FlyerTalk Forums - The Consolidated "LAX Flyaway Bus" Thread (2014

This thread contains posts from 2014 to date. Older messages on this topic may still contain relevant information and have been moved to the archived thread:
The Consolidated "LAX Flyaway Bus" Thread (2006 -2012) [Archived]
LAX FlyAway® buses provide scheduled ground transportation between LAX airport and the following locations:

Van Nuys (bus tracker) (bus runs 24/7, only 1 bus/hour in the wee hours)
~~Orange Line Express Bus Stop (on the south side of Victory Blvd., just east of Woodley Ave.)~~ discontinued 1/31/19.
Union Station (Downtown Los Angeles) (bus tracker) (last bus leaves T1 at 1:10 am, next bus at 5:40 am)
~~Westwood at UCLA~~
~~Hollywood (northeast corner of Selma Ave. and Argyle Ave. - one block south of Hollywood Blvd.)~~ (bus tracker) discontinued due to COVID/"labor shortage"
~~Long Beach (at Shelter A in the Long Beach Transit Gallery, on the northwest corner of 1st Street and Long Beach Blvd.)~~ (bus tracker) discontinued due to COVID/"labor shortage"

See LAWA website for fare info and purchase tickets: FlyAway® Fares

A few important notes for visitors:

1. Unlike many similar services in other international airports, there are no FlyAway ticket vending machines or ticket counters at LAX. For Hollywood and Westwood, you can purchase tickets on the bus with a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express credit or debit card. For Union Station and Van Nuys, purchase tickets at the kiosk located when the bus discharges you, also with a valid credit card (cash is not accepted). Union Station customers may additionally purchase FlyAway tickets via Metrolink ticket machines, which are located on the floor below the FlyAway stop. These ticket machines accept US currency (except pennies) in addition to credit and debit cards. Select a "LAX to LA Union Station" trip, and ask one of the attendants for help if you can't figure out the machine.

2. Tickets are good for 30 days so you can purchase them well in advance of your trip to and from LAX. The bus driver will scan your ticket or mobile device as you board.

3. If you have no ticket (and going to Union Station), the driver will tag your luggage to "hold". When you arrive at Union Station, you will be directed to purchase a ticket at the vending machine. Once you show the proof of fare, you will be allowed to claim your luggage. You can also buy a ticket online on your mobile device on the bus and have it ready on your device for the driver to scan when picking up your luggage.

4. Catch the bus at the Arrival Level (lower level) curb adjacent to the terminal. Look for GREEN sign that states FLYAWAY, BUSES, LONG DISTANCE VANS.

5. You can track locations of buses at this link. Van Nuys and Union Station routes share one tracker link. Hollywood and Long Beach share a different tracker link.

Some tips:

1. The FlyAway departure schedule from LAX is the times the buses are scheduled to leave Terminal 1 Arrival Level. It typically takes at least 30 minutes for the bus to complete the pickup from Terminal 1 all the way to Terminal 7. If you are at the north side terminals (T1, T2, T3) and just missed a FlyAway bus, you can beat it to the other side of the airport by walking across LAX using ground level crosswalk and sidewalk, and catching the same bus at the south side terminals (T4, T5, T6). Walk across the airport will take about 10~15 minutes depending on your exact locations.

2. If you are connecting to Amtrak, Metro, Metrolink, and Megabus services at Union Station - Consult this map for locations of various service: Union Station Map

And some useful info here: Union Station

3. Make sure you get on the right bus. The destination sign is displayed in front of the bus.

The Union Station and Van Nuys service utilize fullsize Van Hool buses. These buses are white with light blue FlyAway logo - see here

~~The Hollywood/Expo Line and Westwood service utilize midsize Ford cutaway buses. These buses are white with dark blue FlyAway logo~~ - see here