To And Fro: Passenger Train Service and Commuter Rail in Los Angeles

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RIDIN' THE RAILS

Not just for hobos and train robbers anymore!

Union Station, Los Angeles (LAX).

UNION STATION

The last of the great train stations, Union Station is located at the northern end of downtown Los Angeles.  It was completed in 1939 and was built in a blend of styles: Art Deco, Spanish Revival and Streamline Moderne.  Today it is a major transportation hub for the city.  Buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail and passenger trains all service the station from all parts of Los Angeles County and neighboring counties.

Main waiting room looking toward Alameda entrance.

 The station houses various vendors including a 24-hour Famima!! convenience store and the famous Traxx Restaurant.  Across Alameda Street is El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park (Olvera Street), if you're in the mood for some good Mexican food.  If your layover is a little longer, both Chinatown and Little Tokyo are just one stop away on the GOLD Line in either direction.  There is also a Denny's Restaurant across Vignes Street outside Patsoauras Transit Plaza on the east side of the station.

Amtrak tickets can be purchased in the mainwaiting room on the western end of the station.  Metrolink tickets, Metro Rail/Subway tickets, Metro TAP cards and bus passes can be purchased at the eastern end of the station.  Union Station offers both short and long term parking.

Union Station is located at 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles 90012.

METROLINK

Metrolink is a commuter rail system that links downtown Los Angeles with outlying cities and adjacent counties.  All lines serve Union Station in downtown except the Inland Empire-Orange County Line.  From Union Station, commuters can connect to AMTRAK rail service, the GOLD, RED or PURPLE light-rail/subway lines or bus service from the Patsoauras Transit Plaza outside the east portal of Union Station or from the streets around the station.  Lines operate Monday-Friday, with some lines running limited service on weekends.  Check out the How To Ride guide.

91 Line — Serving Union Station, Norwalk/SFS, Buena Park, Fullerton, Placancia (planned), W. Corona, N. Main Corona, Riverside-La Sierra, Riverside-Downtown, San Bernadino.

Antelope Valley Line —Serving Union Station, Glendale, Burbank, Sun Valley, Symar/San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Via Princessa, Vincent Grade/Acton, Palmdale, Lancaster.

Bob Hope Airport Line — Union Station, Glendale, Burbank, Bob Hope Airport

Inland Empire-Orange County Line — San Bernadino, Riverside-Downtown, Riverside-La Sierra, N. Main Corona, W. Corona, Anaheim Canyon, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, Irvine, Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, San Clemente Pier, Oceanside.

Orange County Line — Union Station, Commerce, Norwalk/SFS, Buena Park, Fullerton, Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, Irvine, Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, San Clemente Pier, Oceanside.

Riverside Line —  Union Station, Montebello/Commerce, Industry, Downtown Pamona, East Ontario, Pedley, Riverside-Downtown.

San Bernadino Line — Union Station, Cal State LA, El Monte, Baldwin Park, Covina, North Pomona, Claremont, Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto, San Bernadino.

Fares vary, based on distance traveled.  Purchase tickets here.  Follow @metrolink on twitter for service updates.

AMTRAK

Amtrak is the nation's passenger train service.  Amtrak operates out of Union Station in downtown Los Angeles.  You can get to and from Union Station via Metrolink, the GOLD, RED or PURPLE light-rail/subway lines or bus service via the Patsoauras Transit Plaza outside the east portal of Union Station or from the streets around the station.

Amtrak operates five lines through Union Station:

Coast Starlight — Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Oakland, Sacramento, Eugene-Springfield, Portland, Seattle.
Pacific Surfliner — San Diego, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo
Southwest Chief — Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Topeka, Kansas City, Chicago
Sunset Limited — Los Angeles, Tucson, El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans
Texas Eagle — Los Angeles, Tucson, El Paso, San Antonio, Dallas, Little Rock, St. Louis, Chicago.

Book your trip online or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or TDD/TTY (1-800-523-6590).

– R. Nelson  |  Updated 00:28 23 May 2011

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