They don’t call the traffic scene in Los Angeles “carmageddon” for nothing. Congested freeways can suck the mirth out of even the happiest-go-lucky of people, and that includes trips to the region’s four major airports.
Fortunately, there are ways to avoid the misery. Whether you’re traveling yourself or have friends and family flying in for a visit, here’s how you can leave the car at home and use trains and buses to get to and from four Southern California airports.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Oddly enough one the world’s busiest airports does not at the moment have a direct train connection, although that will be changing in 2024 when a new Automated People Mover (APM) will link up with Metro’s K Line at the new LAX/Metro Transit Center.
Until then . . .
There is the FlyAway Bus that provides service seven days a week, approximately every 30 minutes depending on time of day, to LA Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles and to the Van Nuys FlyAway Bus Terminal.
At Union Station, there is an assortment of trains and buses for travel throughout LA and beyond. This includes direct connections to Metro’s B Line (Red), D Line (Purple) and L Line (Gold), as well as its vast bus network for service throughout the City and County of Los Angeles.
For travel further afield, you can board one of Metrolink’s seven passenger rail lines serving six counties throughout Southern California; the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, which runs along a show-stopping route between San Diego and San Luis Obispo; and four of Amtrak’s long-distance trains – the Coast Starlight to Seattle, the Southwest Chief and Texas Eagle to Chicago, and the Sunset Limited to New Orleans.
The FlyAway bus is still subject to freeway traffic, but at least you’re not driving, and it is convenient. Arriving at LAX, all you need to do is go up to the Lower/Arrivals Level of any terminal and look for a blue FlyAway column/sign. At Union Station, bus arrivals and departures are at the Patsaouras Transit Plaza on the station’s east side. Just follow the signs or ask station personnel for assistance.
The Flyaway bus costs $9.75 one way between LAX and Union Station, and the trip takes between 45 minutes to an hour or more depending on traffic. You can purchase tickets online in advance from the FlyAway Bus website or from their mobile app.
Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Union Station ticket booth or the Van Nuys Bus Terminal. If you have a Metro TAP card, you can use stored cash on the card to pay for your FlyAway ticket, and if you have the EZ Transit Pass, you may receive a discount. Read more about FlyAway bus tickets here.
For added convenience, Metrolink train riders can purchase their bus ticket along with their Metrolink ticket from the Metrolink mobile app or any ticket vending machine by selecting LAX as the destination. Metrolink Monthly Pass holders have a sweet deal – they can ride the bus for free by simply presenting their Metrolink pass to the bus driver. Learn more here.
Hollywood Burbank Airport
Anyone in the know plans airline travel through Burbank Airport instead of LAX if possible. The beauty of Burbank Airport is that it is small and easy to access, and it is the only LA area airport with a direct train connection.
The Burbank Airport-South Metrolink and Amtrak Station is literally across the street from the airport – with an elevated walkway to make the connection easy. Metrolink Ventura County Line trains, as well as the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and Amtrak’s long-distance Coast Starlight all stop at this station.
As a bonus, Metrolink riders, within the origin and destination of their pass, may take ANY Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train between Los Angeles and Burbank Airport-South at no additional cost as part of the Rail 2 Rail® program.
Also of note, there’s a free shuttle service between Metrolink’s Burbank Airport-North Station and the airport, which are only a mile apart. The shuttle runs from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. – just call (818) 729-2245 to request the service.
And finally, the Orange Route of the city’s BurbankBus also connects the airport with Metro’s North Hollywood Station. One-way fare for the 20-minute trip is $1, but keep in mind service runs only Monday through Friday. See routes and schedules here.
Ontario Airport
There are no trains directly serving the Ontario International Airport, but you can connect to Metrolink by taking Omnitrans ONT Connect, which provides service between Metrolink’s Rancho Cucamonga Station on their San Bernardino Line and the airport. Travel times can range from 35 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic and other factors. The service runs every 35 to 60 minutes, Monday through Sunday, and is free for one transfer bus ride with a Metrolink ticket.
What’s exciting about Ontario Airport is there’s a planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in the works called the West Valley Connector, that will connect the airport to two Metrolink stations – Rancho Cucamonga and Downtown Pomona on their Riverside Line. Anticipated to begin service in 2025, the West Valley Connector will provide frequent and convenient service using 100% zero-emission buses along dedicated bus-only lanes.
John Wayne Airport
Like Ontario, there is no direct train access to or from the airport, but there is a shuttle operated by Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). All you need to do is take Metrolink’s Orange County Line or Inland Empire-Orange County Line train to the Tustin Station and walk to the iShuttle stop for Route 400A. Present your Metrolink ticket or pass for a free transfer to John Wayne Airport. From the plane to train, just do the above in reverse by going to the airport’s iShuttle stop.
One downside of this shuttle service is that it only operates on weekdays during peak commute hours. There is no weekend or holiday service.
See the iShuttle Route A timetable or visit www.irvineshuttle.net for more information.