Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets, Rides, Parking, Tips & Things to Do: Complete 2025 Visitor Guide

Universal Studios Hollywood

For television and movie fans a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood is an absolute must when visiting Southern California. Yes, indeed, there’s a whole lot more to this sprawling region than beaches, Disneyland, and Dodgers baseball.

It was July of 1964 when Universal Studios first began operating tram tours of the movie studio complex, which at the time was quite small compared with what Universal Studios Hollywood is today. The first ride based on the movie Jaws debuted in 1976, with King Kong and Earthquake themed experiences following soon thereafter.

Over the years Universal has spread its wings into Asia with theme parks in other countries. In addition to the flagship Universal Studios Hollywood, the Universal Orlando Resort opened in 1990, Universal Studios Japan in 2001, Universal Studios Singapore in 2011, and the Universal Beijing Resort in 2021.

Universal Studios Hollywood welcomes more than nine million annual visitors.

How Do I Get to Universal from the Airport?

To begin with, let’s talk about which airports are closest to the park. Just five miles from Universal or about ten minutes by car is the Hollywood-Burbank Airport. As one of the smaller commercial airports in the region, the airport is served by Spirit Airlines, Alaska, Southwest, Jet Blue, Frontier, Delta, United, American, and Avelo. Non-stop markets are limited, but if you happen to live where you can fly here directly, this is your best option.

While there is public transit that will take you from Hollywood-Burbank Airport (officially Bob Hope Airport) to Universal Studios Hollywood, the ride takes 45 minutes to an hour to go a very short distance. In our opinion, the best way to get to your hotel from the airport is via Uber or Lyft. The fare is reasonable, and it just takes a few minutes.

The next closest airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is served by nearly every domestic and international carrier that flies to Southern California. American, United, Delta, and Alaska Airlines all operate important hubs here, and about every other U.S. carrier also offers flights from LAX. Additionally, the airport offers over 200 daily international flights to 42 countries worldwide.

Driving time from LAX to Universal Studios Hollywood varies depending on the day of the week, time of day, and if inclement weather occurs when all bets are off. However, under ‘normal conditions’, the 26 mile/30 minute drive via the 405 and 101 freeways works well. GPS services may show a shorter way to get here in terms of distance, but it zigs and zags so much on local streets that the drive takes longer than sticking to the freeway.

If your plan is to take advantage of airport shuttle services, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, or public transit, you can get around just as easily without having to deal with finding and paying for parking which can get rather spendy.

Karmel Shuttle, Xpress Shuttles, and LAX Airport Shuttle all offer one-way and round-trip transportation from Los Angeles International to hotels that are on-site at Universal Studios or located nearby. Make your reservations online at least 48 hours in advance and you will be assured of a comfortable ride based on a schedule that works for you.

What Hours is Universal Studios & Theme Park Open?

The hours of operation at Universal Studios Hollywood vary by season, day of the week, and during specific holiday time periods. As these times are subject to change occasionally even on short notice, be sure to check the latest schedule for when you plan to visit before heading for the park. Hours are usually extended at Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and other peak times.

Month Weekdays Weekends

January 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

February 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

March 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

April & May 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

June 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

July 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

August 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

September &

October 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

November 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

December 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Is There a ‘Best Time’ to Visit Universal Hollywood?

You might say that ‘time is of the essence’ when visiting Universal Studios in Hollywood. Unlike some of the mega-parks including Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, you can comfortably see everything you want here in one full day. Depending on your personal interests, figure on six to eight hours enjoying the many attractions, live shows, and major rides. Don’t be surprised, however, if you decide to purchase a 2-day admission ticket since so many of the rides and attractions are worth experiencing more than once!

We suggest grabbing an early breakfast and heading to the park so that you arrive about 15-20 minutes before the official opening time, whether that be 8 a.m., 9 a.m., or 10 a.m. An early arrival will have you clearing security and entering the park before the crowds arrive. Once inside, head for the more popular rides right away, avoiding any lengthy lines that may form as the morning progresses.

What Are My Admission Ticket Options?

Prior to deciding which admission ticket is best for you we suggest spending some time reviewing this interactive map of the park. Having a layout of the land before doing some serious planning will make your visit much more enjoyable.

1-day General Admission - The most popular ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood is the 1-day General Admission ticket. It’s simple to understand why, as this is the least expensive way to experience the park. When you are ready to purchase your ticket(s), online is definitely the way to go. Not only will be find the best ticket prices online, but you will avoid standing in line to purchase tickets on the day of your visit.

It's especially important to be aware that the 1-day ticket is only valid on the day you have chosen to visit. The ticket gives you free reign to fully explore the park including unlimited visits to all rides and shows. So, if you or your kids find a ride to be to their liking, you can ride it again if you choose. Of course, you will have to queue up again, but hopefully the line won’t be too long.

Your 1-day ticket also includes the famous behind-the-scenes Studio Tour. Currently, an adult ticket starts at $109 for the day, with kids tickets for ages 3-9 starting at $103. Kids 2 and younger are admitted for free.

Should I Skip the Line With an Express Ticket? – To be honest, the question here should be “how much money do you have”? For almost $100 additional per admission ticket (that’s more than $200 for the day), you can bypass the lines (for the most part) and gain immediate or much quicker access to rides and attractions. There are a limited number of Express Tickets offered daily, and despite the expense they typically do sell out. You can upgrade your 1-day or 2-day General Admission ticket to Express easily online when purchasing tickets.

Express Ticket advantages include admission to the park and one-time express admission to rides, attractions, and shows (except Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge), maximized time at the park with faster admission, preferred seating at shows, express access to the Studio Tour, and the ability to skip long lines during peak days and at unique events including Halloween Horror Nights.

There is also a VIP Premium Experience available for more than $350 per person that you may want to consider.

2-day General Admission - If you can decide before visiting Universal Studios Hollywood on the first day that you plan to spend two days at the park, there are savings to be had with the 2-day ticket. But you must buy the 2-day ticket before your first visit. The second visit must be within seven days of your first visit, including the day of the initial visit.

Having two days to enjoy the park will take the pressure off of having to see and do everything on day one. This will be most beneficial to families with kids, especially if they are younger and need breaks or down time during the day.

The best news about the 2-day ticket is that the price isn’t twice as much as the 1-day ticket. The 2-day ticket starts at $149, with kids aged 3-9 years from $118. Again, youngsters two and younger are admitted free of charge. This makes the admission fee about $75 per adult and kids 10+ for each of the two days spent at the park.

How Do I Decide Between the 1-day vs. 2-day Admission Ticket?

Are curious how long the wait times are for attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood? Well, it depends, but that isn’t a particularly convenient answer. Wait times will vary depending on the time of day, the day of the week, if it’s peak summer season or a non-summer day when the park is much quieter and kids are in school.

During busier times you can figure on a 65-minute average waiting time for the Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge, 55 minutes for Jurassic World -The Ride, 45 minutes for the Simpson’s Ride and Harry Potter, 35 minutes for the Transformers Ride and Revenge of the Mummy, and 30 minutes for Despicable Me, the Studio Backlot Tour, and the Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! Rides and attractions not mentioned above should have shorter than 30 minute waits, again ‘on average’.

The 1-day ticket is best for adults with or without teens along. It is clearly the most budget friendly option, and if you can visit at an off-peak time, this ticket should provide you with a wonderful experience.

The 2-day ticket will appeal to families traveling with youngsters who don’t want to rush through the park with exhausted kids who would be better served with an extra day to pace themselves. If your kids are of pre-school age, so much the better, as you can plan your visit during an off-peak time period.

Know Before You Go

Experience the flash flood that was part of “Big Fat Liar” and “Fletch Lives”, as well as exhibits from “King Kong”, “War of the Worlds”, “Earthquake”, and “Jaws. New York, a colonial town, and a set for Westerns are also amazing to see.

So, what food and beverages can you bring along with you? Unfortunately, there are few which are permissible. Each guest is allowed up to two liters of bottled water and small snacks. Also permitted is food required for special dietary needs, medical purposes, and medically specified nutritional supplements. And as you might expect, baby food and formula are acceptable, too.

The most difficult part of bringing food and beverage necessities to the park are the restrictions on the size of bags you can carry your items in. Soft-sided insulated bags are permissible, but they can be no larger than 8.5” wide, 6” high, and 6” deep. Not exceptionally large to be sure, but with pre-planning you can make it work.

At the End of the Day, a Visit to CityWalk is in Store

If the attractions, shows, and rides at Universal Studios Hollywood hasn’t worn you out, stroll on over to Universal CityWalk, a three block long extravaganza filled with stores, restaurants, entertainment, the 18-screen Universal Cinema, plus an IMAX theatre.

You’ll find incredible shopping and dining opportunities here, and there is no admission charge, which is the best news of all. If you, your partner, or kids have had enough walking and excitement for the day, you can always come back another day for a meal, or an outdoor concert that includes dazzling strobe lights. When the crowd starts dancing it’s your turn to join in!

Lights, Camera, Action!

From the moment you enter Universal Studios Hollywood you become part of the action. With so many exciting attractions, rides, and shows to fill your day and then some, this is without a doubt a theme park and movie studio that will exhilarate you and your traveling companions. An unforgettable experience awaits you.

When it comes time to book your hotel accommodations, there’s no better place to search than on the Travelated website. With hundreds of hotels within a reasonable distance of Universal, you will surely find the right hotel to fit your needs in terms of location, price, and amenities.