I’m trying to go home for the holidays, but the airfare flying out of SLO is too expensive for me, so I am trying to fly out of LAX because its cheaper. So how do I get from Cal Poly SLO to LAX in a cheap, timely matter so I can catch my flights? I know Amtrak is an option, but the ride is 5 hours long. What do other Cal Poly students do? Any suggestions?
You don’t mention where home is. I’m guessing you’re heading East. You’re best bet is to fly out of Bakersfield, I would think. Depending on the airline, you would then connect at LAX, SFO, SLC, or even SEA to fly to the east coast.
Red eye flights to east coast are typically cheaper. When you add in 5 hour train rides, you need to really think if the savings in flight cost makes sense.
Facebook Rideshare Cal Poly–It is very popular at CPSLO, usually 15-20 ea way to LA or San Fran. The train is another option, but will take longer and cost more.
There are LOTS of students who will be driving right past LAX when school lets out. Use the group, above, or make you own flyers with your needed date time, and post them on a bunch of bulletin boards.
Amtrak is actually not a great option, because it is slow and will put you at Union Station in LA. Then you still have to get to LAX.
Central Coast Shuttle runs buses between LAX and the Central Coast, but the northernmost stop is at the Santa Maria Airport (SMX). The shuttle goes from SMX directly to LAX in about 3.5-4 hours, for $70. This could work if you can get a ride to SMX, which is off the 101 about 35 miles south of SLO. Or you could take a local bus from SLO to Santa Maria, then across town to SMX.
Re: FB Rideshare–my D does not go as far as LAX, but has been in a car a couple of times with students getting rides to LAX. Any driver heading south on the 405 toward Orange Co or San Diego can easily drop you off (LAX few blocks from freeway). Maybe, offer a little extra and you should have no problems…