Metro’s weekday timetable puts the train ride from Memorial Park at about 25 minutes to Union Station or 32 minutes to 7th Street/Metro Center, before the walk and wait (Metro, checked 2026-11-10). I’m Justin Borges, a Pasadena agent licensed since October 2013, and I help buyers weigh the commute when choosing a home.
The full trip also includes your journey to the station and from the downtown stop to your destination. If you ride the A Line regularly, I would start the search near Memorial Park or Lake and compare the route from each home.
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What does the A Line commute actually involve?
The former Gold Line route through Pasadena is now the Metro A Line. It reaches Union Station and 7th Street/Metro Center without a transfer, according to Metro’s Regional Connector announcement and timetable, checked 2026-11-10.
Metro lists Fillmore, Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake, Allen and Sierra Madre Villa as Pasadena stations. Its timetable identifies parking at Fillmore, Del Mar, Lake and Sierra Madre Villa; Memorial Park and Allen do not have a parking symbol. Del Mar is at 202 S Raymond Avenue, where Metro lists paid parking. Ask Metro for current parking prices and rules at each station. Metro’s timetable, checked 2026-11-10, shows southbound service from Sierra Madre Villa about every 8 to 10 minutes during the weekday periods described in the schedule. Ask Metro for the first and last trains for your travel day.
Metro’s regular one-way fare is $1.75, with free transfers within two hours when you tap, excluding round trips. Metro caps fares at $5 per day and $18 over seven days.
For the broader move, see what someone relocating to Pasadena should know before buying. Metro’s daily fare cap is $5.
For help weighing a particular home against your route, call me at (213) 262-5092.
What should I know about driving downtown?
For a Pasadena commute, test your actual route.
Depending on the address and destination, a buyer may consider the 110 or a route using the 134 and 5. An office near one freeway exit can feel quite different from a destination that requires a longer trip through downtown streets.
I have not found a published source that gives a reliable driving time for a particular address. Test the drive between the home and your destination at your usual departure time, including the return trip and parking.
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How should the commute shape my neighborhood search?
I start with the life a buyer wants at home, then check how much travel that choice adds. For a regular rail rider, I would begin near Memorial Park or Lake. For a driver, I would start in Madison Heights and test the route downtown from the home. For a buyer who values a hillside setting, I would start in Linda Vista and weigh the drive and station access.
Del Mar Station is at 202 S Raymond Avenue, and the city describes residential buildings surrounding it.
How do Old Pasadena, Linda Vista and Madison Heights compare?
Old Pasadena is the city’s historic core, with retail, dining and multifamily housing in a mixed-use setting. Memorial Park borders the subarea, while Del Mar Station sits among residential buildings in the adjacent Arroyo/Del Mar subarea. I would start here if walking to daily destinations and rail are priorities.
Linda Vista offers a hillside setting: city reports describe properties on Linda Vista Avenue toward the Arroyo Seco. In Madison Heights, city staff describe Arts and Crafts residences along South El Molino Avenue. I would compare Linda Vista for the hillside setting and Madison Heights for its older homes, alongside the actual commute from each property.
For a wider introduction, see our Pasadena moving guide. City staff describe Arts and Crafts residences along South El Molino Avenue in Madison Heights. To talk through these neighborhoods, text me.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
How can I test a commute before making an offer?
For a Pasadena commute, test your actual route.
Put your likely destinations and departure times on paper before touring. Include school or care stops, errands and the days you expect to work away from home. Then select homes that fit the way you want to live, and test the routes from those addresses. A commute is only one part of the purchase, but it is a part you can investigate before committing.
For rail, record the time from the front door to the platform, the wait, the ride and the walk or connection at the other end. For driving, include getting to the freeway, reaching your destination and parking. Try the return trip separately. Compare how the journeys feel as well as how long they take: a walk you enjoy or a transfer you dislike can change your preference.
Record each full journey, including the return trip, the station walk and parking. When you compare homes, look at the whole routine: a convenient train ride can still involve a walk at either end, while a drive includes the time it takes to park and reach your destination.
To discuss your commute, call me at (213) 262-5092.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the train ride from Pasadena to Downtown LA?
Metro’s weekday schedule shows an approximate ride of 25 minutes from Memorial Park to Union Station and 32 minutes to 7th Street/Metro Center. Those are train times, so add the time it takes to reach the station, wait and get from the downtown stop to your destination. Metro timetable, checked 2026-11-10.
Can I take the train from Pasadena to Downtown LA without a transfer?
Yes. Metro’s A Line connects Pasadena with Union Station and 7th Street/Metro Center without a transfer. The former Gold Line segment through Pasadena is now part of the A Line, according to Metro, checked 2026-11-10.
Should I buy near a Pasadena train station?
I would start there if you expect to ride regularly and value a simpler trip to the platform. Compare the actual route from each home, including crossings and the trip home after dark, before deciding that a listing is convenient for you.
Is driving from Pasadena to Downtown LA predictable?
Traffic varies, and the useful measure is the trip between your actual home and destination at the hours you expect to travel. I suggest trying the drive in both directions and considering where you will park before you choose a neighborhood.
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Is Linda Vista or Madison Heights better for a downtown commuter?
I would start a downtown commuter in Madison Heights, especially if older homes appeal, and compare the route from the home with the trip from Linda Vista. Linda Vista is my starting point for a buyer who places a higher priority on a hillside setting.
Can I live near Old Pasadena and commute by train?
If a walkable setting and rail access appeal to you, I would include homes around Old Pasadena in the search and test the walk to a station from each address. Check the return trip and everyday errands as well as the route to work.
Sources
- LA Metro A Line timetable, effective June 7, 2026, checked 2026-11-10
- LA Metro Regional Connector announcement, checked 2026-11-10
- LA Metro fares, checked 2026-11-10
- City of Pasadena Central District Specific Plan, checked 2026-11-08
- City of Pasadena Linda Vista staff report, checked 2026-11-08
- City of Pasadena Madison Heights staff report, checked 2026-11-08
Ready to compare a home with your actual commute? Text me and we can start with your route.
Justin Borges
Team Lead, The Borges Real Estate TeamDRE #01940318
With over 13 years in Southern California real estate, Justin specializes in probate sales, trust properties, and character homes. His expertise in 1031 exchanges and historic preservation has helped hundreds of clients navigate complex real estate transactions.