How To Get From LAX To Union Station (FlyAway Bus)
The easiest way to get from LAX to Union Station is on the FlyAway bus. The bus runs every 30 minutes from 8am until 8pm (with a reduced service after-hours) from LAX to Union Station and is well signposted in both locations to make it easy to find.
A one-way ticket from LAX to Union Station on the FlyAway bus costs $9.75 and the journey takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour. Flyaway tickets can be purchased online, on the mobile app or in person (at Union Station only).
Given that the FlyAway bus is a convenient and affordable transportation option for those travelling between LAX and Union Station, it’s a service we use regularly and therefore decided to break down the journey step-by-step to help you with any questions you might have.
Where To Catch The FlyAway Bus At LAX
To catch the FlyAway bus from LAX you’ll want to proceed through security and customs and then exit the airport into One World Way. From here you should see multiple signposts for various transport options including the FlyAway bus.
The FlyAway bus has multiple pick-up points around LAX’s One World Way so you do not need to walk to another terminal and should find a pick-up point without having to walk more than 200m.
If you’re unsure as to where your nearest FlyAway pick-up point is then consider asking a member of staff. You’ll find plenty around both inside and outside of the terminal.
You can not buy a ticket for the FlyAway bus at LAX. Instead, you’ll need to use either the website or the FlyAway mobile application.
LAX has free WiFi which you’re able to use, however, to save yourself some hassle I recommend purchasing your ticket in advance, especially since tickets don’t have a set time or date in which you need to use them.
Where To Catch The FlyAway Bus At Union Station
The FlyAway bus from Union Station to LAX leaves from Bus Stop 1 at the Patsaouras Transit Plaza. This is an outdoor bus station that adjoins Union Station and is well-signposted around the area.
You can purchase your FlyAway bus tickets in person from the ticket booth which is situated on the south end of the plaza near bus bay 1 (from which the FlyAway bus departs). Alternatively, you can also purchase your tickets online in advance or by using the FlyAway mobile application.
LAX To Union Station – FlyAway Schedule
Below is the schedule for the FlyAway bus leaving LAX bound for Union Station;
| Monday – Sunday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| *12:10 am | 7:40 am | 1:10 pm | 6:40 pm |
| *12:40 am | 8:10 am | 1:40 pm | 7:10 pm |
| *1:10 am | 8:40 am | 2:10 pm | 7:40 pm |
| *2:10 am | 9:10 am | 2:40 pm | 8:10 pm |
| *3:10 am | 9:40 am | 3:10 pm | 8:40 pm |
| 4:10 am | 10:10 am | 3:40 pm | 9:10 pm |
| 5:10 am | 10:40 am | 4:10 pm | 9:40 pm |
| 5:40 am | 11:10 am | 4:40 pm | 10:10 pm |
| 6:10 am | 11:40 am | 5:10 pm | 10:40 pm |
| 6:40 am | 12:10 pm | 5:40 pm | 11:10 pm |
| 7:10 am | 12:40 pm | 6:10 pm | 11:40 pm |
Times are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
These trips may not connect with Metro Rail inside of Union Station as the normal hours of operation are approximately 4:00am to Midnight every day and until 2:00am on Friday & Saturday nights.
Union Station To LAX – FlyAway Schedule
Below is the schedule for the FlyAway leaving Union Station bound for LAX;
| Depart Union Station – Patsaouras Transit Plaza | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | |||
| 12:00 am | 7:10 am | 12:00 pm | 6:00 pm |
| 12:30 am | 7:30 am | 12:30 pm | 6:30 pm |
| 1:00 am | 7:50 am | 1:00 pm | 7:00 pm |
| 2:00 am | 8:10 am | 1:30 pm | 7:30 pm |
| 3:00 am | 8:30 am | 2:00 pm | 8:00 pm |
| 4:00 am | 8:50 am | 2:30 pm | 8:30 pm |
| 5:00 am | 9:10 am | 3:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
| 5:30 am | 9:30 am | 3:30 pm | 9:30 pm |
| 5:50 am | 10:00 am | 4:00 pm | 10:00 pm |
| 6:10 am | 10:30 am | 4:30 pm | 10:30 pm |
| 6:30 am | 11:00 am | 5:00 pm | 11:00 pm |
| 6:50 am | 11:30 am | 5:30 pm | 11:30 pm |
| Saturday – Sunday | |||
| 12:00 am | 7:30 am | 1:00 pm | 6:30 pm |
| 12:30 am | 8:00 am | 1:30 pm | 7:00 pm |
| 1:00 am | 8:30 am | 2:00 pm | 7:30 pm |
| 2:00 am | 9:00 am | 2:30 pm | 8:00 pm |
| 3:00 am | 9:30 am | 3:00 pm | 8:30 pm |
| 4:00 am | 10:00 am | 3:30 pm | 9:00 pm |
| 5:00 am | 10:30 am | 4:00 pm | 9:30 pm |
| 5:30 am | 11:00 am | 4:30 pm | 10:00 pm |
| 6:00 am | 11:30 am | 5:00 pm | 10:30 pm |
| 6:30 am | 12:00 pm | 5:30 pm | 11:00 pm |
| 7:00 am | 12:30 pm | 6:00 pm | 11:30 pm |
Times are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
How Long Does The FlyAway Bus From LAX To Union Station Take?
The journey between LAX and Union Station takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour depending on the traffic.
You will typically find that the traffic is worst on this route between 7:00am – 10:00am and 4:00pm and 7:00pm with commuters travelling to / from work. As such we recommend aiming to arrive at LAX early to give you plenty of time for traffic.
You can watch the FlyAway bus in real-time to check for any cancellations or delays on the Ride LAX Fly website.
The Cost Of A FlyAway Bus Journey From LAX To Union Station
The cost of a one-way journey for one person between LAX and Union Station on the FlyAway Bus is $9.75. Children under the age of 5 are free (maximum of two free children for each paying adult)
| Routes | Price |
|---|---|
| Hollywood | $8.00 |
| Long Beach | $9.00 |
| Orange Line | $9.75 |
| Union Station | $9.75 |
| Van Nuys | $9.75 |
| Westwood | $10.00 |
| Employee Monthly Pass | $120 |
| Two Children Age 5 and under with each paying adult | Free |
Prices are correct as of May 2023.
How To Buy Tickets For The FlyAway Bus
There are three ways in which you can buy tickets for the FlyAway bus;
- Online using the FlyAway website
- Using the FlyAway mobile application (Available on the App Store & Google Play Store)
- In person at the FlyAway ticket kiosk at Union Station
Note that the FlyAway bus driver does not take payment. However, tickets are untimed and undated (but must be used within 30 days from the date of purchase).
As such you don’t have to worry about catching a certain bus at a certain time as the result of cancelled flights, delayed baggage etc.
Given that FlyAway bus tickets are not dated, you are unable to reserve a seat during the ticket purchasing process. Instead, seats on the FlyAway bus are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Depending on your route of travel you’ll be asked to show your FlyAway bus ticket at different times;
Union Station to LAX – As you board the bus at Union Station you’ll be asked to show your ticket.
LAX to Union Station – Simply board the bus and show your ticket at the end of your journey to reclaim your luggage from the hold. If you don’t have a ticket proceed to the ticket booth at Union Station to purchase a ticket before going back to the driver to show your ticket and claim your luggage.
Los Angeles Travel Planning Guide
🏥 Should I Buy Travel Insurance for a Trip to Los Angeles?
Yes, you should definitely buy travel insurance for any vacation to Los Angeles. Basic travel insurance coverage with Safety Wing averages between $5 – $10 per day and offers peace of mind.
🚘 Do I Need to Rent a Car for a Trip to Los Angeles?
Whether you’ll want a rental car in Los Angeles will really depend on how long you’re visiting for and where you plan to go during your trip. The traffic in Los Angeles is notoriously crazy, yet, public transport is still somewhat limited.
If you do decide to hire a car in Los Angeles, then I’d recommend using Discover Cars to find the best car rental deals.
🏨 Where to Stay in Los Angeles?
The best place to stay in Los Angeles will really depend on what you plan to do most during your trip. If you’re planning to visit Disneyland, for example, then staying in a hotel in Anaheim is likely going to be best.
Alternatively, if you’re planning on exploring the city and visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, then I’d recommend Loews Hollywood.
If you’re looking for a little bit of luxury during your trip to LA, then a hotel in Beverly Hills is a great choice. However, if you’re looking for more of a beach vacation, then consider a hotel at Newport Beach.
When booking your accommodation in Los Angeles, I recommend using either Booking.com or Hotels.com. However, for large families and groups, VRBO is my number one choice.
From Union Station to LAX single trip with access card :how much is the fare to be loaded?
Thank you.
$9.75
Thanks
thank you for posting about flyaway!so helpful it helped my partner on his trip!
Thanks really glad it could help!
Hi Jasmine,
Glad it’s helped.
do you know if you take the FLyway bus to Union if you can get off earlier? Ive been trying to find the route to see if it goes past our hotel. Any advice?
Hi Ria,
Unfortunately not. Sorry.
The 11:40 am bus from LAX to Union Station this day is missing at LAX, what is the problem?
Hi, I’m sorry I don’t think Flyaway provide you with any real-time info on the buses. You could try asking inside the terminal they may know more.
Thanks!
Hello Loves!
Thanks so much for this. I find it incredibly useful for a trip coming up.
Today is April 24, 2019. curious, What was the publishing date of this post? ( which you make reference to a few times, but alas, I have failed to locate) Have the schedule or fare or other pertinent timeliness type info been updated since?
Thanks MuCho,
Julia
Hi Julia,
Thanks for getting in touch. It’s around 8 months, so nothing should have changed 🙂
We’ve not had to change anything but if you do notice any discrepancies be sure to contact us so we can update.
Thanks in advance!
Cora!
Thank you kindly, doll! 🙂
As far as I could tell, it was exactly as you guys laid out. They pick up at lots of stops. whichever terminal you pop out, boom , there’s a stop.
I will mention that the public transport metro line is currently under construction, and should be connected to airport around 2020. another option to get from airport to spots around the metropolis!
cheers
Hello, I am trying to get to North Hollywood/Universal Studios City Station. I was told to take the LAX FLYAWAY Metro A-Line (blue) to Union Station, and transfer to the Metro B-Line (red) to get to Universal Studios. Is the FlyWay Bus the same as the Metro?
Regards
Boi
It’s more of a partnership between the two services, so people might use the phrase ‘Metrolink’ after LAX Flyaway as an addition or alternative 🙂
Hi Cora and Helen,
I will be arriving at the International terminal (TBIT) and wondered what the passenger collection was like. If the bus fills up before getting to TBIT, do they send another bus hot on it’s heels? Or on the first-come, first-served basis, do you need to wait 30mins for the next bus – which may arrive full as well?
Is it worth walking to a terminal closer to the start point of the FlyAway route at LAX?
Thanks for the above info, and in anticipation of your reply to my question.
Hey Ann,
If the bus fills up before getting to TBIT they don’t send another bus. You’d just have to wait for the next one. You can track the buses online though.
As such if you can, depending on the time you arrive and subsequently how busy LAX is likely to be it very well maybe worth walking to a closer terminal if you can.
Of course, you could be walking and have the FlyAway bus pass you that’s only half empty too, so it’s kind of a roll the dice.
That being said, we fly from the UK and subsequently also arrive into the International Terminal and have never had the FlyAway bus arrive full or had to wait longer than 30 mins for collection.
Hope this helps!
I downloaded the app but there is no option to buy an single LAX to Union Station ticket. To get that service you have to get a round trip ticket apparently.