Before Disneyland visitors can take a ride in a teacup or race at Radiator Springs, many will have to take one more ride first: on an airplane.
If you’re planning to fly to Southern California for a vacation in the Happiest Place on Earth, the airport options may seem a little overwhelming. While the vast majority of visitors to Walt Disney World in Florida arrive at a single airport, visitors to its Californian cousin have about a half-dozen viable options.
Which Southern California Airport is Best for Your Disneyland Vacation? It depends! I’ve flown in them several times during my travels and definitely have my favorites. However, which ones work best for other Disneyland visitors depends on a number of personal factors, including distance, availability of direct flights, preferred airlines and price.
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
The closest airport to Disneyland – and the only one in Orange County, California – is John Wayne Airport. It is located in the city of Santa Ana, just two suburbs south of Disneyland’s home in Anaheim.
John Wayne Airport may not have a big name outside of California, but it punches well above its weight. The airport has flights from just over a dozen U.S. and Canadian airlines, including all five of the major U.S. airlines. SNA offers non-stop service to nearly 50 cities in North America. At the same time, it still feels small and easy to navigate, with short walks and reasonable security lines (TSA PreCheck is offered, but there are no Clear Plus lanes).
Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines offer the most flights at SNA, with frequent flights to many major cities on the West Coast. For example, on Southwest alone, there are usually four to eight arrivals per day from Oakland International Airport (OAK) and five to 10 per day from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.
The airport serves only a handful of direct destinations east of the Mississippi, so East Coast travelers may find the total travel time to SNA less attractive if a connection is required.
The easiest way to travel from SNA to Disneyland is to use a taxi service. Shared shuttle services from SNA are often more expensive than a standard UberX or Lyft ride, even for solo travelers. The 14 mile ride takes about 20-30 minutes and usually costs $25-$30 before tip. The two pick-up zones for taxi services at SNA are within walking distance of the terminals.
Related: Things to Know Before Using an Airport Taxi Service
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SNA also has all major car rental companies within walking distance. However, think carefully about the total costs before renting a car. In my experience, most visitors don’t need one due to Disneyland’s compact size. Additionally, parking costs can be pricey at many hotels in the Disneyland area. If you plan to spend most of your time at Disneyland and only use a car for a few day trips, renting near Disneyland for a day or two may be cheaper. There is an Alamo office at Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel, as well as several car rental agencies at the Anaheim Convention Center, a few blocks from Disneyland.
Long Beach Airport (LGB)
The small but mighty Long Beach Airport is also extremely close to Disneyland; it is located about 14 miles west of the park in Los Angeles County, not far from the border with Orange County. LGB has become an increasingly attractive alternative to SNA for many Disneyland travelers (myself included), especially those from West Coast destinations.
Long Beach is a major stronghold for Southwest Airlines, with only a few flights per day, alternating between Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines. Southwest acquired a significant number of slots after JetBlue pulled out of LGB in 2020 and now offers nonstop service to LGB from more than 20 destinations. I’ve found that Southwest fares tend to be slightly cheaper than those to SNA from cities with nonstop service to both airports, making it a money-saving choice for many travelers.
Another advantage of Long Beach for Disneyland travelers is the airport’s compact size. I can routinely get off a plane at Long Beach, go to the curb directly in front of the terminal, and be in an Uber on my way to Disneyland in less than five minutes. The car rental center is also just a few steps away.
The distance from LGB to Disneyland is almost identical to the distance from SNA to Disneyland. However, the ride takes about 10-15 minutes longer (and about $10 more for Uber or Lyft fares) because it is mostly along flat streets or a more circuitous highway route. There may be a bit more traffic during rush hour, but it is rarely crushing.
Long Beach Airport is also undergoing a major renovation, which makes the airport feel incredibly fresh at the moment. The airport also has Clear Plus lanes, although the security lines (especially with TSA PreCheck) are so short that you will rarely need to use other shortcuts. Long Beach is definitely an airport you can get close to, which means you’ll have more time for rides at the Disneyland theme parks!
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
At the other end of the airport size spectrum is the behemoth Los Angeles International Airport. LAX is located approximately 35 miles northwest of Disneyland Resort.
Los Angeles International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the western half of the United States, so it goes without saying that passengers here have a variety of flight and airline options. For travelers coming from most major cities on the East Coast or from international destinations, LAX may be the only airport offering nonstop service to the Disneyland area. The enormous competition at LAX can also drive down prices, often making the airport the cheapest option.
Ground transportation at an airport like LAX is more complicated and time-consuming than at LGB or SNA. Taking a ride is less convenient and more time-consuming because the airport has a single pick-up zone (LAX-it) where arriving passengers must take a shuttle to get there. Only black car services are allowed curbside pickup. Standard UberX and Lyft fares between LAX and Disneyland are normally $60-$80 each way, but surge pricing can sometimes cause larger price swings during peak periods.
Due to cost and distance, shared shuttles can be a more economical option from LAX to Disneyland, especially for solo travelers or couples or families and groups too large to fit in a regular Uber or Lyft vehicle.
During rush hour, traffic between the airport and the theme parks can be significant. Travelers should note that during peak periods the journey may take an hour or more, and that the ticket counter and security lines at a major airport may be longer. When comparing airport options, those flying for a very quick Disneyland trip should consider the time lost in transit.
For this reason, I haven’t flown into LAX for a solo trip to Disneyland in almost a decade. It simply takes too long and is too expensive from airports in the San Francisco Bay Area (my home base), where both SNA and LGB alternatives exist. But if LAX is your only nonstop option, it’s probably still the smarter choice, even with the bigger issues on site.
Other Southern California Airports to Consider
I highly recommend booking flights to SNA, LGB, or LAX for visitors who only plan to spend time at Disneyland. If your travels to Southern California include more than just Disneyland, other regional airports may come in handy. Although these airports are further away, they may be closer to something else you are planning to do. Additionally, they can offer cost savings or a direct flight option to save overall travel time.
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Located approximately 53 miles northeast of Disneyland, Ontario International Airport is a medium-sized airport in San Bernardino County. The airport is larger than Long Beach Airport, but smaller than John Wayne Airport. Southwest carries the most passengers from ONT, but American Airlines and Frontier Airlines also have a significant number of flights.
The ride from ONT to Disneyland can often be similar in length to the ride from LAX, but different traffic and commuting patterns must be taken into account. The airport serves many of the same nonstop destinations as LGB or SNA, so I think the airport only really makes sense for Disneyland travelers who find a serious flight deal or are coming from those few cities without LGB or SNA service.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
Hollywood Burbank Airport (formerly known as Bob Hope Airport) is an airport similar in size to ONT in the northern suburbs of Los Angeles. The drive to Disneyland is only about 40 miles, but the route passes through some of the worst traffic in Los Angeles, potentially making the journey take two hours or more during rush hours.
For Disneyland-only vacations, BUR is rarely worth the distance and traffic. However, the airport can be a very smart option for travelers who also plan to visit Universal Studios Hollywood, located just 5 miles away. Universal Studios has become an increasingly popular theme park for visitors outside of Southern California with the addition of Super Nintendo World last year.
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Some Disneyland travelers may want to consider San Diego International Airport. It is the second largest airport in Southern California after LAX and offers more nonstop flight options than smaller regional airports, especially from East Coast destinations. It is also the closest airport to Legoland California, so visitors who want to combine Legoland and Disneyland in one trip may find this convenient.
Taking a rideshare service or a taxi from SAN to Disneyland would be prohibitively expensive for most travelers, but there are some transportation alternatives. Rental cars are usually quite affordable in San Diego. The 95-mile drive from SAN to Disneyland can be busy, so plan a two- to three-hour trip. Additionally, an Amtrak train runs from downtown San Diego (just a few minutes from the airport) to Anaheim.
In short
There is no shortage of airport options for travelers flying to Southern California for a Disneyland vacation. SNA and LGB are the most convenient and convenient choices, but they don’t always have flight options to serve travelers from outside the West Coast. Airports that are a little further away can offer the opportunity to save money or mileage, as well as being more convenient for visitors traveling to other Southern California theme parks or tourist attractions during a Disneyland trip.
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