LAX safety

[joro]

Plan to arrive on the CS into LA station at 9pm and will be staying at the Metro Plaza Hotel which is 2-3 blocks away. Should this be walked at night or get a cab for the short ride? Opinions?

 

[Lazy Z]

I'm curious to see other replies. My instincts are for sure getting a cab

 

[J-1 3235]

I've stayed at the Metro Plaza three times, and have never had a problem walking around the area at that time of night. If you have a good deal of luggage, a cab may be more practical for that reason.

If you're more comfortable using a cab, I would consider a decent tip, as I think the fare will be fairly cheap.

Enjoy your trip!

Mike

 

[Shanghai]

I will be doing the same thing when I return from the Gathering.

I thought it was across the steet from the train station.

 

[tp49]

I've walked around that area at that time of night and also much later at night and felt it was safe. It's about a five minute walk from the front door of the station to the hotel.

 

[zephyr17]

I will be doing the same thing when I return from the Gathering.

I thought it was across the steet from the train station.

It kind of is, but the station is large and it is also across two streets, Alameda and Main, which come together just past the Metro Plaza. It is about a 5 minute walk (maybe a bit less) from Union Station's main entrance. You have to go out the main entrance, turn right on Alameda, walk up to Caesar Chavez (LONG block), cross it and Alameda, then either walk the short block to Main and cross Main at the light and walk up Main to the entrance to the Metro Plaza, or cut across the Chevron station in the triangle formed where Main and Alameda meet and jaywalk across Main right to the entrance.

As long as the train is on time, it should not be a problem to walk. In the bad old days when the Starlight was getting in at 2am, I did have a bad encounter on that walk. Also, regulations or no, I have had cabs refuse to take me that short distance between LAUS and the Metro Plaza.

 

[GG-1]

I will be doing the same thing when I return from the Gathering.

I thought it was across the steet from the train station.

Aloha

As you walk out the front door of LAUS yoy can see the Metro Plaza/

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I've stayed at the Metro Plaza three times, and have never had a problem walking around the area at that time of night. If you have a good deal of luggage, a cab may be more practical for that reason.

If you're more comfortable using a cab, I would consider a decent tip, as I think the fare will be fairly cheap.

Enjoy your trip!

Mike

Do they allow early check in or at least let you throw your grips behind the desk-I'm thinking of taking a run to LA this Winter and would be arriving on the Sunset which usually gets in about 0800.

 

[J-1 3235]

I've stayed at the Metro Plaza three times, and have never had a problem walking around the area at that time of night. If you have a good deal of luggage, a cab may be more practical for that reason.

If you're more comfortable using a cab, I would consider a decent tip, as I think the fare will be fairly cheap.

Enjoy your trip!

Mike

Do they allow early check in or at least let you throw your grips behind the desk-I'm thinking of taking a run to LA this Winter and would be arriving on the Sunset which usually gets in about 0800.

I've been able to drop bags early, and leave them after checkout with no problem at all. The staff at the Metro Plaza seems very accomodating with luggage storage.

 

[guest]

Ha Ha good luck getting a taxi to take you maybe 300 yards from the front of Union Station to the front door of Metro Plaza.

The only way a driver would take you is to negotiate a $10 or $15 fee and he would not drop his flag. You would be taking him out of the station line for an average much-higher fare and making him get back into line, losing time and possibly money. Trust me, as a one-time taxi driver during college days, I know.

The walk from the station to the Metro Plaza is probably one of the safest in LA, along a very well-lited major thoroughfare and through a 24-hour gasoline plaza lit up like a Xmas tree. And since the main LA County jail is about a mile away, there are police cars from all county cities cruising along Alameda street at all hours.

Do the walk unless God strikes and you find it is raining when you arrive! :giggle:

 

[zephyr17]

I've stayed at the Metro Plaza three times, and have never had a problem walking around the area at that time of night. If you have a good deal of luggage, a cab may be more practical for that reason.

If you're more comfortable using a cab, I would consider a decent tip, as I think the fare will be fairly cheap.

Enjoy your trip!

Mike

Do they allow early check in or at least let you throw your grips behind the desk-I'm thinking of taking a run to LA this Winter and would be arriving on the Sunset which usually gets in about 0800.

I've been able to drop bags early, and leave them after checkout with no problem at all. The staff at the Metro Plaza seems very accomodating with luggage storage.

That's my experience at the Metro Plaza as well.

 

[the_traveler]

BTW: The Metro Plaza is the Amtrak crews home away from home!

So they are used to early check-ins and late check-outs!

 

[caravanman]

Hi,

I think the area is very safe, and have stayed at that same hotel.

Ed

 

[Acela150]

Ha Ha good luck getting a taxi to take you maybe 300 yards from the front of Union Station to the front door of Metro Plaza.

The only way a driver would take you is to negotiate a $10 or $15 fee and he would not drop his flag. You would be taking him out of the station line for an average much-higher fare and making him get back into line, losing time and possibly money. Trust me, as a one-time taxi driver during college days, I know.

The walk from the station to the Metro Plaza is probably one of the safest in LA, along a very well-lited major thoroughfare and through a 24-hour gasoline plaza lit up like a Xmas tree. And since the main LA County jail is about a mile away, there are police cars from all county cities cruising along Alameda street at all hours.

Do the walk unless God strikes and you find it is raining when you arrive! :giggle:

Well I'm sure if they have a good ammount of luggage they wouldn't want to walk.. The cabies on the West Coast aren't like the cabies out here on the East Coast. I was in LA about 4 years ago staying at the Millennium Biltmore and the guy didn't know where it was. He had to ask five other cabies where it was. We ended up getting in that guys cab. Here on the East Coast or at least in Philly you name the place they take you! Unless it's a private address in the suburbs they take you!