Transportation from Amtrak Union Station in LA to San Pedro

We are going on a Pacific Coastal Cruise from LA (San Pedro) to Vancouver in May, 2012. We plan to drive from PHX to LA and leave our car at a park & cruise hotel (probably the Doubletree) during the cruise. We are returning via the Coast Starlight (Amtrak) which terminates at Union Station in LA. If the schedule remains the same, and the train is on time, we will arrive at Union Station around 9 PM. We then plan to transfer back to the Doubletree where we will again spend the night before driving home. Only question - how will we get from Union Station back to our San Pedro hotel? Shuttle? Cab? How much should we expect to pay? Thanks!:)

Amtrak has dedicated Amtrak Thruway buses to San Pedro, which can you take at a nominal additional cost (like $2). There are two stops in San Pedro, one essentially at the cruise terminal (SPD), the other in "downtown" San Pedro (SPO) at 9th & Gaffey. Think the downtown location is closer to the Doubletree. Call ahead to a cab company on your way and have a cab meet the bus for the last bit to the Doubletree. The Thruway bus leaves Los Angeles Union Station at 10:10 and gets to downtown San Pedro at 11:45 (it is the same bus that goes to Long Beach, so downtown San Pedro is the last of 4 stops). The buses are dedicated Amtrak buses, and are tour type buses with a luggage hold underneath, not transit style buses.

The can only issue the Amtrak Thruway bus tickets in conjunction with rail travel, so you need to change your ticketing destination from "LAX" to "SPO". You can't buy the LA-San Pedro ticket independently. The connection is guaranteed, so if, for some reason, the connection isn't made, Amtrak will get you to San Pedro, even if it means putting you in a taxi at Union Station and paying for it.

Note that San Pedro is about 25 miles south of LA Union Station, so it is quite an expensive cab ride.

Sunny AZ Girl:

I've been researching this same question; we are doing a Hawaii cruise next winter round trip from LA (San Pedro) and will also be arriving via Amtrak at LA Union Station. The cost of the the Amtrak Bus is minimal, but the time it takes to go 25 miles (90 minutes) seems a little excessive to me. (This coming from someone traveling 38 hours to LA from the midwest on the train!:eek:) Then again I don't know anything about the route/traffic, etc., as it's all new to us.

I have found other options that will pick up at Union Station, like Super Shuttle and Craigs Limo...they are quoting us about $60 to the Doubletree for 2 adults. Don't know what the cab fare would be. We haven't made a decision yet. Maybe someone else will chime in with more info.

Good Luck!

Cindy

Sunny AZ Girl:

I've been researching this same question; we are doing a Hawaii cruise next winter round trip from LA (San Pedro) and will also be arriving via Amtrak at LA Union Station. The cost of the the Amtrak Bus is minimal, but the time it takes to go 25 miles (90 minutes) seems a little excessive to me. (This coming from someone traveling 38 hours to LA from the midwest on the train!:eek:) Then again I don't know anything about the route/traffic, etc., as it's all new to us.

 

I have found other options that will pick up at Union Station, like Super Shuttle and Craigs Limo...they are quoting us about $60 to the Doubletree for 2 adults. Don't know what the cab fare would be. We haven't made a decision yet. Maybe someone else will chime in with more info.

 

Good Luck!

Cindy

Good to know other options. Thanks!:D

I have used super shuttle in LA and they have a good service.

One point that you need to know is that the area around Union Station in LA is not safe after dark. The station itself should be fine, but I wouldn't stray too far afield.

I have used super shuttle in LA and they have a good service.

 

One point that you need to know is that the area around Union Station in LA is not safe after dark. The station itself should be fine, but I wouldn't stray too far afield.

Note the Amtrak buses load within the station complex, just to the north side of the main waiting room, beside baggage, to be specific. No need to leave the station grounds.

Sunny AZ Girl:

I've been researching this same question; we are doing a Hawaii cruise next winter round trip from LA (San Pedro) and will also be arriving via Amtrak at LA Union Station. The cost of the the Amtrak Bus is minimal, but the time it takes to go 25 miles (90 minutes) seems a little excessive to me. (This coming from someone traveling 38 hours to LA from the midwest on the train!:eek:) Then again I don't know anything about the route/traffic, etc., as it's all new to us.

 

I have found other options that will pick up at Union Station, like Super Shuttle and Craigs Limo...they are quoting us about $60 to the Doubletree for 2 adults. Don't know what the cab fare would be. We haven't made a decision yet. Maybe someone else will chime in with more info.

 

Good Luck!

Cindy

The Amtrak Thruway bus probably isn't that a good fit for you, as you are almost certainly arriving on the Southwest Chief, which is scheduled to arrive at 8:15am and often arrives 45 minutes early. The first Amtrak Thruway bus to San Pedro doesn't leave until 2:30 pm, so you'd be laying over 6 hours at Union Station before the bus even leaves.

For the OP, arriving on Coast Starlight at 9:00pm, the connecting bus leaves at 10:10, the layover time is much less.

FYI, the buses are actually scheduled to connect at Bakersfield with the San Joaquin trains coming from Oakland. The buses run from Bakersfield to San Pedro through Los Angeles. That is why there are none in the morning. However, any Amtrak passenger can book on them, not just those on the San Joaquins.

The safety issue is important. How long does it actually take to do the drive (in a shuttle) to San Pedro? Also, where would the shuttle pick you up? Is there a safe place to wait?

The safety issue is important. How long does it actually take to do the drive (in a shuttle) to San Pedro? Also, where would the shuttle pick you up? Is there a safe place to wait?

A dedicated shuttle or taxi would only take 30-35 minutes (it is 25 miles). You'd be picked up at the front entrance of Union Station near the cab stand. Anywhere on the grounds of Union Station is perfectly safe, and the station is pretty busy, even at 9pm when the Starlight arrives. You just don't want to wander away from the station late at night. And during the day, the surrounding area is fine (Olvera Street).

For myself, I'd tend to take the Amtrak bus, spend the extra time and save about $50.

Where does a late train arrival leave you missing that 10:10 pm bus to San Pedro?

Since it is a dedicated Amtrak bus I would think it would wait for the train arrival.

I really don't feel like riding around for 90 minutes.

Will need to assess all our options.

Laura

Where does a late train arrival leave you missing that 10:10 pm bus to San Pedro?

Since it is a dedicated Amtrak bus I would think it would wait for the train arrival.

I really don't feel like riding around for 90 minutes.

Will need to assess all our options.

Laura

Since there will be at least 6 of us we may be able to split the cost of a shuttle to be a lot less pricey. There could be more of us. I'm counting right now the two of you, us and my friends Sue & Don who are also planning to take the train back. we'll have to see, but I guess we'll have to decide before we actually buy our Amtrak tickets since you have to buy through to San Pedro for the bus.

A dedicated shuttle or taxi would only take 30-35 minutes (it is 25 miles). You'd be picked up at the front entrance of Union Station near the cab stand. Anywhere on the grounds of Union Station is perfectly safe, and the station is pretty busy, even at 9pm when the Starlight arrives. You just don't want to wander away from the station late at night. And during the day, the surrounding area is fine (Olvera Street).

Very true about the safety issue. That is what I was trying to get across, but you said it much better. :p

Now on to one of my favorite spots in LA, Olvera Street. Anyone that is waiting around for a train or a bus during daylight hours ditch the food at Union Station and head up the hill to Olvera Street. The first resturant on the right of the fountain, at the far side of the street has excellent Mexican food. You will find the locals, everyone from construction workers, delivery guys, and paramedics to business men in line.

My family has been eating there since I was a wee lass. They make their own tortillas. During the week they use a press, but I have heard that they are still made by hand on the weekends. I remember going there as a child and having the women trying to get me to make my own tortilla.( This gringa has never rally mastered that task.) The women used to stand or sit on the blue tiled stairs that are above the kitchen area with a large bowl of dough. They would hand down the tortillas to the cook staff. One time when I was about 7 they had the cook staff grill the tortilla that I made and served it to me as a supplement to my ordered meal.

If you still have more time, walk the cobblestone street and shop for leather sandals, purses and belts and other items.

For the OP, arriving on Coast Starlight at 9:00pm, the connecting bus leaves at 10:10, the layover time is much less.

 

FYI, the buses are actually scheduled to connect at Bakersfield with the San Joaquin trains coming from Oakland. The buses run from Bakersfield to San Pedro through Los Angeles. That is why there are none in the morning. However, any Amtrak passenger can book on them, not just those on the San Joaquins.

The first train of the San Joaquin doesn't get to Bakersfield until around 11 AM, then getting in to Union Station around 1. But there is an Amtrak bus service that leaves Fresno around 5 or 6 in the morning and gets into LA around 9-930 AM. Where it goes from there I do not know.

The first train of the San Joaquin doesn't get to Bakersfield until around 11 AM, then getting in to Union Station around 1. But there is an Amtrak bus service that leaves Fresno around 5 or 6 in the morning and gets into LA around 9-930 AM. Where it goes from there I do not know.

That one (5872) terminates at Los Angeles. Don't know why it doesn't go on to Long Beach/San Pedro, as that would be very handy for passengers arriving from the east on the Southwest Chief and the Sunset Limited. I am pretty sure there used to be a morning connection to Long Beach and San Pedro, but state budget cutbacks caused them to drop a lot of the connecting buses (those buses, as well as the San Joaquin and many Surfliner trains are subsidized by CalTrans). It appears to be designed to connect with Pacific Surfliner 572 to San Diego at 11:10 am.

Where does a late train arrival leave you missing that 10:10 pm bus to San Pedro?

Since it is a dedicated Amtrak bus I would think it would wait for the train arrival.

I really don't feel like riding around for 90 minutes.

Will need to assess all our options.

Laura

It is guaranteed. What they do depends on the number of connecting passengers off the Starlight and how late it is. If it isn't very late and there are a lot of connecting passengers, they'll hold the bus. Otherwise, they'll either charter a shuttle or another bus if there are enough passengers. If there are not that many passengers, they'll just put you in taxis and pay for it. But they WILL get you there.

It is guaranteed. What they do depends on the number of connecting passengers off the Starlight and how late it is. If it isn't very late and there are a lot of connecting passengers, they'll hold the bus. Otherwise, they'll either charter a shuttle or another bus if there are enough passengers. If there are not that many passengers, they'll just put you in taxis and pay for it. But they WILL get you there.

Thanks for the reply!:)

Laura

Very true about the safety issue. That is what I was trying to get across, but you said it much better. :p

 

Now on to one of my favorite spots in LA, Olvera Street. Anyone that is waiting around for a train or a bus during daylight hours ditch the food at Union Station and head up the hill to Olvera Street. The first resturant on the right of the fountain, at the far side of the street has excellent Mexican food. You will find the locals, everyone from construction workers, delivery guys, and paramedics to business men in line.

 

My family has been eating there since I was a wee lass. They make their own tortillas. During the week they use a press, but I have heard that they are still made by hand on the weekends. I remember going there as a child and having the women trying to get me to make my own tortilla.( This gringa has never rally mastered that task.) The women used to stand or sit on the blue tiled stairs that are above the kitchen area with a large bowl of dough. They would hand down the tortillas to the cook staff. One time when I was about 7 they had the cook staff grill the tortilla that I made and served it to me as a supplement to my ordered meal.

 

If you still have more time, walk the cobblestone street and shop for leather sandals, purses and belts and other items.

Thanks for posting this suggestion! I was just about to ask about things to do near Union Station. After our cruise, our train doesn't leave until early evening, so I've been wondering how to spend the time. Sounds like Olvera Street would be a great way to spend a few hours! Any other ideas?

Cindy

Thanks for posting this suggestion! I was just about to ask about things to do near Union Station. After our cruise, our train doesn't leave until early evening, so I've been wondering how to spend the time. Sounds like Olvera Street would be a great way to spend a few hours! Any other ideas?

Cindy

Olvera Street will have numerous things to do. The street has a sides with a kisok venders down the middle of the street. On the same side of the street as the restaurant. is a visitor's center with a filmstrip (that runs about 30 minutes, I think) about the history of Olvera Street. I can't promise that it will still be in operation due to the CA budget crisis. The history center is at the midpoint of Olvera Street. Just about across the street from it is the Avila adobe house. It shows as a typical hacienda home of that era. The rest of the street has numerous shops and resturants. On the other side of the plaza behind the large fountain, there is the historic Firehouse #1. I have been to these three building and can recommend them. I have no knowledge of the other historic buildings

there. You can look on-line for more info on the other buildings in the Olvera Street area. Chinatown is only one block away but I am not sure in which direction.

LA is a melting pot of many different cultures. There is Chinatown, Little Toyoko, and Koreatown all right near there, but you would need a car to get to those locations.

Thanks so much Deb in Cali!! Sounds great!

Cindy

If you are at Union Station, Mon-Fri, you can use the DASH to get around.

http://www.ladottransit.com/dash/routes/downtown/downtown.php

A few blocks north of Union Station and across the street is another LA landmark--Phillippe's. It is regarded as the originator of the French dipped sandwich.

Patricia,

Is there a metro station at Union station? I only get down there by Amtrak about once a year and don't get to look around too much as I am usually doing a quick connection between a bus and train.

I was raised in SoCal and my Dad commuted to downtown LA. He used to drive us in a few times a year to go to Olvera Street, Chinatown, Little Toyoko, etc. I can remember going to Angel's flight, Clifton's cafeteria, the farmer's market near the TV studios and big museums.

My husband had major surgery at St. Vincent's Medical Center a few years back. While we were down there for a week or so, I was able to take my sons to many of these places. We still go down every few years and stay over for a re-check on his condition. I will have to try Phillipes on our next visit, my DH will most likely love that place.

Deb

Patricia,

 

Is there a metro station at Union station? I only get down there by Amtrak about once a year and don't get to look around too much as I am usually doing a quick connection between a bus and train.

 

I was raised in SoCal and my Dad commuted to downtown LA. He used to drive us in a few times a year to go to Olvera Street, Chinatown, Little Toyoko, etc. I can remember going to Angel's flight, Clifton's cafeteria, the farmer's market near the TV studios and big museums.

 

My husband had major surgery at St. Vincent's Medical Center a few years back. While we were down there for a week or so, I was able to take my sons to many of these places. We still go down every few years and stay over for a re-check on his condition. I will have to try Phillipes on our next visit, my DH will most likely love that place.

 

 

Deb

The subway, Metro Red/Purple Line to downtown, Hollywood, North Hollywood is in the station, the entrance is near the baggage room to the north of the passenger tunnel. The Gold Line light rail line to Pasadena (and East LA now, the other direction) is on former track 1, the first one from the passenger tunnel.