Planning a trip to Disneyland often comes with tough decisions about which airport to fly into and how to get to the parks. While most people think of SNA or LGB as the closest options, I recently discovered a surprisingly smooth and budget-friendly alternative: flying into Burbank Airport and hopping on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. Not only is this a great option for getting to Disneyland, but it can also work the other way around — if you’re staying in Anaheim and want to do a day trip to Universal Studios, this route makes it easy and affordable.
The review below comes from my daughter, who set out on a day trip from Sacramento to Burbank to see if her plan for a quick Disneyland visit would work.
Arrival at Burbank Airport
I recently flew into Burbank Airport and took Amtrak to Disneyland, and it turned out to be a really convenient option. My flight landed at 8:45, and I was able to get off quickly. The walk to the Amtrak station was short about 7 minutes and clearly marked with signs since the station is right outside the airport. You just walk up to the platforms and cross the tracks to the side heading toward Anaheim.
Boarding the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
By 9:25, I was already on board the Pacific Surfliner to Anaheim. I booked my ticket through the Amtrak app for $18, which was very easy to use. The app shows your stops and arrival times, which helped me feel more confident since this was my first time taking it. The conductors were super friendly and even let me know when my stop was coming up so I’d be ready to get off.
The Train Ride
The train itself was clean, with open seating so you can pick your spot. The seats were comfortable, and there were outlets at every seat to charge devices. The ride took about 1.5 hours, including a longer stop at Union Station, and I arrived just before 11 a.m.
Getting from Anaheim Station to Disneyland
From the Anaheim ARTIC station, there’s a free bus to Disneyland if you show your Amtrak ticket, but it takes about 25 minutes because it makes a few stops along the way. I decided to grab a Lyft instead, which was only $12 and got me to the parks in 10 minutes.
Cost Breakdown
total cost from SMF -> Burbank
- Flight $78 RT
- Amtrak $36 RT
- Lyft $24 RT
- Total: $138
which is nearly the price for a one way flight to SNA or LGB.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think this is a great alternative to flying into LGB or SNA. Flights into those airports are usually more expensive, and adding the cost of a Lyft from the airport can easily double what I spent coming through Burbank. With this route, I still had plenty of time in the parks and more than enough time to get back to the airport later. I’d definitely do it again and recommend it to others.
And for anyone staying in Anaheim, this route is also a smart way to plan a day trip to Universal Studios. You can catch the Amtrak back toward Burbank, then hop on a quick rideshare or free transit connection to Universal — saving money and avoiding the stress of LA traffic.
Wrap-Up
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and stress-free way to get to Disneyland, Burbank plus Amtrak is absolutely worth considering. It’s quick, straightforward, and can save you both money and hassle while still giving you more park time to enjoy. And beyond Disneyland, it opens up the possibility of a convenient side trip to Universal Studios without needing a car.
