Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) Flights & Information

Hollywood Burbank Airport, previously known as Bob Hope Airport, is a regional airport located in Burbank, California. It is served by eight airlines, which connect with destinations around the U.S. It is known as an exceptionally convenient airport thanks to its two small terminals, quick security queues, and low-key vibe. In my opinion, it’s the easiest, most low stress airport in the U.S. and a pleasure to fly through.

Getting to and from Hollywood Burbank Airport

Hollywood Burbank Airport is located three miles from downtown Burbank and 14 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Many passengers, including me, opt to drive, especially when coming from the San Fernando Valley or Hollywood. However, there are several public transportation options available for travelers.

Driving

Driving in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas is a stressful experience. In my experience, traffic is usually busy and it gets much worse during rush hour. Still, like many people, I choose to drive to and from the airport, especially if I have a lot of luggage. Regardless of where in the city you’re coming from it’s worth giving yourself a lot of extra time to make the drive. I recommend using Google Maps or Waze to find the best route and avoid any traffic jams.

Buses and trains

Burbank Airport has its own transportation center, the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC). Both Metro Bus and BurbankBus stop in the RITC. The BurbankBus, the local bus company, connects travelers to downtown Burbank and the Metro North Hollywood Station. Los Angeles locals tend to avoid public transportation in favor of cars, but the bus is a good way to get to the Metro station, which connects to the rest of the city.

Burbank Airport connects with Amtrak trains via the Burbank Airport-South Train Station, and with Metrolink trains at Burbank Airport-South Train Station and Burbank Airport-North Station. The Metrolink trains go as far north as Ventura and Lancaster, while the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner stops at the airport and runs from Santa Barbara to San Diego on most days.

The two train stations are not directly connected to the airport, so passengers will need to get a shuttle. The shuttles are available on demand and don’t run continuously. Check the Burbank Airport website for the correct phone number to call to request a shuttle or ask an airport employee. Despite the slight challenge of getting on a shuttle, I’ve found that the trains are a great way to journey outside Los Angeles from the airport.

Shuttle services

Those who prefer door-to-door service can book a shuttle service, like PrimeTime Shuttle, which picks up and drops off directly outside Burbank Airport. There are also several nearby hotels that offer courtesy shuttles to and from the airport, including Hotel Burbank, Safari Inn, and Hotel Amarano. In my experience, it’s best to check with your hotel in advance to see if they have a shuttle service since not all of them do.

Taxis and ride shares

There are three taxi companies that operate out of Burbank Airport: United Taxi, LA City Cab, and Beverly Hills Cab. Follow the signs for ground transportation when you land to grab a taxi, which can be expensive depending on how far you are going.

Those traveling farther than downtown Burbank or to nearby Hollywood may want to grab an Uber or Lyft instead. Rideshare services pick up outside of Terminal B, making it easy to use your preferred app. Uber and Lyft tend to be slightly less expensive than taxis whenever I’ve needed one from the airport to Los Angeles.

Rental cars

The Regional Intermodal Transportation Center also houses the rental car options at Burbank Airport. There are 10 rental car companies available, including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Dollar. To return your rental car at BUR, follow signs to Avenue B, accessed through the Hollywood Way or Empire Avenue airport entrances.

Parking at Hollywood Burbank Airport

There are several parking options at Hollywood Burbank Airport: short-term, long-term, and valet. Travelers can use the long-term parking lots for up to 30 days and they vary by price. I prefer one of the economy lots, which are accessible via shuttle to and from the airport terminal building. Short-term parking is more expensive, so it’s best used for quick pick-ups and drop-offs.

Those who want a little extra attention can take advantage of the valet parking. When you depart, follow signs to the Valet Center, where someone will take your car. When you land, call or text the Valet Center so your car will be ready. It’s more expensive than the self-pay lots, but has the added bonus of a car wash or electric vehicle charging.

It is easiest to pay for airport parking with a credit or debit card. Although some of the lots have cashier booths, you will get in and out of the airport faster using one of the Express Pay Stations, which allow travelers to enter and exit with a credit card rather than a printed parking ticket. Note that Economy Lot C doesn’t accept cash.

Navigating the terminals

Hollywood Burbank Airport is compact and very easy to get around. There are two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, which are located inside the same building. Each terminal has a separate entrance and separate security screening areas. The only real difference between the terminals is which airlines use them and which restaurants and shops are available. In my experience, they are equally efficient and straight-forward.

Terminal A

Terminal A has nine gates and is used by Southwest, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Delta. This terminal tends to be slightly busier because it has a few more gates and there are frequent Southwest flights. It has more food and drink options than Terminal B, although the Burbank Airport is continuing to add new restaurants and shops into both terminals. Terminal A also offers nursing pods between Gates A4 and A5.

There are several casual eateries in Terminal A, including Sammich Joint, Guy’s Burger Joint, and Diane Mina’s Backyard Bar & Eats. The choice can be somewhat limited, especially early in the morning, so I often bring my own snacks or meals. There are two Hudson News shops in the terminal, which are great for grabbing bottled drinks or a book to read on the plane.

Terminal B

Terminal B has five gates and is used by Alaska Airlines, Avelo, United, and Spirit Airlines. It is a smaller terminal with a more compact waiting area, but it does not usually get super busy, which makes it my preferred terminal. Because it’s smaller, there are less restaurants and shops, although Guy Fieri’s Burbank Kitchen + Bar is a decent place to get lunch or a drink before the flight. There are nursing pods available across from Gate B4.

Terminal B does not have a Hudson News, so if you need a book or magazine it’s best to purchase one at the location outside security. Despite the lack of shops, in my experience Terminal B is a low stress place to fly from, which makes up for the scarce amenities.

Airport security

If you hate airport security you may change your mind after experiencing it at Burbank Airport. The airport is known for its fast security lines, which are notably low stress. BUR recommends arriving at least one hour ahead of a flight and I can confirm that this is more than enough time. If it’s a holiday weekend or a particularly busy travel period add an extra hour just in case, but it’s never taken me more than a few minutes to breeze through.

Each terminal has a separate security checkpoint, so make sure you are entering the correct one, especially if you’ve checked in online and already have your boarding pass. In my experience, Terminal B typically has shorter lines since it’s the smaller of the two terminals.

Wi-Fi and services

Burbank Hollywood Airport has offered free Wi-Fi for years, long before other airports caught on. It’s provided by local news channel NBC4, a fun detail, and is available throughout the terminals. It’s generally reliable, although if you want to download a TV series or movie offline before a flight it’s best to do that at home.

BUR is pet-friendly and passengers flying with their furry pals can take advantage of the two pet relief areas. There is an outdoor area before security and an indoor area in Terminal A near Gate A4.

Airport hotels

Hollywood Burbank Airport is very close to downtown Burbank, which has plenty of hotel options. If you need something even closer to the airport there are a few possibilities. The Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport is located directly outside the airport, making it the one I would pick for convenience. A few blocks away, travelers can find the Ramada by Wyndham Burbank Airport, Quality Inn Burbank Airport, and Extended Stay America - Los Angeles - Burbank Airport.

If you prefer something a little more fun, the Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel, is less than 10 minutes away by car. The historic, vintage Hollywood hotel is whimsical and charming, with an outdoor swimming pool. In my opinion, it’s worth the extra drive to stay there if you need to be close to the airport.