What if your next Burbank address cut your commute to Union Station to about 20 to 30 minutes and put Hollywood Burbank Airport just a quick shuttle away? If you travel or commute, those minutes matter. They can influence how a home lives day to day and how it holds value over time. In this guide, you will learn how Metrolink access and BUR convenience tend to shape home prices, what to watch for on noise and schedules, and how to shop or sell with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Metrolink and BUR at a glance
Where the stations are
Downtown Burbank is the city’s primary commuter stop with connections to local buses and two Metrolink lines. You can review the station’s services on the Downtown Burbank station page.
Two stations serve the airport area. The Burbank Airport–South station connects to the airport’s Regional Intermodal Transportation Center. The Burbank Airport–North station opened in 2018 and links to the terminal with a free on‑demand shuttle.
How fast is the train to LA?
Metrolink’s Ventura County and Antelope Valley lines run directly to Los Angeles Union Station. Typical rail time from the airport area to Union Station is about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the train. Check current frequencies and any updates on the Metrolink schedule page.
Getting to and from BUR
Hollywood Burbank Airport is designed for easy ground connections. Metro and BurbankBus routes serve the airport, and shuttles connect the terminal with both Metrolink platforms. You can see current options on the airport’s buses and trains guide.
What this access does to value
Transit proximity and price
A large body of research finds a measurable “transit premium” for homes within walking distance of rail. Reviews show the effect varies widely by city, service type, and exact location. The premium tends to be strongest within about 0.25 to 0.5 mile of a station, and it grows when trains are frequent and the walk is safe and direct. You can see the summary of ranges in the National Academies literature review.
Context matters. Walkable amenities, nearby jobs, and active ridership usually support higher premiums. In some cases, properties extremely close to stations see neutral or negative effects when parking pressure or noise outweighs convenience. A peer‑reviewed overview explains how neighborhood context and timing can shift outcomes in either direction (open‑access synthesis).
Airports bring benefits and tradeoffs
Airports add value for frequent flyers and local employees, yet aircraft noise and flight‑path exposure can lower prices for homes inside higher noise contours. The size of the impact depends on distance, curfews, and mitigation programs. Hollywood Burbank Airport handled roughly 6.55 million passengers in 2024, making it a busy regional hub and a significant employer for the area (airport overview).
Burbank factors that matter
Strong job base boosts demand
Burbank’s economy is anchored by major entertainment and information employers, plus the airport. The city hosts a large daytime workforce relative to its housing stock, which supports demand for homes near transit and job centers. Explore the job profile on DataUSA’s Burbank page.
Downtown Burbank’s TOD momentum
The city’s Downtown Burbank Transit‑Oriented Development Specific Plan centers growth around the Downtown Metrolink station. Drafts call for substantial mixed‑use infill and pedestrian improvements, which can support long‑term value near the station as the area becomes more walkable and amenity‑rich. Learn more on the Downtown Burbank TOD site.
High demand, limited supply
Burbank is an expensive Los Angeles area market with steady buyer demand. The exact numbers move month to month, so it is best to review current local snapshots before you make an offer or set a list price.
Buyer checklist near Metrolink or BUR
- Measure the walk. Premiums are often concentrated inside a 5 to 10 minute walk, or roughly 0.25 to 0.5 mile from a station, when the route is safe and pleasant. See the ranges cited in the National Academies review.
- Match the schedule to your life. Check peak and off‑peak trains on the Metrolink timetable. If you need weekend or late‑evening trips, verify those departures.
- Check flight‑path exposure. Review airport noise resources and curfew information before you commit. The Hollywood Burbank Airport overview links to official noise and operations resources.
- Verify first‑ and last‑mile options. If you plan to mix rail and air travel, look at the airport’s bus and shuttle connections. Confirm parking, bike storage, and drop‑off convenience at your chosen station.
Seller strategies to highlight transit advantages
- Quantify commute savings. If your home sits within an easy walk of a station, include typical rail times to Union Station and other job centers, and cite the Metrolink schedule.
- Be transparent about noise. If you are near a flight path or inside published contours, disclose that clearly and note any sound‑mitigation features. Point interested buyers to the airport’s information resources.
- Spotlight planned improvements. If you are near the Downtown station, highlight public‑realm upgrades and walkable amenities envisioned in the Downtown Burbank TOD plan. Set fair expectations about construction timelines.
Risks, timing, and expectations
Transit value is both immediate and long term. In Burbank, rail access already exists, so much of the benefit is real today. Anticipated TOD upgrades and zoning changes can add value over time, but outcomes depend on approvals, funding, and build‑out. Research also shows that pre‑opening expectations and post‑opening results can differ, another reason to ground decisions in current data and on‑the‑ground conditions (National Academies review).
How to evaluate a specific block
- Map it. Mark the nearest station, bus stops, and airport shuttle points.
- Walk it. Try the route at the times you travel most.
- Test a commute. Ride Metrolink during your typical peak hour.
- Sound check. Visit during morning, midday, and evening to gauge aircraft and train noise.
- Compare close‑in comps. Look at recent sales within the same walk‑shed, not just the same ZIP, to estimate any transit premium on your block.
Ready to weigh the transit edge?
With the right plan, you can capture the upside of transit access while minimizing tradeoffs like noise or limited off‑peak service. If you are buying, we will help you test commute times, verify schedules, and spot noise exposure before you write. If you are selling, we will position your home’s access to Metrolink and BUR with clear data buyers trust. Have questions about a specific property near a station or flight path? Reach out to Valerie Gutierrez for a friendly, no‑pressure consult.
FAQs
How close to Metrolink boosts price in Burbank?
- Many studies find the strongest effects within about 0.25 to 0.5 mile of a station, but the size varies by service frequency, walkability, and neighborhood context, so compare recent local comps and review the National Academies summary.
Is aircraft noise a dealbreaker near Hollywood Burbank Airport?
- It depends on the block, since noise exposure is very local; check airport noise resources and curfew details linked from the airport overview, and consider sound‑mitigation features if you are under flight paths.
Does Metrolink make commuting to Downtown LA practical from Burbank?
- Yes for many riders, since typical train time from the airport area to Union Station is about 20 to 30 minutes, but usefulness depends on your schedule and first‑ or last‑mile options, so confirm departures on the Metrolink timetable.
Will the Downtown Burbank TOD raise values on my street?
- Over time, added housing, retail, and pedestrian upgrades around the station can support value, though construction can bring short‑term disruption, so review the city’s goals on the Downtown Burbank TOD site and weigh timing.
How do I compare a home by a station versus one farther away?
- Evaluate walk time and safety, train frequency at your hours, any aircraft or train noise, and recent comps within the same walk‑shed, then decide if the convenience premium fits your budget and lifestyle.