From LAX Airport to Burbank Airport
The best way to travel between the two airports is by FlyAway express coach and Metrolink/Amtrak rail. Express buses and trains are fast, and the entire journey (including walking) takes approximately 1 hour 30 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 FlyAway and train fares combined. Moreover, trains do not risk getting stuck in Los Angeles traffic, and FlyAway buses operate in separate "high-occupancy vehicle" lanes on freeways. Unless you have a lot of heavy luggage, a bus+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.
First of all, you need to get to a FlyAway stop. FlyAway buses stop at all airport terminals. Simply exit any terminal at the arrival (lower) level and locate a green sign "FlyAway, Buses, and Long-Distance Vans" above the island curb. The walk from any gate to a stop takes about 10 minutes.
Now you are at the FlyAway stop. The fare is $9.75; you will have to pay it upon exiting the bus. FlyAway buses are large blue coaches properly marked as "FlyAway". Board any FlyAway bus headed to Union Station. Beware that several other FlyAway routes also serve the same stop, so check the destination signs on the arriving bus to make sure you are taking the correct route. Travel to Union Station and get off the bus. The travel time from LAX to Union Station is about 45 minutes, but it may take up to 1 hour during rush hours on weekdays. Buses run every 30 minutes daily, with departures from Terminal 1 on the hour and on the half-hour. All other terminals are served in numerical order after Terminal 1, with departures from Terminal 8 following about 15 minutes later.
At Union Station you will have to transfer from FlyAway to Metrolink/Amtrak. First pay your FlyAway fare at the kiosk next to the bus stop (debit or credit cards only) and then follow the descending pathway in the middle of the bus island. This ramp connects to a wide underpass leading into the station. The Metrolink/Amtrak 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 Burbank, 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 LAX to Burbank should be about 1 hour 30 minutes including all walking and riding the bus and the train (up to 1 hour 45 minutes if traveling during rush hours on weekdays). In addition, do not forget to factor in the wait time, which depends on when you arrive at the LAX bus stop and when the bus brings you to Union Station.
While the FlyAway service operates at all times, Metrolink and Amtrak do not. As can be seen from the complete timetable above, Metrolink/Amtrak schedules are rather sparse, and there are certain periods of the day with few or no departures from Union Station to Burbank Airport South. During these periods you may choose to utilize another transit alternative instead. This other transit alternative takes about 45 minutes longer; however, it does not depend on train schedules and can be used virtually at any time. This alternative between Union Station and Burbank is described in the second half of this page (under "2. Secondary Option").
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 LAX Airport