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About Union Station Los Angeles
Union Station in Los Angeles is not only the primary train station in the City of Angels, but also the largest rail terminus in the western United States.
Welcoming its first trains in 1939, Union Station is designed like a Spanish-era mission. Its cream exterior walls contrast with the deep red of its pitched tiled roof, while its focal point is a central clock tower influenced by an Art Deco style.
Inside, you’ll find a rich décor of pattern-matched stone floors, lofty ceilings, and small windows, all intended to keep the space cool during SoCal summers. It’s so glamorous that Los Angeles Union Station hosted the 2021 Oscars!
Union Station is a terminus for four Amtrak long-distance services, and is also a major hub for southern California’s Metrolink commuter rail service and Los Angeles subway (Metro Rail). A bridge connects the train station to Patsaouras Bus Plaza (a.k.a. the Gateway Plaza), where travelers can connect to long-distance bus services from providers like Greyhound and Flixbus. Local buses also arrive and depart from the same plaza.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours
4:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Frequently Asked Questions
Los Angeles Union Station is located on the northern edge of downtown L.A., close to Olvera Street and between Chinatown and Little Tokyo. Union Station’s street address and main entrance is 800 North Alameda Street. The Patsaouras Transit Plaza, where buses arrive and depart, is located on the east side of the station.
It’s probably easiest to take a taxi or rideshare to Union Station if you’re traveling with luggage. However, you have tons of transit options to get to Union Station Los Angeles more affordably.
There are around 20 local Metrolink trains on weekdays connecting Union Station with San Bernardino on the line of the same name. The B (red) and D (purple) lines of the LA Metro link the station to the city’s northwest, including Hollywood. The L (gold) line connects to the northeast, including Chinatown and the Southwest Museum.
Various buses, including the nonstop FlyAway to LAX, also stop at Patsaouras Transit Plaza. If you bike to the station, you can lock up your bike at the secure bike storage on the North Arcade. Rental cars are available from an office in the passenger concourse of Union Station.
Taxis line up outside the main entrance of Los Angeles Union Station on Alameda Street. Unless you arrive in the middle of the night, you generally won’t have to wait long to hop in a cab. Expect your ride to cost around $3 per mile.
Uber and Lyft are extremely popular in the sprawl of Los Angeles, and they’re a useful alternative to the city’s fleet of yellow taxis. Taking an Uber between Union Station and Hollywood will cost from $16. However, if you’re beachbound, a ride to Santa Monica Pier usually costs closer to $40.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 20 miles southwest of Union Station. Without traffic, the journey takes about 20 minutes to drive. Taxi fares start at $25, but realistically the total ends up closer to $45.
The non-stop FlyAway bus is a cheaper alternative to get to LAX. Operating from Union Station’s bus stop every half hour, the FlyAway bus costs under $10 for a one-way trip.
You can also take the Metro between LAX and Union Station. A shuttle bus connects the airport with the city’s Metro C (green) line, and you’ll then need to transfer onto the red or purple line to reach Union Station.
Griffith Park is about six miles north of Union Station. There is no direct bus route, so you’ll likely have to transfer in or around Hollywood. Taking local buses from Union Station to Griffith Park will take approximately one hour.
It’s much faster to take the Metro B line to Vermont/Sunset and transfer to the Observatory bus. Bonus: the bus will save you from hiking all the way up to Griffith Observatory! From Union Station, taking the Metro and bus to Griffith Park takes about 30 minutes.
Its location in the northeast corner of downtown means there are lots of things to do near Union Station Los Angeles. Within a mile, you can discover museums like The Broad gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Chinese American Museum.
If you’re on a shorter layover at Union Station, head just steps outside the station complex to the pedestrian Olvera Street. The restaurants, markets, and shops along this street celebrate Mexican heritage in L.A., and you’ll definitely be able to find a last-minute souvenir to bring home!
Amenities
Parking
Several lots on Alameda Street offer short-term parking near Union Station. Lots B, D, and G charge from $2 for 15 minutes to a maximum $16 for all-day parking. For overnight and long-term parking, use the lot on levels P1-P4 off Cesar Chavez Avenue. The maximum charge is $8 per 24 hours.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi coverage in Union Station is only available in the historic west building between the main entrance on Alameda Street and the pretzel stand. The first 15 minutes of WiFi use is free, and then it’s $2 for one hour or $4 for 24 hours. The Wi-Fi works for basic tasks like checking emails, but speed is limited.
Baggage Storage
There are no lockers at Union Station Los Angeles. Passengers can use Amtrak’s baggage storage service, which costs between $10 and $20 per day. If you’re staying in one of the hotels near Union Station Los Angeles, it’s probably easier to leave your bags at the hotel until your departure time.
Restaurants
Union Station has a full-service restaurant, a brewpub, coffee shops, and takeout sandwich bars among its dining options. Outside of the station, you don’t need to look far for great food. Chinatown and Little Tokyo are major culinary hubs in the area around Union Station.
Waiting Area
Union Station’s west building, accessed via the Alameda Street entrance, offers comfy leather seats in a waiting area. Amtrak has a premium lounge on the station’s second floor, available to Business Class passengers. The lounge’s complimentary drinks, snacks, and Wi-Fi are also available to anyone with a day pass, available for $25.
Accessibility
Union Station Los Angeles has fully accessible restrooms, parking, and ticket offices. Ramps provide easy access to station platforms, while elevators connect other parts of the station. Personnel are also available to assist passengers with disabilities, but they ask that you contact the station in advance.
Restrooms
Restrooms at Union Station Los Angeles are free to use. They have limited stalls, and are often crowded, since Union Station is one of the only stations in the city with restrooms. Facilities at a nearby coffee shop or restaurant may be more comfortable.
Convenience Stores
Union Station Los Angeles has an excellent range of convenience stores, including newsstands and snack markets. There are also several gift kiosks located in the waiting area.
Inside the Station
Union Station Los Angeles is split into west and east buildings, connected by an underground walkway. Open-air train platforms, where you’ll board Amtrak and Metro trains, are located between the two buildings.
The west building contains most of the station’s retail, as well as Amtrak services including ticket offices, the Red Cap assistance booth, and baggage service.
The east building includes a service desk for Metro passengers, and connects Union Station to the Patsaouras Bus Plaza. This area is also called the Gateway Plaza, since it’s outside the Gateway Center conference building.
Near Union Station Los Angeles
- Distance to Olvera Street0.1 miles
- Distance to Chinese American Museum0.1 miles
- Distance to The Broad0.7 miles
- Distance to Dodger Stadium1.1 miles
- Distance to Los Angeles Convention Center2.2 miles
- Distance to Los Angeles International Airport12 miles
Bus & Train Carriers at Union Station Los Angeles
Union Station is perhaps best known as Amtrak’s Los Angeles terminus, with four long-distance train services ending here.
The station is also an important stop on regional California rail services. Six out of seven Metrolink local rail services share the tracks with Amtrak, providing connections to the greater Los Angeles area. Subway lines B (red) and D (purple) terminate at Union Station, while the light rail line L (gold) stops at the station on its way between East Los Angeles and Azusa. Union Station will also be a stop on the A (blue) light rail line when it is extended.
Local buses depart from the east side of Union Station. These include buses operated by Los Angeles Metro Bus, Antelope Valley Transit Authority, and LADOT DASH among many others. Destinations include downtown Los Angeles, University Park, and Hollywood. Meanwhile, LAX FlyAway provides a useful connection with LA International Airport.
Flixbus and Greyhound provide the main long-distance bus services from Union Station.
AmtrakOn arrival at Union Station, Amtrak passengers should go to the main passenger concourse. This is where you’ll find the Amtrak customer service desk and ticket kiosks.
We recommend arriving at Union Station at least 30 minutes before departure. Seating is available on the main concourse, and Pacific Surfliner Business Class ticket holders can use Amtrak’s Metropolitan Lounge on the station’s upper floor.
Amtrak Southwest ChiefThe Amtrak Southwest Chief connects Los Angeles with Chicago via Albuquerque, New Mexico and Kansas City, Missouri.
The Southwest Chief departs Los Angeles once daily. A checked baggage service is available; head to the Amtrak desk to check your bags at Union Station.
Amtrak Coast StarlightUnion Station Los Angeles is the southern terminus for Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train. Its once daily departures follow along the Pacific coastline to Seattle via Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area.
If you’re checking luggage on the Coast Starlight, drop your bags at the Amtrak baggage counter near the South Patio of Union Station’s west building.
Amtrak Pacific SurflinerThe Pacific Surfliner is a regional Amtrak service providing connections in California. Los Angeles Union Station is one of the stops on the Surfliner route between San Luis Obispo and San Diego.
Pacific Surfliner trains depart roughly every two hours between 6am and 7pm daily. The station’s electronic signage will provide the correct platform for boarding at Union Station.
Amtrak Sunset LimitedAmtrak’s Sunset Limited is a train that connects Los Angeles Union Station with New Orleans three times each week. Eastbound trains depart Union Station on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Westbound trains depart New Orleans on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and arrive in Los Angeles two days later.
The train’s platform varies but will be listed on electronic information boards on the passenger concourse.
Amtrak Texas EagleAmtrak’s Texas Eagle primarily connects Chicago and San Antonio, with some trains continuing on all the way to Los Angeles Union Station. Texas Eagle train cars join the Sunset Limited in San Antonio, and arrive in Los Angeles only three days a week.
Top routes from Union Station Los Angeles
| Destination | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton | 28 | 8 hr, 22 min | €68.22 |
| Oakland | 24 | 10 hr, 46 min | €87.51 |
| San Diego | 14 | 4 hr, 4 min | €37.82 |
| Emeryville | 23 | 10 hr, 40 min | €86.38 |
| Sacramento | 36 | 10 hr, 46 min | €81.26 |
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