I'm asking this question for my mother, because she's taking a Greyhound into downtoen LA (I'm flying, so ground transportation isn't an issue). I've already checked, and it's about $22 to take a cab to Universal City where our hotel is. I'm sure she's going to want to try to find something a little more....affordable (NO--we're not renting a car). Does LA have some sort of ground transportation service that would take reservations for pickup ELSEWHERE, rather than the airport? I was thinking it would be easiest for her to take a cab to the Pershing Square Metro station (and would a cab driver even KNOW where that is?) than take the red line to the Universal City stop. Easy for me, anyway--she's 60ish and not as *up* on this stuff as I am. Plus she hasn't been there before, I have. I could go out of my way and go meet her, but she will get into town about an hour before I do.

I think she's going to have to take a cab. If she'd flown, this wouldn't be an issue! Grrrr!! Does anyone else have any ideas? Thanks!

You are probably correct with the cab idea to Universal City. Although I have never been to the Greyhound Station, it has been reported to be a place where one does not hang around. Also, a cab driver would have no problem with finding the Pershing Square Station, it's downtown LA at 5th and Hill Streets. Although I haven't been to this particular station, I assume all stations have elevators for handicapped as it sounds like she would be carrying luggage. Also, if that is the decision, she must take the Red Line that goes to NORTH HOLLYWOOD - not Wilshire/Western. The service is frequent enough not to worry about a schedule (something like every 10 minutes) to Universal City. $.45 for seniors, one way.
www.mta.net
Otherwise, you could check with Super Shuttle and see if they service Greyhound.

Ahh, quite a predicament.

Yes, Jun20 is correct and the Greyhound station is somewhere that you do not want to spend ANY time hanging around. It's in a very run down area of town. I have been there a few times to pick up my brother and I NEVER want to go back there, especially at night. SuperShuttle WILL service the Greyhound station; I called to check on that once instead of picking up my brother, but it was about $35 from there to Sherman Oaks.

As for taking the Red Line to Universal City--sounds like a grand idea, expect for when you get off the train. You will have to cross Lankershim Blvd (pretty busy street) and then walk UPHILL with your luggage to get to either hotel. There *may* be some sort of shuttle there at the bottom of the hill, but I'm not sure. Perhaps you can call the hotel and ask? Or maybe someone here knows.

Anyhow, just don't leave your mother at the Greyhound station by herself too long.

This is definitely the time to spring for a cab or SuperShuttle. The logistics of a less mobile person with any sort of luggage would be a REAL hassle.

I personally would have no problem taking the Metro - but the Greyhound station is REALLY nasty and if you Mom has never been there before it could be a bad experience.

Have her take a cab (1st choice) or book super shuttle (2nd choice because they give you a 30 minute pick-up "window" and I definitely would not want my mother hanging around there for 30 minutes)

All the money she thinks she saved taking the bus will be spent on a cab - but that is what she should do.

I am proud to say that we Angelenos are quite proud of our new subway.
The taxi to the Metro Redline(I think?) would be a good choice because the Universal Studios (Lankershim)stop is on that line.
I think it would be less expensive as well.

logandog -- The main problem with taking the metro is the hike up to the hotel, possibly in the heat of the day.

I personally would take it, but I'm not over 60 and have been there before. For java's mother, a lot depends on how adventurous and fit she is.

Doesn't the tram that goes up to Universal Studios also stop at the Universal Hilton?

I would check with the hotel to find out if they've got the shuttle from the Red Line station up the hill. I would assume they do. If so, this would be the most cost effective since the Red Line is safe and fast. The taxi from Greyhound to Pershing Square (or 7th and Figueroa, which is another stop) is probably only a few dollars.

She should make sure, though, to take the train to North HOllywood and NOT to Wilshire/Western. It isn't that obvious for people who don't regularly take the Red Line.

here are Greyhound stations in Hollywood and North Hollywood...if her bus stops in either of those it would be a better place to debark.

From the 7th street station, she can take a cab or the #60 citybus to 7th and Flower, then hope the red line subway north to Universal Station. At Universal she will have to cross one busy street to catch the shuttle up to the hotels.

For bus & subway directions while you're in the area, go to www.mta.net and click on "Metro Trip Planner"

Thanks for all the responses! As it turns out, my mother has NO problem taking a cab to the hotel, and I had read that wasn't the *nicest* part of town, so I'll tell her to catch one pronto (already warned of *gypsy cabs* which I'm assuming are stationed outside the Greyhound station as I know we have them here in DC).

All this talk of a HILL from the Universal Station is troublesome! But I am pretty sure our hotel (Sheraton Universal) has a shuttle to the station. I do remember reading that.

A Universal shuttle leaves from the bottom of the hill every few minutes.
Just walk across the street from the Metro station towards the very tall building. The shuttle stops in front of the parking structure and stops at the hotel and Citywalk. There is no charge.