LAX vs BUR vs LGB vs ONT: Which LA Airport Should You Fly From?
Fares shown are modelled estimates, not live quotes.
Airport Breakdown
International flights to Asia, Europe, and Mexico. If you need direct flights to Tokyo, London, Paris, or Sydney, LAX is your only real option in LA. Also best for premium cabin redemptions on partners like JAL and Lufthansa.
Domestic routes under 3 hours (prices inflate 15-25% vs competitors) and budget travel. Parking is $20/day in economy lots, rideshare pickup fees are brutal ($8 minimum), and TSA PreCheck lines still move slower than smaller airports.
Metro K Line to LAX Station then shuttle to terminal (45 min, $2.50) takes forever. Rideshare: $25-45 from downtown LA, $35-60 from Long Beach (20-40 min depending on traffic). SuperShuttle: $20-35 per person (30-45 min, shared). Drive yourself: $20/day economy parking, $30/day valet.
Book LAX international routes on Tuesday-Wednesday for the best fares. If you're flying domestic on LAX, check ONT and BUR first—you'll save $50-150 roundtrip and avoid the LAX premium markup completely.
Domestic routes and frequent flyers who value speed and convenience over options. If you live in the Valley or Hollywood, BUR cuts 45 minutes off your ground time vs LAX. Southwest operates heavily here with low fares to Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, and Chicago.
International travel (no wide-body flights, no trans-Pacific routes). Also surprisingly bad for East Coast flights despite closer longitude—fares rarely beat LAX or ONT, and you get routed through hubs anyway.
Rideshare from Hollywood/Los Feliz: $12-18 (15 min). Rideshare from downtown LA: $22-32 (30 min in traffic). Rideshare from Long Beach: $35-50 (40 min, not recommended). Public transit: Red Line to NoHo Station then Burbank Airport Bus (50 min total, $3.50).
BUR is the Southwest hub for LA. If you're flying Southwest anywhere, book departing from BUR and save on taxes/fees ($5-12 per segment). The airport is dead quiet compared to LAX—arrive 90 minutes before domestic flights instead of 2 hours.
Budget travelers flying short-haul domestic routes (Denver, Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco). JetBlue bases 60+ aircraft here, so you get frequent flights, low fares, and reliably short security lines. Best airport for people flying roundtrip under $200.
Connecting flights (most routes require a connection, which defeats the budget advantage). Zero international flights. If you live north of Santa Monica, the drive time eats into your savings vs BUR or LAX.
Rideshare from Long Beach area: $8-15 (10 min). Rideshare from Santa Monica: $18-28 (20 min). Rideshare from downtown LA: $28-40 (30 min, not ideal). Parking: $10/day economy lots.
Check JetBlue Mint fares on LGB routes—they're 40-60% cheaper than premium cabins elsewhere, and the East Coast routes (Boston, New York) still have strong availability. LGB has zero airport restaurant markup; a sandwich costs $8 instead of $16.
Domestic flights departing inland Southern California (Inland Empire, Riverside County, San Bernardino). Also smart for international flights on Southwest and budget carriers to Mexico if you're near the airport. Fares often beat LAX by $75-200 roundtrip for domestic routes.
Travelers from coastal LA (Santa Monica, Malibu, Long Beach)—the 50-75 minute drive west kills your savings. International flights beyond Mexico and Central America (limited wide-body capacity, few long-haul carriers).
Rideshare from Inland Empire: $10-20 (15-25 min). Rideshare from downtown LA: $35-50 (45 min). Rideshare from Long Beach: $40-60 (50 min). Parking: $8/day economy lots, best rate in LA.
ONT + Southwest = the formula. Southwest doesn't charge baggage fees, has premium boarding on sale (A-List) for $119-149/year, and prices lowest from ONT. If you're flying domestic, always check ONT fares before assuming LAX is cheaper.
Our Verdict
LAX only if flying long-haul international (Asia, Europe) or you need a direct flight—otherwise it's a tax on your trip. For domestic: ONT beats everyone on price, BUR wins for Valley residents and Southwest routes, LGB is unmatched for sub-$200 roundtrips. For Mexico: ONT on Southwest saves $150+ vs LAX. Book the airport that matches your route, not the one you've always used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Los Angeles airport is cheapest overall?
Which has the most international flights?
Which airport has the shortest security lines?
What's the cheapest way to get to each airport from downtown LA?
Should I ever book a connecting flight from LGB?
Does Southwest really fly from all four airports?
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