djp98374

I agree.....

There are MANY airports that offer park fly, and stay packages where you spend a night and can leave your car for your travels (day limit of some sort usually 7, 10, 14 days depending on hotel).

The cost at many of the hotels isnt much different thatn the cost of you parking at the aiport lot on your own.

This is the cheapest option.

Doing these park/stay packages your hotel points count. The only issue is if you use points or a free night voucher to stay at the hotel you may have to pay extra to park because the park/stay package is a different rate than a regular nights stay.

This also depends on your itinerary.....this is difficult to do with an evening departure and morning arrival. Under this scenario I say just drive up and park at the economy lot. Buffer time for the expectant traffic so you are parked at least 2 hrs before your flight

Zarf4

+1 on the stay & park packages. I do it a couple of times a year at LAX and it truly makes for a relaxing trip - no worries about traffic, flat tires, or even Carmageddon.

My favorite place is the HGI El Segundo which is on Mariposa street. A newer hotel which is only about 10 minutes away from the airport and is in a quieter industrial area...I hate the hotels on Century Blvd. from a noise/traffic/parking perspective. Last time I was there the front desk just said to go ahead & leave my car there for 3 days no charge as they weren't very full (do have status with HH though so YMMV.)

Although if you do decide to take the train also look at the LAX flyway bus service from Union Station instead of a shuttle/taxi -- $7 PP.

http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=4696

mlshanks

+1 for Amtrak to the LA Union Station FlyAway bus. $84 per person RT. No driving hassle, the possibility of traffic delays are minimized....and they will drop you right at your terminal.

soarer

I vote your own car , and not for getting to LAX but going home

Do you want to hassle taking the LA Union Station FlyAway bus to Union station and then the train ?

much better to take your own car , stop for lunch / dinner if there is too much traffic on the way home,

just my 2 cents....

Soarer

kdinino

Yes, the deal sealer against the train is the fact we land (after 12 hr flight) into LAX around 630 pm and will likely want to just gut it out and drive home. so we can be home by say 9 pm and then sleep for like 12 hrs lol....

thanks for the advice on park and stay...gong up the night before is definitely appealing as we avoid the 5-6 am wakeup call.

Consultette

By the time you get out of the airport the traffic should not be that bad - especially if you can do the carpool lane. I do the drive from LAX to OC at that time a couple times a month and it is not terrible... And I don't even get to ride in the carpool lane...

Basar

Gents,

Will be landing at LAX on Saturday around 1700. After a 14 hour flight from IST, is it wise driving to San Diego that same afternoon/evening or should I wait for Sunday morning? I'll probably be jetlagged and tired. How is the I-5 on weekends?

Moderator: If this is not the appropriate forum to post this, please move it.

Thanks.

steveo3002

ive done many 11 hr ish flights from the uk and im no condition to drive far sinse its early morning my time

have you driven in the u.s before , it can seem mighty scary depending on what you are used to , the roads are pretty much always very busy

maybe consider a airport hotel , will be much safer once you have a sleep and some food etc

Basar

Well mate, I can imagine it being quite awful for you as you are used to left hand side traffic.

I've driven in the US before, lived there for 7 years, just not in or near LA. As I'm 6 ft. 3 in and am flying coach, I guess it's better to be safe and book a hotel near LAX.

steveo3002

yes its somewhat scary merging onto a busy freeway when youre dog tired and new car and all that

where is it you are coming from ? myself i would be up super early with jet lag so ideal time to get out and about while the roads are dead

JerryFF

Another important factor is that it will be dark. I recommend spending the night at LAX and leaving around 6-7am the next morning.

bzcat

I would recommend staying near LAX and start driving early next morning. Traffic shouldn't be too bad on Saturday afternoon but you are unfamiliar with our roads and it will be easier to navigate during daylight. Some sleep will also help

SWCPHX

A significant portion of your travel will be on the 405. Do not take the 5 from the LAX area as you will have to go significantly inland and it meets up with the 405 around Irvine. I also would not want to immediately drive to San Diego after a 14 hour flight if I could avoid it. There are LAX-San Diego shuttles, however, if you absolutely feel the need to make the journey but don't want to drive.

whackyjacky

Sage advice. In the unlikely case that the OP gets decent rest in coach, I say rent the car and go for it. See how you feel and play it by ear. It's only 120 miles. Traffic can be slow, but this isn't Mexico City or Bangkok. If you need to crash, virtually anyplace you stop, heading S on the 405 will be better than around LAX. wj

Basar

Thanks fellas. As we are a party of 4, we'll take our chances. Will follow the route advice. Thanks again.