Come Flyaway With Me
Chizi and I enjoyed a brief vacation in Manhattan last week. I'm happy to report that we had a fabulous time. I'll post some details of the trip and photographs here soon.
While "getting there is half the fun," there is one place that strikes fear into the heart of every traveler: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). As one of the busiest airports in the world, its terminals buzz with organized chaos that requires sublime patience and logistical might. Smaller and less intimidating airports in Burbank and Long Beach have grown in popularity as relatively stress-free alternatives.
Angelenos know the worst thing about LAX is simply getting there. The notorious 405 Freeway is often a veritable parking lot for several miles in each direction, and the 105 Freeway can be just as bad. World Way, the semi-circular road linking the eight terminals, is a logjam of cars, taxicabs, shuttles, and overzealous Airport Police that tests the mettle of the most hardened road warrior.
What about mass transit? LAX doesn't really accomodate it. Many Metro Bus lines reach the vicinity of the airport, but if you don't live near the airport you must endure a transfer or two on long bus lines with numerous stops, then transfer to a shuttle to get to the terminal. That usually entails a travel time that could be longer than your flight!
The Metro Green Line is another option, but its nearest stop is a couple miles from the terminals, requiring a shuttle transfer. In addition, the Metro Rail network is both limited and complicated; from Pasadena, you must transfer from the Gold Line to the Red Line to the Blue Line to the Green Line to the shuttle. Got that?
Thankfully, last month Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) launched the Union Station Flyaway. Modeled after the successful Van Nuys Flyaway service, this bus line brings passengers from Union Station directly to the LAX terminals with porter service for luggage. It costs $3 for one-way service and $6 for a roundtrip. Buses leave every half hour for most of the day (every hour from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.) and arrive at LAX in 45 minutes or less.
Why is the Union Station Flyaway worthy of praise? First, access: it's easy for people throughout Southern California to reach Union Station, a hub for Metro Bus, Metro Rail, and Metrolink commuter trains. Long-term parking is also available. Second, cost: $6 for a roundtrip is a bargain compared to a taxicab or SuperShuttle-type service. Long-term parking is only $6 a day, much less than the going rate at parking lots near LAX. Third, convenience: the bus is relatively fast, as it uses "diamond lanes" on freeways and doesn't make any stops. Furthermore, the porter service means you don't have to lug your bags on a series of buses, trains, and shuttles. Fourth, you don't have to call in any favors by asking friends and family to endure World Way on your behalf!
Chizi and I took the Flyaway, and we were happy with the service. The buses are roomy and clean, the price can't be beat, and it only took about 20 minutes each way.
Angelenos, consider the Union Station Flyaway the next time you're traveling through LAX. If you don't believe me, look at the face on this satisfied customer:
While "getting there is half the fun," there is one place that strikes fear into the heart of every traveler: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). As one of the busiest airports in the world, its terminals buzz with organized chaos that requires sublime patience and logistical might. Smaller and less intimidating airports in Burbank and Long Beach have grown in popularity as relatively stress-free alternatives.
Angelenos know the worst thing about LAX is simply getting there. The notorious 405 Freeway is often a veritable parking lot for several miles in each direction, and the 105 Freeway can be just as bad. World Way, the semi-circular road linking the eight terminals, is a logjam of cars, taxicabs, shuttles, and overzealous Airport Police that tests the mettle of the most hardened road warrior.
What about mass transit? LAX doesn't really accomodate it. Many Metro Bus lines reach the vicinity of the airport, but if you don't live near the airport you must endure a transfer or two on long bus lines with numerous stops, then transfer to a shuttle to get to the terminal. That usually entails a travel time that could be longer than your flight!
The Metro Green Line is another option, but its nearest stop is a couple miles from the terminals, requiring a shuttle transfer. In addition, the Metro Rail network is both limited and complicated; from Pasadena, you must transfer from the Gold Line to the Red Line to the Blue Line to the Green Line to the shuttle. Got that?
Thankfully, last month Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) launched the Union Station Flyaway. Modeled after the successful Van Nuys Flyaway service, this bus line brings passengers from Union Station directly to the LAX terminals with porter service for luggage. It costs $3 for one-way service and $6 for a roundtrip. Buses leave every half hour for most of the day (every hour from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.) and arrive at LAX in 45 minutes or less.
Why is the Union Station Flyaway worthy of praise? First, access: it's easy for people throughout Southern California to reach Union Station, a hub for Metro Bus, Metro Rail, and Metrolink commuter trains. Long-term parking is also available. Second, cost: $6 for a roundtrip is a bargain compared to a taxicab or SuperShuttle-type service. Long-term parking is only $6 a day, much less than the going rate at parking lots near LAX. Third, convenience: the bus is relatively fast, as it uses "diamond lanes" on freeways and doesn't make any stops. Furthermore, the porter service means you don't have to lug your bags on a series of buses, trains, and shuttles. Fourth, you don't have to call in any favors by asking friends and family to endure World Way on your behalf!
Chizi and I took the Flyaway, and we were happy with the service. The buses are roomy and clean, the price can't be beat, and it only took about 20 minutes each way.
Angelenos, consider the Union Station Flyaway the next time you're traveling through LAX. If you don't believe me, look at the face on this satisfied customer:
posted by Mitch Glaser @ 9:39 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Going to the airport is usually a big ordeal so I was actually a little surprised how easy and stress free it was getting to LAX this time around.
If I can enjoy the experience of the Union Station Flyaway, anyone can. Hmmmm, or maybe I've just been brainwashed! After all, I just told someone today to take the Flyaway to LAX!
FlyAway is really a great service, and in my opinion the cheapest and easiest way to get to and from LAX. I live in Hollywood, and a cab from LAX cots about $60, a super shuttle costs $25, making take you in just MEAN, and the FlyAway costs $6 round trip (plus $1.25 or whatever you used to get to union station). Not bad, and a nice fast ride. Highly recommended.
Fred
http://metroider.elhay.net
um, wow, time flies... =)
blogs are good for something
peff again =)
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