drtusharbhat

hello friends .
I am planning to travel by southwest chief in Nov 2011.As per schedule train reaches at LA 8.15 am .I have then flight at 1pm from LAX ..I am very desperate to see and experience amtrak please guide me weather this much gap is ok ? or flight ..flight is cheaper but amtrak is amtrak .Pleas guide me.

qwovadis

Los Angeles Union Train Station Passenger Terminal is located at 800 North Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles (zip code 90012), approximately 19 miles (31 kilometers) from LAX. The downtown Los Angeles Greyhound Bus Terminal is located at 1716 East 7th Street (zip code 90021), also about 19 miles (31 kilometers) from LAX. You also can obtain a transit itinerary for travel anywhere in Southern California, including from LAX to other rail and bus travel hubs, at www.scag.ca.gov/transit.

Odds are overwhelming u will make your flight unless
weather delays in November but personally would spend
more time in lasightseeing.net you are cramming too much.

Relax enjoy add a couple of days in beautiful LA

hilosangeles.org for cheap stay in Santa Monica

on the beach close to LAX.

tomfuller

On time performance for the SW Chief for the past 12 months was 84%. You don't say where you are boarding the train. Consider riding the train to Albuquerque. Spend several hours in Albuquerque and then fly to LAX.

120aks

I have taken Amtrak's Coastal Starlight, Empire Builder, Desert Wind and Southwest Chief and none of them have ever been close to being on time. On two occasions there have been blown engines that have caused very long delays, one being twelve hours. Also, all freight has the right away so when Antrak gets behind schedule they end up going to sidings to allow freight to pass more frequently. I love the train and just accept this as part of the experience. However, I would never use the train to connect to a flight or other commitment on the same day.

janisj

You should never EVER take any of the long distance Amtrak trains if you need to be someplace at a specific time. Did I say never EVER -- that should read >>never <RED>EVER!!!!</RED>

tomfuller

janis is entitled to her opinion. The Southwest Chief is scheduled in to Albuquerque at 4PM. They have 45 minutes built into the schedule to refuel and wash the windows. You have the chance to get off the train and stretch your legs and maybe buy a piece of turquoise jewelry on the platform. If the train is running very late ie: 6PM or later you could bail off the train and catch the 6AM MST US Airways flight 7004 to LAX which arrives at 7:03 AM PST leaving you with hours to kill at LAX airport before your flight out. Last time I rode the SW Chief was the Saturday before the time change. We arrived in Barstow 20 minutes "late" waited in Barstow for 40 minutes and left "on time". Albuquerque is one of my favorite Amtrak stops.

janisj

tomfuller: "Albuquerque is one of my favorite Amtrak stops."

Well, good for you, but your suggestion makes no sense. Do you have ANY idea how much a last minute/walk up fare would be. The only way to get discounted airfares is to book non-refundable and far ahead. So if the train is late, it would cost hundreds of $$$ to get to LAX. And what if that 0600 flight is sold out? drtusharbhat would be completely out of luck.

We all know you love Amtrak (and Barstow, and Allegiant, and Baker) -- but to tell someone who has to catch a flight to take a cross country train to get to the airport -- just mind boggling . . . .

120aks

One more thought since you are so desperate to take the train why don't you go a day early and after you get into Union Station visit Olvera street, see downtown L.A. and then spend the night at an airport area hotel for your flight out on 11/11 ?

paulhelmick

I have seen this amtrak debate with these same people before.The last time I took amtrak was a month ago from seattle to Martinez Ca. The train arrived 2 hours late due to a track problem and an engine breakdown. My return trip arrived on time. As tomfuller points out the s.w. chief is late arriving almost one out of every five trips.there must be a very compelling reason why your return flight isnt later in the day or the next day.I enjoy amtrak but I quess I fall on the side of not using it if there is any tight scheduling at all.If the train is a couple hours late departing form the station you get on at I dont see how you could have a very relaxing trip.

janisj

120oaks'suggestion is a good one -- if you can take the train the day before then that is different. Amtrak is often late -- but very infrequently a whole day late

(BTW - you were talking about California Zephyr -- a day late isn't unusual at all. In the last 12 months it has had a 51% on time performance)

fredandgingermad

Even i wouldn't risk it and i love amtrak hehe, if you can allow the extra day then i'd take it, i've not taken the SW Chief to LA only the SL (which got in early) but on both times i'll take it this summer (SW Chief that is) i've got 4 days in LA before any flights (or return train trip)

Davie1954

You are able to connect directly from the Los Angeles Union Station to the Los Angeles International Airport/LAX using bus service located on the east side of Union Station at Patsaouras Transit Plaza. You should be able to easily make your connection.

DPM