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Biola to LAX
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La Mirada / Biola to LAX on the Green Line Train

If you need to get from Biola University to the LAX airport, you can use public transportation, if you're patient. The total trip can take anywhere from 60 minutes to 2.5 hours, but probably averages 90 minutes. See the schedules for more specific information.

Updated April 2012

(Check web sites listed below for current schedules)

Here are the directions for making the trip:

Update April 2012: Shuttle Bus Option $20.00 each way

You may want to try the new Shuttle 2 LAX company. I haven't used this company myself, but they've made shuttle travel to the airport much cheaper (it used to be $50 or $60 from La Mirada). More info on their web site: ShuttleToLAX.com

From LAX to Biola: ($1.50 + $0.35)

Summary: Ride the free LAX Shuttle from the airport to the train station, then ride the train to Norwalk, then take a bus to Biola Ave. Details:

There are blue signs to the "LAX Shuttle" bus stops outside each terminal on the downstairs level. Wait for the bus that says "Line G - Green Line Station." An electronic sign tells you how soon to expect the next bus.

At the train station, buy a one-way train ticket at the vending machines downstairs - it costs $1.50 (you don't have to have exact change). Then buy another transfer ticket ("Metro to Muni") for $0.35. Go upstairs and wait for an east-bound train. It will say "Norwalk" on it, and most of the people waiting there will get on that train, not the other one.

Stay on the train all the way until the end of the line (the "I-605" station). Get off & go upstairs to the parking lot. You're only 6 miles from Biola, so call someone to pick you up, or take one of these two buses:

Imperial Highway Option. Wait for Norwalk Transit Bus #4 which goes along Imperial Highway. They come every 30 minutes, it costs $1.10 exact change, or it's free if you show the transfer you bought earlier. That will take you all the way to Imperial Hwy & Biola Ave, and you can walk to Biola from there. Last bus leaves at 8:17 p.m. (and 6:30 p.m. on Weekends). See www.ci.norwalk.ca.us/transportation.asp for more information. The schedule is at www.ci.norwalk.ca.us/pdf/Route4_11-2011.pdf. OR:

Rosecrans Option (Weekdays only). Wait for Norwalk Transit Bus #5 which goes along Rosecrans. They come every 45 minutes. Last bus is 7:00 p.m., (no service on weekends). This bus will take you to Biola & Rosecrans -- closer to lower campus than #4. The schedule is at www.ci.norwalk.ca.us/pdf/Route5_9-2011.pdf.

The last green line train from LAX to the Norwalk Green Line Station is at 12:03 a.m., so if you have a later flight, you can still ride the train to Norwalk, but if you arrive in Norwalk after 8:35 p.m., you'll have to get a ride. But it's easier to ask someone to drive to Norwalk than to drive all the way to the airport. (Tell them to pick you up at 12901 Hoxie Ave, Norwalk, just south of Imperial/Hoxie). Or you can take a taxi. There are usually some waiting there, or call Fiesta Taxi, 877-722-2122. It will be $20-$25 to Biola, but that's still cheaper than a $20 shuttle all the way from LAX.

This trip will take about 2 hours. 10 minutes waiting for the bus, 10 minutes to train station, 30 minutes on the train, 20 minutes waiting for the bus, 40 minutes on the bus, 10 minutes walking to Biola.

From Biola to LAX: ($1.60 exact change)

Summary: Take bus along Imperial or Rosecrans to Norwalk, then ride train to Aviation station, then free shuttle to each terminal at LAX.

Leave Biola 4 hours before your flight time.

First, get to the Norwalk Green Line station. There are several options:

Norwalk Bus #4 - Imperial Highway. Walk to the corner of La Mirada & Imperial Highway (about half a mile north of the back entrance of Biola), wait at the bus stop on the north side of the street (along Imperial Highway, next to the Unocal 76 gas station). Wait for Norwalk Transit Bus #4 (it's the only one that stops there). See www.ci.norwalk.ca.us/transportation.asp for more information. The schedule is at www.ci.norwalk.ca.us/pdf/Route4_11-2011.pdf On weekdays, the first bus leaves at 4:41 a.m. and the last one leaves at 9:19 p.m. On weekends, the first bus leaves at 7:11 a.m. and the last one leaves at 6:36 p.m. Give the driver $1.60 exact change and ask for an "Interagecy Transfer."

Norwalk Bus #5 - Rosecrans (Weekdays only). Walk to the corner of Biola & Rosecrans (half a mile south of the front entrance), wait at the bus stop on the northwest corner (the corner closest to Biola). Wait for Norwalk Transit Bus #5 (it's the only one that stops there). See schedule at www.ci.norwalk.ca.us/pdf/Route5_11-2011.pdf. On weekdays, the first bus is at 4:15 a.m. and the last one is at 7:05 p.m. Give the driver $1.60 exact change and ask for an "Interagecy Transfer."

Get someone to drive you there. The address is 12901 Hoxie Ave, Norwalk, CA, and it's only 6 miles from Biola. Go to Imperial Highway, turn left, then go past the 5 freeway and turn left on Hoxie (right before the 605).

Call a taxi. Fiesta Taxi is in the area: 877-722-2122. It will be $20-$25 from Biola to Norwalk, but that's still cheaper than a $20 shuttle all the way to LAX, or a taxi all the way. And you don't have to schedule it in advance.

At the Green Line Station in Norwalk, buy a ticket (unless you already have the "Interagency Transfer") at the vending machines upstairs. A one-way ticket costs $1.50 (exact change not needed). Go downstairs and get on the train. All trains are going the correct direction, since this is the beginning of the line. Trains leave every 12-15 minutes all day except between 12:45 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Get off the train at the "Aviation Blvd." Station. It takes about half an hour. Get off the train and go down the escalator.

Ride the free LAX Shuttle bus (Line G) from there to the terminals. The bus stops right near the bottom of the escalator. Most people getting off the train will be headed to this bus, so just follow the crowd. The bus is free, but you need to show proof of payment for the train. Show the driver your "Interagency Transfer" that you bought on the Norwalk bus (or the one-way train ticket you bought at the Norwalk train station, if you didn't take the Norwalk bus).

The trip takes about 2 hours. 10 minutes to walk from Biola, 20 minutes waiting for bus, 40 minutes on the bus, 10 minutes waiting for the train, 30 minutes on the train, 10 minutes waiting for the bus, 10 minutes to your terminal at LAX.

Comments

I've done this at least 15 times, and never been late for a flight. Plan to leave Biola 4 hours before your flight. When you buy a ticket for the train, you don't have to give it to anyone, just keep it with you in case you are asked by a police officer. The phone number for the Norwalk Transit bus is (562) 929-5550. The trains and the LAX shuttle run until midnight. Take extra change in case you need to call from a pay phone. It's about $0.75 to call from LAX to La Mirada. You don't really need to know the Green Line schedule, since trains come so often, but here's the schedule: www.metro.net/around/maps

Regarding safety: crime happens in dark, isolated places. The airport, the train, the bus are all well-lit, busy places, and plenty of people take the train at night. There are security cameras on the trains and buses. You'll be safe.

So if you're stuck without a ride, this may work for you.

Links

Address of Norwalk Train Station:
12901 Hoxie Ave
Norwalk, CA 90650
(Link to Google Map of the station)

You can see more information Metro's web site: metro.net

Norwalk Transit's web site: www.ci.norwalk.ca.us/transportation.asp

If you're flying to Orange County at John Wayne in Santa Ana, public transportation isn't as convenient since you're crossing a county line, see the OCTA web site: http://www.octa.net/

La Mirada publishes a nice map of all the public transporation around the area: www.cityoflamirada.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=1244

Created and maintained by Matthew Weathers. Last updated April 3, 2012.