I don't actually think I've been inside Union station the whole time living in LA. I've been out…read morefront picking someone up but never actually been in and walked around. First time and it was a little intimidating. I like to know what to do and how to get about with it. Picture me, someone who has never been inside trying to find their way around dragging a suitcase.... lol... I had a connection coming from Palm Springs which lead me to here. It's quite big and the whole Amtrak, Surfliner to metro was a learner for me. First off, I never knew that you could actually take public transportation from the city to the desert. I had a connection ended at Union which was pretty easy to get around. It's a pretty big station but plenty of signs to get you where you need to be. Plus with the metro, it's pretty self explanatory with the colors for the train. There's construction going on in the tunnel which wasn't much of a factor as we got to where we needed to be. Also, I didn't expect loads of food stalls available. I guess you have to feed people while they're waiting. I believe the main tunnel area was where all the trains, ie Amtrak and Surfliners come in while the another is where all the Metros are. There was plenty of staff on hand with questions if needed. I did both arrival and departure on the same day to test out the whole process. It was quite simple. Even if you arrive early, your train can already be docked and waiting till departure. Make sure to look on the board for which gate you suppose to be at. It's a big station but pretty simple once you get the hang of it.

Yes, it's a very historic building, the architecture is neat, I love that there's a fish aquarium…read morethere, lots of exhibits and events, but as someone who has had to use the public transit here, it's not the best to say the least. Parking is affordable, but can get fisted and it's nice that they have the free Dodger Express Shuttle. But the restrooms are abysmal, especially for the women's restroom and the men's isn't any cleaner (according to friends' first hand accounts) and there's always litter somewhere and the subtle scent of human waste, but that's the DTLA experience if anything. That's why when I was told we were going to go to Union Station for dinner (when I was in Denver), I was aghast. Completely different expectations and execution. Union Station does its job, could always be a bit better, it's just that society needs to get to that point and we need to be a bit less of a car driven (haha) ecosystem where public transit is more friendlier and easier to use.

I live in Orange County and have friends in San Diego so I've only taken the surfliner from the…read moreSanta Ana station to Oceanside to meet them half way. It cost me $38 RT and about a 50 min-1 hr ride. Booking is very easy to do online. They text you any updates for any delays with your train. The stretch along the coast between San Clemente to Oceanside is beautiful! The tracks go right along the beach. Make sure you sit on the correct side of the train to view this. When you get closer to Oceanside, you can see the cars on the 5 freeway and usually we are going faster than them. The train station in Oceanside is just a quick walk to restaurants, breweries (green cheek is my favorite), coffee shops, stores, the hyatt hotel (they have an amazing rooftop bar), the beach and the pier! This is a great stop to meet friends at and enjoy the afternoon! Highly recommend.

The conductor on our trip from Irvine to San Diego was the one bright spot--friendly, attentive,…read moreand genuinely helpful. He took our large suitcase and stored it for us so we didn't have to haul it through the train. His service was appreciated. Unfortunately, nearly everything else fell well below any reasonable standard. On our return trip, the Café car attendant announced he had no refrigeration and was selling warm beer. He was also out of many basic items that should always be stocked. This is unacceptable. Amtrak doesn't keep a spare refrigerator at the Santa Fe station for situations like this? It comes across as sloppy, lazy, and completely avoidable. The bathrooms were filthy--worse than a gas station restroom. That level of neglect doesn't happen by accident. It's a management choice. Allowing restrooms to reach that condition is intentional failure. We paid for Business Class and were given a coach car. The real Business Class cars have leather seats, better spacing, and functioning AC. Lately, Amtrak has been slapping a coach car at the front of the train and calling it "Business Class" while still charging the premium. It's deceptive, and it's happening too often to be a mistake. We received an email 53 minutes into the trip informing us that the Wi‑Fi wouldn't work due to "technical difficulties." Nearly an hour into the ride is far too late to disclose that. It feels like an afterthought rather than honest communication. The train itself looked tired and dirty. Grimy windows, missing curtain ties, broken seats that don't recline, dirty carpet, unwiped tray tables--small things, but together they paint a picture of a company cutting corners and letting standards slide. It's disappointing because we genuinely love traveling by train. But this level of neglect and corner‑cutting makes it harder and harder to justify choosing Amtrak.

A main Metro A Line stop if you're wanting to be in the Chinatown area. This station is near many…read morelocal businesses, including shops, many food places, low key tourist spots, or if you want to walk to Union Station, if you feel like getting some steps in for about a mile walk. This station has three levels: Street level, Second level for ticket purchase, and Third level for the trains. There's escalators and stairs here, and an operating elevator. Daytime hours there's a small pack of people waiting for trains, probably more on the weekends. It does have that urban feel if you happen to be here on off-peak hours. Didn't see any ambassadors at this station. Just stay mindful as you're still in the downtown area. To/from Union Station from here is about a 10 minute train ride.

Easy to access station if you want to go to Chinatown hence the name of the station or to LA State…read moreHistoric Park where a lot of events happen. It's pretty clean and not very packed. You do have a decent view of city hall and some other structures

We took the Amtrak to the valley from SJC we are on our way back, stopping at Union Station for 25…read moreminutes for some reason. It looks like a nice station but I'm still on the train so I can't really tell. They patrol the area well with security guards coming on the train

Really dirty and lots of homeless people. Also has a strange smell. Maybe urine? Convenient pick up…read morethough. Came to pick someone up from the train station. During this time the protests against ICE was going on so there were a lot of closures and a lot of people walking around protesting. However, it was nicely controlled and the union station area was clear of protesters. There are paid parking lots, many bus stops, and a pick up area clearly marked. I just texted my friend to walk out and picked them up really quickly. Fast and convenient. However, the trains are never on time. Most times late some times early. So if your train is late, you might miss your connection to the other train. That's why I had to come to Union station instead of another station. It is a landmark so lots of tourists during normal times. They like taking pictures of the outside and the paintings and decor inside. It is a beautiful station. Too bad there's a horrible odor

Civic Center/Grand Park Metro Station we re-meet…read more After a great night out in DTLA I caught the Red Line (aka B Line) back home. I've been to Civic Center/Grand Park Station more than a handful of times in the past, but it's usually not my default as Pershing is more central. It's a well kept station, minimal issues. I'm not a big fan of the installation of Flying men they have on the train platform. Something about it just doesn't resonate well with me. A for effort and I won't hold that against LA Metro. I do love all the other art, mosaics and overall layout of this station. This station always feels more relaxed and safer than some. You can catch the Metro Red or Purple (aka D Line) heading to Union Station or inbound through Downtown, Koreatown, and eventually through Mid-Wilshire/Central LA and beyond. I typically catch the Red through Hollywood back to North Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley/ area. Fare is $1.75 one way and $3 round trip. You have a lot of options for passes and fares both through the TAP metro app and at the kiosk for purchasing and reloading a physical card. Escalators, elevators and/or stairs available on both entrance/exit ends either at Hill/1st Street or at Grand Park. Q Tip: No metro parking at this station, but there is at Union Station (paid) and 100 free parking spaces at Westlake/MacArthur Park Station. Open 4:30 am until midnight-ish daily.

Civic center/ Grand station is a solid area to come by in the middle of down town Los Angeles. One…read moreof the cleanest parts of the area. My first time ever coming here. This place entails the b red line north Hollywood station & the purple line union station. I wouldn't mind coming back here again though. One of the safest parts of Los Angeles. Eastbound to Union Station Red B line Westbound to North Hollywood Red B line Eastbound to Union station purple D line Westbound to Wilshire/Western Purple D Line I still would drive around the city. But if you want to take a break to get around the city you can come to this location. They also have a nice park here as well.

Environment was good. Service was good. Pretty cool station to chill and hang out over here pretty…read morecool

Sunset limited takes you all the way to New Orleans. It's a pretty cold ride. The lounge area going…read more to New Orleans was a little warner than the train. Your assigned seats were pretty comfortable. The leaned back and had a leg rest. Please bring civers, pillow , snacks because it can get a little pricey. You have to pay for your meals unless you bought a sleeper which all meals were included. Our food host Alan going to New Orleans was such a nice person , you can tell he enjoys his job. He gave us some ice cream on him. They had a great culinary cook gong to New Orleans but had the worst service returning to Los Angeles. .. meaning no Alan and no good cook. The train returning to Los Angeles was like ice cube and even cooler in the lounge. It was a very uncomfortable return trip. The gentleman ask the African American conductor can you adjust the air just a little? She just kept walking and said no. She was pretty firm and had no friendliness in her bones

I have been taking the Sunset Limited to Tuscon since 2006 and always enjoy the ride. Better than…read moredriving and very relaxing.

Thank goodness every time I take the Metro Rail A blue line here, I've never had any major issues…read more At peak times there always tends to be security or a police officer around so it's safer. It's convenient to stop at this station to and from the Kings hockey games as it's a short 5 minute walk to Crypto Arena. It's usually pretty clean. Be careful when you are crossing the tracks to look make sure you don't get hit by the train. The train attendant that dropped us off here was very courteous in letting us cross before leaving. Will definitely use this stop over and over.

Great stop if you go to the LA's Convention Center. It is on the Blue Line, it goes outdoors. For…read morethe convention center, you just cross, very easy to spot. I change at 7th street/Metro (coming from the Red Line) just for one stop. Convenient, you don't even need to tap again. Could this stop be cleaner ? For sure! I could use more security as well and better seating. Trains are usually nicer, cleaner, newer on this line!

The hub the connect most! If more stations were as connecting at 7th St/Metro Center LA would be so…read moremuch more public transit friendly! You can connect with the Metro Blue (A) and Expo Line (E) lines on the upper platform or the Red (B) and Purple (D) on the lower platforms not to mention the Silver (J) line above ground. There are tap stands and gates at every entrance and exit, even between switch and when you tap between trains it simple "Transfers" and doesn't reduce your fare at all. I think I had three transfers from near Studio City to NoHo to this station to the Blue line the other day... Was kind of cool! Definitely enjoy going green and riding metro when I can. I did here a rumor that the new K (Pink) Line might extend over to here as well at some point which would be pretty great. It's often busy here and the Expo and Blue are constantly running. The Red and Purple lines don't run as frequently as the others and as the day goes on, but it's about a 10 minute wait usually until after 5 PM where things shift and by night maybe every 15 to 30 minutes. I believe eventually Metro and this station will get back to later hours again and eventually run all night. Great Metro staff and the most you'll see at any station other than Union station. You can catch trains and/or exit from through The Bloc shopping center or across the street on the corner of 7th & Flower St.

Public transportation in Los Angeles, California…read more.. We don't have subways in Hawaii. That's why mainland transportation system is fascinating to me. It's organized and efficient! We had to use the Metro because parking at Exposition Park was sold out per information on an email. Tim knew that the 7th Street Station in Downtown LA would get us to the concert. We parked around 6th and Flower in a metered street parking. It's free after 10pm. Uhg. It's better than parking in a paid lot. We got Tap Cards at a kiosk, entered the station, hopped on the Metro, and got to Exposition Park in no time! Note: it's not the cleanest nor the safest. We just walked quickly and maintained awareness of our surroundings.