BUR Rental Car Guide: Hollywood Burbank Airport
Renting a car at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in Burbank, California. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, pricing, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at BUR that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at BUR
All on-airport brands are in the Consolidated Rental Car Facility inside the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC). From baggage claim, follow the airport signs to Rental Cars / RITC.
Returns go back to the RITC. Follow the airport signs for Rental Car Return and allow time to get back to the terminal.
BUR pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: varies by season, so compare all-in quotes for your dates.
Mandatory airport fees: A customer facility charge, a concession recovery fee (a percentage of your base rate), California sales tax and the California tourism assessment. Check your agreement for the exact amounts.
These charges are added on top of the quoted base rate, so a cheap headline price at BUR can look very different at checkout. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at BUR
On-airport rental brands at BUR include:
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Fox
- Hertz
- National
- Payless
- Thrifty
Best for premium service: National (Emerald Aisle) and Hertz (Gold) let loyalty members skip the counter
Cheapest base rates: Compare Fox, Payless and Thrifty against the majors, since the gap changes with your dates
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
BUR-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
Neighborhood branches in Burbank, Glendale and North Hollywood can skip airport charges, and the RITC also connects to the Burbank Airport train station.
Worth considering for longer rentals: A branch near your hotel if you only need the car for a few days of a longer LA stay.
How to save the most at BUR
- Compare the all-in total. At BUR, the cheapest headline rate is not always the cheapest final bill.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill is usually cheaper: fill up close to the return location, since the company refuel charge is usually well above the pump price. Check your agreement for the exact rate.
- Check your coverage before you go. Many credit cards and auto policies cover damage to a rental, but card coverage never includes liability, so confirm what you have before declining the counter's offer.
More tips: how to avoid hidden rental fees.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at BUR?
All on-airport brands share one facility in the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC). From baggage claim, follow the airport signs to Rental Cars / RITC.
What is the average rental car price at BUR?
There is no reliable average for BUR: rates move with season, demand and car class, and airport charges come on top. Compare all-in quotes for your dates.
What hidden fees should I watch for at BUR?
Four layers: a customer facility charge, a percentage-based concession recovery fee, California sales tax and the state tourism assessment. Your agreement shows the exact amounts.
Which rental car company is best at BUR?
National (Emerald Aisle) and Hertz (Gold) let loyalty members skip the counter. For value, price Fox, Payless and Thrifty against the majors.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from BUR?
Sometimes: branches in Burbank, Glendale and North Hollywood skip airport charges, which helps if you only need a car for part of a longer LA stay.
Are there any quirks to renting at BUR?
Expect rush-hour traffic on I-5 and US-101, and Metro ExpressLanes that need a FasTrak account, so skip them unless your rental toll program covers them. Terminal construction can change curbs, so follow current signs.