Advice needed. Going to LAX from San Diego in November before Thanksgiving and looking for the cheapest ground transportation. Then a week later from LAX back to San Diego where i live. Trying to prevent my wife from doing a round trip to take me.
Thanks,
Alexander

Amtrak would be a good choice. We are going to do this next year for a cruise.

Hope you hear from someone who has done it.

I think it's around 2 hours on the train.

xpressshuttle.com

If it's only one person, Amtrak seems like a great choice. It's only $74 round trip.
I've only left out of LAX with other people and then it was cheaper to just rent a car.

Amtrak doesn't get you to LAX. It gets you to downtown Union Station, then you need to take the "Flyaway Bus" (www.lawa.org/lax/LAXflyAway.cfm)from Union Station to LAX. Figure 2 hours on the train and then another hour plus transfering to the bus and getting to your terminal at LAX. I'm not sure about the reliability of the Amtrak schedule on that route.

www.lawa.org/lax/LAXflyAway.cfm

I think Lux Bus is the newest ground transport between SD and LAX..they even have a contest for $39.00 fares if you buy online. Of course like a plane not all tickets are $39.00.. the earilier you book the cheaper

Lux Bus p/u dowtnown San Diego

Amtrak you would have to get to Amtrak station downtown San Diego not far from SD airport and then transfer at LAX Amtrak station to get to Airport

My college age son has ridden Amtrak alot from San Diego to LA..be prepared for delays. The earlier trains are usually on time...the later in the day you travel, the more likely they are late.
But you can't beat the price!

I suggested express shuttle since my friend has taken this several years ago and had no problems but as I looked on the website, it's $224 each way..that's crazy!
When I have to leave out of LAX from SAN, I have rented a car out of each airport and for less than $40 each way and the free shuttle, it seems to work really well..
Amtrak does not go to LAX and like everyone has stated, it can be delayed and a hassle to get LAX.
Did you try Cloud 9 Shuttle?

you rented a car for a one-way trip? i assume this person wants to take a flight. drop-off fees for one-way rentals are expensive. would certainly be more than $40.

The Lux bus sounds like the best deal.

It's true..it was actually with gas and the rental was $15 with tax for the day and I had the free shuttle from the lot to the airport was around $34 each way..it was a one way price.

I have never paid a drop off fee or outrageous price for one way rentals between Los Angeles and San Diego, or San Francisco for that matter.

I haven't checked one day/ one way rentals lately in California, but I book them frequently here in Florida for myself to drop off at an airport. The next one I'm doing is $19.

I've never paid a drop off fee for a car rental from San Diego to LAX either. The last time I did it, I signed up at Budget car rental for email deals, when they sent the one I liked I went for it. It was 30 or 40 dollars.

Thanks for mentioning that hour bus ride lvk! It's amazing that there is no train service to LAX.

1JAR..the Lux bus looks great too!