Airports Near Disneyland: Best Time-Saving Tips

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When you start planning your Disneyland trip, which airport you fly into will be one of the first things to consider. Right up there alongside Disneyland hotels. There are several great airports near Disneyland to choose from, so you can find the one that suits you best.

Whether your biggest priority is saving money, how far it is from Disneyland, or which airlines fly into that airport, these are all important things to keep in mind when you start your search.

Planning a trip to Disneyland?

Where to Stay in Disneyland:

  1. The Westin Anaheim Resort (Very close to the park, tons of room options)
  2. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (Direct access to the park + perks)
  3. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate (Free breakfast, kids stay free)

Best Tours and Experiences in Disneyland:

  1. Save $25 on Los Angeles 5-day Go Card including Universal Studios Hollywood! 
  2. Whale-Watching and Orange County Beaches Tour from Anaheim (A great adventure!)
  3. Universal Studios Round Trip Transportation from Anaheim

In this post, we’ll show you the nearest airport options, how far they are from Disneyland, which airlines fly into each, and what transportation options there are from each airport to the Anaheim area. This will help you choose the right airport for your unique travel plans.

Planning your trip? We’ve got tons of helpful Disney planning guides from our awesome list of 40 essential tips, to how to get to Disneyland, where to stay near Disney, what to pack, what to wear, where to park, and what to eat in both Disneyland and California Adventure.

A family with luggage at the airport

Airports Near Disneyland: Overview

Before we get lost in the details, let’s take a quick look at the options.

AirportsAverage Distance to Disneyland
John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA)14 miles
Long Beach Airport (LGB)18 miles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)33 miles
Ontario International Airport (ONT)35 miles
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)40 miles

Note: It’s important to note that travel times can vary greatly depending on the time of day. These are average times. You will need to account for traffic during peak hours, or for holiday traffic, etc. Always give yourself a nice buffer of time in case something happens.

The 5 Airports Near Disneyland

Yes, there are five different airports within 15-40 miles of Anaheim! That gives you a ton of options. Now you can look at the specific details below to see which suits you best for airlines and ground transportation options.

1. The Nearest Option: John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA)

John Wayne airport
(Photo credit: CC 3.0 by Don Ramey Logan)
  • Santa Ana, California
  • 14.3 miles from Disneyland

The Santa Ana John Wayne airport is the closest to Disneyland and depending on traffic the trip takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

This airport will work for you if you fly domestically with Alaska, Allegiant, Southwest, Sun Country, United, Spirit, Frontier, American, or Delta airlines. If you’re flying internationally, you can go with WestJet or Air Canada.

As a plus, it covers a huge list of non-stop destinations, from Aspen’s ASE to Salt Lake City’s SLC. The airport also serves Puerto Vallarta, San Jose, Vancouver, and Calgary.

Ground Transportation

  • Buses & Trains – Several buses and trains service this airport. Check here for information.
  • Shuttle service – Check the airports list of shuttle services. We like Lansky shuttle, a car service that provides car seats and has a complimentary 30-minute grocery/fast food stop on the way to the hotel. Johnny’s California Shuttle and Karmal Shuttle are also options. Make reservations in advance.
  • Ride share – Lyft, Uber, and Wingz. Check apps for varied pricing.
  • Taxis – Taxis are available at the Ground Transportation Center or Terminal C on the arrival level.
  • Car rental – The rental office is located on the arrival level between terminal A and B. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty car rental companies.

2. Best for Direct Flights: Long Beach Airport (LGB)

Long Beach airport
(Photo credit: CC 2.0 by Atomic Taco)
  • Long Beach, California
  • 18 miles from Disneyland

The travel time from Long Beach airport to Disneyland is around 26 minutes, depending on traffic.

Long Beach airport can be a good fit if you want a direct flight. The downside here is that there are no international airlines coming into Long Beach, but you can fly American, Delta, Southwest, or Hawaiian from further destinations.

While it doesn’t have as many amenities as other options you won’t be suffering in long lines. It’s a breeze to get through this airport.

Transportation

  • Buses & Trains – Several buses and trains service this airport. Check the airport’s transportation information.
  • Shuttle serviceLansky shuttle is a car service that provides car seats and has a complimentary 30 minute grocery/fast food stop on the way to the hotel. Johnny’s California Shuttle and Karmal Shuttle are also options. Make reservations in advance.
  • Ride share – Lyft, Uber, Opoli, and Wingz. Check apps for pricing. Pricing will vary.
  • Taxis – Taxis are available outside the terminal next to Parking Structure A.
  • Car rental – The rental office is located in the airport ground transportation center across the street from the terminal. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National car rental companies.

3. Best for International Flights: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

A plane flying out of LAX
  • Los Angeles, California
  • 34 miles from Disneyland

Los Angeles International Airport is 45 minutes to an hour away from Disneyland depending on traffic, which can be quite bad at times.

Overall, LAX serves most major US airports, including 15 California airports. It welcomes Spirit, Sun Country, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, Allegiant, United, Delta, and American airlines.

Internationally, it welcomes a plethora of airlines, including Aeroflot, Xiamen, British Airways, Volaris, Austrian, Qatar Airlines, Saudia, Qantas, All Nippon, Norwegian, Lufthansa, KLM, Air New Zealand, Air France, Air China, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, and many more.

Because of the vast airline choices going into LAX, often you’ll find a better deal and better flight times going here than one of the smaller airports. You can then use those savings to pay for ground transportation.

LAX is a busy and chaotic airport. If you can fly into any other airport, we advice you do so. Bigger isn’t always better, unless you get a really good deal.

Transportation

  • Buses & Trains – Several buses and trains service this airport. Check here for information.
  • Shuttle serviceLansky shuttle is a car service that provides car seats and has a complimentary 30 minute grocery/fast food stop on the way to the hotel. Johnny’s California Shuttle and Karmal Shuttle are also options. Make reservations in advance.
  • Ride share – Ride share pick-up is located at the LAX-it lot next to Terminal 1. Lyft, Uber, and Opoli. Check apps for pricing. Pricing will vary.
  • Taxis – Taxis are available at 3 locations. LAX-it lot (next to Terminal 1), inside Parking Structure 3(between Terminal B and Terminal 3), or at the far end of Terminal 7(outside baggage claim).
  • Car rental – The rental office is located off the airport grounds. The companies will meet passengers under the purple Rental Car Shuttles sign on the lower levels outside of baggage claim. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Sixt, Thrifty, and Zipcar car rental companies.

There is an LAX shuttle to Disneyland that might be convenient but can be quite costly for a smaller family.

4. Best for Cheap Airlines: Ontario International Airport (ONT)

Inside Ontario international airport
(Photo credit: CC 2.0 by Frederick Dennstedt)
  • Ontario, California
  • 32 miles from Disneyland

Driving from Ontario International Airport will take you around an hour by car. We fly into this airport all the time and while it’s small and convenient to get in and out of, there is often heavy traffic in the area that slows down the journey.

Domestically, it serves United, Southwest, JetBlue, Hawaiian, Frontier, American Delta, and Alaska. Plus, it serves Volaris, China Airlines, and Avianca International Airlines.

If you want to fly into Anaheim on a budget, you should be able to find some affordable options at the Ontario International Airport, as long as you don’t mind the longer drive to Disneyland.

Transportation

  • Buses & Trains – Several buses and trains service this airport. Check here for information.
  • Shuttle service – Check here for information on shuttle services at Ontario airport. Lansky shuttle is a car service that provides car seats. They only provide airport drop-off service to Ontario airport. Make reservations in advance.
  • Ride share – Ride share pick-up is located outside of each terminal. Look for the Ride-Share Pick Up Signs. Lyft, Uber, Wingz, and Opoli. Check apps for pricing. Pricing will vary.
  • Taxis – Taxis are available in front of every terminal, on the outer island.
  • Car rental – The rental office is located off the airport grounds. The airport shuttle, that runs every 5-20 minutes, will take you to the car rental counter. The pick-up is located at the Terminal island(between the parking lots and the terminal buildings). Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty car rental companies.

5. Best for Traveling With Kids: Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)

Hollywood Burbank Airport
(Photo credit: CC 3.0 by Minnaert)
  • Burbank, California
  • 40 miles from Disneyland

The furthest airport from Disneyland, the drive from Hollywood Burbank Airport will take you between an hour and an hour and a half by car.

Burbank isn’t the most convenient in terms of distance from Anaheim, but the experience should be the best there is.

Being a small (555 acres) airport, it’s not hard to navigate, which makes it easier for those traveling with little kids. For reference, LAX covers 2,950 acres, and ONT is at 1,741 acres. We always appreciate the more streamlined, relaxed experience there.

It also welcomes a lot of domestic airlines, including Spirit, JetBlue, Frontier, Avelo, United, Alaska, Delta, Southwest, and American. Internationally, you can fly Flair into Burbank.

Transportation

  • Buses & Trains – Several buses and trains service this airport. Check here for information.
  • Shuttle service – Check here for information on shuttle services at Hollywood Burbank airport. Lansky shuttle is a car service that provides car seats and has a complimentary 30 minute grocery/fast food stop on the way to the hotel. Make reservations in advance.
  • Ride share – Ride share pick-up is located at the ground transportation island across from the Terminal B entrance. Lyft, Uber, Wingz, and Opoli. Check apps for pricing. Pricing will vary.
  • Taxis – Taxis are available on the ground transportation island in front of the terminal.
  • Car rental – The rental counter is located using the elevated walkway adjacent to the Valet Center in front of the terminal. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty car rental companies.

Where to Stay Near Disneyland

Disneyland Hotel pool area
Photo by Go Travel California

There are many options for great places to stay near Disneyland, but we definitely recommend staying at a Disney hotel if at all possible.

The three Disney-owned on-site hotels are The Disneyland Hotel, The Grand Californian and Paradise Pier. All three offer early entry to both parks for their guests. The Disneyland Hotel and The Grand Californian offer wonderful dining options as well as character dining.

If you want to stay right across the street from the park, try the Park Vue Inn (3-minute walk) or the Best Western Plus Park Place Inn-Mini Suites (4-minute walk).

How to Get to Disneyland

Kylo Ren show
Photo by Go Travel California

These are the main airports to choose from to get to Disneyland: 

  • John Wayne Airport in Orange County (SNA) – 15 Miles from the park. 
  • Long Beach Airport (LGB) – 25 Miles from the park. 
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 35 Miles from the park. 
  • Hollywood Burbank Airport, Bob Hope Airport (BUR) – 45 Miles from the park.  

Drive times vary depending on the time of day. On-site car rental, taxis, and rideshares are available at all airports.

Uber and Lyft are convenient options. Consider checking the price of both before deciding. Prices will vary depending on the time of day.

Shuttle services can be reserved in advance. Lansky shuttle car service has a complimentary 30 minute grocery/fast food stop on the way to the hotel and they provide car seats. Karmal Shuttle car service only goes to LAX and John Wayne Airport and they don’t provide car seats.

Tips for Visiting Disneyland

Getting to and into Disneyland can be a challenge but not one that you can’t master with a few of our top tips. Here are some of the things we recommend everyone do to make their trip to Disneyland exciting and smooth. Read all of our 40+ Disneyland Tips.

1. Download the Disneyland App

You can and will do everything from the Disneyland app (Apple Store | Android store) before you leave, while you are there, and even when you get home. Mobile ordering snacks and meals is super easy. Check ride times, use the map to get around, and reserve lightening lane passes through Genie+.

2. Get acquainted with the park map.

If you notice that a ride’s line time is short and it is in a land that is close to where you are, you should head there.

3. Use the lockers

Take advantage of the lockers that are in the park. There is one set in the cul-de-sac between Market House and Disney Clothiers and another to the left of the ticket turnstiles before you enter the park.

4. Go on the popular rides first

The first 2-3 hours the park is open are the golden hours when the lines will be the shortest. Go on the most popular rides early to avoid long lines later.

Final Thoughts

That’s a wrap on our guide to the nearest airport to Disneyland!

All in all, larger airports, like LAX, serve more airlines. However, they can be quite chaotic compared to a smaller airport like Hollywood Burbank Airport.

So, while it’s super easy to find flights and ground transport for your Disneyland vacation, you might want to start planning ahead to avoid hiccups along the way!

» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.

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Airports Near Disneyland: Best Time-Saving Tips

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