Navigating from UCLA to Amtrak: A Comprehensive Guide

For students, faculty, staff, and visitors arriving in Los Angeles, accessing transportation from UCLA/Westwood to Amtrak stations is essential. Whether you're heading to downtown LA's Union Station or connecting to the Pacific Surfliner or San Joaquin trains, several options are available. This guide provides detailed instructions and tips for navigating from UCLA to Amtrak, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey.

Reaching Union Station from UCLA

Union Station serves as a central hub for regional rail (Metrolink and Amtrak) and local transit (LA Metro) lines. Several public transit options are available to reach Union Station from UCLA.

Big Blue Bus and Expo Line

Big Blue Bus: Take the Big Blue Bus #12, #12 Rapid, or #8 south down Westwood Blvd.
Disembark: Get off at the Westwood Blvd/Exposition Blvd stop.
Expo Line: From the Westwood/Rancho Park station, take the Expo Line east toward downtown Los Angeles.

Wilshire Boulevard Bus Routes

#720 Rapid Bus: Catch the #720 Rapid bus, a limited-stop bus, along Wilshire Blvd. Get on at Wilshire & Westwood, heading eastward.
Metro Purple Line Transfer: Transfer to the Metro Purple Line subway at the “Wilshire/Western”, “Wilshire/Normandie”, or “Wilshire/Vermont” subway stations. The Metro Red Line is also available at Wilshire/Vermont.

Sunset Boulevard Route

#2 Bus: Take the #2 bus, which travels along Sunset Blvd and has stops on Veteran, Gayley, Le Conte, and Hilgard Avenues around the UCLA campus.
Eastward Direction: Take the bus going eastward towards downtown LA.
Walk to Union Station: Note that you will need to walk several blocks from the bus stop to Union Station. This route is generally slower than the Wilshire route.

#534 Bus

#534 Bus: The #534 bus has several stops on Wilshire Blvd. and goes directly to Union Station.

Amtrak Thruway Shuttle Service to Van Nuys and Bakersfield

Amtrak provides a bus service that directly connects UCLA (Gayley & Strathmore, near dorms and apartments) to the Van Nuys station for the Pacific Surfliner trains and to Bakersfield for the San Joaquin trains.

Key Details:

Location: Board the Thruway bus at 592 Gayley Avenue at Strathmore Place.
Destinations: Connects to Van Nuys (Pacific Surfliner to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Diego) and Bakersfield (San Joaquin to Central Valley, Bay Area).
Schedule: There are only 4 buses a day.
Ticketing: Purchase the train and bus connection together, with a discount code available for UCLA students, faculty, and staff.
Accessibility: The Westwood UCLA Amtrak Station (WES) is fully ADA compliant, featuring accessible restrooms, level boarding platforms, tactile signage, ramps, and boarding lifts.

Booking and Travel Tips:

Booking: Visit www.Amtrak.com or use the Amtrak app. Enter your start and end points to automatically include Thruway bus connections.
Guaranteed Transfers: Amtrak ensures guaranteed connections between trains and Thruway buses. In case of delays, Amtrak arranges alternate transportation.
Amenities: The station provides indoor seating, accessible restrooms, vending machines, Wi-Fi, bike racks, digital schedules, and staff assistance.
Pet Policy: Small pets in carriers are allowed on most Thruway services, but check Amtrak’s pet policy before booking.
Luggage: Most Thruway buses have undercarriage storage for larger bags and allow carry-ons on board.

Westwood UCLA Amtrak Thruway Station Information:

Address: Metro/Commuter Express bus stop (northbound side of st.), 592 Gayley Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90024.
Station Code: WES.
Location: In the heart of the city, providing easy access to shopping, dining, lodging, and the university campus.

Metrolink Student Adventure Pass

Metrolink offers rail service across six Southern California counties, from Ventura to San Diego and Lancaster to Riverside. Students can benefit from a 50% discount on rides by selecting the Student/Youth ride type when purchasing a ticket in the Metrolink mobile app or at a ticket machine.

FlixBus

FlixBus provides affordable bus travel on the West Coast, with routes to cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. The FlixBus stop near UCLA is located at the Metro/Commuter Express bus stop (northbound side of st.), 592 Gayley Ave.

Getting to LAX from UCLA

For those needing to reach Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from UCLA, several options are available.

Culver CityBus Line 6 or R6

Pick-Up: Take the Culver CityBus Line 6 or R6 from the southeast corner of Strathmore Place and Westwood Plaza.
Disembark: Get off at the LAX City Bus Center.
LAX Shuttle: Catch a free LAX Shuttle directly to your terminal. Buses run every 10-15 minutes.
TAP Card: Those without a TAP card can purchase one at the TAP machine at the LAX City Bus Center.

Ride-Hail (Uber/Lyft)

Uber and Lyft both serve the UCLA campus and can be taken from the LAX-it ride-hail lot, a short walk from Terminal 1. A free LAX-it shuttle is available at any terminal on the Lower Level for those unable to walk.

Westwood UCLA Station Amenities and Services

Amenities

Flexible Bus Schedules: Schedules available on an hourly basis.
Local Transit Options: Connections to local transit services.
Comfortable Waiting Areas: Indoor, climate-controlled waiting room.
Accessibility Features: ADA compliant with accessible restrooms, level boarding platforms, tactile signage, ramps, and boarding lifts.
Parking Facilities: Free public parking is available near the station, with short-term and long-term options, including dedicated accessible spaces.
Security and Safety: Well-lit with active surveillance cameras during business hours.
Wi-Fi: Available in the waiting area.

Services

Seamless Transfers: Designed for easy train-to-bus transfers with aligned schedules.
Guaranteed Connections: Amtrak ensures guaranteed connections between trains and Thruway buses.
Staff Assistance: Station staff are available to assist with rebooking or rescheduling if necessary.

Additional Tips for Travelers

Safety: The Westwood UCLA Amtrak Thruway Station area is generally safe and monitored. Using ride-shares or taxis at night is encouraged for added safety.
Nearby Amenities: Multiple cafes, restaurants, and hotels like Holiday Inn Express and Best Western are within walking distance.
Overnight Parking: Long-term parking is available nearby; check local parking regulations for overnight options.
Pet Travel: Small pets in carriers are allowed on most Thruway services, but checking Amtrak’s pet policy before booking is crucial.

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