How to get from Hollywood Walk of Fame to Los Angeles Union Station

Cities & Metropolitan Areas · United States of America · Urban & Cultural · Hollywood · Hollywood Walk of Fame · Los Angeles · Los Angeles Union Station

Hollywood Walk of Fame sits on Hollywood Blvd (near Hollywood/Highland). Los Angeles Union Station is Downtown LA’s main rail hub (Amtrak/Metrolink/Metro). Below are the simplest, traveler-friendly ways to get between them—fast, cheap, or door-to-door.

At A Glance (Hollywood Walk of Fame to Los Angeles Union Station)

Mode Duration Best For
🚇 Metro B Line Subway (Hollywood/Highland → Union Station) ~25–35 min door-to-door (incl. station walks) Fastest & most reliable at most times
🏷️ Cost: $1.75 base fare (TAP) + $2 card purchase if needed | fare rules | how to pay
🚌 Metro Bus + Quick Rail Hop (Flexible, fewer stairs) ~40–70 min (traffic + connection-dependent) Budget travelers, daytime riders, step-free preference
🏷️ Cost: usually $1.75 (free one-way transfers on Metro within ~2.5h using TAP) | transfer basics | line PDFs
🚖 Rideshare / Taxi / Private Transfer (Door-to-door) ~20–45 min (traffic-sensitive) Big luggage, late nights, groups, convenience
🏷️ Cost: ~$20–$60+ depending on traffic & surge | prebook a car (Welcome Pickups) | compare offers (GetTransfer)
🚲 Bike / E-bike (Scenic-ish, flexible) ~35–70 min (route choice dependent) Daytime riders who want a workout or quick errands
🏷️ Cost: depends on rental/time | bike rentals (BikesBooking)

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

How to Book and Practical Tips

  • For Metro: plan live routes in Google Maps or Metro’s tools; pay with a TAP card (card costs $2 + fare) using kiosks and many retail partners (How to Pay).
  • Transfers: Metro’s base fare is $1.75 on buses and trains; using TAP typically gives free one-way transfers within ~2.5 hours on Metro (Fares).
  • Time windows: if you’re heading to an Amtrak/Metrolink departure at Union Station, aim to arrive 20–30 minutes early for platform navigation and potential security lines at busy times.
  • Safety & comfort: keep valuables close on trains/buses, especially late evening. Ride in more populated cars when possible.
  • Door-to-door booking: prebook a fixed-price transfer when you have tight timing or lots of bags (GetTransfer or Welcome Pickups). For on-demand, common apps in Los Angeles include Uber and Lyft.
  • If you need a car for the rest of the day: compare short rentals on car rental in Los Angeles instead of doing multiple rideshares.

🚇 Option #1 — Metro B Line Subway (Fastest, Most Reliable)

Fast Traffic-proof Some stairs/escalators

  • Overview: Walk to Hollywood/Highland Station (Metro B Line) and ride directly to Union Station. Expect ~25–35 minutes door-to-door for most travelers.
  • How to pay (with price): Metro’s base fare is $1.75 on buses and trains; TAP card costs $2 if you need one (payment options; fare rules).
  • Pros: Usually the quickest; predictable travel time. Cons: Stations can be busy; late-night comfort varies by traveler.
  • Schedule help: Use Metro’s B Line schedule PDFs for first/last trains and headways.

Step-by-step: Metro B Line

  1. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Hollywood Blvd area), walk to Hollywood/Highland Station entrance (usually the closest stop for the Walk of Fame core).
  2. Buy/reload a TAP card at the kiosk or use stored value; tap in at the gate (TAP info).
  3. Board the B Line train heading toward Union Station (Downtown LA).
  4. Exit at Union Station and follow signs for your connection: Amtrak, Metrolink, or Metro rail/bus bays.

Getting to the main embarking points (Hollywood/Highland Station)

  • From Hollywood Blvd & Highland Ave: follow signs for the subway entrance; keep your TAP ready to reduce gate delays.
  • If you’re staying farther east on the Walk of Fame: it may be closer to Hollywood/Vine Station; compare both entrances in Google Maps before you walk.
  • If you arrive with luggage: Union Station has multiple levels/long corridors—consider storing bags near the station via luggage storage LA Union Station if you want to explore.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #2 — Metro Bus + Quick Rail Hop (Flexible, Daytime-Friendly)

Low cost More stop choices Traffic-dependent

  • Overview: Use a frequent bus corridor near Hollywood (often along Sunset Blvd or nearby arterials), ride into Downtown, then transfer to Metro rail (or a short walk) for Union Station. Plan ~40–70 minutes.
  • How to book/pay (with price): Same $1.75 base fare using TAP; Metro allows free one-way transfers within ~2.5 hours on Metro when you use TAP (fare details; transfer/fare capping overview).
  • Pros: More boarding points if you’re not right by the subway; can feel easier if you prefer staying at street level. Cons: Slower and less predictable in traffic.
  • Route planning tip: In Google Maps, set mode to Transit and compare: “bus only” vs “bus + rail” for the quickest connection at that moment.

Step-by-step: Bus + Rail (generic, reliable pattern)

  1. Walk to a major bus stop near the Walk of Fame area (common choices are along Sunset Blvd or nearby eastbound routes).
  2. Ride into Downtown LA to a major transfer hub such as 7th St/Metro Center or other central stops shown in your map app.
  3. Transfer to Metro rail toward Union Station (often the B Line from Downtown, depending on where your bus ends), or walk if your bus already drops near Civic Center/Union Station area.
  4. Arrive at Union Station and follow signs for your platform/terminal area.

Getting to the main embarking points (nearby Metro bus corridors)

  • Use official PDFs for exact stops: Metro lists bus line schedules as PDFs on the Schedules page—helpful if your phone signal drops.
  • Best time to use this option: mid-morning to early evening when traffic and wait times are steadier.
  • Accessibility note: Many buses are low-floor with ramps; if you need elevators on rail, check your app for station alerts before committing.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚖 Option #3 — Rideshare / Taxi / Private Transfer (Most Comfortable)

Door-to-door Best for luggage Traffic & surge pricing

  • Overview: A car pickup from Hollywood Walk of Fame area to Union Station is the simplest if you have luggage, kids, or late-night timing. Expect ~20–45 minutes depending on traffic.
  • How to book (with price): Use on-demand apps (Uber/Lyft) or prebook to reduce uncertainty. For prebooked transfers, compare quotes on GetTransfer in Los Angeles or arrange a driver via Welcome Pickups (Los Angeles). Typical rideshare/taxi totals often land around $20–$60+ depending on traffic/surge.
  • Pros: No transfers, no stairs, easiest with bags. Cons: Cost can spike during events/peak hours; Downtown drop-off can be slower than the subway at rush hour.

Step-by-step: Private car

  1. Set pickup near a clear curb space (for example, a hotel entrance or a designated pickup spot in Hollywood & Highland complex).
  2. Enter destination as Union Station (800 N Alameda St) and choose “Patsaouras Transit Plaza” or the main passenger drop-off if your app offers multiple pins.
  3. Allow a buffer if you’re catching a train—Downtown congestion can be unpredictable.

Getting to the main embarking points (pickup zones)

  • Best pickup practice: choose a side street or hotel frontage to avoid stopping on busy Hollywood Blvd.
  • If you have extra time in Downtown: store bags at luggage storage at Union Station LA and explore Olvera Street/Chinatown hands-free.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚲 Option #4 — Bike / E-bike (Active, Flexible)

Flexible Good in daylight Comfort level varies

  • Overview: Biking can be surprisingly efficient outside peak traffic, but route choice matters. Plan ~35–70 minutes depending on detours, signals, and your comfort on city streets.
  • How to book (with price): Compare rentals and pickup points using bike rentals in Los Angeles (availability and pricing vary by shop/season).
  • Pros: Complete flexibility; good if you’re stopping for photos. Cons: Some corridors are busy; heat/traffic can be tiring—choose daylight and helmet-up.

Step-by-step: Bike route approach

  1. Pick a rental near Hollywood (or use a local bike-share if available where you are staying).
  2. Use Google Maps cycling directions to prioritize calmer streets; avoid long stretches on fast multi-lane arterials if you’re not confident.
  3. Lock up near Union Station and keep valuables with you; if you’re continuing by train, confirm bike rules on your rail operator before arriving.

Getting to the main embarking points (bike pickup & safe routing)

  • Best time to ride: morning to mid-afternoon for visibility and calmer vibes.
  • What to carry: a lock, water, and a small light set (even if you plan to return before dark).
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Hollywood Walk of Fame to Los Angeles Union Station)

What’s the easiest way to get from Hollywood Walk of Fame to Los Angeles Union Station?
For most travelers, Metro’s B Line subway from Hollywood/Highland to Union Station is the simplest and usually the fastest.

How much does public transit cost for this trip?
Metro’s base fare is $1.75 on buses and trains. If you’re new to LA transit, you may need to buy a TAP card (typically $2 plus fare) and then load stored value.

Do I get a transfer if I take bus + rail?
Yes—when you use TAP, Metro typically provides free one-way transfers within ~2.5 hours on Metro. If you mix in some municipal operators, extra fees can apply.

Where exactly do I arrive at Union Station?
Union Station has multiple entrances and bays. For trains (Amtrak/Metrolink), follow interior signs to the main concourse/platforms; for Metro rail, follow the Metro signage to the rail platforms.

What if I have luggage and want to sightsee before my train?
Consider storing bags near Union Station using Radical Storage around Union Station, then explore nearby Olvera Street/Chinatown.