What Is The Closest Airport To Universal Studios Hollywood?
Wondering what the closest airport is to Universal Studios Hollywood? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
So what is the closest airport to Universal Studios Hollywood?
While LAX is the more popular airport option, the Hollywood Burbank Airport is much closer to Universal Studios Hollywood.
The Burbank airport is only 6 miles away, while LAX is about 25 miles away.
Whether you drive, use a rideshare service, or take public transportation, it will always be quicker to get to Universal Studios Hollywood from the Burbank airport.
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What Is The Closest Airport To Universal Studios Hollywood?
The Hollywood Burbank Airport is the closest airport to Universal Studios Hollywood.
You may have also heard of it referred to as the Bob Hope Airport.
It is only 6 miles away by car and it’s only about a 20 minute drive.
With traffic, it can take as long as 35 minutes.
Without traffic, it can be as short as a 15 minute drive.
The next closest airport is LAX, which is about 25 miles away.
If you’re flying into LAX, check out our LAX to Universal Studios Hollywood guide.
Another option is the Long Beach Airport, which is a little less than 35 miles away.
Best Ways To Get From The Hollywood Burbank Airport To Universal Studios Hollywood
There are a few ways you can get from the Burbank Airport to Universal Studios Hollywood.
These are the ones we recommend.
1. Drive
The easiest way to get from the Burbank Airport to Universal Studios Hollywood is to just drive.
Depending on traffic, your GPS will send you one of three ways.
The typical route would be to take N Hollywood Way to Barham Blvd.
From Barham Blvd, you’ll follow the signs to the Universal Studios parking garage.
An alternate route is about 10 miles.
This route takes you along the 101 South into Universal.
A third option does a mix of both and is about 8 miles.
2. Rideshare
If you don’t have your own vehicle, then taking a ride share service is also a great option.
Since it’s a pretty short drive, it won’t be the most expensive Uber, Lyft, or taxi ride you’ve ever taken, and it’s cheaper than a rental car and paying for parking (considering you’ll spend about $35 at Universal).
Plus if you’re riding with friends, you can all split the cost and it becomes even more affordable.
A bonus perk is that you get dropped off much closer to the entrance of the theme park than if you have to park in the parking garage.
Doing a quick search in the middle of the day on a Thursday in Winter, I can see that through Lyft, the pricing starts at $16.
Some other options include Lyft XL (a larger vehicle that holds up to 6 passengers), which also starts at $22 or the Lyft Black (VIP style), which starts at $41.
Then you have to consider how much you would leave for a tip.
So I would use these numbers as the absolute minimum that it might cost to do this option and keep in mind that during peak hours these numbers could easily double.
Additionally, at this airport, all rideshare pickups are outside the Terminal B baggage claim.
3. Public Transportation
I’m putting this option last for a reason, but it’s still an option.
If it were me and I had to take public transportation, this is what I would do:
Take metro bus 165 from the airport to the Vanowen/Lankershim stop, which should be the 7th stop.
Then, I’d take metro bus 224 to the Lankershim/Valleyheart stop, which should be the 17th stop.
From there, it’s a short walk up to the entrance of the theme parks or City Walk.
This option takes about an hour.
It should only cost $1.75 per person.
The metro fare is $1.75 per person for a one way fare and it’s good for transfers for up to 2 hours.
I personally wouldn’t use the public transportation option alone, at night, or with children.
But if you’re traveling with at least 3 adults and at least one of them makes you feel like you’d be safe and protected, then it’s a relatively safe option.
As you can see, there are at least 5 different options, so I would just input this into Google Maps, click the public transportation option and see what routes make the most sense at the time of your visit.
Where To Stay Near Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a much smaller property overall than the Orlando location, so there is not an official hotel district.
However, there are a couple hotels that are in the perfect location just outside the front gate.
✅ Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
This Hilton property is the perfect vacation stay.
There are even rooms with views directly overlooking Universal Studios Hollywood.
👉 Click Here To Book Your Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Stay Now!
✅ Sheraton Universal Hotel
We personally try to prioritize brand loyalty, when choosing hotels, so if you’re not a Hilton Honors member, consider this Sheraton!
It’s only a 2 minute walk from Universal Studios Hollywood.
👉 Click Here To Book Your Sheraton Universal Hotel Stay Now!
Fun Things To Do Near Universal Studios Hollywood
Other popular activities around LA include Secret Spots In Los Angeles, Winery Day Trips, Hikes, and activities in South Bay.
You can also explore popular restaurants in Los Angeles including the Best Romantic Restaurants, Best Birthday Restaurants, and Best Rooftop Restaurants.
If you’re visiting in the Fall, check out all the Fun Things To Do In Los Angeles In September and October.
Since the pandemic there are a few events that haven’t yet returned like Malibu Wine Safari and Pumpkin Nights, but there’s still plenty to do.
Our favorite yearly activities include Nights of the Jack, Carved at Descanso Gardens, LIGHTS OUT at Pomona Fairplex, and Oktoberfest at Pomona Fairplex.
Lastly, if you’re visiting in the Winter, we highly recommend the LA Zoo Holiday Lights.
There are some Winter favorites that haven’t returned since the pandemic either like Malibu Lights: Winter Nights and Snow Day LA at Elysian Park, but again, there’s still plenty to do that time of year.
Just be sure to check the forecast for snow in Los Angeles because we actually had some recently!
Resources For Planning Your Trip To Hollywood
If you need help planning your trip to Hollywood, check out our Tips For Planning A Trip To Anywhere (A Step-By-Step Guide).
Read our Best Tips For Staying Safe When Traveling During Extreme Weather if you’re traveling during the extreme heat in Summer or the rain in Winter.
Also check out our Best Tips For Staying Well While You Travel if you’re prone to getting colds or have allergies when you travel or have other ailments.
Lastly, if you’re traveling on a budget, read up on our Best Tips For Traveling On A Budget: Your Guide To Planning An Affordable Trip.
Conclusion: What Airport Is Closest To Universal Studios Hollywood?
The Hollywood Burbank Airport is the closest airport to Universal Studios Hollywood.
It’s only a 6 mile drive away and you can get there in anywhere from 15-30 minutes.
LAX is still a great option though since it’s a larger airport hub and tends to have cheaper flights.
