Trains to and from Los Angeles Airport (LAX)

Unfortunately, the Green Line Metro Train Station does not link up fully with the airport, but passengers taking trains in and out of Los Angeles Airport can use the free shuttle bus “G”, which stops just outside the metro train station and collects and drops off from all the nine passenger terminals.

The original plan had been to build a train station that would lead directly underground into the actual airport, but the outer perimeter of the airport is home to the long-term car parks, which are privately owned and operated, and their owners objected to the scheme. The shuttle bus service runs every 10 to 15 minutes from 5.00 am to 1.30 am at night and operates in harmony with the train schedule.

Passengers needing to plan their journey by metro line should call +001 (323) 466 3876 to get time table information or visit the official website at http://www.metro.net for details.

A basic ticket, which can be bought for cash on the bus or train, will cost $1.50 for one journey ($0.55 for senior citizens or holders of a disabled pass). The exact fare is needed in cash, as the train operators do not have change.

A Metro Day Pass, which is valid for travel until 3 am the following day, will cost $5.00 for a regular ticket and $1.80 for senior citizens and disabled pass holders. The ticket may be subject to additional fare charges, if the line travel outside the zones for which the Metro Day Pass was designed, but it is still a very cheap way of travelling from the airport, since the ticket can then be used for sight seeing trips the same day.

Passengers are not permitted to smoke, eat or drink on Metro trains and busses.

The Green Line metro train link runs between Redondo Beach and Norwalk, stopping at the stations Douglas, El Segundo, Mariposa, Los Angeles Airport, Hawthorne, Crenshaw, Vermont, Harbour Fway, Avalon, Imperial/Wilmington, Long Beach and Lakewood in between.

Los Angeles Airport trains from the Green Line station are specially equipped to deal with the baggage that passengers have and there are even bicycle stands at the train station for passengers living in the area around the airport, who commute into the city.

Using the trains from Los Angeles Airport to start off with gives new arrivals to California a good insight into the public transport system without having spent too much money. Once experienced, one can then decide upon arrival at the hotel, if continued travel by public transport is practical during the holiday or if it is better to hire a car for the duration.

Many metro stations are within close proximity of museums, parks and landmark buildings or theme parks. Using metro trains is therefore a good way to avoid getting lost in this vast city.

The Getty Villa, for example, is a trip well worth taking. The building is a replica of the ancient Herculean Villa dei Papiri, so is interesting in its own right, before one has even seen the amazing collection of Roman, Greek and ancient Etruscan art and antiquities. The Getty Villa can be found in Pacific Palisades.

A museum with a difference is Harbour Museum, charting the history of the city of Los Angeles’ vast port. There are tours available that take visitors through some of the main parts of the port and a visit to the Harbour Museum (638 Beacon Street, San Pedro CA90731, open Saturdays 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, tel (323) 464 2727) can round up the trip with lots of interesting exhibits and facts.

The Hollywood Museum can be found at 1355 N. Caheunga Blvd., Hollywood CA90028, open Saturdays from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, tel (323) 464 2727. Out of hour tours are available upon request and should be arranged well in advance.

For more information about trains from Los Angeles Airport, please visit the official metro website at http://www.metro.net