Consolidated "Getting to/from LAX" thread
#346
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
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Posts: 18,200
Just want to make sure you know that LA County USC Medical Center is not part of USC's campus which is just southwest of Downtown LA. County USC is southeast, near East Los Angeles, a few miles away.
The LAX Flyaway bus from LAX to Union Station is a pretty good option. Union Station to County USC would be about a 15 minute drive, even with the possible rush hour traffic (and driving from East LA to LAX on a Friday afternoon is more often then not a miserable experience).
The LAX Flyaway bus from LAX to Union Station is a pretty good option. Union Station to County USC would be about a 15 minute drive, even with the possible rush hour traffic (and driving from East LA to LAX on a Friday afternoon is more often then not a miserable experience).
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Apr 2, 2010 at 7:08 am
#347
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,991
Yep - this I know... Hey if she can get out there, even better! I can leave the med center for a little bit so as long as she can get close, that's a big help to me. I just don't have time to go round trip all the way to LAX. So if anyone has advice on the cheapest / fastest way to just get her CLOSE, that would be great! Thanks!
#348
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA, USAir, UA
Posts: 868
I'd start with giving them directions to catch the FlyAway Bus to Union Station...then let them step inside the station and ask the folks manning the MTA desk on the floor of the E. rotunda just off off Patsouris Bus PLaza what the easiest bus to catch to get to USC Medical Center...(give them the nearest street address, it's a good sized complex)
I know there are a half-dozen MTA routes plus at least one DASH route that goes between the station and the medical center, but I'm not familiar enough w/ the locations of all the bus stops around the station to know which would be the easiest connection.
I know there are a half-dozen MTA routes plus at least one DASH route that goes between the station and the medical center, but I'm not familiar enough w/ the locations of all the bus stops around the station to know which would be the easiest connection.
#349
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 7
Best route from LAX to Pasadena?
Hello everyone!
I have a question about the L.A region. I'm going to Pasadena California at the end of August for the Power Morphicon convention. I have decided to fly into LAX via Southwest or AA.
I have been told Pasadena is about 30 minutes away or so. What is the best way to get from LAX to Pasadena?
Should I rent a car? For some odd reason I'm a little nervous about driving in another state I have never been to
Also, I would like to spend a little time in L.A tourist spots. So maybe I could stay in L.A and make my way over to Pasadena for the convention and back??
Thanks for any advice you can offer!
I have a question about the L.A region. I'm going to Pasadena California at the end of August for the Power Morphicon convention. I have decided to fly into LAX via Southwest or AA.
I have been told Pasadena is about 30 minutes away or so. What is the best way to get from LAX to Pasadena?
Should I rent a car? For some odd reason I'm a little nervous about driving in another state I have never been to
Also, I would like to spend a little time in L.A tourist spots. So maybe I could stay in L.A and make my way over to Pasadena for the convention and back??
Thanks for any advice you can offer!
#350
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,669
Welcome to Flyertalk, RatedChitown. There is a forum dedicated to Los Angeles, therefore I'll move your thread to the Los Angeles forum for discussion.
Enjoy your time in Southern California.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator
Enjoy your time in Southern California.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator
#351
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
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Posts: 18,200
I live in Pasadena and drive to/from LAX quite often.
First, it's possible to get from LAX to Pasadena without your own car, but there's no perfect (IMO) solution.
The most convenient would be a taxi, which would cost close to $80-100, including tip.
Next would be a shared van such as SupperShuttle or Prime Time, which would be cheaper, but could involve some waiting, cramped seating, and lots of stops before your hotel.
One can take the LAX Flyaway Bus from LAX to Union Station and then take the Gold Line (light rail) but that would involve some schlepping of bags, especially from the Gold Line to your hotel.
If you rent a car, the are a few routes that I take, depending on the time of day and weather. Sometimes, the most direct way (105 to the 110 for you locals) isn't the best when you factor in rush hour traffic or rain.
In general, one will need a car and a good freeway map to travel in LA, especially if you plan on going to more than one location.
Let us know which of these sounds the most likely you will choose and we can take it from there.
First, it's possible to get from LAX to Pasadena without your own car, but there's no perfect (IMO) solution.
The most convenient would be a taxi, which would cost close to $80-100, including tip.
Next would be a shared van such as SupperShuttle or Prime Time, which would be cheaper, but could involve some waiting, cramped seating, and lots of stops before your hotel.
One can take the LAX Flyaway Bus from LAX to Union Station and then take the Gold Line (light rail) but that would involve some schlepping of bags, especially from the Gold Line to your hotel.
If you rent a car, the are a few routes that I take, depending on the time of day and weather. Sometimes, the most direct way (105 to the 110 for you locals) isn't the best when you factor in rush hour traffic or rain.
In general, one will need a car and a good freeway map to travel in LA, especially if you plan on going to more than one location.
Let us know which of these sounds the most likely you will choose and we can take it from there.
#352
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: Ex. Somebody, now a disloyal Nobody
Posts: 317
Huh, I always assumed that you were in HI...
I have also had good experiences with ATLS car service (google them). The cost is about the same as a taxi (sometimes less), it's a fixed fee and their cars are nicer than taxis.
This can be a nightmare because they will drive around the entire airport picking people up and then drive all over creation dropping people off.
I think that the 105 to the 110 is really the best route for a visitor. There are other clever ways (see the open scenes of LA Story), but they can get pretty confusing. However, you really, really, really don't want arrive right at rush hour.
Agreed. And don't worry about driving around here. It's no worse than most major cities and better than some (SF and NYC spring to mind).
Agreed. And don't worry about driving around here. It's no worse than most major cities and better than some (SF and NYC spring to mind).
#353
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,305
Option 1. )
Car Rental/ Freeway driving:
Take the Nr. 105 to Nr. 110 North. This Freeway cuts through the City ( Downtown ) of Los Angeles, and continues on becoming the Pasadena Fwy. Considering the time to rent your vehicle and start driving, this would take roughly one-hour in the best of traffic.
A clean car with AC, of course is the best way to see the sights you have on your list, and listen to a CD, rather than someone blabbing on an old microphone in front of a tired tour bus.
Option 2. )
Metropolitan Transit Authority-Los Angeles:
The connections (4) including DTLA mimic the 105-110 Fwy drive. The train shuttles are colour coded, and you arrive in Pasadena on the graffittied Gold Line. Sometime.
Not reccommended, but for those blessed with time, patience, and perhaps a lobotomy, attached is a link:
http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php
Option 3. )
Shuttle Vans:
Depending upon where you are staying, there are van shuttles ( share vans ) directly from LAX that will take you to Pasadena. The cost is the same as a Taxi: However the wait might be very lengthy.
Car Rental/ Freeway driving:
Take the Nr. 105 to Nr. 110 North. This Freeway cuts through the City ( Downtown ) of Los Angeles, and continues on becoming the Pasadena Fwy. Considering the time to rent your vehicle and start driving, this would take roughly one-hour in the best of traffic.
A clean car with AC, of course is the best way to see the sights you have on your list, and listen to a CD, rather than someone blabbing on an old microphone in front of a tired tour bus.
Option 2. )
Metropolitan Transit Authority-Los Angeles:
The connections (4) including DTLA mimic the 105-110 Fwy drive. The train shuttles are colour coded, and you arrive in Pasadena on the graffittied Gold Line. Sometime.
Not reccommended, but for those blessed with time, patience, and perhaps a lobotomy, attached is a link:
http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php
Option 3. )
Shuttle Vans:
Depending upon where you are staying, there are van shuttles ( share vans ) directly from LAX that will take you to Pasadena. The cost is the same as a Taxi: However the wait might be very lengthy.
#354
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 363
Rent a car unless you are absolutely sure you are doing NOTHING but the convention. Pasadena is actually a very nice town for restaurants and cute stores. If you are not in the mood to drive around, just take the taxi, hire car, or flyaway bus/gold line to and from the airport as others have mentioned. You will find plenty of places to eat and spend your money in Pasadena all in a centralized district.
But if you want to see anything in LA, or venture out of Pasadena after the convention, you will need car. No question about it. Even with a car, I might make Pasadena my home base and go touring from there. There is really no reason to stay in downtown LA or Hollywood, you will have to fight the traffic to the convention, and then you'll still not be where you want to be. Believe me, there is no "center" of LA that's convenient to everything.
The streets and freeways are very well marked, and traffic is not any worse than any major city. A GPS is a great investment for a nervous driver.
But if you want to see anything in LA, or venture out of Pasadena after the convention, you will need car. No question about it. Even with a car, I might make Pasadena my home base and go touring from there. There is really no reason to stay in downtown LA or Hollywood, you will have to fight the traffic to the convention, and then you'll still not be where you want to be. Believe me, there is no "center" of LA that's convenient to everything.
The streets and freeways are very well marked, and traffic is not any worse than any major city. A GPS is a great investment for a nervous driver.
#355
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,645
since you mentioned that you might fly SW, consider flying into burbank, which is much closer. from there you can rent a car, take a cab, or ride the metrolink downtown and catch the gold line at union station.
if you're staying anywhere close to the pasadena convention center, you might never need a car as most of the interesting sights are within walking distance or reachable by the gold line or the pasadena ARTS bus.
if you're staying anywhere close to the pasadena convention center, you might never need a car as most of the interesting sights are within walking distance or reachable by the gold line or the pasadena ARTS bus.
#356
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CLE
Programs: UA,WN,AA,DL, B6
Posts: 4,201
When I went to the Rose Bowl this year, I had a car but drove to Union Station and took the MTA Gold train to Pasadena. The traffic was terrible all over LA during the holidays but may not be so bad now especially in Pasadena.
#357
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 7
since you mentioned that you might fly SW, consider flying into burbank, which is much closer. from there you can rent a car, take a cab, or ride the metrolink downtown and catch the gold line at union station.
if you're staying anywhere close to the pasadena convention center, you might never need a car as most of the interesting sights are within walking distance or reachable by the gold line or the pasadena ARTS bus.
if you're staying anywhere close to the pasadena convention center, you might never need a car as most of the interesting sights are within walking distance or reachable by the gold line or the pasadena ARTS bus.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll starting booking my flight around mid June. Right now I think I will make home base in Pasadena so now I need to find a hotel there. The official hotel for the convention is the Sheraton. But I want to find something just a little cheaper than $109 a night.
Last edited by RatedChitown; May 4, 2010 at 1:36 pm
#358
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,327
Also, consider that BUR airport is very small. Some consider that a plus as it's easier to navigate than LAX. For example, you can walk between the terminal and most car rental lots. But others think it's maddeningly cramped and has too few restaurants/shops for when you're waiting for your outbound flight.
Right now I think I will make home base in Pasadena so now I need to find a hotel there. The official hotel for the convention is the Sheraton. But I want to find something just a little cheaper than $109 a night.
#359
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 363
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll starting booking my flight around mid June. Right now I think I will make home base in Pasadena so now I need to find a hotel there. The official hotel for the convention is the Sheraton. But I want to find something just a little cheaper than $109 a night.
#360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,415
And, unlike FlyinHawaiian, I think the FlyAway/Gold line option is very convenient. () You can get off at either the Del Mar station or the Memorial Park station, provided you're willing to walk 3 blocks or so with your bags. But if you want to explore beyond Pasadena, California, you're likely to want a car.