Major city · United States
Burbank
Base here 2 nights only if you are doing a studio tour or a TV taping; otherwise sleep in Los Angeles and come for one afternoon.
Burbank is a small city in the San Fernando Valley, 16.5 mi north of downtown Los Angeles, and the working home of Warner Bros. and Walt Disney studios. Almost everything a visitor does here is tied to film and television: a studio tour, a sitcom taping, or a walk through Downtown Burbank. It is a practical, quiet base with its own airport (BUR) and two Metrolink stations, not a sightseeing city in its own right.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (valley heat, 35 °C (95 °F)+), late Nov–early Jan holiday travel peaksavoid Jul–Aug (valley heat, 95 °F (35 °C)+), late Nov–early Jan holiday travel peaks
- Airports
- BUR · LAX
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Burbank911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Burbank, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyBurbank is a low-crime city by Los Angeles standards; the real friction is traffic, thin late-night transit and studio-area parking rules.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBUR Hollywood Burbank Airport (Bob Hope Airport) (2627 N Hollywood Way; Burbank Airport–South Metrolink/Amtrak station is across Empire Ave from the…
- Getting aroundPublic transit is thin and Burbank Bus runs mainly weekday rush hours.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- BeerDraught beer in a bar$8–12
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) rideshareSurge pricing at studio let-out times.$12–20
- Metro or bus rideMetro single ride$1.75 (check)
- Budget bedFamily room or suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BUR Hollywood Burbank Airport (Bob Hope Airport) (2627 N Hollywood Way; Burbank Airport–South Metrolink/Amtrak station is across Empire Ave from the terminal) · LAX Los Angeles International (About 28 mi south; allow 45–90 min by car depending on traffic)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid*
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Care*
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Feb (4 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Burbank: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Public transit is thin and Burbank Bus runs mainly weekday rush hours. LA Metro routes 94/794 (San Fernando Blvd and Empire Ave), 164 (Victory Blvd), 165 (Empire Ave) and 155 (Olive Ave, to Universal City) cover the main corridors; 222 runs Hollywood Way to Hollywood. Most visitors drive or use rideshare. Metrolink and Amtrak serve Burbank–Downtown and Burbank Airport–South.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Universal City
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Metro 155 along Olive Ave, or 10–15 min by car via the 134
Theme park and CityWalk; buy dated tickets ahead.
Glendale
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Metrolink Antelope Valley Line from Burbank–Downtown, or 15 min by car
Brand Blvd dining and the Martial Arts History Museum (Th–Su 11:00–18:00).Brand Blvd dining and the Martial Arts History Museum (Th–Su 11:00 AM–6:00 PM).
Studio City
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car or rideshare over the hill via Cahuenga Blvd
Ventura Blvd restaurants; pairs well with a Warner Bros. morning.
North Hollywood
goDoor to door: About 25–35 min
Metro 222 along Hollywood Way, or 15 min by car
NoHo Arts District theatres and the Greyhound/FlixBus stop on Magnolia Blvd.
Van Nuys
cautionDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Metrolink Ventura County Line from Burbank–Downtown, or 20 min by car via the 101
Mostly a transport and airport stop, not a sightseeing day.
Door to door: About 40–70 min
Metrolink from Burbank–Downtown to Union Station, or 25–60 min by car on the 5
Treat as a full day; rail beats the freeway at rush hour.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Burbank
San Fernando Blvd shops, cinemas and restaurants; Burbank–Downtown Metrolink station on Front St. Best for a car-free evening.
Airport / Empire Ave
Walkable to BUR terminal and the Airport–South rail station; chain hotels, few restaurants.
Riverside Dr / Toluca Lake edge
Closest to the Warner Bros. gate and the studios; quieter, needs a car or rideshare for food.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$190 | US$380 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160 | US$640 |
| Warner Bros. Studio Tour, standard2 × US$54 · check; deluxe tour about $250 | US$108 |
| Studio tour parking1 × US$7 · check | US$7 |
| Metro day pass2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$118 |
| Trip total≈ US$323 per person per day, bed included | US$1,293 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Diner burger and fries | $15–22 |
| Draught beer in a bar | $8–12 |
| 5 km rideshareSurge pricing at studio let-out times. | $12–20 |
| Metro single ride | $1.75 (check) |
| Studio tour ticket | $54–250 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Studio tours and tapings need advance booking; walk-up space is not guaranteed.
- Walt Disney Studios does not offer public tours — do not buy a third-party 'Disney studio tour'.
- Burbank Bus is weekday rush-hour only; do not plan a weekend sightseeing loop on it.
- Summer valley heat: plan studio walking tours for the morning.
- Free taping tickets still mean a queue and a dress code; check the show's own site.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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BurbankBurbank
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Burbank; consulates-general are in Los Angeles (about 12 mi south).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BUR terminal → Downtown Burbank: about $15–25 by rideshare, 10–15 min (check)
- Metrolink Burbank–Downtown → LA Union Station: about $7–10 one way, 25–35 min (check)
- Metro bus single ride: $1.75, exact change or TAP card (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the studio tour entrance? — Where is the studio tour entrance?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How long is the wait? — How long is the wait?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis and rideshare.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Burbank. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (valley heat, 35 °C+), late Nov–early Jan holiday travel peaks · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BUR: last Metrolink and Metro departures field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Downtown Burbank, the studio district on Riverside Dr, and the airport/Empire Ave strip.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Martial Arts History Museum, Dark Delicacies) and eat pages with last orders.
- Taping-day fixtures: ticket windows, queue times and dress-code checks so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Burbank
- officialHollywood Burbank Airport
- officialMetrolink — Burbank stations
- officialLA Metro
- officialWarner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
- secondaryWikivoyage: Burbank, revision 5303721 (CC BY-SA 4.0)