When I first lived in the Valley, I thought I had to use LAX because it was LA, but once you actually live here, it's much more convenient to choose airports based on your destination. San Fernando has surprisingly good transportation access, allowing you to choose between domestic and international flights as needed.

The closest airport is Van Nuys Airport (VNY). It's only about 6.7 miles away in a straight line from San Fernando, making it very close. However, it's rarely used by regular travelers. This airport is known as one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world, but it mainly serves private planes, corporate jets, and charter flights, so there are no commercial passenger routes. If you're not using a private aircraft, you can think of it as an airport you just visit for sightseeing.

The airport most residents actually use is Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). It's about 7.2 miles away in a straight line from San Fernando, and you can get there in about 15 minutes by car, making it very accessible. Major airlines like Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines operate there, so you won't have any trouble traveling to major cities in the U.S.

The biggest advantage of Burbank Airport is its small size. Unlike LAX, you won't have to walk a long way through terminals or wait in long security lines. Many people say you can arrive about an hour and a half before departure and still board comfortably. This is one reason many residents intentionally choose BUR for domestic short-haul flights to places like Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Phoenix.

For international travel, the situation changes. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 23.5 miles away from San Fernando, and if traffic is smooth, it takes about 30 to 45 minutes by car. However, during rush hour or on weekends, it's common for the trip to take over an hour, so it's best to leave with plenty of time to spare.

As one of the largest international airports on the West Coast, LAX offers a very diverse range of international routes. It's essentially a must-use airport for the Korean community, which travels to Korea frequently. Several airlines, including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, operate direct flights to Incheon, so most people traveling to and from Korea will use LAX. Most long-haul international flights to Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America also depart from LAX.

Traveling by train is also an option. The Metrolink Ventura County Line runs from Chatsworth Station to LA Union Station, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes by car from San Fernando to Chatsworth Station. From Union Station, you can use Amtrak, the long-distance train service in the U.S., to travel to various locations like San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Seattle, and Chicago.

Ultimately, residents of San Fernando find it most efficient to use different modes of transportation based on their needs. Domestic flights are best served by Burbank Airport, while LAX is ideal for trips to Korea or international travel, and long-distance train travel is best connected through Metrolink and Amtrak. The variety of options available nearby is another significant advantage of living in San Fernando.