How is the shuttle to Universal Studios Hollywood? About This Page:

[BarryH]

I'll be in SoCal and I'll be at Disneyland for around 4 days. I want to visit USH, but I don't want to rent a car. I'll probably just drive to USH and walk to Disneyland. I don't want the car sitting in the parking lot! I heard about a shuttle to USH. For those who have used it, how is it? How much does it cost and where is the shuttle terminal?

I'll probably do the VIP tour for USH.

Thanks!

[duck addict]

Current cost of the bus (1-800-938-8933) is $30 per person. The amount of time will depend on traffic. Normally anywhere from 1-1/2 hour unless your are lucky!

[BarryH]

Thanks for the info! I assume the price is for round trip?

I'm debating on whether or not to rent a car. I just don't want to deal with the hassle of driving it around and letting it sit in the parking lot for days.

[duck addict]

I believe it is. Call the 800 number..(it is gray line tours)

[bradk]

i'm looking at their site and it looks like they just offer scheduled tours. i found one page where transportation is free from anaheim if you buy a 1 day universal ticket for $61 from them, but it's on their schedule.

i did things differently, but if you aren't afraid of mass transit, you should be able to pick up a bus outside disneyland on harbor to take you to downtown LA where you can transfer to the red line and take it right to universal city, where they have a free tram to drive you from the stop to the park.

the biggest issue though is even just driving, it's a ~90 minute commute and to get there in time for the VIP tour is gonna be an early start. i'd almost just assume find a cheap hotel in LA to spend the night. i don't recall which one i stayed at (i think it was motel 8 but could have been red roof) but it was like a block from a red line stop.

the VIP tour is awesome though.

[BarryH]

Originally Posted by bradk

i did things differently, but if you aren't afraid of mass transit, you should be able to pick up a bus outside disneyland on harbor to take you to downtown LA where you can transfer to the red line and take it right to universal city, where they have a free tram to drive you from the stop to the park.

There's an idea to use the public bus. Thanks for the tip! I'm not afraid of using mass transit. I used it a lot in college.

While I'm thinking about it, how much is a taxi to USH? It'll probably be pricey, I assume.

[duck addict]

A taxi from LAX to DL (a faster trip because of traffic) is approaching $100. Your biggest expense would be the time you sit in traffic (taxis charge both mileage and time when stuck in traffic). I would not use a taxi :

[bradk]

check out metro.net | Transit Services and Information for Los Angeles County - it's the LA transit system, they have a trip planner which will give specific times, so it does all the work for you (i.e., tell it you have to be at universal by 7:30 am on wed for example).

[DebiDebiDebi]

You might also concider the Metrolink commuter train. My family has used this and finds it efficient, and fair priced. Here's a link:

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/

[BarryH]

Thanks for the tip on the train. I think I will use that and avoid L.A. traffic all together.

How far is the Anaheim station from DL?

[bradk]

not that far, but not within walking distance either. i think it's on katella ave, it's near angel stadium. you'll either have to cab over from disneyland or walk down to katella and take a bus.

[DebiDebiDebi]

Originally Posted by BarryH

Thanks for the tip on the train. I think I will use that and avoid L.A. traffic all together.
How far is the Anaheim station from DL?

It is 2.8 miles from DL to the station at Anaheim Stadium. The train would drop you off at Burbank (Bob Hope) airport, which is 5.30 miles from Universal Studios. According to the metrolink website, it would be $13.50 round trip (weekdays). You'd have to figure in a couple short cab fares as well, but IMO, worth the $$, less hassle than city transit, and from what my family tells me, the trains are clean, and it makes for a pleasant ride.

[BarryH]

Actually, I looked at all the Metrolink, bus, and subway maps. I can take the Metrolink from Anaheim to Union Station. Then I can take the subway from Union Station to Universal City. On the way back, I can't take the Metrolink since the last train leaves at 6:30. I'll have to take the subway back to Union Station and then take a bus to Disneyland. It should be an interesting day!

Thanks for everyone's help!

[tourismtommy]

Hi,

The shuttle is operated by Grayline and picks up at all major hotels in the Anaheim Resort. The cost is $61 per person until May 31 and includes admission so, it's like "free transportation". You can arrange for this the day before at your hotel or ahead of time at Anaheim Visitor Center - Discounted Tickets and Tours.

Hope that helps.

Tom

[tourismtommy]

One more thing. If you wanted to do public transportation, you can take the 460 Metro bus which pick up in front of Disneyland every 30 minutes starting at 4am and take that to Norwalk and then transfer to the MetroLink train. This is the greenline to the blueline to the redline to the Universal exit and then take a free shuttle up the hill.

The cost should be about $4 for all day and the last bus back is around 10pm.

Also, the greenline goes along the freeway where they filmed most of the movie Speed and the blueline was the train the Tom Cruise died on in the movie Collateral and the redline is the train that crashed through the street at the end of speed and that had the broken train with Lava burning it in the movie Volcano with Tommy Lee Jones.

So there... you have it.

Tom