5 Closest Airport To Universal Studios Hollywood

If you’re travelling to Los Angeles to visit Universal Studios Hollywood then you’ll want to go ahead and consider the nearest airport to the theme park to avoid spending any unnecessary time in the dreaded LA traffic.

The closest airport to Universal Studios Hollywood is Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) which is located 6 miles (10km) away. This airport is fantastic for domestic flights, however, international travellers will more than likely want to head to Los Angeles International Airport instead.

Los Angeles International Airport is the second closest airport to Universal Studios Hollywood, located just 27 miles (43km) away and one of the busiest airports in the world with an average of 692 daily flights.

1. Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)

🗺️ Distance to Universal Studios Hollywood: 6 mi (10 km)
🚗 Estimated Uber / Lyft Cost: $15 - $42

The Burbank Bob Hope Airport (also known as the Hollywood Burbank Airport) is the best airport for tourists visiting Universal Studios Hollywood since it’s the closest one to the theme park.

Burbank Bob Hope Airport is located in Burbank, Los Angeles, California and caters to Burbank, Glendale, Hollywood, Pasadena, Studio City, Universal City, San Fernando Valley, and Northeast and Central Los Angeles.

Despite being a medium-sized airport, BUR is home to several airline companies. Some of the domestic airlines you can choose from are:

• Advanced Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Avelo Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines

While Burbank Bob Hope Airport is the nearest airport to the theme park its hours of operation are limited with commercial and domestic flights only taking off and landing here between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm (local time).

While international flights do not land here, many international airlines offer connecting flights to Burbank Bob Hope Airport thanks to their airline partners. These include;

• Aeromexico
• Air Canada
• Air France
• Avianca
• British Airways
• Copa Airlines
• El Al Israel Airlines
• Japan Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines

Since Burbank Bob Hope Airport is the closest airport to Universal Studios Hollywood it’s no surprise that it’s also the most convenient airport with several transportation options for visitors to choose from;

• Buses: Metro Bus and Burbank Bus

• Rental Cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty

• Ride Shares: Uber, Lyft

• Shuttles: Coast Annabelle, Days Inn, Hampton Inn, Hotel Burbank, Hotel Amarano, Marriott, Ramada Inn, Safari Inn

• Taxis: United Taxi, LA City Cab

• Train: Metrolink, AMTRAK

Meanwhile, if you plan to drive from Burbank to Universal Studios Hollywood then you can expect a 15 to 30 minute trip to the theme park.

Aside from Universal Studios Hollywood, Burbank Bob Hope Airport is also great for other nearby tourist destinations including; Downtown Burbank, Downtown Los Angeles, and Griffith Park.

2. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

🗺️ Distance to Universal Studios Hollywood: 27 mi (43 km)
🚗 Estimated Uber / Lyft Cost: $49 - $86

The second closest airport to Universal Studios Hollywood is the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) which is also one of the busiest airports not just in the United States but in the entire world.

LAX is located in Westchester, Los Angeles, California and serves as a primary link for international travellers to the West Coast.

LAX operates with 9 passenger terminals, providing an average of 692 daily flights to 85 domestic cities. It flies major airlines like American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines.

If you’re a tourist from Australasia, Europe or Asia then LAX is going to be your best option.

59 different airline carriers operate from here, travelling to 67 cities in 34 countries. Just some of the airlines operating flights to LAX include;

• Air New Zealand
• Air Tahiti Nui
• All Nippon Airways
• Asiana Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• Fiji Airways
• Korean Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Philippine Airlines
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Turkish Airlines

Because of its vast size, LAX offers a complimentary shuttle service between terminal transfers. You can also get around the airport to Universal Studios Hollywood with these ground transportation services:

• Buses: FlyAway, Beach Cities Transit, Culver City Bus Lines, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Torrance Transit

• Rental Cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Sixt, Thrifty, Zipcar

• Ride Shares: Uber, Lyft, Opoli

• Shuttles: Antelope Valley Airport Express, Central Coast Shuttle, Mickey’s Space Ship Shuttle, Santa Barbara Airbus, Shuttle One, Shuttle 2000, Ventura County Airporter

• Taxis: Bell Cab, Beverly Hills Cab, City Cab, Independent Taxi, United Checker Cab, United Independent Taxi Drivers, United Taxi of San Fernando Valley, Yellow Cab

• Train: LA Metro

Depending on the time of day you drive to Universal Studios Hollywood from LAX, you can expect a 45-minute drive or longer.

3. Long Beach Airport (LGB)

🗺️ Distance to Universal Studios Hollywood: 32 mi (52 km)
🚗 Estimated Uber / Lyft Cost: $47 - $93

Another local airport on the list is Long Beach Airport (also known as Daugherty Field) which is located near the border between Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Due to its proximity to LAX, Long Beach Airport sees itself as an alternative smaller airport for domestic passengers. With its outdoor boarding experience, it is a good choice for tourists flying local airlines like:

• American Eagle, a regional branch of American Airlines
• Delta Connection, a regional unit of Delta Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Southwest Airlines

This simple airport provides waiting areas for private and public transportation. You can choose from and avail yourself of the following:

• Buses: Long Beach Transit, Bon Voyage Transportation, New Express Transportation, LLC.

• Rental Cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National

• Ride Shares: Uber, Lyft, Opoli, Wingz

• Shuttles: California Shuttles, EZ Vans, Karmel Shuttle Service, Mickey’s Space Ship Shuttle, Premier Shuttle, Prime Time Shuttle, Super Shuttle Express

• Taxis: Long Beach Yellow Cab

• Train: AMTRAK, Metrolink, Metro Rail

With routes 102, 104, 111, and 176 serving the premise, the overall traffic conditions around Long Beach Airport are tolerable throughout the day.

So if you’re planning to drive to Universal Studios Hollywood from one of the car rentals, expect an average travel time of one hour.

4. John Wayne Airport (SNA)

🗺️ Distance to Universal Studios Hollywood: 49 mi (79 km)
🚗 Estimated Uber / Lyft Cost: $71 - $180

As the only airport in Orange County, John Wayne Airport bustles with more passengers and flights than Burbank Bob Hope Airport. And yet it exudes a welcoming atmosphere—or perhaps everything feels more peaceful than LAX.

Originally named the Orange County Airport, John Wayne Airport is also known as Santa Ana Airport. It is located in an ungoverned area of Orange county, landlocked by the cities of Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Newport Beach.

Some of the airlines serving this airport include;

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• United Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• Breeze Airways
• Frontier Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines

Aside from these commercial airlines, you can also book a private jet to / from John Wayne Airport, offered by JSX.

However, international travellers will still likely want to opt for LAX since this airport only operates two international carriers Air Canada and WestJet.

John Wayne Airport authorizes public transportation, Rideshare apps, and shuttle companies to bring you to your final destination.

• Buses: Greyhound, OCTA

• Rental Cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty

• Ride Shares: Lyft, Uber, Wingz

• Shuttles: ABC Shuttle, Advance Shuttle, Airway One Shuttle, American Shuttle, Apollo Shuttle, Shuttle 2000

• Taxis: Cabco Yellow, Inc.

• Train: AMTRAK, Metrolink, Metro

5. Ontario International Airport (ONT)

🗺️ Distance to Universal Studios Hollywood: 52 mi (84 km)
🚗 Estimated Uber / Lyft Cost: $63 - $101

Ontario International Airport is another major airport near Universal Studios Hollywood.

With its manageable size, navigating Ontario International Airport is significantly easier to navigate when compared to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) which makes it one of the best options for those who want a nice balance between comfort and practicality.

Ontario International Airport is located in Ontario, San Bernardino, California and is the West Coast home airport for UPS Airlines and FedEx Express air and truck hub.

Due to its long runway, Ontario International Airport also serves as an alternate landing site for large aircraft initially destined for LAX.

Like most airports in this list, it offers various airlines for domestic travellers including;

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

If you’re an international tourist, you can opt for Ontario International Airport with these limited available airline flights:

• Avianca
• China Airlines
• Volaris

Ontario International Airport partners with its accredited transportation vehicles. You can wait for your service at its designated area in the ground transportation islands.

• Buses: Antelope Valley Transit Authority, Foothill Transit, Greyhound, Basin Transit, Omnitrans, Orange County Transportation Authority, Palo Verde Valley Transit Authority, Riverside Transit Agency, SunLine Transit Agency, Victor Valley Transit Authority

• Rental Cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty

• Ride Shares: Lyft, Uber, Opoli, Wingz

• Shuttles: Airport Shuttles, Hotel Shuttles

• Taxis: Bell Cab

• Train: AMTRAK, Metrolink, Metro