How are SNA and BUR compared to LAX?

[lisah0711]

I know this has been discussed before but I can't seem to find a recent thread.

I have been flying into LAX because I could get nonstop flights from Spokane. Those days are over so I could fly into SNA or BUR with similar prices and connections. Am I really going to save time flying into one of these other airports? We do rent a car. I am leaning toward SNA hoping maybe the grocery run will be easier and I might get to the park 1/2 an hour earlier!

Any words of wisdom?

 

[spokanemom]

Definitely choose SNA. It is the closest of the 3 choices. You will find SNA to be similar to what we are used to at Spokane Airport. That is always my airport of choice to fly in & out of.

This is the terminal. Very easy to navigate. Just like ours!

http://www.ocair.com/parking/TerminalMap.htm

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks for the info and have a great time on your ABD trip!

 

[vpalmer]

Check your rental car rates. I did a quick check on Travelocity because I could see all the rates from several different companies in a chart. We chose BUR because car rental rates (2 week one way rental) was half the price at BUR over LAX. The airfare was the same to both airports.

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks for the advice. The rental car is about $75 more in SNA but I didn't try with any of my Costco codes. That is something to consider.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

SNA is a nice little airport. We flew into it last year. It was clean and seemed on the quiet side. Could not be any easier to go from the plane, to bag collection to the DL Express.

 

[FlameGirl]

You definitely do NOT want Burbank. It's a great little airport if you're up that way, but you're looking at over an hour to drive to Anaheim on a good LA traffic day.

Avoid at all costs.

SNA is a dream.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

What about LGB ~ I love that little airport.

 

[vpalmer]

You definitely do NOT want Burbank. It's a great little airport if you're up that way, but you're looking at over an hour to drive to Anaheim on a good LA traffic day.

Avoid at all costs.

SNA is a dream.

Is this at all times of the day? We arrive at 10:45 am on a Tuesday and I thought we might avoid heavy traffic during that time frame.

 

[FlameGirl]

Is this at all times of the day? We arrive at 10:45 am on a Tuesday and I thought we might avoid heavy traffic during that time frame.

You might get lucky, but I definitely would prepare for a long drive.

I've been stuck in that exact drive for 3+ hours at the most random times...you just can never predict LA traffic.

 

[Pollito916]

SNA is much closer to DL, while BUR is much closer to Universal, so depends on where you will be going. If only DL, I would do SNA. They are both small, convenient airports. I much prefer both to LAX and try to use them if possible.

 

[Pollito916]

You might get lucky, but I definitely would prepare for a long drive.

I've been stuck in that exact drive for 3+ hours at the most random times...you just can never predict LA traffic.

I agree with FlameGirl - LA traffic is too unpredictable. It's taken me over an hour to get from Burbank to Wilshire, which is normally a 20 minute drive or so.

 

[lisah0711]

What about LGB ~ I love that little airport.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will have to see if anyone flies from Spokane to Long Beach -- SWA doesn't but maybe Alaska does. I'm leaning toward SNA now thanks to all your comments!

 

[jlmarr]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will have to see if anyone flies from Spokane to Long Beach -- SWA doesn't but maybe Alaska does. I'm leaning toward SNA now thanks to all your comments!

I believe Delta and Alaska fly to LGB. It's an easy drive from LGB to DLR, about 14 miles.

 

[brergnat]

SNA is our "home" airport, since it's only 5 min from our house! We LOVE it.

HATE LAX.

Sort of disliked Long Beach. Just flew LGB-MCO last week. That airport is TOO SMALL. I mean, it's literally a building smaller than a Target store. You have to board and deplane out on the tarmac (was sort of traumatizing to my young son). Bag claim is ONE carousel, outside. There is not enough seating or services in the terminal.

I will only fly LGB again if we HAVE to use Jet Blue (which is why we did so last week...).

SWA into and out of SNA is the BEST option!

 

[heatherleigh]

Definitely go w/ SNA. My mom flew in there and said it was super easy & convenient. We plan on flying out of there on our trip this fall.

 

[CruiserMom]

Sorry about hijacking...but can anyone give an opinion whether we would be better off renting a car from SNA to drive to DLR, or using a car service? We are staying close to DLR and using their shuttle to go back and forth for the 3 days we are there, so I'm thinking we only need a car to get back and forth to the airport.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I love Burbank (I'd better - I live there), but I agree with everyone else in that if you are starting and ending your tour in DL, you don't want to fly into the opposite side of town.

 

[Pollito916]

Sort of disliked Long Beach. Just flew LGB-MCO last week. That airport is TOO SMALL. I mean, it's literally a building smaller than a Target store. You have to board and deplane out on the tarmac (was sort of traumatizing to my young son). Bag claim is ONE carousel, outside. There is not enough seating or services in the terminal.

I forgot that BUR is similar, where you board and deplane on the tarmac, and there are only 2 small baggage carousels, outside, but covered. I think there is plenty of seating at BUR, though.

Sorry about hijacking...but can anyone give an opinion whether we would be better off renting a car from SNA to drive to DLR, or using a car service? We are staying close to DLR and using their shuttle to go back and forth for the 3 days we are there, so I'm thinking we only need a car to get back and forth to the airport.

Maybe try a shuttle to the hotel? That's probably the cheapest option if you don't need the rental car.

 

[FlameGirl]

Sorry about hijacking...but can anyone give an opinion whether we would be better off renting a car from SNA to drive to DLR, or using a car service? We are staying close to DLR and using their shuttle to go back and forth for the 3 days we are there, so I'm thinking we only need a car to get back and forth to the airport.

You don't need a car - you can take a taxi for about $45 each way if there are few enough people to fit into a taxi.