Getting to Anaheim, California is easy!
The Greater Los Angeles area is home to no less than five commercial airports, all of which (except for Long Beach) are serviced by the major US domestic carrier airlines including American, United, Delta and Southwest, as well as service to most airports on Allegiant, Frontier, JetBlue and Spirit.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The lights of Los Angeles International Airport
35 miles northwest of Anaheim, the airport known worldwide simply as LAX is a world-class facility, one of America’s largest and busiest air terminals. It’s a primary hub for United, American, Southwest and Delta Airlines, and boasts traffic by all other major North American airlines and the vast majority of major international carriers. International flights usually arrive at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at the airport, also known as TBIT or Terminal B, with limited exceptions. LAX can, however, be difficult to navigate, as passenger and shuttle pickup during peak hours can see significant delays.
LAX is currently undergoing significant construction due to the upcoming 2028 Olympics, which includes the scheduled opening of a brand-new automated people mover (Skylink) connecting all terminals to local parking and ground transportation, as well as a new consolidated rental car facility, in early summer 2026. We are hopeful that the Skylink system will be in full operation by LAcon V.
The Los Angeles Metro subway and bus system serve the LAX Metro Transit Center, approximately a mile east of the airport; shuttle buses connect LAX to the transit center until the opening of the Skylink trains.
John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA)
12 miles south of Anaheim in Santa Ana, John Wayne Airport is the primary domestic airport serving Orange County, where LAcon V is located; international options are extremely limited. We recommend US-based visitors fly into John Wayne if at all possible; it means a trip completely avoiding LAX, and it’s much easier to use and get to us from.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
39 miles northwest of Anaheim, Hollywood Burbank Airport is a a very busy domestic regional airport serving the northern part of the city of Los Angeles and its suburbs, mostly the San Fernando Valley, Burbank and Pasadena. Decent flights can be found on US carriers, and it’s an easy airport to navigate, but it’s the furthest airport from Anaheim. (This airport was previously known as Bob Hope Airport.)
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Approximately 35 miles to the northeast of Anaheim, Ontario International Airport serves the Inland Empire region (the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside, and their many suburbs). Most of the major US carriers have some traffic to Ontario, though the international part of this airport’s name mostly includes very limited options from Mexico.
Long Beach Municipal Airport (LGB)
21 miles northwest of Anaheim, is primarily a domestic commuter airport and minor hub for Southwest Airlines.
Reminder: Visas and ESTA Visa Waivers
LACon V 2026 is dedicated to supporting the widest possible range of participants. Many visitors from outside the United States do not need a visa, as they are covered under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visa waiver program. ESTA waivers cover citizens from over forty countries, including most of Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and other nations. More information, including the full list of countries participating, may be found at the ESTA Application website.
If you are a citizen of a country that does not participate in the waiver program, you will need to begin the process of applying for a nonimmigrant visa at the US Department of State website. We urge you to begin this process as early as possible, as it may take several months depending on wait times in your country. Please note that the DS-160 form is generally the only form you need to complete prior to your interview. Very rarely will you need to bring any supporting documents. If you have any specific questions, we welcome your inquiry at visas@lacon.org.
Upon Arrival
There are ample rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.) and taxi services at all Los Angeles area airports, as well as many airport shuttle services; flat-rate shuttles from LAX to Anaheim are extremely common, given how popular Anaheim is as a tourist destination. Additionally, Amtrak features train service to and from Anaheim to many West Coast destinations.
Additional Travel Options
Further afield, Southern California and the Pacific Southwest are served by San Diego International Airport (SAN) in San Diego and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) in the desert resort in the Coachella Valley. Both are great options if you wish to extend your stay in California. The Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area is approximately 90 miles to the east of Anaheim; San Diego is approximately 100 miles to the south. (Additionally, San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) to the east is primarily a cargo airport, but is served by one US low-cost carrier, Breeze Airways, and is expected to feature more service by 2026.)
Harry Reid Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) is located in the heart of the Nevada desert and is a four-hour drive from Anaheim; most major international airlines and all US domestic carriers serve Las Vegas and it’s a good option if you wish to extend your trip. Plus, it’s only an hour’s flight from Vegas to John Wayne/SNA (a great option for those coming from Europe who want to spend some time in Vegas before or after LAcon V.)
Central and Northern California also have some world class destinations for those who wish to extend their trip on either side of the Worldcon. The San Francisco Bay Area is one of America’s best-known tourist destinations, including the major cities of San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland and dozens of suburbs throughout, as well as the Northern California wine country and central coastline. California’s capital city, Sacramento, is another popular destination. You can also take a drive up the coast to Santa Barbara and Southern California’s wine country, which takes about two hours driving from Anaheim; it’s a one-hour flight from Los Angeles area airports to the Bay Area and Sacramento, while driving takes anywhere from five to seven hours. All of these locations are served by US airports with domestic service: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK), San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA).
Visas and ESTA Visa Waivers
LACon V 2026 is dedicated to supporting the widest possible range of participants. Many visitors from outside the United States do not need a visa, as they are covered under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visa waiver program. ESTA waivers cover citizens from over forty countries, including most of Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and other nations. More information, including the full list of countries participating, may be found at the ESTA Application website.
If you are a citizen of a country that does not participate in the waiver program, you will need to begin the process of applying for a nonimmigrant visa at the US Department of State website. We urge you to begin this process as early as possible, as it may take several months depending on wait times in your country. Please note that the DS-160 form is generally the only form you need to complete prior to your interview. Very rarely will you need to bring any supporting documents. If you have any specific questions, we welcome your inquiry at visas@lacon.org.
