Every traveler in the 805 eventually asks the same question: Burbank or LAX? One is small, close and famously painless. The other is enormous, farther away and connects to the whole world. In 2026 the answer is more nuanced than it used to be, because both airports are mid-construction and the "easy" Burbank experience now comes with its own traffic headaches. Here's how we'd decide, city by city.
Drive times from Ventura County to each airport
Typical off-peak times, door to terminal. Add 30–60 minutes for weekday afternoons on the 405 or the 101:
- Simi Valley — Burbank ~30 min (25 mi) · LAX ~55 min (45 mi)
- Moorpark — Burbank ~40 min · LAX ~60 min
- Thousand Oaks / Westlake Village — Burbank ~45 min · LAX ~55 min
- Camarillo — Burbank ~55 min · LAX ~65 min
- Oxnard / Port Hueneme — Burbank ~60 min · LAX ~75 min
- Ventura — Burbank ~65 min · LAX ~85 min
Notice the pattern: from Simi Valley and Moorpark, Burbank is a clear win on distance. From Thousand Oaks westward, the gap narrows to 10–20 minutes, and by the time you reach Camarillo or Oxnard, both airports are long drives and the deciding factor becomes the flight itself.
What each airport actually flies
Hollywood Burbank (BUR) is a domestic airport focused on the West Coast and a handful of longer routes — Southwest, Alaska, Delta, United, American, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier and Avelo all serve it. Think Las Vegas, the Bay Area, Phoenix, Denver, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Dallas and a few East Coast flights. If your itinerary is domestic and your carrier flies it from BUR, it's hard to beat.
LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world: every major U.S. carrier, nonstop service to Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia and the Middle East, and far more daily frequencies. International trips, premium cabins, and any route Burbank simply doesn't serve will send you to LAX regardless of the drive.
The 2026 construction reality at both airports
Burbank: the "Elevate BUR" terminal rebuild
Burbank is replacing its 1930s-era terminal with a new 14-gate facility in a project reported at roughly $1.2 billion, with construction running through 2026. The practical effect for travelers has been lane reductions around Hollywood Way and Thornton Ave, slower curbside access and, at times, airport officials recommending arriving two hours early — a big change for an airport people used to breeze through 45 minutes before departure. The end result will be excellent; the in-between is a headache.
LAX: terminal projects and the People Mover
LAX is still deep in its multi-year modernization: the Terminal 5 demolition and rebuild, periodic lane closures on the upper and lower roadways, and the long-delayed Automated People Mover, which was still not open to the public as of mid-2026 despite repeated target dates. Until it runs, rental-car shuttles and the LAX-it rideshare lot remain in the picture. We cover the details in Getting to LAX in 2026.
The old rule was "Burbank if you can, LAX if you must." In 2026 it's closer to "Burbank for the right domestic flight, LAX for everything else — and leave early for both."
How to choose: a quick decision guide
- Is the flight international or long-haul? LAX. Burbank has no customs facility for arriving international flights.
- Does your airline fly the route from Burbank? If yes and you live in Simi Valley, Moorpark or Thousand Oaks, take Burbank — the shorter drive and smaller terminal usually win, even with construction.
- Is it a 6 a.m. departure? Both work. Roads are empty; Burbank still saves 20–30 minutes from the eastern 805.
- Are you flying with a family and lots of bags, or traveling for a client-facing meeting? The airport matters less than the ride: a confirmed chauffeur in a full-size SUV removes the variable at either terminal.
- Is the fare difference large? Burbank fares can run higher on some routes; LAX's volume often means cheaper seats. Weigh a $100 fare difference against an extra hour of driving each way.
What a private SUV costs to each airport
RideYeah publishes fixed, all-in fares for LAX: $226.87 for Simi Valley or Thousand Oaks and $288.66 for Camarillo, in a luxury black SUV with tolls and airport fees included and gratuity optional. Burbank and Van Nuys trips are quoted instantly in the booking search — usually well below the LAX fare from the eastern part of the county because the drive is shorter. Either way, the price is the same at 4 a.m. and 5 p.m. on a Friday, which is not something rideshare can promise.
The pickup experience at each airport
At Burbank, curbside pickup is quick even with construction detours; your chauffeur meets you steps from baggage claim. At LAX, a private car service can meet you at the arrivals curb or inside the terminal — which means you skip the walk or shuttle to the LAX-it lot that rideshare passengers must use. On both airports we track your flight, and wait time on arrivals is complimentary. See airport transfers for how it works, or explore our Burbank airport guide.
Bottom line for the 805
From Simi Valley and Moorpark, Burbank is the default for domestic flights and LAX for international. From Thousand Oaks and Westlake, it's a genuine toss-up — pick the better flight. From Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura, the drive is long either way, so choose the airport with the nonstop and let a chauffeur handle the freeway. Whichever you choose, book a confirmed ride and leave earlier than you think you need to in 2026.