Note on shuttle services: Compared with SuperShuttle, Prime Time seems to have a less transparent pricing structure, but Brian says their vans are nicer and have better music.
| Driving distance: | 30 miles (through downtown L.A.) |
| Shuttle prices: | SuperShuttle: $31 for the first person, $9 for each additional person. Prime Time: $19 for one person, $38 for two. |
| Public transit: | Take the Flyaway Bus to Union Station ($4), then the Gold Line to Pasadena ($1.25). It takes 1-2 hours (depending on the schedule) and is usually quite pleasant. We do it a lot, so if you have any questions, just ask. |
| Pros: | Lots of flights (which often translates to the best prices), best public transit option |
| Cons: | huge (8 terminals), can be hectic, do NOT try to drive to/from during rush hour |
| Driving distance: | 16 miles |
| Shuttle prices: | SuperShuttle: $23 for the first person, $9 for each additional person. Prime Time: $22 for one person, $32 for two. |
| Public transit: | We've never tried it. One possibility: Burbank bus ($1) to North Hollywood transit station, Red Line to Union Station ($1.25), Gold Line to Pasadena ($1.25)? Not sure how long it would take. |
| Comments: | closest to Pasadena, pleasantly small, ideal for being picked up |
| Driving distance: | 36 miles |
| Shuttle prices: | SuperShuttle: $52 for the first person, $9 for each additional person. Prime Time: $49 for one person, $59 for two. |
| Public transit: | Does not exist, so far as we know. |
| Comments: | easy drive (opposite direction from downtown Los Angeles), pleasantly small |
| Driving distance: | 38 miles |
| Shuttle prices: | SuperShuttle: $57 for the first person, $9 for each additional person. Prime Time: $55 for one person, $65 for two. |
| Public transit: | Long and difficult. Not recommended. You'd have to do something like: Long Beach Transit bus 111 ($.90) to the |
| Comments: | We've never flown in or out of LGB; Eve dropped someone off once. It seemed nice. |
| Driving distance: | 53 miles |
| Shuttle prices: | SuperShuttle: $66 for the first person, $9 for each additional person. Prime Time: $55 for one person, $65 for two. |
| Public transit: | You'd probably want to take the Metrolink up to Union Station, where you could then catch the Gold Line to Pasadena. But you'd have to get from the airport to a train station, and according to the airport website, the closest ones are 10 miles away. Not really ideal. |
| Comments: | We've never been there. |
Each airport has a variety of options. But if you plan to stay at a hotel within walking distance of campus and you don't intend to venture outside of Pasadena while you're here, you might not need one.
The number 10 bus, in particular, passes by the north side of campus and heads up Wilson to Colorado Blvd, into Old Town and past the Norton Simon Museum. We've heard they're not always good about showing up on schedule, though.
The Gold Line can take you to Union Station (right past Chinatown), from which you can connect to Hollywood, LAX, and more.