How to take FlyAway Bus, Amtrak to Disneyland from LAX


After touchdown at LAX, we made our solution to the FlyAway Bus to Union Station. The shuttle was simple to search out outdoors baggage declare. We didn’t wait lengthy, because the service usually runs each 10 to fifteen minutes. I purchased our tickets ($9.75 every, a technique) on the FlyAway app. Youngsters underneath age 5 can journey free with a paying grownup. It was simple to search out seats on the uncrowded bus. The FlyAway Bus doesn’t require booster seats; the identical goes for Anaheim Regional Transportation buses, , which we’d tackle the ultimate leg of our journey. This allowed us to pack lighter and made maneuvering a lot simpler with a toddler. (Checking automobile and booster seat guidelines earlier than taking public buses with younger kids is at all times a good suggestion.)

At 11 a.m. on a Thursday, it took us 26 minutes to get to Union Station. It’s a 14-mile journey, however how lengthy that takes with L.A. site visitors can range extensively. We spent a lot of that point looking the window, planning for snacks we’d purchase on the practice station and discussing how we wanted to return to Los Angeles as a result of there was a lot to discover. My son sat patiently in his window seat, however as we neared the station, he grew to become excited in regards to the practice and experiencing Halloween season at Disneyland. As soon as we arrived at Union Station, discovering our platform was surprisingly simple. I fearful that taking the practice could be intimidating. I knew my approach round an airport, however a practice station was international to me. However my fears have been unfounded; frequent signage made discovering our approach round simple.

With not a lot time to spare for our midday journey on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, we shortly grabbed snacks. Union Station’s central plaza has a Starbucks, a Subway and a comfort retailer. Our practice boarded on time, and earlier than we knew it, we have been on our solution to Anaheim with solely three stops in between.

Sierra Redmond and her family at Disneyland.

Sierra Redmond and her household at Disneyland.

(Sierra Redmond)

The scenic practice journey was quick however supplied us beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and the rolling hills of Southern California. I considered how freeway site visitors would have spoiled the vista for us. The quickest freeway route would have robbed us of seeing the glowing ocean. Plus, my son was so enthusiastic about his first practice journey. He jumped and smiled giddily because the practice arrived on the platform. All of us exclaimed “choo choo” as we boarded and located our seats. I’d heard that sitting on the left aspect of the practice would give us the very best views of the water, and that was the best transfer.

Our coach seats have been surprisingly snug and spacious and supplied nice Wi-Fi. Earlier than boarding, I didn’t know what to anticipate about coach class. Was it like primary financial system on an airplane? Stuffy? Uncomfortable? We might definitely see put on and tear, however the setting was ample for the quick journey. For just a few further {dollars} every, we might’ve bought business-class seats. Nonetheless, we didn’t assume the complimentary snacks and drinks, further legroom and devoted attendant have been needed. In the end, we paid $76 round-trip for the three of us, saving a couple of bucks with my husband’s army low cost.

A blue passenger train pulls into a futuristic-looking train station

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner stops on the Anaheim station.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Instances)

After we arrived on the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Heart, we hopped on a metropolis bus for the journey to our lodge. Tickets and bus schedules can be found by way of the Anaheim Regional Transportation app. A one-day cross is $6 per grownup, $2.50 per baby, and a three-day cross is $16 per grownup, $3.50 per baby.

Like different so-called Disneyland good neighbor accommodations, ours supplied transportation to the parks and Downtown Disney. We discovered Anaheim extra walkable than the world round Walt Disney World in Orlando. We spent most of our time on foot. We ate, shopped round Downtown Disney and walked to eating places close to our lodge. Our favorites have been Roscoe’s Home of Hen n Waffles and Puesto, a Mexican restaurant.

We by no means felt like we have been lacking out by not having a automobile. As an alternative, we felt elated with our choice to skip the rental automobile and parking charges (every day parking at Disneyland is $30 as of late).

Whereas this was our first Amtrak journey, it definitely gained’t be our final.