You're landing at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). It's easy. It's fast. You’re off the plane and into a rental car or an Uber in fifteen minutes flat. But then the reality sets in: you still have to get from Burbank CA to Disneyland. If you look at a map, it doesn't seem like a big deal. It’s maybe 35 miles. In most of America, that's a thirty-minute cruise.
In Los Angeles, that distance is a living, breathing variable that can dictate your entire mood for the day.
Look, Burbank is the superior airport for almost everything else in Southern California, but getting to Anaheim requires crossing the heart of the beast. You're traversing the San Fernando Valley, skirting past Downtown LA, and diving into the industrial sprawl of the Gateway Cities. It's a trek. Honestly, it’s one of the most unpredictable drives in the country.
But it’s doable. People do it every single day. You just need to know which freeway is going to betray you and when to ditch the car entirely for a train.
The Brutal Truth About the Drive
The drive from Burbank CA to Disneyland usually takes about 45 minutes if the universe loves you. If you leave at 10:30 AM on a Tuesday, you might actually see the speedometer hit 65. However, if you land at 4:00 PM on a Friday? Godspeed. You are looking at two hours of brake lights and radio commercials.
🔗 Read more: Why the Metra from Waukegan to Chicago schedule is actually the best way to commute
There are basically three ways to go. Most GPS apps will shove you onto the 5 Freeway (Santa Ana Freeway). It’s the most direct shot. It’s also famously narrow through certain stretches and prone to "phantom traffic" where everyone stops for no reason at all. You pass the tall buildings of DTLA, see the Citadel Outlets' giant wall, and eventually hit the Anaheim resort district.
Then there's the 101 to the 5. Or the 134 to the 210 to the 57.
Wait, the 57? Yeah. Sometimes dipping east toward Pasadena and coming down through Diamond Bar is actually faster than going through the center of the city. It adds miles, sure. But it keeps you moving. Moving feels better than sitting.
Why Burbank is actually better than LAX (sometimes)
People always ask if they should just fly into LAX instead. LAX is closer to Disneyland geographically, but the airport itself is a nightmare of construction and "LAX-it" shuttle loops. Burbank is civilized. You walk out of the terminal, and you're right there. Even if the drive to Anaheim is longer, the lack of airport stress usually makes up for it.
Ride Shares and Shuttles: What it Costs
If you aren't renting a car, you’re looking at Uber or Lyft. A standard X or Lyft will run you anywhere from $50 to $110. Surge pricing is a monster here. If a flight just landed or it’s raining—yes, it rains sometimes—that price doubles.
Don't expect "Disney Shuttles" to be waiting at the curb in Burbank. Unlike Orlando, where the infrastructure is built entirely around the mouse, Burbank is a studio town. It's where Disney makes the movies (at the Walt Disney Studios on Riverside Drive), but it’s not where the theme park is. Most shared-van services like Prime Time Shuttle or SuperShuttle require advanced booking.
If you’re traveling with a family of four, the Uber is almost always cheaper than buying four individual shuttle seats. Plus, you don't have to stop at six different hotels in Buena Park before you finally get to yours.
💡 You might also like: The Biggest Starbucks in Chicago: What You’ll Actually Find Inside
Taking the Train: The Expert Move
Most tourists don't even realize you can do this. It’s kinda the best-kept secret for the Burbank CA to Disneyland route.
The Burbank Airport-South Station is a short walk or a free shuttle ride from the terminal. From there, you can hop on a Metrolink train (Ventura County Line or Antelope Valley Line) to Union Station in Downtown LA. Once you’re at Union Station, you switch to the Pacific Surfliner or the Orange County Line.
- Take the train to the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC).
- Step off the train into a building that looks like a giant glowing spaceship.
- Hop on an Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) bus or a quick $7 Uber to the park gates.
Is it faster? Not always. But it is consistent. The train doesn't get stuck in traffic on the 5. You can sit there, use the Wi-Fi, drink a coffee, and actually watch the city go by instead of white-knuckling the steering wheel while a semi-truck merges into your lane. Just check the schedules. Metrolink runs mostly during commuter hours, while Amtrak’s Surfliner is more frequent but pricier.
Timing is Everything
If you have the flexibility, leave Burbank before 7:00 AM or after 10:00 AM. In the evening, avoid the 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM window like the plague.
There is a specific phenomenon in LA called "The Reverse Commute." It doesn't exist here. Everyone is going everywhere all the time. However, the 5 South is particularly punishing in the afternoon because everyone is heading home to the suburbs in Orange County.
If you’re staying in a hotel near Burbank for a night before heading to the park, use that time to eat at Porto’s Bakery. It’s a local legend. Get the cheese rolls. It’ll make the impending traffic jam much more bearable.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don't trust the first ETA your phone gives you when you land. Check it again ten minutes later. Traffic in the basin can shift 20 minutes in the blink of an eye due to a single stalled car near the 60 interchange.
Also, watch out for carpool lanes (HOV lanes). On most of the route from Burbank CA to Disneyland, you need at least two people in the car to use them. If you've got the kids, use those lanes. They can save you 15 minutes of pure misery. But be careful—some lanes in Southern California are switching to "FastTrak" only, meaning you need a transponder even if you have a full car. The 110 freeway is famous for this, though you likely won't hit that specific one on the Burbank-to-Anaheim run unless your GPS gets really creative.
Making the Trip Work
The distance between the valley and the magic kingdom is a rite of passage for SoCal travelers. It’s the transition from the "Industry" side of Hollywood to the "Fantasy" side of Disney.
🔗 Read more: Weather Prince Rupert BC Canada: Why It Is Actually the Wettest City (and Why Locals Don't Care)
You’re going to pass the iconic LA skyline. You’re going to see the massive murals in Boyle Heights. You might even see the "Dieney" sign if a piece of the 5 freeway signage is missing (it happens).
Actionable Steps for a Smooth Arrival:
- Download the Metrolink and Amtrak apps before you land. Even if you plan to drive, it’s a vital backup plan if a major accident shuts down the 5.
- Check the "Waze" app specifically. In LA, Waze is often better than Google Maps for finding weird surface-street shortcuts through neighborhoods like Commerce or Santa Fe Springs to bypass freeway standstills.
- Pick up your rental car at the Burbank Consolidated Rental Car Facility. It’s an easy walk from the terminal via an elevated moving walkway. No confusing shuttles needed.
- Set your GPS to avoid tolls if you don't have a transponder. While the 5 is free, some alternative routes like the 241 or certain Express Lanes will mail you a hefty fine if you aren't prepared.
- Stash a "traffic kit" in the backseat. Water, snacks, and a portable charger. If you get stuck behind a brush fire or a major wreck, you’ll be glad you have them.
The journey from Burbank CA to Disneyland is the start of the vacation. It’s the transition. Treat it like part of the adventure rather than a chore to be rushed. Once you see the Matterhorn peak peeking over the freeway sound walls, you'll know you've made it through the gauntlet.