From Los Angeles Union Station to Burbank Airport
All Amtrak trains serving Los Angeles arrive at Union Station. However, if you are taking a train from Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, or the Bay Area, you do not need to travel to Union Station first. All trains from the above origins stop right at the airport on their way to Los Angeles, so you can take a train directly from your origin to the airport without a trip to Union Station. For all other origins, you will need to travel from Union Station to the airport.
1. Primary Option. The best way to travel between Union Station and the airport is by Metrolink/Amtrak rail. Trains are fast, and the entire journey (including walking) takes approximately 35 minutes. Beware that you are not going to save much time by taking a private shuttle despite paying at least 3 times as much as the train fare. Moreover, trains do not risk getting stuck in Los Angeles traffic. Unless you have a lot of heavy luggage, a train ride is a more sensible option in most cases. The two maps you will need for this journey are the Metrolink/Amtrak map and the Burbank Airport map.
All trains to the airport depart directly from Union Station. The fare is $6. Buy a single-ride ticket from the Metrolink farecard machines (cash, debit or credit cards). A Metrolink ticket is valid on both Metrolink and Amtrak trains between Union Station and the airport, so you can use it on Amtrak to get to the airport. (An Amtrak ticket is also valid on both Metrolink and Amtrak trains, so you can buy an Amtrak ticket instead; however, there is typically a line to the Amtrak ticket office, and the ticket is more expensive.) Locate the correct boarding platform on the electronic departures displays and board any Ventura County, Burbank Airport South, or Pacific Surfliner North train. Beware that several other Metrolink and Amtrak lines also serve the same set of platforms, so check the destination signs at the platform entrance to make sure you are taking a correct line. Travel to the Burbank Airport South station and get off the train. (Note that there is also the Burbank Airport North station on a different line; however, that station is a mile away from the airport terminal, and you certainly do not want to travel to that station and then walk from there.) The travel time from Union Station to Burbank Airport South is 25 minutes; the complete schedule of both Metrolink and Amtrak departures to Burbank Airport South follows.
Weekdays: 04:09, 05:38, 06:51, 07:16, 08:00, 08:23, 08:55, 09:11, 09:52, 11:40, 11:48, 12:43, 14:48, 15:06, 15:14, 15:37, 16:28, 17:10, 17:52, 18:50, 19:16, 19:45.
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 07:50, 09:11, 11:46, 15:06, 19:16.
Finally, you need to get from the Metrolink/Amtrak station to the terminal. The terminal is located one large block (400 m) north of the Burbank Airport South station (map). You will see the terminal directly from the station (to the right of the arriving trains). Simply walk north along the airport roadway. The entire walk takes about 7 minutes.
The total travel time from Union Station to Burbank should be about 35 minutes including all walking and riding the train. In addition, do not forget to factor in the wait time, which depends on when you arrive at Union Station and when the next train departs.
While travel by Metrolink or Amtrak is convenient and fast, unfortunately the schedules are rather sparse. As can be seen from the complete timetable above, there are certain periods of the day with few or no departures. During these periods you may choose to utilize another transit alternative instead. This other transit alternative takes about twice as much time; however, it does not depend on train schedules and can be used virtually at any time.
2. Secondary Option. This alternative is recommended only if there are no scheduled Metrolink or Amtrak departures from Union Station within 45 minutes of your arrival at the station. If there is a Metrolink or Amtrak train to Burbank Airport South within 45 minutes, just wait for that train instead.
When no Metrolink or Amtrak departures are scheduled, you can ride Metrorail from Union Station to a station closer to the airport and then take a free shuttle to the airport. Unlike Metrolink and Amtrak, Metrorail runs frequently throughout the day; however, the Metrorail option takes longer. The two maps you will need for this journey are the Metrorail map and the North Hollywood map.
First of all, you need to get to the Metrorail station (Union Station on the Red line). The entrances to the Metrorail station are located at both ends of the wide underpass underneath the train platforms. Follow the signs "To Red line" and take the escalators all the way down to the subway station. The entire walk takes about 3 minutes.
Now you are at the Metrorail station. The fare is $2.50. Buy a single-ride ticket from the farecard machines (cash or credit cards only). Pay your fare, pass through the turnstiles to the boarding platform, and board any Red line train. Beware that another Metrorail line also serves the same platform, so check the color destination signs on the arriving train to make sure you are taking the correct line. Travel to the North Hollywood station and get off the train. The travel time from Union Station to North Hollywood is 29 minutes; trains run every 12 minutes daily.
Finally, you need to get from the Metrorail station to the terminal. Contact SuperShuttle at 818-707-1919 and request a free ride to the airport. The SuperShuttle will pick you up at the taxi zone on Lankershim Blvd. (map); there is a sign pointing in the direction of the SuperShuttle stop at the exit from the North Hollywood station. The travel time from the station to the airport is about 10-15 minutes; however, the wait time may be up to 15-20 minutes, so the entire trip takes about 30 minutes.
The total travel time from Union Station to Burbank for this Metrorail option should be about 1 hour 20 minutes including all walking, waiting, and riding the train and the shuttle.
The last Red line train leaves Union Station at 00:10 on Sundays-Thursdays and holidays and at 02:10 on Fridays and Saturdays. SuperShuttle operates until 22:00 daily; after that you can catch a taxi ride from the North Hollywood station to the airport (about $13-15). In order to catch the last SuperShuttle you will have to leave Union Station no later than 21:10 daily.
If you have any questions, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions" page first. If you carefully read all of the above, checked the FAQs, and still have a question, please feel free to contact me.
Reverse directions: from Burbank Airport to Los Angeles Union Station