travel from anaheim hotels to Universal Studios

[tizzower]

Going to Disneyland with the fam in July, but wanted to do one day at Universal. Anyone know of a decent way to get 4 of us there and back? Was seeing prices of like 500 bucks for transportation alone (already have tickets for Universal) and nearly had a heart attack. Don't want to take a 2.5 hour bus ride, and am wary of driving the LA freeways myself. Ideas?

 

[CeCe0906]

We are going in Aug using Instyle transportation, we have a stop in there but here was our quote
Rate Description Amount
Flat Rate: $155.25
Per Hour: (0.5 x 82.50) $41.25
Extra Stops: (1 x 10.00) $10.00
Std Grat: (20.000%) $41.30
Fuel Surch: (9.000%) $18.59
Estimated Total (USD): $266.39*
Quote Summary:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Vehicle Type: Full size SUV

But we are going only one way, its at the end of our trip, we are checking out of hotel in the morning, playing all day at the parks, and transferring to the Hilton outside of Universal, after WOC. Then doing Universal the next day.

I was told although not too far away, it can take awhile, so I opted to travel after 9 to minimize travel time. The time involved may be why it's expensive, as well as fuel prices. They do furnish boosters for kids if needed.

If it fits with your schedule it might be worth it to transfer hotels, unless this is in mid trip. Cheaper hotel than DLH, and easy walk to Universal from several hotels in area, at least cut the trip transfer cost in half.

 

[bardays]

There was a bus in 2017. Picked up at all the hotels in the area. I wish I could remember the cost but it was not outrageous.

 

[CharleneTheDM]

We Ubered. For a family of 4, Uber XL might be more comfortable!

 

[BadPinkTink]

I did the journey the opposite way in January . I was staying at Hilton Universal Citywalk and switched to Tropicana Hotel for my Disneyland days. I used Midwilshuttle for the journey. It was a Saturday afternoon and the driver estimated 60 minutes for the journey but it took 90 minutes. It cost me about $100.

 

[starry_solo]

You should consider putting it at the end of your trip and fly out of LAX?

if not, look into the Metrolink, you can catch it in Anaheim and take it to Union station. Then Metro over to the universal studios citywalk exit. The metro should be included in your round trip Metrolink ticket, as I recall.

or Uber or Lyft

 

[CeCe0906]

You should consider putting it at the end of your trip and fly out of LAX?

Just wanted to say, if you can find a flight, Burbank airport is super close to Universal.

 

[felice]

I'm not sure if Starline are still running buses to Universal these days (pre-pandemic they certainly were) but considering you've already got tickets for entering the park, they should have a travel-only deal you can take them up on. They * had * a location on Harbor Boulevard

 

[87disney]

We have done universal and Disney combo trips 2 times in last 6 months . Uber was comfortable and well priced if during non rush hour or peak times. Around $70 each way. Uber during LA rush hour may be a different story. Much longer time in the car , if it’s small , and higher cost . Recommend Lansky limo if during rush hour , or if comfort is important. We did them from burbank airport to disneyland , then Uber for our universal part of the trip. It Will be around $200 each way, but they use large comfortable SUVs or vans, so plenty of room.

 

[DLgal]

Rent a car for the day.

The freeways are not a big deal. Anaheim to Universal City is very straightforward. Hop on I-5 North then onto 101 North. The parks are right off the freeway. One exit takes you straight to the parking garage.

 

[tizzower]

Thank you all for the ideas. Much appreciated.

 

[Pluto468]

We used Sunny's transporation last week. We were just going between SNA-Disneyland but I think they serve the greater LA area.

 

[Peachy0118]

We used Uber for everything and absolutely loved it. It wouldn't be cost-effective for like 8 people but for 4, it would work for sure.

A tip: Go before park opening. We were third in line, got almost ALL the rides done (some twice) in the first hour and half, and spent the rest of the day revisiting. This was on a very busy Easter Sunday. We even got to take some pictures at the entrance with almost no one around!

Also, by going early you avoid that surge pricing for Uber. It was WAY less than it would have been an hour later. Uber worked perfectly and would 100% recommend and would do it again.

 

[tizzower]

We used Uber for everything and absolutely loved it. It wouldn't be cost-effective for like 8 people but for 4, it would work for sure.

A tip: Go before park opening. We were third in line, got almost ALL the rides done (some twice) in the first hour and half, and spent the rest of the day revisiting. This was on a very busy Easter Sunday. We even got to take some pictures at the entrance with almost no one around!

Also, by going early you avoid that surge pricing for Uber. It was WAY less than it would have been an hour later. Uber worked perfectly and would 100% recommend and would do it again.

So like, if Universal opened at say 8:00, what time does my family need to be getting inside an Uber? Definitely want to be there before it opens.

 

[jlmarr]

So like, if Universal opened at say 8:00, what time does my family need to be getting inside an Uber? Definitely want to be there before it opens.

If you're not averse to public transit, you could take the Metrolink commuter train which starts running at O'Dark Thirty. It terminates at the historic LA Union Station and connects there with the subway, the Metro Red Line (and I see they've renamed that to the 'B' Line - whatever). The Metrolink round trip fare does include the Metro fare, but pay attention to the return trip schedule - it doesn't run real late, but if you "rope drop" Universal you won't be there late anyway.

I presume there are breakfast options in Universal Citywalk that would be open before USH.

 

[DLRExpert]

Most will tell you to take 5fwy to 101fwy, not a bad way to go on a early weekend morning, but look at 5fwy, to 605fwy, to 210 fwys to 134fwy, exit Lankershim.

 

[foolish_mortals]

So like, if Universal opened at say 8:00, what time does my family need to be getting inside an Uber? Definitely want to be there before it opens.

6:00am would get you at the drop off point before opening. Anywhere between 15-45 minutes depending on traffic. Leave earlier if you want more time to get through security and buy tickets

 

[DLgal]

Most will tell you to take 5fwy to 101fwy, not a bad way to go on a early weekend morning, but look at 5fwy, to 605fwy, to 210 fwys to 134fwy, exit Lankershim.

This is a huge, unnecessary detour. Why would anyone recommend this? This is almost twice the distance traveled than necessary.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

So we were looking into Iber/Lyft or even an overnight care rental from the Alamo next to Paradise Pier Hotel (note you cannot rent a car for a day there at this time and Sundays they are closed but you can drop off the car).


But then my dad discovered his place of employment has a deal with car rental services throughout the country.

I highly recommend looking into that. Because even the cheapest Uber could cost you upwards of $75 or more one way

 

[foolish_mortals]

This is a huge, unnecessary detour. Why would anyone recommend this? This is almost twice the distance traveled than necessary.

I agree, but that interchange where the 5, the 60, and the 10 merge to the 101 is like the 10th circle of hell.