LAX to San Diego 04/09
 

What is the most conveninet and economic way of travelling between LAX and downtown san diego?

Thanks

Renting a car?

not an option....aussie who can't handle freeway traffic..

am I crazy to be thinking train in the usa?

The most convenient (and economical) way to get between LAX and San Diego is, sorry, to rent a car. It's not expensive, the traffic on the highways involved is not unmanageable (although there can be lots of it), it's basically a straight shot (I-405 merging to I-5, take your pick of exits in downtown SD).

We discussed this a while back, and an option is to take SuperShuttle (van service) to Union Station in downtown LA. Then take Amtrak to SD. It's not horribly inconvenient, but I'd go with the car.

You can do mass transit, but it's very INconvenient. Ready? Take an airport shuttle to the Green Line Aviation station, then change to the Blue Line at the Wilmington Station, heading north to LA. I believe you will then have to hop a Red Line train into Union Station. From there, hit Amtrak. This is NOT a great choice with luggage-- lots of escalators to maneuver, and when the trains are crowded this can be supremely unpleasant.

There are probably bus services between LAX and San Diego, but I have no idea as to how to look for them. Since I live in the area, when I want to go to SD I just pack up the car and go. The drive is quite easy, believe me.

As it has been pointed out, LAX to San Diego is not easy.

Train - www.Amtrak.com
Pacific Surfliner leaves Los Angeles every couple of hours. Check their website for times. It's an scenic trip as half of the trip is along the coast. The trip is nearly 3 hours. The fare is $25 one way.

Getting to Union Station:
Take the Super Shuttle ($?) to Union Station
or take the bus.

Bus: www.mta.net Do the trip planner for schedule. I'm sure they run frequently.

From the airport, board the (free) LAX Shuttle #C to the Bus Depot (LA Transit Center Dock) Then,
Board the MTA #42 to "Downtown LA and Union Station". Cost is $1.25. Trip takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

American and United Airlines fly to San Diego and the flights are about $150 - one hour.

Cloud 9 Shuttle from San Diego - I believe it is very expensive.

The most convenient way is to fly. The airport in San Diego is five minutes by cab from downtown. It's not particularly inexpensive, but other than renting a car - with a roughly two and a half hour drive in heavy traffic -it's the only realistic option.