When I first started planning my trip to Anaheim, I was stumped by one simple question: Which airport should I fly into? With so many options around Southern California, it felt like I was juggling a ton of details—and the last thing I wanted was to waste time in traffic or make my journey more complicated than it needed to be.
After a bit of research and some trial and error over the years, I’ve figured out the best options. If you’re heading to Anaheim for Disneyland or a conference, I’m going to break down the most convenient airports for you—so you don’t end up stressed out before your trip even begins.
What You’ll Learn
-
The closest airport to Anaheim, CA (home of Disneyland) is John Wayne Airport (SNA), about 14 miles away.
-
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is another nearby option, roughly 18 miles from Anaheim.
-
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is larger with more flight options, located about 34 miles away, though traffic can make travel time longer.
-
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is about 35 miles away and can be convenient for travelers from the Inland Empire.
-
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is farther (about 40+ miles) but a good alternative depending on flight availability.
-
John Wayne (SNA) is typically the easiest and most convenient choice for Disneyland visitors.
-
Ride-shares, shuttles, and rental cars are widely available at all of these airports, making transfers to Anaheim simple.
List of the closest airports to Anaheim, CA
For a quick overview, you can find the closest airports to Anaheim, California in the below table. The article continues after the table with full information about the airports mentioned.
| Airport Name | IATA | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| John Wayne Airport | SNA | 13 miles |
| Long Beach Airport | LGB | 18 miles |
| Ontario International Airport | ONT | 32 miles |
| Los Angeles International Airport | LAX | 33 miles |
John Wayne Airport – The closest airport to Anaheim, California
First, let’s take a look at why John Wayne Airport is the perfect pick when visiting Anaheim. This airport is located in Santa Ana. The distance to Anaheim from the airport is only 13 miles on road. This equals roughly 16 minutes in a cab or uber, in case the traffic is not bad.
Because of its proximity, John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the most convenient airport for visiting Anaheim. You can be at your hotel in less than 30 minutes after stepping out of the airport gates.
There are a total of three terminals in Santa Ana airport and this airport even serves international destinations such as flights from Canada or Mexico.
Prior to the COVID pandemic, this airport handled over 10 million passengers annually. Due to the size of this airport and considering how close it is to Anaheim we highly recommend that you try to book a flight to John Wayne Airport (SNA) whenever you are planning a visit to Anaheim, CA.
Airlines Flying to John Wayne Orange County Airport
Whenever you are searching for flights into Santa Ana you’ll get a nice selection of airlines to choose from. Here’s the list of airlines that fly to John Wayne Airport:
- Air Canada
- Alaska Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Frontier Airlines
- JSX
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- United Airlines
- United Express
- WestJet
Source: Wikipedia
Getting from John Wayne Airport to Anaheim
As we’ve already highlighted the distance from the airport to Anaheim is less than 20 minutes via car. Due to this short distance, we recommend either a taxi or an uber.
Taxis are readily available at the airport to take you directly to Anaheim. Just make sure that you check the traffic beforehand because if you will be sitting in traffic jams then the taxi will surely cost more than you would expect.
Another great option is to call an Uber. There are many Ubers operating in the Santa Ana area so you’ll have no problems finding one in minutes.
In case you are looking for a private transfer we recommend our partner i’way. They will get you a private transfer at a good rate, though we don’t see private transfers as a necessity between Santa Ana and Anaheim.
Other airports near Anaheim, CA
Of course, it’s possible that you can’t find a non-stop flight to Santa Ana from where you are. In this case, let’s take a look at some other airports near Anaheim.
Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Although Long Beach Airport has a very long history when it comes to aviation, today it’s a rather small airport in the Los Angeles/Orange County area.
The road distance from Long Beach Airport to Anaheim is around 18 miles which is still less than 20 minutes if the traffic is flowing nicely.
This makes Long Beach a good alternative airport. The only problem is that only a few airlines are flying to Long Beach Airport. These airlines are Southwest, SkyWest, JetBlue, Mesa, and Hawaiian. Although the list is not long the airport still saw around 3 million passengers each year in recent times (before COVID).
The reason for the high number of passengers is the great prices. Many airlines fly to Long Beach and offer excellent deals per seat. If you can find a good deal then this airport is a valid choice.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The biggest airport in the area. Not only it is the biggest airport near Anaheim, CA, it’s also one of the biggest airports in the US.
LAX is a major international airport. This international airport handles the most traffic and sees the best deals for airline seats in the area. Whenever you are flying to Anaheim you might want to check the prices at LAX. If you find a good deal you can think about it.
However, we don’t personally recommend LAX. Getting from LAX to Anaheim can be a pain and the traffic is always horrible around the airport. Not to mention that the airport itself is so much bigger. You will have to spend time even to get to the front gate.
The only reason to choose LAX is if you find a significantly cheaper flight. Otherwise, in our opinion, you should not fly to LAX when you are traveling to Anaheim.
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Finally, we have the Ontario International Airport as the last pick. It’s the third-largest airport in the area and it’s close to Anaheim. It’s listed last because there’s not much to highlight about this airport. The distance is moderate so it’s definitely not the closest.
The airport size is ok, you will be able to get out quickly and be on your way to Anaheim. Choose Ontario if you find a good deal, otherwise, opt for a closer airport.
Fullerton Municipal Airport (FUL) – General Aviation
Are you planning to visit Anaheim on your own terms with your own airplane? Then choose Fullerton Municipal Airport. It’s right next to Anaheim. This airport only serves general aviation flights but if you are flying your own plane this is the place you want to be.
Technically, Fullerton Municipal Airport is the closest airport to Anaheim. It’s less than 6 miles! But we can’t count it on our main list as you can’t book any commercial flights here.
Wrapping Things Up
At the end of the day, I always recommend John Wayne Airport (SNA) for anyone heading to Anaheim. It’s close, convenient, and makes the whole trip smoother. I’ve personally found it to be the easiest option, especially when I’m headed straight to Disneyland or the Convention Center. The time you save skipping all that extra travel time is totally worth it.
Of course, if you’re flying in from farther away or if you score a great deal elsewhere, other airports like Long Beach or LAX can work just as well. The key is to find what fits best with your schedule and needs. So, no matter which airport you choose, just know that Anaheim is easy to get to—and the fun starts as soon as you land!
About the Author
William Chase is the creator of GotYourPassport.com, where he shares travel insights and planning tips to help readers make smooth, smart journeys. He has a passion for simplifying travel logistics—whether it’s airport decisions, ground transport, or routing advice. After personally navigating travel to Anaheim and its surrounding regions, William wrote this post to help travelers pick the best nearby airport with confidence.
FAQs for Closest Airport to Anaheim
Q: What is the closest airport to Anaheim, California?
The closest airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA), located in Orange County. It’s only about 13–14 miles from Anaheim, making it the most convenient option for visiting Disneyland, the Anaheim Convention Center, and nearby attractions.
Q: What is the distance from John Wayne Airport to Anaheim?
SNA is about 13 miles from Anaheim, and the drive usually takes 20–25 minutes without heavy traffic. During rush hour, it can take longer, but it’s still much closer than LAX or Ontario.
Q: Is LAX or SNA closer to Anaheim?
SNA is significantly closer. While Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is around 34 miles away, John Wayne Airport is just 13 miles away. That’s the difference between a 25-minute ride and potentially well over an hour in LA traffic.
Q: Is SNA a good airport?
Yes, SNA is a medium-sized, easy-to-navigate airport. It offers a wide range of domestic flights, several dining and shopping options, and much shorter security lines compared to LAX. Many travelers prefer SNA because it feels less overwhelming and saves time on the ground.
Q: Does SNA have duty-free?
Yes, there is a duty-free shop at John Wayne Airport, though it’s smaller than what you’d find at a major international hub like LAX. You’ll find essentials, gifts, and some travel-exclusive products, but the selection is limited.
Q: What are other airports near Anaheim?
Besides SNA, travelers often use Long Beach Airport (LGB, about 18 miles away), Los Angeles International (LAX, about 34 miles), Ontario International (ONT, about 35 miles), and Hollywood Burbank (BUR, about 40+ miles). Which one is best depends on your airline, budget, and traffic conditions.
Q: What’s the best airport for Disneyland visitors?
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the top choice because of its short distance to Anaheim and hassle-free size. Long Beach Airport is a good second option. LAX has the most flight choices but can mean longer, stressful transfers due to heavy traffic.