Hollywood Burbank Airport, formerly known (and still referred to by yours truly) as Bob Hope, is a gem among US airports. Built for a bygone era, its single greatest strength is that it’s uncomplicated, easy and very small. It’s also convenient to much of the greater Los Angeles area, so next time you default to typing ‘LAX’ into the flight search, spare a thought for this lovely little airfield.
What to expect at Burbank
Here’s what not to expect: modern architecture, extensive food options or big open spaces. It is decidedly dated. But none of that matters because it’s a place you don’t have to linger long. Show up at least an hour before your flight (or two hours during peak holiday periods) and you’ll easily make it.
Finding your gate will never be confusing. In some cases there really isn’t enough space at the boarding areas to accommodate multiple aircraft departing at the same time, but honestly it’s not a big deal. You’re there to board and get going quickly.
Where is it convenient to?
The LAX vs. Burbank choice depends entirely on where you’re headed. LAX is very convenient for LA’s west side (Santa Monica, for example). But for points further east like West Hollywood, Silverlake, Pasadena or downtown LA, Burbank becomes more convenient.
Burbank is ideal for the Valley, where it’s located, and all the population centers that radiate out from there. It’s worth checking driving times because it may be closer to where you’re headed than you think.
Getting to and from Burbank Airport
LA is car mecca so it’ll come as no surprise Burbank is well set up to handle those. But you may be surprised to hear there’s actually a decent list of public transport options too. Considering that traffic can be bad throughout the day and night in LA, you might consider skipping the rental car counter and heading over to the train instead. Efficient intermodal connections in Southern California are not very common, so this is something to celebrate. And I really recommend giving the train a try – it is surprisingly pleasant.
Rail connections
Burbank Airport is a standout among area airports for its direct connection to rail services via the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, which also houses rental cars, parking and buses.
The Burbank Airport–South train station is approximately 1/4 mile from the terminal and can be reached via an elevated walkway to the RITC followed by crossing Empire Avenue. It offers Metrolink service to downtown LA (with connections across Los Angeles) as well as Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains which operate between Santa Barbara and San Diego, with some trains extending to San Luis Obispo. If you’re unable to walk it there’s also a complimentary on-demand shuttle service (operating 5:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. for the South station).
Parking options
While the train is great, the car is going to be the most common way to get to and from BUR, and here the airport has you well covered. There’s parking directly on-site, next to the transport center. A great option though? Burbank Airport offers valet parking 24/7 and if you have an EV they’ll charge it up for you while you’re traveling (for a handling fee). Talk about taking the stress out of airport arrival.
Airlines, destinations & layout
As a small airport, service to Burbank is relatively limited. Don’t expect to find the kinds of frequencies and choice of destinations you’d get at nearby LAX. However Burbank can get you just about anywhere you need to go domestically if you’re willing to take a connection, and there’s nonstop service to many cities in the western US (plus some further afield) as well.
Layout of the airport
Burbank has two terminals, A and B, both in the same building with a total of 14 gates (9 in Terminal A, 5 in Terminal B). The layout is easy to figure out.
Terminal A is superior for overall experience because it’s laid out better. You’ll find Southwest, American and Delta here (jetBlue will return in April 2026). Terminal B is where you’ll check in for United and Spirit. Avelo’s ticket counters are in Terminal A, while Alaska also operates at the airport.
Tip: Don’t forget JSX
Keep in mind that JSX, the semi-private airline (and one I highly recommend) also has a good list of destinations from Burbank. They operate out of a private terminal (Hangar 2) at 4561 West Empire Avenue, separate from the main terminals, which offers even less hassle than the already easy main terminals.
Where you can fly from Burbank
The bigger airlines all offer service to a selection of their hubs out of Burbank. With American Airlines that means Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix. Delta will take you to Salt Lake City or Atlanta. And on United: Denver and San Francisco. A predictable list.
Spirit will take you to Las Vegas. And with Alaska Airlines it gets a little more interesting as they offer service to the likes of Boise, Portland and even Santa Rosa. Alaska has also announced nonstop service to Honolulu, which will become the longest route from BUR.
But the majority of destinations offered are flown by Southwest. The list is long and includes places like Albuquerque and St. Louis. Note that Avelo Airlines recently announced plans to wind down its BUR routes.
What’s coming in the future?
There’s quite a lot coming to Burbank Airport, including a completely new terminal in the works. The good news? It’s not going to be that much bigger. It’ll still have just 14 gates, but they’ll be improving every other aspect of the experience, offering more space in public and boarding areas, a nicer environment to check in and some additional amenities. Might this create a nice blend of convenience, compactness and comfort? Quite possibly.
Even better connections
Plans for the California High Speed Rail project call for an underground station serving the airport located adjacent to the planned replacement terminal (approximately 500 feet away), with pedestrian connections planned between the station and terminal area. So although we don’t know when or really if all that will become a reality (the high speed rail project has faced a number of setbacks and delays), it’ll be a game-changer if and when it does.
Alternatives to BUR
If you’re headed to Los Angeles there are quite a few airports to choose from and depending on your ultimate destination Burbank may not be your best option. That’s why when comparing fares to all LA area airports it’s a really good idea to compare transit times from the airport to where you’re staying as well. In any case, these are your main alternatives.
– LAX. The biggest and most well-known airport, it can be chaotic and messy, but it has a lot of flights and it’s very centrally located, especially if you’re headed to the west side (nearer to the coast).
– Long Beach. This is another great airport to consider because it’s small and it’s not THAT far from the action in LA, but it’s better suited to those of you headed to points further south and east such as Anaheim, Orange County or Long Beach itself.
– Ontario. The one many people forget is another smaller airport mainly serving the so-called Inland Empire to the east of downtown LA. If you’re headed to Santa Monica this one is worth avoiding, but for San Bernardino or further east to the desert, it can be ideal.
Lounges
There are no lounges at Burbank Airport. Remember that thing about this not being a place to linger, but rather to breeze through. My suggestion: head to Jones Coffee Roasters if you have a few minutes to kill.
What to do during a layover
While it’s pretty unlikely you’ll find yourself laying over at Burbank, in case you’re there and at loose ends (maybe your flight got cancelled, for example) it’s good to know what’s around. Here are two options:
If you have 2+ hours: Go to the nearby Mystic Museum, located about 3 miles away on West Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank. It’s a quirky place full of oddities.
If you have 5+ hours: Join a Warner Brothers Studio Tour. The lot is about 3 miles away so it’s a perfect opportunity to do the touristy thing. The experience typically lasts about 3 hours, consisting of an approximately 1-hour guided tour followed by a self-guided experience, so I’d try and have some time available.
Airport hotels
There are a handful of hotels around Burbank Airport, the usual chains with few surprises and not much to recommend them. However I would pick the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank simply because it’s convenient, located directly across the street from the airport grounds.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
