So, you’re headed to 800 North Alameda Street. It sounds simple enough on paper, but if you’ve ever actually tried navigating the concrete labyrinth of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), you know that getting directions to Los Angeles Union Station can feel like a riddle wrapped in a traffic jam. It is the busiest passenger terminal in the Western United States. That isn't just a fun trivia fact; it means there are about a dozen different ways to enter the building, and picking the wrong one usually results in a frantic sprint across the historic tiling while your train pulls away.
Union Station is a masterpiece of Mission Revival and Art Deco style. It’s gorgeous. But beauty doesn’t help when you’re stuck in the "Uber loop" behind three tour buses and a distracted delivery driver.
Honestly, the trick to getting there isn't just about the GPS coordinates. It is about understanding that "Union Station" actually refers to three distinct zones: the historic front lobby on Alameda, the modern Patsaouras Transit Plaza on the east side, and the subterranean platforms where the Metro rail lines live. If you tell your driver "Union Station," they might drop you at the front door when your bus actually departs from the back. That mistake will cost you a ten-minute walk through a crowded tunnel.
The Best Way to Get There by Car
Driving in DTLA is a sport. If you’re coming from the Westside or Santa Monica, you’re likely taking the I-10 East to the 110 North. You’ll want to exit at Fourth Street or Third Street. However, the most direct shot for most people is via the US-101. If you are heading south on the 101, take the Los Angeles Street exit. It puts you right there.
Parking is where things get hairy. You have two main options. Lot B is the "front" lot off Alameda. It’s usually packed and pricey. Lot D is the "East" lot, located off Vignes Street. Pro tip: if you are catching a Metrolink or Amtrak train, Lot D is almost always the better choice because it puts you closer to the actual boarding platforms.
Let's talk about the drop-off situation. It’s chaotic. If you are using a ride-share app, the app will usually default to the "Passenger Drop-off" at the Patsaouras Transit Plaza. This is on the east side of the tracks. This is great for FlyAway bus users or Greyhound passengers. But if you wanted to see the famous high ceilings and leather chairs of the main waiting room, you're going to be disappointed because you'll be at the modern, concrete end of the station.
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Navigating the 101 and 110 Interchange
The "Four Level" interchange is legendary for all the wrong reasons. If you're coming from the Valley, you’ll be merging from the 101 onto a stretch that feels like a 50-car drag race. Stay in the second lane from the right. This allows you to exit at Alameda Street without having to dive across four lanes of traffic at the last second.
Taking the Metro: The Stress-Free Route
If you can avoid driving, do it. Seriously. The Metro is the lifeblood of this station. The B Line (Red) and D Line (Purple) both terminate right here. They land you in the basement of the station. You take a series of escalators up, and suddenly you’re in the heart of the complex.
The A Line (Blue) is a different beast now. Thanks to the Regional Connector project completed a while back, the A Line runs through Union Station, connecting Long Beach all the way up to Azusa. It’s a game-changer. If you’re coming from Pasadena, you’re on the A Line. You’ll get off at the platform that sits right above the main tracks.
Walking from the Metro platforms to the Amtrak gates takes about five minutes. Don't let the crowds intimidate you. Just follow the signs that say "To Trains." It’s the long, wide tunnel (the East Portal) that everyone is walking through. If you see the giant aquarium-like glass windows and a view of the Mozaic apartments, you’re on the east side. If you see the old wooden ticket counters that look like they belong in a 1940s noir film, you’ve reached the west side.
The FlyAway Bus: A Traveler's Secret Weapon
If you are looking for directions to Los Angeles Union Station specifically to get to LAX, the FlyAway is the only way to go. It’s cheap. It’s fast. It uses the HOV lanes.
The bus picks up and drops off at the Patsaouras Transit Plaza, specifically at Bay 9. You can’t miss it; there’s usually a line of people with suitcases looking slightly stressed. You buy your ticket at the kiosk or online. Don't try to pay the driver with cash. They won't take it.
The FlyAway runs every 30 minutes for most of the day. If you’re coming from the airport to the station, the bus will drop you at the same plaza. From there, you just walk into the tunnel to find your connecting Metro line or head to the front of the station to grab a yellow cab.
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Walking and Biking Directions
Yes, people do walk in LA. If you’re staying in Little Tokyo or the Arts District, Union Station is a very doable 15-to-20-minute walk. Walk north on Central Avenue or Alameda. Just be aware that the area around the station has a lot of construction. Sidewalks disappear and reappear without warning.
For bikers, there is a secure Bike Hub on the Alameda side. You can’t just roll your bike through the main concourse at peak speeds, but the station is very bike-friendly overall. There are lockers and repair stands.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Entrances
There are two main faces to this station, and they are about an eighth of a mile apart.
- The Alameda Entrance (West): This is the "pretty" side. If you want to see the architecture, eat at Traxx, or visit Olvera Street across the way, this is your spot.
- The Vignes Street Entrance (East): This is the "functional" side. It’s where the Metro bus plaza is, where the FlyAway lives, and where most of the newer parking is located.
If your friend says, "Pick me up at Union Station," and you go to Alameda while they are waiting at the Transit Plaza on the Vignes side, you are going to spend 20 minutes on the phone trying to find each other. Always specify "Alameda side" or "Bus side."
Real-World Timing and Traffic Realities
Los Angeles doesn't have a "rush hour." It has a "rush day." However, if you are trying to get to the station between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM, or 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM, double your travel time. It sounds like an exaggeration. It isn't.
Coming from Hollywood? The 101 South will be a parking lot. Take the B Line subway instead. It takes 15 minutes. Driving would take 45.
Coming from the South Bay? The 110 Express Lanes are worth every penny of that toll.
Actionable Steps for a Smooth Arrival
To make sure your trip to Union Station doesn't end in a missed connection, follow these specific steps:
- Check the Entrance: Confirm if your bus or train departs from the "Main Terminal" (Alameda) or the "Patsaouras Plaza" (Vignes/East). Amtrak and Metrolink are best accessed through the main Alameda side or the middle tunnel. FlyAway and Megabus are always on the East side.
- Download the Transit App: For real-time Metro arrivals and platform changes, the Transit app or the official Metro website is more accurate than Google Maps for the specific "last mile" directions inside the station.
- Pin Lot D for Parking: If you are leaving your car for a few days, Lot D (East) is generally safer and easier to navigate than the smaller surface lots scattered around Alameda.
- Arrive 30 Minutes Early: This isn't just for checking bags. The station is huge. If you arrive at the front door and your train is on Track 15, you have a solid 7-minute walk ahead of you through a very long pedestrian tunnel.
- Use the "Regional Connector" Logic: If you are using the A Line (Blue/Gold), remember that it now runs through the station. Check the signs carefully for "Northbound to Azusa" or "Southbound to Long Beach" so you don't end up on the wrong side of the platform.
The layout of Los Angeles Union Station reflects the city itself: a mix of historic charm and modern, sometimes confusing, expansion. Once you understand that the station is essentially a giant bridge over the tracks—with one entrance at the "old" end and one at the "new" end—everything clicks into place. Stick to the East Portal for buses and the West Portal for history and Amtrak, and you'll navigate the hub like a local.