How to Take the Flyaway Between LAX and Union Station
The easiest way to get from LAX to Union Station is on the FlyAway bus. The bus runs every 30 minutes from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm with a reduced service after-hours.
A one-way ticket on the FlyAway bus is $9.75. Tickets can be purchased:
- Online using the FlyAway bus website.
- On the FlyAway mobile app.
- In-person (at Union Station only).
The journey from LAX to Union Station takes around 45 minutes to an hour.
Given that the FlyAway bus is convenient and affordable, I use the service regularly. However, I understand that getting the FlyAway after a long flight can seem daunting. As such, I wanted to break down the journey step-by-step and answer any questions you might have.
How To Catch the FlyAway Bus to Union Station from LAX
To catch the FlyAway bus, pass through security and customs and head outside. Once outside, you’ll be on One World Way. One World Way has signposts for various transport options, including the FlyAway Bus. Follow the signs for the nearest FlyAway pick-up point.
The FlyAway bus has several pick-up points on One World Way. You do not need to walk to another terminal. Instead, you should find an LAX FlyAway bus pick-up point within 200m of any exit door.
Ask a staff member if you need help finding your nearest FlyAway pick-up point. You’ll find plenty helping people both inside and outside the terminal.
You can not buy a ticket for the FlyAway bus in person at LAX or from the FlyAway bus driver. Instead, there are two ways you can buy your FlyAway bus tickets at LAX:
- Using the FlyAway bus website
- Using the FlyAway bus mobile application
There is free WiFi at LAX. However, I suggest buying your LAX FlyAway bus ticket online in advance. Especially since tickets don’t have a set date or time in which you need to use them.
Tickets for the FlyAway bus are valid for 30 days from purchase and cost $9.75 one-way. A maximum of 2 children under five can travel on the FlyAway bus for free with one paying adult.
Since FlyAway bus tickets are untimed and undated, you can not reserve a seat on the bus. Instead, seats on the FlyAway bus are on a first-come, first-served basis.
FlyAway buses leave LAX every 30 minutes between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. You can check the next arrival time of a FlyAway bus using the FlyAway mobile app.
How To Catch the FlyAway Bus to LAX from Union Station
To catch the FlyAway bus at Union Station, you must go to the Patsaouras Transit Plaza. The Patsaouras Transit Plaza is located outside Union Station and is well-signposted.
FlyAway buses currently leave the Patsaouras Transit Plaza from Bus Stop 1. This bus stop is the furthest away from Union Station but can be seen from the station exit.
There are three ways you can buy your FlyAway ticket at Union Station:
- From the ticket counter
- Using the FlyAway bus website
- Using the FlyAway bus mobile application
The FlyAway bus ticket counter at Union Station is at Bus Stop 1, where the FlyAway bus departs. The ticket counter is card only; cash is not permitted.
Tickets for the FlyAway bus are valid for 30 days from purchase and cost $9.75 one-way. A maximum of 2 children under five can travel on the FlyAway bus for free with one paying adult.
Since FlyAway bus tickets are untimed and undated, you can not reserve a seat on the bus. Instead, seats on the FlyAway bus are on a first-come, first-served basis.
FlyAway buses leave Union Station every 30 minutes between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. You can check the next arrival time of a FlyAway bus using the FlyAway mobile app.
When taking the FlyAway bus from Union Station to LAX, allow extra time for traffic and delays. You want to arrive at LAX with plenty of time to check in, drop your bags and go through security.
FlyAway Bus Luggage Restrictions
Each person can travel on the FlyAway bus with one carry-on item and a maximum of three bags for the hold. Hold bags include:
- Sports Items
- Wheelchairs
- Musical Instruments
Each baggage item on the FlyAway bus can weigh up to 50 pounds. Meanwhile, the length, width and height can not exceed 62 inches.
The exclusion to this is sports items. This includes golf clubs, tennis rackets, snow or water skis, surfboards or bicycles. You can take these items on the FlyAway in enclosed containers measuring a maximum of 92 inches.
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.
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.