LAX vs BUR morning Flights (Traffic, TSA, etc.)

[clb79]

We are planning a trip this fall where we are wanting to fly in and out in the mornings. We are debating BUR vs LAX. We are looking at arrival times between 8:00-9:00am on a Thursday and then possibly going to Magic Mountain that day (if they follow previous fall schedules open 10:00-6:30pm or something like that). BUR would definitely put us closer to SFMM on arrival day to do that. However, we are planning on an 8am or 9am departure the following Monday and don't know traffic wise if it is easier to get from DLR area to LAX or BUR in the morning. Which airport coming home will be easier to get to and navigate on an early Monday morning?

 

[Lumpy1106]

I had to re-read to see that SFMM is in the picture. In that case, Burbank, 100%. If no SFMM, LGB and SNA are both MUCH closer to DL and FAR easier to navigate. LAX would be a last resort, but is usually the choice because it is so much cheaper.

 

[wassily]

Where are you coming from for your departure flight? Figure Anaheim, but don't want to assume as don't know your schedule.

 

[clb79]

Where are you coming from for your departure flight? Figure Anaheim, but don't want to assume as don't know your schedule.

The DLR area we are debating a few hotels still, but somewhere on Harbor for sure.

 

[wassily]

The DLR area we are debating a few hotels still, but somewhere on Harbor for sure.

Can you fly out of LGB or SNA?

For an 8am flight.. you'll need to leave around 5am for LAX.
It's actually not bad from Anaheim to LAX that early.. doing some "reverse traffic".
Probably take you at worst 1 hour, but probably can get there in 40 minutes.
Then add in more time if you are dropping off car rentals and stuff.

For Burbank, the travel there is worse from Anaheim compared to LAX if you leave at 5-6am in my opinion.
You'll still have to cut through downtown which will add time.
What will save you at Burbank is that the drop off for car rental and the time to get to the gates will be ALOT faster. So I think it balances out with LAX in terms of total time to get to the gate.

Either way, 5am is probably a "safe" time to leave your hotel. 6am is pushing it. Can do it, but will add stress.

 

[clb79]

The cost is quite a bit more out of LGB and SNA and the flight schedule doesn't work for us (no direct flights and longer layovers and stuff) on top of the higher price. I have flown into both of those airports before and had great experiences. Hopefully they will add more flights that will work better in the future. This is a quick trip squeezed in between other things which has limited our flexibility and options this time around.

 

[twincruisers]

Given what you are saying, if convenience is the most important, I'd fly into BUR and fly out of SNA/LGB to minimize car travel times. If cost is a concern, I'd probably do LAX because I would want the back-up times in case something goes wrong with my flight and most likely cheaper options for flying and car rentals. But yeah be ready to wake up early and get on the road before 5:30am if you are going to depart at 8am. LA traffic can get bad after a few accidents.

 

[clb79]

Given what you are saying, if convenience is the most important, I'd fly into BUR and fly out of SNA/LGB to minimize car travel times. If cost is a concern, I'd probably do LAX because I would want the back-up times in case something goes wrong with my flight and most likely cheaper options for flying and car rentals. But yeah be ready to wake up early and get on the road before 5:30am if you are going to depart at 8am. LA traffic can get bad after a few accidents.

Well it was an opportune booking time for us. Southwest started their 50th Anniversary Fall Sale today. We ended up being able to take advantage and will fly into BUR and try to head straight to SFMM from the airport and will fly home out of SNA on a direct flight and with the sale fares it ended up being cheaper than what I had priced out for roundtrip out LAX or BUR. Yes those flights are are on sale too and are still cheaper, but I spending less than I would have yesterday and am avoiding the stress of having to get everyone up super early and trying to navigate the morning commute. The rental car cost didn't change at all even with a different pickup/drop off location, so that was icing on the cake too.

 

[SeaDis]

Well it was an opportune booking time for us. Southwest started their 50th Anniversary Fall Sale today. We ended up being able to take advantage and will fly into BUR and try to head straight to SFMM from the airport and will fly home out of SNA on a direct flight and with the sale fares it ended up being cheaper than what I had priced out for roundtrip out LAX or BUR. Yes those flights are are on sale too (and are cheaper). The way I see it I am saving a few bucks from what I would have spent yesterday and am avoiding the stress of having to get everyone up super early and trying to navigate the morning commute. The rental car cost didn't change at all even with a different pickup/drop off location, so that was icing on the cake too.

That's great. I have done the early morning BUR arrival to SFMM with rental car. It's super easy. I didn't catch if you have been to BUR before. But the rental car facility is connected to the terminal with covered walkways and moving sidewalks. No shuttles at all. It's next best thing to LGB, SNA rental car locations (in that order).

 

[clb79]

This will be my first time flying into BUR. No shuttles is fantastic.

 

[wassily]

This will be my first time flying into BUR. No shuttles is fantastic.

It's a very small/compact airport. Very convenient.
The runways are short, so when you land, the pilot will brake harder.

 

[Lumpy1106]

It's a very small/compact airport. Very convenient.
The runways are short, so when you land, the pilot will brake harder.

Still less exciting than taking off out of SNA when the Santa Ana winds are really kicking up. Easily one of the scariest flights I've been on.