Home‎ > ‎

HNL - LAX - LSM logistics

This page helps us plan trips to the mainland, specifically to Lake San Marcos (our most frequent destination). The trip is complicated by the different travel modes (car, bus, trolley, train and airplane).  And red-eye flights are a common feature. Some of the information changes due to the season, so the information here should be treated as a simple "first cut" in planning. No endorsements are intended.
Airline Information


Schedule: HNL - LAX

 DLDepart HNL  Arrive LAX Aircraft
 1150 7:55AM 4:23PM 757
 2364 12:58PM 9:30PM 757/767
 2116 8:45PM 5:07AM 757

 DL Depart LAX Arrive HNL Aircraft
 2365 8:45AM 11:38AM 757/767
 1559 2:55PM 5:23PM 757
 1149 5:40PM 8:20PM 757


Synthesis

HNL to LSM: Plan A

Delta 2116 (8:45PM to 5:07AM)
Luggage by 5:30AM
Flyaway bus at 6:00AM (arrive about 6:40AM)
Amtrak 566 (8:30AM to 10:23AM)
Sprinter 11:03AM to 11:40AM

HNL to LSM: Plan B

Delta 2364 (12:58PM to 9:30PM)
Overnight at Raddison
Flyaway bus at 9:00AM (arrive about 9:40AM)
Amtrak 572 (11:10AM to 12:59PM)
Sprinter 1:33PM to 2:10PM

LSM to HNL

Sprinter 8:47 AM to 9:26 AM
Amtrak 769 (10:18AM to 12:15PM)
Flyaway bus at 1:00PM (arrive about 1:40PM)
Delta 1149 (5:40PM to 8:20PM)
LAX to LSM

Bus (between LAX and LA Union Station)


Schedule
A bus departs each station every half hour. At delta, the arrival of the bus should be about 0:05 and 0:35 (if it leaves Terminal 1 on the hour and half hour).
The trip takes approximately 30 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic.

Cost
$7 each way

You pay for the trip only at Union Station. When you take the LAX to Union Station bus, you get off the bus and go to the nearby kiosk while they unload the luggage.

Hints
The luggage is loaded at Union Station for each of the LAX terminals separately. Make sure to give your luggage to the handler well before boarding.

Locations
Union Station (map): Outside at escalator end of Union Station 
LAX (at the green signs outside baggage pickup)
Note: there are several Flyaway routes; be sure to get the correct bus

Trolley (between Oceanside Transit Terminal and Palomar College Stop)


Schedule
Oceanside to Palomar: Every 0:03 and 0:33 
Palomar to Oceanside: Every 0:17 and 0:47

Each trip takes about 37 minutes.

Cost
$2 each way (regular); $1 each way (senior)
Get the ticket at the automatic kiosk at the trolley platform.

Hints
Get to the center of the car (up the stairs) as there is some room to put a small suitcase next to the seat. There is also some room in the overhead rack.

Train

Schedule: Union Station to Oceanside

train 566: 8:30AM to 10:23AM
train 768: 9:40AM to 11:33AM
train 572: 11:10AM to 12:59PM
train 774: 12:55PM to 2:12PM
train 578: 2:00PM to 3:48PM
train 582: 4:10PM to 5:55PM
train 784: 5:10PM to 6:57PM

Schedule: Oceanside to Union Station

train 563: 7:53AM to 9:33AM
train 567: 8:58AM to 10:50AM
train 769: 10:18AM to 12:15PM
train 573: 11:39AM to 1:35PM
train 775: 12:49PM to 2:40PM
train 785: 4:52PM to 6:45PM

Cost
$27 plus $13 (upgrade to Business Class)
Purchase on-line. Print receipt and take the receipt to a self-serve kiosk in the Amtrak station. Scan the receipt to get a ticket. (The receipt is not a ticket.)

Hints
Travel time: 1:53

The Business Class ticket costs more, but it reserves a seat (actually, makes sure that there is a seat available). 

The Business Class car is next to the engine. The engine is closest to the station at Union Station but closest to the Sprinter end at Oceanside.

Sitting on the top seems better. There is a rack for suitcases near the restroom (which is near the end of the car.

Coffee, juice and nibbles are available (free) in the AM. Wine in the late afternoon.

Overnight Information LAX

Hotels (LAX)
Raddison

Cost
Hints



SAN to LSM

Bus from SAN to Santa Fe Station (Downtown)

Route 992 (Fare: $2.25/$1.10 on-board)

Trains from SAN to Oceanside

Coaster (San Diego to Oceanside)
Purchase tickets at Kiosk ($6.50/$3.25)

10:35 AM - 11:49 AM
11:50 AM - 1:03 PM
12:25 PM - 1:52 PM

Amtrak (San Diego to Oceanside) $17
Purchase ticket at Santa Fe Station

10:50 AM - 11:43 AM
12:05 PM - 12:57 PM

Sprinter
Purchase ticket at Kiosk ($2 adult/$1 senior)

Oceanside to Palomar: Every 0:03 and 0:33 

Comments