Book Flights to Burbank, California
Hollywood Burbank Airport is the best LA-area airport for Hollywood studio visits — 15 minutes from Warner Bros., Universal Studios, Disney, and NBC. Southwest, Alaska, United, American, and Delta all serve BUR, often at lower fares and with a far more efficient airport experience than LAX.
BUR's smaller scale means faster connections from plane to car. For Hollywood, Glendale, and the San Fernando Valley, FareOptic compares BUR alongside LAX to find the best total fare and experience.
Cheap Flight Deals to Burbank
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Why Visit Burbank, California?
From Warner Bros. Studio's backlot to Griffith Observatory's Hollywood Sign view and Magnolia Boulevard's antique row, Burbank is the best base for exploring the media capital of the world without the chaos of Hollywood itself.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Hollywood's Most Authentic Studio ExperienceWarner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood — on the active Warner Bros. lot in Burbank — is the most authentic behind-the-scenes Hollywood studio experience available to the public: real working studio streets, sound stages, prop and costume warehouses, and exhibits from beloved film and TV productions. Unlike Universal Studios (a theme park), WB is a genuine working studio — visitors may see active production during their tour.
Stage 48 Studio Experience
Warner Bros. Studio Tour's Stage 48 Experience is the tour's centerpiece: a 2.5-hour walking tour with a tram portion through active back lots (NYC Street, Midwest Street), the Friends set, the Batman and Harry Potter exhibits, the costume vault, and the prop warehouse with items from 100 years of WB production. Book online 2–3 weeks ahead; tours sell out on weekends
NBC Studios and The Tonight Show
Historic Television Production FacilityNBC Studios in Burbank — the home of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (actually filmed at 30 Rock in NYC, but NBC Burbank remains the historic home of The Tonight Show from 1972–2014) and numerous other NBC productions — offers public studio tours. The NBC Burbank campus is where The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, and Conan O'Brien were filmed for decades.
Audience Tickets
Audience tickets for NBC shows filmed in Burbank (including American Ninja Warrior and other productions) are available free through 1iota (formerly 1iota.com). Arrive 60–90 minutes before your confirmed ticket time — tickets are first-come, first-seated. The experience of watching a live television production is one of Los Angeles area's most unique activities
Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Hills
Iconic Observatory Above HollywoodGriffith Observatory — perched on Mount Hollywood in the Santa Monica Mountains above Los Feliz (20 minutes from Burbank via I-5) — offers the most iconic Hollywood Hills view: the Hollywood Sign framed by the observatory dome with the Los Angeles basin below. The observatory itself has a planetarium, astronomy exhibits, and rooftop telescopes open to the public for free evening star viewing.
Hollywood Sign View
The best view of the Hollywood Sign accessible without hiking is from the Griffith Observatory lawn — the iconic white letters on the Hollywood Hills face directly toward the observatory. Visit at sunset for the spectacular LA basin panorama with the Hollywood Sign in the foreground. Evening planetarium shows require tickets ($10–15) purchased at the observatory
Universal Studios Hollywood
Working Film Studio and Theme ParkUniversal Studios Hollywood — 10 minutes from Burbank via I-5 — is the world's oldest working movie studio (since 1912) and a major theme park. The Studio Tour tram ride through active Universal back lots (War of the Worlds plane crash set, Desperate Housewives suburban street, Bates Motel, King Kong 360°) is the park's most distinctive experience. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World are the signature themed areas.
Studio Tour
Universal Studios Hollywood's 45-minute Studio Tour (included in park admission) is the most impressive behind-the-scenes studio backlot experience in the world at theme-park scale — the 3D King Kong 360° and the Skull Island raptor chase are particularly convincing. Visit on a weekday in January–February for 30-minute waits instead of the 60–90 minute summer weekend queues
Burbank's NoHo Arts District and Antique Row
Theater District and Vintage ShoppingThe North Hollywood Arts District (NoHo) — adjacent to Burbank, centered on Lankershim Blvd — is Los Angeles's most concentrated live theater district outside of downtown, with 20+ small theaters presenting original productions. Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank is Southern California's finest antique shopping street: 50+ vintage and antique dealers in a 3-km stretch.
Magnolia Antique Row
Magnolia Boulevard between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista Street is Burbank's defining commercial character — 50+ antique and vintage stores, vintage clothing dealers, mid-century modern furniture shops, and record stores in a walkable strip. Unlike LA's other antique districts, Magnolia Blvd has genuine dealers with eclectic inventory rather than curated luxury consignment
Burbank Town Center and Downtown Burbank
Walkable Downtown in the Heart of the Media CapitalDowntown Burbank — walkable, bikeable, and served by the Metrolink commuter rail — has a genuine small-city character unlike most of the San Fernando Valley: independent restaurants on San Fernando Blvd, the AMC 16 movie theater, the Burbank Town Center mall, and proximity to the studio campuses of Disney, Warner Bros., NBC, and ABC. The media industry concentration makes Burbank the de facto company town of the American entertainment industry.
Media Capital
Burbank is the headquarters of Disney (Riverside Drive campus), Warner Bros. (Barham Blvd), and the original ABC West Coast facility — more entertainment industry employment is concentrated in Burbank than any other single city in California. Many entertainment industry workers based here work in show business but never interact with the visible Hollywood tourist infrastructure
How to Find Cheap Flights to Burbank
BUR Is Closer to Hollywood Studios Than LAX — No Traffic Nightmare
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is 15–20 minutes from the Warner Bros. lot, Universal Studios, NBC Burbank, and Disney. LAX to these same destinations can take 45–90 minutes in traffic. BUR is a smaller, faster airport — from plane to car in 15 minutes vs. 45+ at LAX. For Hollywood studio visits, BUR is strongly preferred.
Compare BUR vs. LAX and BUR vs. SNA for Your LA Destination
The Los Angeles area has 5 major airports: BUR, LAX, LGB, ONT, and SNA. BUR is best for Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley, and Glendale. LAX is best for Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and downtown. Compare all on FareOptic — BUR often has lower fares than LAX on Southwest routes.
Southwest Dominates BUR — Book Tuesdays for Best Fares
Southwest is the largest carrier at BUR, making Burbank one of Southwest's strongest California presences. Southwest often adjusts fares on Tuesday afternoons — monitoring fares 3–6 weeks out on Tuesday afternoons can reveal flash sales. Book BUR well in advance for LA holiday travel (Thanksgiving, Christmas) which sells out 2–3 months early.
Book Warner Bros. and Universal Tours Online in Advance
Both Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Universal Studios Hollywood require advance online booking for the best experience. WB Tours sell out on weekends — book 1–2 weeks ahead minimum. Universal Studios sells timed entry tickets and Express Passes online, with significant savings over walk-up gate admission.
Airlines Serving Burbank (BUR)
Southwest Airlines
Largest BUR Carrier — Best for West CoastSouthwest Airlines is Burbank's largest carrier with the most daily departures to Bay Area, Pacific Northwest, Nevada, Southwest, and select Midwest cities. Southwest's BUR routes cover Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, and other Western US cities — all with no change fees and free bags.
Key Routes
Burbank BUR to San Francisco SFO; BUR to Oakland OAK; BUR to San Jose SJC; BUR to Seattle SEA; BUR to Portland PDX; BUR to Las Vegas LAS; BUR to Denver DEN; BUR to Phoenix PHX; BUR to Sacramento SMF; and other Southwest Western cities
Alaska Airlines
Pacific Northwest Hub — Seattle and PortlandAlaska Airlines provides strong Pacific Northwest connectivity from Burbank, serving Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), and connecting to Alaska's broader network. Alaska's BUR service is reliable and competitive on Pacific Northwest routes.
Key Routes
Burbank BUR to Seattle SEA (multiple daily); BUR to Portland PDX; BUR to San Francisco SFO; BUR to San Jose SJC; connections through SEA to Alaska, Hawaii, and international destinations
United, American & Delta Airlines
Hub Connections to All US DestinationsUnited Airlines serves Burbank via San Francisco (SFO) and connects to the full United network. American connects BUR to Dallas (DFW) and Phoenix (PHX). Delta serves BUR to Salt Lake City (SLC) and Atlanta (ATL). BUR has genuinely competitive airline service across all three legacy carriers.
Key Routes
Burbank BUR to Chicago ORD (United); BUR to Dallas DFW (American); BUR to Phoenix PHX (American); BUR to Atlanta ATL (Delta); BUR to Salt Lake City SLC (Delta); hub connections to all US markets and international
Things to Do in Burbank, California
Essential Info for Your Burbank Trip
State
California (CA) — San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
PST (UTC-8) / PDT (UTC-7) in summer
Airport Code
BUR — Hollywood Burbank Airport (adjacent to downtown Burbank)
Studio Access
Warner Bros. (5 min), Universal Studios (10 min), Disney (5 min), NBC (5 min)
Universal Studios
10 minutes south via I-5 or Cahuenga Pass
Griffith Observatory
20 minutes south via I-5 — Hollywood Sign and LA basin views
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Burbank
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Hollywood Burbank Airport
What airport serves Burbank, California?
Hollywood Burbank Airport (IATA: BUR), formerly Bob Hope Airport, is located in Burbank adjacent to the San Fernando Valley. Southwest, Alaska, United, American, and Delta serve BUR. It is significantly closer to Hollywood studios, Universal Studios, and Glendale than LAX — 15–20 minutes versus 45–90 minutes at LAX in traffic.
Is BUR better than LAX for visiting Hollywood?
For most Hollywood-area activities, BUR is significantly more convenient than LAX. BUR is 15–20 minutes from Warner Bros. Studio, Universal Studios, NBC Burbank, and Disney. The airport itself is smaller and faster — you can be in a rental car 15 minutes after landing versus 45+ minutes at LAX. BUR also often has lower fares on Southwest routes.
What is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour?
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood ($70–170 per person) is a 2.5-hour guided walking tour through the active Warner Bros. Burbank lot — visiting working sound stages, the Friends coffee house set, Batman and Harry Potter exhibits, the costume vault, and the prop warehouse. Unlike Universal Studios, this is a real working studio, not a theme park. Book online 1–2 weeks in advance; weekends sell out.
How far is Universal Studios from Burbank airport?
Universal Studios Hollywood is approximately 10 km (6 miles) from Hollywood Burbank Airport — about 10–15 minutes by car via I-5. The studio is also accessible from BUR via a short cab or rideshare ride. This proximity makes Burbank the obvious airport for Universal Studios visitors.
What is Griffith Observatory?
Griffith Observatory is a 1935 Art Deco planetarium and public astronomy facility on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. It offers the most iconic Hollywood Hills viewpoint, with free daytime access to the grounds, exhibits, and telescopes. Evening planetarium shows ($10–15) and public star-viewing through the Zeiss refractor telescope are the signature experiences.
Is Burbank worth visiting on its own?
Burbank has its own character beyond the studio tours: Downtown Burbank's walkable restaurant and shopping district, Magnolia Boulevard's 50+ antique dealers, and the NoHo Arts District's live theater scene. Combined with Hollywood day trips (15 minutes west), Griffith Park (10 minutes south), and San Fernando Valley food culture, Burbank makes an excellent LA base that avoids the worst LA traffic.
What is the best time to visit Burbank?
October–April offers ideal weather (21–25°C), smaller Hollywood tourist crowds, and lower hotel rates than summer. January–February is the cheapest period with no rain expected and warm days. June–August is warm (30–35°C) but LA traffic is at its worst. Hollywood studios are busiest in summer (school vacation); visit weekdays in fall/winter for significantly shorter tour waits.
How do I get from BUR airport to my hotel?
Rental cars at BUR (covered garage, 2 minutes from terminal). Rideshare (Uber/Lyft: $20–35 to most Burbank/Hollywood hotels). Metrolink commuter rail from the airport station to LA Union Station (50 minutes, $10). City bus Route 155 to Burbank Downtown ($1.75). BUR's small size makes car rental or rideshare pickup extremely fast versus LAX.
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