Anaheim Airport Transportation: Does Disney Offer This Service?

There are several airport transfer options for travellers heading to Disneyland, Anaheim. The closest airport to Disneyland is Burbank Bob Hope Airport, followed by John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County. Other nearby airports include Long Beach Airport, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario International Airport, and San Diego International Airport. Airport shuttle services, such as Karmel Shuttle, offer transfers from these airports to Disneyland hotels, theme parks, and other locations throughout Los Angeles. These shuttles provide a convenient and stress-free way to start your Disney vacation, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable ride for travellers.

Shuttle services to and from Disneyland

Shuttle services are available to and from Disneyland, making it easy to access the park and its surrounding attractions. Disneyland operates shuttles to and from nearby airports, including John Wayne Airport (SNA) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). These shuttles provide convenient transportation for visitors travelling to and from the airports and their hotels or the park itself.

Several private shuttle companies, such as Karmel Shuttle, also offer airport transfers to and from Disneyland Resort Hotels. These shuttles typically service multiple airports, including LAX, SNA, and Long Beach Airport (LGB). They provide curbside pick-up and drop-off at various locations, including Disneyland hotels, theme parks, and other attractions in the Los Angeles area.

In addition to the shuttle services, there are other transportation options available in Anaheim and the surrounding areas. The Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) system services Disneyland and the main hotel areas, offering day passes, three-day passes, and five-day passes at affordable rates for both adults and children. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) operates a bus system with 60 routes and nearly 5,000 stops in Orange County, as well as a train system with three lines.

For those staying in downtown Anaheim, the "Free Rides Around the Neighbourhood" (FRAN) is an on-demand electric car service that can be summoned via an app and provides transportation to ten stops throughout the area.

Airports near Disneyland

There are five airports within driving distance of Disneyland, each with its own pros and cons. These are:

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Located 34 miles from Disneyland, this is the airport most people associate with Southern California. The major upsides of LAX are the availability of flights, including non-stop flights to most other major airports in the United States, and typically, competitive pricing. However, the major downsides are the Los Angeles traffic and the hustle and bustle of a major international hub airport.

John Wayne Airport (SNA)

Located in Orange County, California, just 14 miles southwest of Disneyland, this is by far the most convenient airport for Disneyland trips. Even in poor traffic, you can get to Disneyland in 30 minutes from John Wayne Airport. It's also not nearly as chaotic as LAX and it’s easy to drive in and out of the airport. SNA is pretty much reflective of Orange County in its laid-back vibe.

Long Beach Airport (LGB)

Long Beach Airport is often forgotten when people evaluate flight options, which is odd since it’s actually closer to Disneyland than LAX, and is only slightly farther than SNA at 22 miles away. Like the other non-LAX airports on this list, Long Beach Airport is a quiet airport where security is usually fast and the terminals are quiet.

LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT)

Located 33 miles away from Disneyland, this airport is due east of Los Angeles and northeast of Disneyland. When flying anywhere within the United States, it's worth checking Ontario, as it is inexplicably the cheapest option about 20% of the time.

Bob Hope Airport in Burbank (BUR)

At 40 miles away, this might seem like a potentially appealing option. However, Burbank is north of Los Angeles and Anaheim is south of L.A., meaning that you have to drive through the heart of the city to get between the two. On a bad day, that could mean 2 hours of traffic.

Disneyland Resort Express

The Disneyland Resort Express is no longer in service. However, here is some information about what the service used to offer.

The Disneyland Resort Express provided transportation from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Orange County's John Wayne Airport (SNA) to the Disneyland Resort and hotels in the Anaheim area. The service operated hourly throughout the day, 7 days a week, with no reservations required. The travel time from LAX to the Anaheim Resort Area was approximately 45 minutes, while the travel time from John Wayne Airport to the Anaheim Resort Area was approximately 30 minutes. Both routes depended on traffic.

The service offered hourly departures from LAX from 7:50 a.m. to 9:50 p.m., with additional departures at 10:45 a.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. Pick-ups at LAX began on the hour and the half-hour at Terminal #1, with approximately 5 minutes between each terminal. The last departure from Anaheim to LAX was at 9:00 p.m.

From John Wayne Airport, the service offered hourly departures from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with additional departures at 4:45 p.m., 5:45 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. Pick-ups at John Wayne Airport began 15 minutes before the hour. The last departure from Anaheim to John Wayne Airport was at 8:00 p.m.

The Disneyland Resort Express was not a complimentary service, and passengers were required to pay one-way or round-trip fares. Children 2 years and under could ride for free but were required to sit on an adult's lap. The service allowed for the transportation of up to two bags and one carry-on per person, with a weight limit of 50 pounds per bag.

It is important to note that the Disneyland Resort Express was not operated by Walt Disney, but by Southern California Gray Line.

Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) System

The Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) System is a mass transportation provider in the Anaheim Resort area and its surroundings in Orange County, California. Established in 1998 as the Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN), the ART is a quasi-government agency owned by a non-profit corporation with a board of directors comprising representatives from hotels, local government, tourist attractions, and other local businesses.

ART provides transportation and mobility services within the Anaheim Resort, Platinum Triangle, Center City Anaheim, and other Orange County destinations. The service uses a variety of vehicles, including tourist trolleys, to provide access to hotels, malls, and tourist-related businesses, which are the main destinations connected by the system. In 2023, ART recorded a ridership of approximately 8,611,000 passengers, averaging about 24,600 riders per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.

ART also operates on-demand services with stops in Buena Park, Orange, and Anaheim, and offers transportation to and from the John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA) in all-electric, 9-seat passenger vans.

In 2010, Disney contracted with ART to operate shuttles from a Disney-owned parking lot and all stations to the Disneyland Resort.

Rental car options

There are several rental car options available in Anaheim.

If you are landing at John Wayne Airport, you will find the on-site rental car desks located in the Arrivals Hall, on the lower level, between Terminals A and B and opposite the statue of John Wayne.

Some of the rental car companies available at the airport include Thrifty, U-Save, and United Auto Rental.

You can also find rental car agencies close to the airport, such as Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, and Advantage.

When renting a car in Anaheim, you can choose from a variety of vehicle types, including compact, economy, intermediate, full-size, SUV, luxury, and van.

The cost of renting a car in Anaheim can vary, but on average, it is around $53 per day. However, you can find cheaper rates, with some rental car companies offering rates as low as $25 per day.

It is recommended to book your rental car in advance, as rates may increase closer to your travel date. Additionally, booking in advance can give you a wider range of vehicle options to choose from.

When driving in Anaheim, it is important to be aware of the traffic conditions, especially during rush hour. The morning rush hour typically occurs between 7:30 am and 9:00 am, while the afternoon rush hour starts at 3:00 pm and lasts until 6:00 pm.

Anaheim also has several HOV and carpool lanes, also known as "diamond lanes," which require at least two people in the car when driving in these lanes.

The speed limit in the city typically ranges from 25 mph in residential areas and near schools to 35 mph on city streets. On highways, the speed limit is usually 55 mph on two-lane highways and 65 mph on multi-lane freeways.

When it comes to parking in Anaheim, you can find free street parking near the Anaheim Convention Center and the Anaheim GardenWalk Mall. Disneyland also offers several parking options, including parking lots and spots in Downtown Disney.

Frequently asked questions