GETTING AROUND

BY RAIL

Amtrak

Amtrak’s Pacific Coast Surfliner and Coast Starlight trains make regular stops to Glendale and downtown L.A.’s Union Station, which are both about 11 miles (18 km) from Pasadena. Hop onto the Metro L Line (Gold) light rail, and be in Pasadena in under 30 minutes. (800) 872-7245 amtrak.com.

FROM THE AIRPORT

Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)

Hollywood Burbank Airport is a nice life hack for travelers flying in from the West Coast, the Southwest, New York City, Chicago, or Houston and want to avoid heavy traffic. The smaller airport is 15 miles (24 km) from Pasadena and a major hub for Southwest, Alaska, Delta, United, American, and JetBlue airlines. Taxi fare costs about $45 and a rideshare app without surge pricing runs about $15. The most economical way to get to Pasadena is by Metro 501 Express, a direct bus line that starts in North Hollywood. (818) 840-8840 hollywoodburbankairport.com

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Coming from LAX, a 29mile (47-km) cab ride to Pasadena costs about $80, which is a suitable solution for those splitting the fare or for business travelers that can expense their trip. An organized rideshare location at LAX is reachable through dedicated shuttles. Luxury charter buses pick up passengers along the airport’s loop before heading to downtown L.A., as does the more economical LAX FlyAway® bus ($9.75 each way). From Union Station, connect to the Metro L Line (Gold) or use a rideshare app to get to Pasadena. (855) 463-5252 flylax.com

LAX FlyAway®

(714) 507-1170 flylax.com/flyaway

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

LA Metro

The Metro L Line (Gold) is a 31-mile (50-km) light rail that serves Pasadena from Union Station with six local stops. The line connects Pasadena to bus services and other lines like the Metro E Line (Expo), which travels from downtown L.A. through Culver City to Santa Monica. The base fare is $1.75, and trains operate daily. TAP cards can be purchased from self-service machines for $2. (800) 464-2111 metro.net

Pasadena Transit

Pasadena’s local bus system has six routes throughout the city. Regular fare is $0.75. (626) 744-4055, option #2 pasadenatransit.net

Foothill Transit Authority

These buses serve the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys. The base fare is $1.25. (800) 743-3463 foothilltransit.org

Metro Micro

The on-demand rideshare service is for short local trips and uses small vehicles (up to 10 passengers). $1 per ride. micro.metro.net

ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING STATIONS

Pasadena’s EV charging network includes more than 900 (level 2) charging stations and 68 fast-charging stations, all within a 10-mile radius.