Burbank or LAX to Union Station ?

Am flying from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in two weeks to catch the Southwest Chief back to Illinois.

Someone suggested I might want to fly to Burbank instead of LAX as the the transfer to Union Station would be quicker and more convenient from Burbank?

Any thoughts?

Thank

At Burbank the station is across the street from the Airport but you would have to catch a Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink to get to LA Union Station and the Southwest Chief.

If you flew into LAX, you could catch the Flyaway Bus from there to Union Station. Frequent and only $8 one way.

http://www.lawa.org/FlyAway/content.aspx?id=10152

Although the Flyaway is convenient (you can catch it a each airport gate), during the week there are frequent trains from Burbank to LA...might be a toss-up!

The Pacific Surfliner starts at $9.00 Burbank Airport to Union Station. About a 30 minute ride, I believe)

Metrolink is more frequent and is $6.75 one way.

Tickets may be purchased on the platform from the TVM (Ticket Vending Machine)

If the cost of flying to Burbank was within $10 of the cost of LAX I would fly to BUR. I don't remember seeing a MetroLink ticket machine at Burbank. You can have your Amtrak ticket in hand ( printed at home) for the trip to LAUS. You also earn 100 AGR points for the short trip.

The signage is poor at BUR IMO. The southbound tracks (to LAUS) are on the side opposite from the airport. There is a pedestrian crossing of the 2 sets of tracks to get to the southbound platform.

The Surfliner tickets are unreserved so if you miss your scheduled Surfliner you can use the ticket on the next one.

I tend to avoid flying into LAX and riding buses but that's just me.

According to Metrolink, there is a TVM on the platform for the northbound trains (Track 1).

According to Amtrak there is a Quik Trak kiosk (probably the same as Metrolink's TVM.

Whoops...didn't notice I wasn't signed in on my post above :blink:

I'd go with Burbank because it's closer to Union Station than LAX airport but as frensicpic stated there is a bus that makes it easy from the airport as well.

FrensicPic said:

The Pacific Surfliner starts at $9.00 Burbank Airport to Union Station. About a 30 minute ride, I believe)

Metrolink is more frequent and is $6.75 one way.

Tickets may be purchased on the platform from the TVM (Ticket Vending Machine)

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Metrolink tickets are valid on all trains between Burbank and Union Station. Buying an Amtrak ticket between those two stations is just a waste of money.

Before selecting Burbank, I would check the train schedule. I think there are some gaps between trains mid-day for up to a couple of hours, whereas the FlyAway buses from LAX depart every half hour.

Another option for getting from Bob Hope Airport to Union Station, if you arrive during one of the gaps that Sactobob mentioned: there is a free shuttle van service from the airport terminal to the North Hollywood Red Line subway station. (The Red Line runs every 10-12 minutes during the day and takes about 30 minutes from North Hollywood to Union Station.)

A friend recently used the service and reported that the van driver even refused a tip from him.

Thanks guys for the helpful Information.

FrensicPic said:

Although the Flyaway is convenient (you can catch it a each airport gate),

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Each gate? Now THAT would be convenient. It just drives down the concourse and picks you up!

fairviewroad said:

FrensicPic said:

Although the Flyaway is convenient (you can catch it a each airport gate),

Click to expand...

Each gate? Now THAT would be convenient. It just drives down the concourse and picks you up!

Click to expand...

Yes, the bus drives around the loop to drop off at each gate on the departure level then makes the loop again on the arrival level.

FrensicPic said:

fairviewroad said:

FrensicPic said:

Although the Flyaway is convenient (you can catch it a each airport gate),

Click to expand...

Each gate? Now THAT would be convenient. It just drives down the concourse and picks you up!

Click to expand...

Yes, the bus drives around the loop to drop off at each gate on the departure level then makes the loop again on the arrival level.

Click to expand...

I think you're confusing gate, as in the gate where people board / deboard the planes, with terminals, where people enter from/to the street.