How to Travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood (2026)

Heading to Los Angeles and want to check out both parks? We share how to travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood with ease.

If you’re planning a Southern California theme park trip, visiting both Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and Universal Studios Hollywood is a great way to experience two very different sides of California’s theme park scene.

The two parks are not next door to each other, though, and getting from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood can take longer than you might expect. The road distance is around 36 miles, but Los Angeles traffic can make the journey considerably longer than the distance suggests.

The good news is that you have several options. You can drive yourself, take an Uber or Lyft, or use public transportation if keeping costs down is your priority.

Having visited and researched theme parks around the world, we know that transportation can make a surprisingly big difference to your day. There is little point saving money on transport if it leaves you exhausted before arriving at Universal, while paying for a private ride may not make sense if you are travelling alone.

Travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood

Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood at a glance

Distance: Approximately 36 miles by road
Typical driving time: Around 45–60 minutes in lighter traffic
Busy traffic: Allow 1.5–2 hours or more
Best option for most visitors: Uber or Lyft
Best option for families/groups: Driving or rideshare
Cheapest option: Public transportation
Universal Studios Hollywood address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

The biggest thing to remember is that Los Angeles traffic is unpredictable. A journey that looks straightforward on a map can take considerably longer during the morning or afternoon rush.

If you are planning to arrive at Universal Studios for opening time, we would avoid relying on a tight journey estimate.

Before your Disneyland trip, you may also want to read our guide on how to prepare for Disneyland, which covers everything from when to visit and what to pack to accommodation and food.

Can you travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood in one day?

Yes, absolutely.

However, we would recommend treating the two parks as separate days rather than trying to visit both on the same day.

Disneyland Resort has two theme parks — Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure — while Universal Studios Hollywood is a separate theme park in Universal City. Trying to leave Disneyland halfway through the day, travel to Universal and then enjoy a few hours at Universal can mean spending a significant amount of your valuable park time sitting in traffic.

If you have several days in Southern California, a much better plan is to spend a full day at Disneyland Resort and another day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

If you only have limited time, Universal Studios Hollywood can be particularly appealing because the park is relatively compact compared with some of the larger Disney and Universal resorts.

Our Universal Studios Hollywood Tips guide is useful if you’re planning your first visit, covering everything from arriving early and using the Universal app to Harry Potter tips and food.

Ways to travel between Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood

1. Drive from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood

For many visitors, driving is the easiest way to travel between Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood.

The road distance is roughly 36 miles, and journey planners can show a drive of around 40–50 minutes in favourable conditions. However, this is Los Angeles, so you should never assume that the quoted journey time will be your actual travel time.

Traffic can be particularly heavy during weekday rush hours, and a journey that would normally take under an hour can take considerably longer.

What route should you take?

Your navigation app will provide the best route based on live traffic conditions on the day.

The general journey takes you north from Anaheim towards the Los Angeles area and then towards Universal City. Universal Studios Hollywood is located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City.

Universal’s official directions recommend using the 101 and following signs towards Universal Studios Hollywood once you reach the Universal City area.

Is driving worth it?

Driving makes the most sense if:

• You already have a rental car
• You are travelling as a family
• You have several people sharing the cost
• You want flexibility
• You are staying somewhere between Anaheim and Universal City
• You are planning to explore other parts of Los Angeles

The biggest disadvantage is parking.

Universal Studios Hollywood currently lists general parking before 5pm at $40 per vehicle, with preferred parking starting from $60. General parking after 5pm is listed at $10, although parking prices can change and special-event dates may have different rates.

That means you need to factor parking into the overall cost of driving.

2. Take an Uber or Lyft

For visitors who don’t have a rental car, Uber or Lyft is probably the option we would choose.

The biggest advantage is convenience. You can leave Disneyland Resort, request your ride and be dropped close to Universal Studios Hollywood without having to navigate several different public transport connections.

The downside is price.

Rideshare fares vary depending on demand, time of day and the number of drivers available, so there isn’t one fixed price we can give you. Disneyland itself notes that rideshare prices vary depending on the distance and destination.

For this reason, check the fare in the app before confirming your ride.

Why rideshare can be a good option

If you’re travelling with two, three or four people, splitting the fare can make an Uber or Lyft much more attractive than buying individual public transport tickets.

It is also particularly useful if you have luggage, young children or simply don’t want to spend several hours navigating buses and trains.

One important tip: don’t request your ride until you’re ready to leave Disneyland.

The Disneyland Resort is a busy area, and you should follow the designated rideshare pickup instructions provided by the resort rather than simply requesting a car from wherever you happen to be standing.

3. Take public transportation from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood

Public transportation is the cheapest option, but it is also the option that requires the most patience.

There isn’t a simple direct train from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Instead, you’ll need to combine buses and/or trains, travelling through the wider Los Angeles and Orange County transportation network.

Disneyland is served by Los Angeles Metro and Orange County Transportation Authority services, while Universal Studios Hollywood has direct access to the Metro system via Universal City.

A journey planner can therefore be extremely useful when planning this route because the best combination of services can change depending on the day and time.

Journey-planning services currently estimate the public transport journey at around three hours, including transfers, compared with roughly 40–50 minutes of driving in lighter traffic.

Why choose public transportation?

Public transport makes sense if:

• You are travelling on a tight budget
• You don’t want to drive in Los Angeles
• You are comfortable with transfers
• You have plenty of time
• You are travelling without young children or lots of luggage

It is less appealing if you are trying to arrive at Universal Studios for opening time.

Remember that your journey doesn’t just include the time spent physically travelling. You also need to account for walking to stops or stations, waiting for services and changing between different forms of transportation.

One advantage of Universal Studios Hollywood is that the park is well connected to public transportation.

The Universal City/Studio City Metro station provides access to the Universal Studios Hollywood area, and Universal operates a free shuttle between the station and the theme park.

Universal’s current transportation information also notes a pedestrian bridge at the corner of Lankershim Boulevard and Universal Hollywood Drive, providing access between the Metro station and Universal Studios Hollywood. This makes the final section of the public transport journey relatively straightforward.

Once you’re at Universal, you’ll be ready to explore the Upper Lot, Lower Lot, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World and the Studio Tour. If you’re deciding which attractions to prioritise, take a look at our 7 Best Shows at Universal Studios Hollywood for some of the experiences beyond the rides.

4. Take a taxi or private transfer

A taxi or pre-booked private transfer is another possibility.

This essentially gives you the convenience of rideshare without relying on surge pricing or waiting for a driver to accept your journey.

A private transfer can be particularly useful for:

• Larger families
• Groups with lots of luggage
• Visitors who want a guaranteed pickup
• Travellers who prefer not to use rideshare apps
• People travelling at particularly busy times

The downside is that this will usually be one of the more expensive ways to make the journey.

For most couples and smaller groups, we’d compare the price with Uber or Lyft before booking a private transfer.

What is the cheapest way to travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood?

Public transportation is generally the cheapest option. However, cheapest doesn’t necessarily mean best. The public transport journey can take around three hours and involves transfers.

If you are travelling with several people, compare the total public transport cost with an Uber or Lyft. Once you divide a rideshare fare between three or four people, the difference can become much smaller. This is one of those situations where it is worth considering the value of your time, particularly if you’re visiting California specifically for its theme parks.

What is the fastest way to travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood?

In normal traffic, driving or rideshare will be the fastest option. A typical journey can take around 40–60 minutes when traffic is relatively light, but you should allow significantly longer during busy periods.

There is no way to guarantee a particular journey time because traffic around Los Angeles can change quickly. If you have a timed reservation or want to arrive before Universal Studios opens, give yourself a generous buffer.

We would rather arrive early and have time to grab breakfast or explore CityWalk than spend the first hour of our Universal day worrying about traffic.

Should you drive or use Uber from Disneyland to Universal Studios?

For most visitors, we’d make the decision based on whether you already have a car.

If you already have a rental car, drive. There is little reason to pay for a rideshare if you already have a vehicle available, especially if you’re travelling with a family or group. Just remember to include Universal’s parking cost in your budget.

If you don’t have a car, use Uber or Lyft. For a couple or small group, the convenience is likely to be worth the additional cost.

If you’re travelling solo, consider public transportation. If you’re comfortable with a longer journey and transfers, this can save you a significant amount of money.

Can you visit Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood on the same day?

Technically, yes. But we wouldn’t recommend it.

The distance between the two parks isn’t enormous on paper, but the journey can take a significant amount of time because of Los Angeles traffic. Public transportation takes considerably longer still.

You also need to remember that you’re not simply travelling between two attractions. You need time to:

1. Leave Disneyland
2. Walk to your car or rideshare pickup point
3. Wait for transportation
4. Travel through Los Angeles
5. Park or reach Universal
6. Walk into the park
7. Go through security
8. Enter Universal Studios

That’s a lot of time taken away from your park day. If your schedule allows it, we strongly recommend one full day at Disneyland and one full day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Our recommended Disneyland to Universal Studios itinerary

If you’re planning a multi-day Southern California theme park trip, we’d structure it something like this:

Day 1: Disneyland Park
Day 2: Disney California Adventure
Day 3: Universal Studios Hollywood
Day 4: Explore Los Angeles

If you have fewer days, combine the two Disney parks into a single day if you’re confident you can manage a long day, then dedicate the next day to Universal.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a particularly good addition to a Los Angeles itinerary because you’re already heading towards Hollywood and other LA attractions.

And if you are flying into Los Angeles before your Universal day, our guide on how to get from LAX to Universal Studios Hollywood covers the different transportation options from the airport.

Tips for travelling between the two parks

• Check traffic before leaving: Don’t rely solely on the journey time you were given when you planned your trip; make sure to check your navigation app immediately before leaving Disneyland.
• Don’t cut it too fine: If Universal Studios opens at 9am, don’t plan to leave Anaheim at 8am and give yourself plenty of time for traffic, parking and getting through the entrance.
• Compare rideshare prices: Check both Uber and Lyft if you have access to both apps as prices can vary significantly depending on demand.
• Consider your group size: A public transport journey might make sense for one person, but a rideshare can become much more reasonable when four people are sharing the cost.
• Don’t forget Universal parking: If you’re driving, remember that your transportation budget needs to include parking at Universal Studios Hollywood. General parking is currently listed at $40 before 5pm, although rates are subject to change.
• Download the Universal app: The Universal Studios Hollywood app is useful for checking wait times and planning your day.
• Plan your return journey: Don’t wait until the end of the night to work out how you’re getting back to Anaheim. If you’re using public transportation, check the final services in advance. If you’re using rideshare, be aware that prices and availability can change when large numbers of visitors leave the park.

Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood: FAQs

For most visitors, Uber or Lyft is the easiest way to travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood if you don’t already have a rental car. If you’re travelling with a larger group, driving can make more financial sense, particularly if you already have a rental vehicle. Just remember to factor in Universal’s parking fees. Public transportation is the best choice for budget-conscious travellers, but the journey takes considerably longer and involves transfers.

Ultimately, the biggest thing to plan around isn’t the 36-mile distance — it’s Los Angeles traffic.

If you’re spending money on a Southern California theme park holiday, we’d rather pay a little more for a convenient journey and arrive at Universal feeling ready for a full day of rides and attractions.

And if you’re planning a bigger theme park adventure, explore more of our Universal Studios guides and Disneyland guides before you go.

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