Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) isn't LAX. That's why you fly there. It’s smaller, faster, and—honestly—way more civilized. But if you’re looking into hertz car rental burbank airport ca, there are some quirks you should probably know before you step off that tarmac and expect a seamless getaway.
The Bob Hope Airport, as the locals still call it, has a very specific layout. You aren't trekking across three zip codes to find your car. It’s right there. Mostly.
The Reality of Picking Up Your Hertz Rental at BUR
Most people assume every airport rental experience is a grueling shuttle bus ride away. Not here. At Burbank, the rental car facility is housed within the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC). You take a moving walkway. It's elevated. It's actually kind of a nice view of the San Fernando Valley mountains if the smog isn't too thick that day.
Hertz operates right out of this hub. If you’re a Gold Plus Rewards member, you basically skip the line, which is the only way to do it. Waiting in that lobby on a Friday afternoon when three Southwest flights land simultaneously? Not fun. The staff is generally efficient, but like any high-volume travel spot, they get slammed.
Why Burbank Beats LAX Every Single Time
Traffic. It’s always traffic. If you pick up your car at hertz car rental burbank airport ca, you are already miles ahead of the poor souls stuck on the 405. You’re minutes from North Hollywood, Glendale, and the major studios like Disney and Warner Bros.
One thing to keep in mind: the "Burbank" experience is about speed. The airport is literally across the street from a residential neighborhood. You pull out of the Hertz lot and you’re immediately in the real world, not some sterile airport loop that takes twenty minutes to exit.
The Fleet and the "Burbank Tax"
Let's talk about the cars. Hertz at Burbank usually has a solid mix. You’ll see the standard Malibus and Altimas, sure. But because this is the gateway to the entertainment industry, the "Prestige Collection" is often surprisingly well-stocked. We're talking Range Rovers and Teslas.
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Prices? They fluctuate wildly.
Expect to pay a premium for the convenience of Burbank. It’s often $10 to $20 more per day than LAX. Is it worth it? Yes. When you factor in the gas and the hour of your life you save not sitting in terminal traffic, the math works out.
Gold Plus Rewards: Don't Skip This
Seriously. Just sign up. It’s free. At hertz car rental burbank airport ca, the Gold Choice area allows you to bypass the counter entirely. You just look for your name on the big electronic sign, walk to the designated stall, and drive away.
The exit gate is where the final check happens. Have your driver’s license ready. The agents there are usually pretty chill, but they have to scan everything. Don't be that person digging through a backpack while a line of cars forms behind you.
What Nobody Tells You About the Return Process
Returning a car to Hertz at Burbank is straightforward, but the entrance to the RITC can be a bit blink-and-you-miss-it. You’re following signs for "Rental Car Return" off Empire Ave or Hollywood Way.
Keep an eye on your fuel.
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There is a gas station right near the airport entrance, but the prices are astronomical. It’s a "convenience fee" in the most literal sense. Try to fill up about five miles out—maybe over by the Costco on Victory Blvd—if you want to save ten bucks.
Navigating the Surrounding Area
Once you’ve got your keys from hertz car rental burbank airport ca, where are you actually going?
- Heading to Hollywood: Take Barham Blvd. It’s the "secret" back way that drops you right by Universal Studios.
- Going to the Westside: You’re stuck with the 101 or the 405. Godspeed.
- Staying in Burbank: Check out Magnolia Park. It’s full of vintage shops and actually has parking, which is a miracle in Southern California.
The Hertz lot is well-lit and secure. If you’re arriving late at night—Burbank has a strict noise curfew, so flights stop landing around 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM—the RITC can feel a bit empty. It’s perfectly safe, just quiet.
Dealing with "The Shakes"
No, not the coffee kind. The 5 Freeway is right there. It’s one of the oldest and most congested freeways in the state. If your GPS tells you to take the 5, take a second look at the map. Often, taking side streets like San Fernando Road will save you a headache, especially during rush hour.
Insurance and Add-ons: To Buy or Not to Buy?
The agents at the Burbank counter are trained to sell. They’ll ask about the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). Look, if your credit card covers primary rental insurance, you can probably skip it. But check your policy first. California rental laws are specific, and if you scrape a Tesla door on a tight parking garage pillar in West Hollywood, you’ll wish you had the coverage.
Also, the "Fuel Purchase Option." Just say no. Unless you are truly in a rush and don't mind paying double the market rate for a gallon of 87 octane, just fill it up yourself before you hit the return lane.
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Technical Details for the Modern Traveler
The Hertz Burbank location (BUR) uses the latest telematics. This means they know exactly how much gas is in the car and where it is the moment you pull into the return bay. You don't usually have to wait for an attendant to walk around the car with a clipboard anymore. The receipt usually hits your email before you’ve even unbuckled your seatbelt.
What Happens if You're Late?
Burbank is a stickler for timing. Hertz typically offers a 29-minute grace period. At 30 minutes, you’re often charged for an extra hour. At 90 minutes, you’re looking at a full day’s charge. Given the unpredictability of LA traffic, always aim to return the car two hours before your flight. You can spend that extra time at Guy Fieri's Burbank Kitchen in Terminal 2. It’s better than sitting in traffic on the 101.
Local Knowledge: The "Hidden" Fees
When you look at your quote for hertz car rental burbank airport ca, the base rate is just the start. You’re going to see:
- Customer Facility Charge (CFC): A flat daily fee that goes toward the RITC building.
- Tourism Assessment: A percentage that goes to the state.
- Airport Concession Fee Recovery: Because the airport wants its cut too.
Basically, if your "daily rate" is $50, expect the final bill to look more like $75. This isn't Hertz being shady; it's just the reality of renting at any major California airport.
A Note on EVs at Burbank
Hertz has leaned heavily into electric vehicles. You’ll find plenty of Polestars and Teslas at the Burbank location. They are great for zipping around the city, and you can use the HOV lanes if you have passengers.
However, charging in Burbank can be a bit of a hunt. There are Superchargers nearby, but make sure your hotel has a Level 2 charger, or you’ll spend your last vacation morning sitting in a Target parking lot waiting for a charge so you don't get hit with the "low battery" return fee.
Final Practical Steps
To get the most out of your rental at hertz car rental burbank airport ca, follow this checklist:
- Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards at least 48 hours before you fly. This ensures your profile is active in the Burbank system.
- Download the Hertz App. It allows you to see exactly which car is waiting for you before you even step off the plane.
- Check the "Manager's Special." Sometimes at BUR, they have an overstock of a specific class (like minivans or small SUVs) and you can snag a massive upgrade for pennies.
- Document everything. Use your phone to take a quick video of the car’s exterior and interior before you leave the RITC. Light is decent in the garage, so you should be able to catch any existing dings.
- Plan your exit. Know if you are heading North toward Santa Clarita or South toward the city. The exits from the RITC dump you onto busy streets immediately; having your GPS set before you shift into Drive is a pro move.
Burbank is the stress-free way to enter Los Angeles. By using Hertz and knowing the layout of the RITC, you can go from the airplane seat to the driver's seat in under twenty minutes. That’s a win in any traveler’s book.