requires a reservation but guarantees a seat, plus free newspapers, beverages, and pastries. In coaches, there might not be a seat available in that congested metropolis.

[NKP guy]

   I'm enjoying the posts from my fellow-Americans as we all try to help this Aussie understand the logistics of Los Angeles, a city I've been to exactly twice in my life, partly because it's so discouraging to the non-aggressive drivers, to say nothing of pedestrians, among us.

   I offer this perspective, which is a technique I have used elsewhere with success.  The day or evening before I have to get to a certain airport or train station, I ask several taxi drivers their advice about how much time it'll take tomorrow to get to where I want to go.  In this case, I'd ask how long it would take to get me from this hotel to LAUS (I always thought it was referred to as LAUPT). Then, to be safe, add one hour.  I bet 99 times out of 100 you'll be there in plenty of time.  Taxi drivers know lots of stuff, including travel times.  

   That being said, you could use the same "method" to get to the Anaheim train station to catch the Surfliners, as others have noted.   Here's another idea:  Use the Internet to find the phone numbers of taxi companies in Los Angeles.  Then call them and ask about travel times, approximate fares, reserving a taxi or making a reservation, etc.  Final thought:  Ask the hotel concierge (or other person) about the limousine fare and arrangements.  If you're traveling first-class, a limo might not be out of the question.

   Anyway, welcome to the USA! 

 

 

[DaveVan51]

I hope we don't give the impression that So Cal and LA are THAT intimidating!  The last time I lived there was 1969 so yes...lots has changed....but I return for extended stays as often as I can and always enjoy myself. It is a different place, different pace but that's one thing I like about it.

 No matter the method you pick to get from Disneyland to Union station.....please don't miss downtown LA too. I hope you enjoy your visit at any rate!!

[tbdanny]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the advice, it's been most helpful.  What I've got planned now is that we take public transport from our hotel in Anaheim to Union Station around 07:30, arriving at the station around 9:25.  This will allow us to check in our baggage and make our way to Paramount Studios for a tour, then we'll get back to the station around 14:00-ish.  We'll then probably just kill time in the area, as Dave suggested, before boarding the train.

Thanks again for all the help - I really appreciate it.

Cheers,

tbdanny