Los Angeles Union Station isn’t just a transit hub – it’s also an iconic landmark with a rich history and unique architecture. Whether you start your trip here or if it’s your destination, make time to explore the sweeping hallways, grand chandeliers, and more.

Here’s a look inside Union Station, the gateway to Los Angeles:

Historic Waiting Area

There are vintage cushioned seats in the passenger waiting area available to Amtrak and Pacific Surfliner travelers with upcoming trips. Show your train ticket for access, and relax while admiring the station’s towering windows, intricate tilework, and wood-inlayed ceilings. There is a gallery within the waiting room area with cultural and educational exhibitions that are periodically refreshed.

Shopping and Dining

Visit pop-up kiosks to buy a gift or souvenir, and pick up essentials from the Trimana convenience store. The passenger concourse also has quick service dining options, including Subway, Starbucks, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Robeks Juice, and Cilantro Fresh Mexican Grill. For sit-down meals, head towards the main entrance near Alameda Street. Traxx Restaurant is a station staple with creative cocktails and New American cuisine. Homebound Brew Haus (across from the south patio) has the feel of a Bavarian beer hall and is a great hangout for Dodgers fans! Learn more.

Ticket Concourse

Near the front of the station is a historic ticketing area that is now reserved for special events. It features a 110-foot-long ticket counter, a stenciled 61-foot ceiling, and 1,000 hand-painted tiles. This area has been used as a cinematic backdrop in many movies and shows, including Catch Me If You Can, Blade Runner, and The Dark Knight Rises. While it is closed to foot traffic, it can still be viewed from the main hall.

South Patio

Prefer some time in the sunshine? The south patio has a park-like setting with benches, hedges, and brick walkways. During the holidays, a beautifully decorated tree is displayed here.

More to See

Just outside the waiting area, there is a piano that is open to anyone to play. Oftentimes, melodies fill the station as travelers sit down to play. At the opposite end of the station, near the escalators to the Metro B (Red) and D (Purple) light rail lines, there is a beautiful mural high on the walls, as well as a nearly hidden fish tank.

Helpful Information for Your Trip to Union Station

Amtrak Ticket Window

The Amtrak ticket office is open between 4:15 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., with representatives available to help passengers book travel, modify reservations, check baggage, and more. It’s located on the west end of the passenger concourse, behind the convenience store. There is also an information window nearby with staff who are available to answer questions.

Temporary Storage

Need a safe place to store your luggage for a few hours? Head to the parcel check, located behind the Subway sandwich shop. The window is open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. Each item costs $10 to store for passengers with a valid train ticket (within 24 hours), and $20 for those without an upcoming train trip. This area also has baggage carousels where passengers with checked luggage may pick up their items upon arriving at Union Station.

Metropolitan Lounge

Located on the second floor on the west-end of the passenger concourse, this Amtrak lounge features comfortable seats, as well as complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and TV. Business Class passengers may purchase a $25 day pass to access the lounge, or customers can get a single-day pass by redeeming 1,500 Amtrak Guest Rewards points.

Red Cap Service

Dedicated Amtrak staff are available at Union Station to provide free assistance for passengers with disabilities, senior citizens, and large groups. They operate motorized vehicles to bring large bags to and from the trains. They can also help passengers navigate the station. If you have a question or need help, look for official uniformed Red Cap agents.

Amtrak Connections

Amtrak Thruway buses, which are currently boarding in front of the station along Alameda Street, provide additional departure options to train stations north of Los Angeles, and they also connect passengers to the San Joaquin Valley, UCLA, and other destinations. Three long-distance Amtrak routes also serve the station, including the Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief, and Sunset Limited-Texas Eagle. Connect to these routes to travel beyond Southern California.

Local Transit

Connect to LA Metro Rail for an easy trip into different areas of Los Angeles, including Hollywood, L.A. Live, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and more. There are also many bus lines that serve the station, including Metro (citywide), DASH (citywide), J Line (Cal State LA, San Pedro), Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica), and others. Metrolink trains provide connections to San Bernardino, San Gabriel Valley, Riverside, and more. Metro also operates a bike share program throughout the city – bikes can be rented from the kiosk near the front of the station.

Destination Shuttles

Dedicated shuttle services also operate to and from Union Station. Travel between the station and Los Angeles International Airport on LAX Flyaway – buses operate approximately every 30 minutes. Heading to a Dodgers Game? Catch the Dodger Stadium Express, operated by LA Metro.

Parking

All parking at the station is paid. The parking garage, which allows overnight parking, is open 24 hours a day and can be accessed via North Vignes Street. A form needs to be submitted to the parking office for cars that will be parked for longer than three days. Daily parking is available in the lots off Alameda Street and E. Cesar Chavez Avenue. Learn more.

Los Angeles Union Station is widely regarded as “the last of the great railway stations” and is a west coast icon. We hope you have a chance to visit it at some point of your next Pacific Surfliner journey.