.png)
Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Review: Prices, Parking Fee, Shuttle & Honest Breakdown
Updated: 2 days ago
Is the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City worth staying at for a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood? Its location is one of the biggest selling points, with the theme park within walking distance and a complimentary shuttle available. However, there are some additional costs to consider, especially if you're bringing a car or expecting breakfast to be included.
Parking at the Hilton Universal City isn't free, and breakfast generally costs extra unless it's included in your booking rate or benefits. During our two-night stay, we paid $351.82 for a king room, plus another $99 for self-parking. That brought our total to $450.82 before any other expenses, which made us question whether the convenience was worth the additional cost.
In this Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City review, we'll share what our room was really like, how the parking and shuttle worked, what to expect from the hotel's amenities, and whether we'd recommend staying here for a Universal Studios Hollywood vacation.
Disclaimer: This post does contain affiliate links which if used, we can earn commission from. These types of links help us continue to make honest review for our viewers.
Getting to Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City sits in the heart of Universal City, making it easy to reach from either of LA’s major airports. Here’s how long it takes and the best transportation options depending on where you’re flying in.
From Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
Distance to hotel: ~6 miles (10–20 minutes depending on traffic) BUR is the closest airport to Universal City and the easiest option for this hotel.
Ride-share (Uber/Lyft): $35–$50 depending on time of day. BUR has consistent ride-share availability.
Taxi: Meter-based; typically similar to Uber pricing. Expect ~$40–$50.
Rental Car: Good option if you plan to visit other parts of LA (Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica, Venice Beach). Average price is ~$500 for five days before insurance. Hotel parking: $45/night self-parking or $55/night valet.
Public Transportation (budget-friendly):
Metrolink from BUR RITC → Downtown Burbank Station ($2)
Burbank Bus Pink Line → Universal City ($1)Total cost: $3/person
This takes longer but is the cheapest option.
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Distance to hotel: 15–30 miles (35–60+ minutes depending on traffic)Traffic varies heavily at LAX, so expect higher prices and longer travel times.
Ride-share: $65–$100 depending on traffic and surge pricing.
Taxi: Around $80 on average, plus airport surcharges.
Rental Car: Same pricing as BUR, around $500 for five days before insurance. Hotel parking remains $45 (self) or $55 (valet) per night.
Shuttle Services: LAX Airport Shuttle offers $85 for the first guest + $10 per additional guest. A good option during peak traffic since pricing doesn’t surge.
Public Transit: Available but long (multiple transfers, ~2 hours).
Only recommended if you’re on a strict budget.
Should You Rent a Car?
A car is not required for Universal Studios itself, but it makes exploring the wider LA area much easier. If your plans include Griffith Park, Hollywood, Santa Monica, or the beaches, a rental car is worth it. Hotel parking is expensive, so weigh your plans against the $45–$55 nightly cost.
Getting to Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City From the Airport
The Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is conveniently located near Universal Studios Hollywood, although getting there from the airport depends quite a bit on where you're flying into. Los Angeles has notoriously unpredictable traffic, so choosing the right airport can save you both time and money.
From Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
Hollywood Burbank Airport is the closest and most convenient airport for staying at the Hilton Universal City. It's approximately 6 miles from the hotel, and the drive typically takes around 10–20 minutes when traffic is reasonable. For most travelers, Uber or Lyft will be the easiest way to reach the hotel. Rideshare fares can vary depending on demand, but a short trip from Burbank is generally much more manageable than traveling across Los Angeles from LAX. Taxis are also available outside the terminal if you'd rather not wait for a rideshare. Public transportation is another option, although it takes longer and requires a connection. You can take the BurbankBus Orange Route from the airport to the North Hollywood Metro station, then ride the Metro B Line to Universal City. From there, you'll need to make your way up to the hotel. It's an inexpensive alternative, but probably not the most convenient choice if you're carrying several bags.
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport is considerably farther from the Hilton Universal City, and the journey can take anywhere from 35 minutes to well over an hour depending on traffic. Rush hour and busy travel periods can make the trip especially frustrating.
Uber, Lyft, and taxis are generally the simplest options, although you'll usually pay considerably more than you would coming from Burbank. Airport shuttle services are also available, which may be worth comparing if you're traveling with a larger group or prefer to arrange transportation in advance. It's possible to reach Universal City using public transportation, but the journey involves multiple connections and takes substantially longer than driving. Unless you're traveling on a tight budget, we'd recommend using a rideshare or arranging transportation ahead of time, especially after a long flight.
Is Renting a Car Worth It?
Whether you need a rental car really depends on what else you're planning to do in Los Angeles. If your trip is primarily focused on Universal Studios Hollywood, you can easily stay at the Hilton without a car. The theme park is within walking distance, and the hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle, making it convenient to get to and from the park.
However, if you're planning to explore places like Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, or other parts of Los Angeles, having a rental car gives you considerably more flexibility. The biggest drawback is parking. Hilton Universal City charges for overnight parking, and those fees can add a substantial amount to your stay. We'd recommend comparing the cost of a rental car and hotel parking against what you'd spend on rideshares before making a decision. For a short Universal Studios trip, we'd probably skip the rental car. But for a longer Los Angeles vacation with several attractions spread across the city, having your own transportation can be worth the additional expense.
What Are the Rooms Like at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City?
We originally booked a standard king room at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, but were pleasantly surprised when we received an upgrade at check-in to a higher-floor king room overlooking Universal Studios Hollywood. We paid $351.82 for two nights, not including the additional $99 we spent on self-parking, and the upgraded room made the stay feel like a better value.Our first impression was positive. The room was spacious, clean, and well-maintained, with a comfortable king bed, a sofa near the window, and a large TV. The decor was fairly neutral, but Hollywood-themed artwork added some personality and reminded us how close we were to the theme park.
There was also a small workstation with a chair and lamp, along with a padded bench beneath the television that came in handy when unpacking our luggage. Near the entrance, we found a single-serve coffee machine with pods and complimentary bottled water. The closet had a safe, two robes, and extra pillows and blankets, which was a nice touch. One of our favorite features was the view overlooking Universal Studios and the surrounding Hollywood Hills. Being on a higher floor gave us a great perspective of the area, and it was especially fun to look out toward the attractions we were visiting. Of course, not every room has this view, so it's worth checking which room category you're booking if that's important to you.
Bathroom and Cleanliness
The bathroom was another highlight of our stay. It felt modern, bright, and particularly well-maintained, with clean tile walls, a large backlit vanity mirror, and a shower-and-tub combination. The shower featured both an overhead showerhead and a detachable wand, and we had no complaints about the water pressure. There were plenty of fresh towels, along with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, hand soap, and other basic toiletries. Everything was neatly arranged, and we appreciated not having to request additional supplies during our short stay. Most importantly, the bathroom was exceptionally clean. We didn't notice any mold, mildew, drainage issues, or other maintenance problems. The bedroom was similarly well-kept, with only minor signs of normal wear on the carpeting and furniture.
Comfort and Sleep Quality
We slept well during both nights of our stay. The king bed was supportive, the linens felt clean and comfortable, and noise from the hallway and neighboring rooms was minimal.
There was an adjoining-room door beside the bed, which initially caught our attention since connecting rooms can sometimes allow more noise to travel between guests. Fortunately, it remained securely locked, and we didn't experience any disturbances. Another unexpected benefit of our upgrade was complimentary continental breakfast, which was included with our higher-floor room. Breakfast isn't automatically included with every reservation at Hilton Universal City, so this was a welcome perk and helped make the upgrade even more worthwhile.
Overall, we were impressed with the room at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. It was comfortable, clean, spacious enough for two people, and had everything we needed for our Universal Studios trip. The upgraded view and breakfast benefit were nice bonuses, although we'd still consider the standard rooms if the price difference were significant.
Property and Amenities at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
Beyond its convenient location near Universal Studios Hollywood, the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City has several amenities that make it a comfortable place to return to after a long day at the park. We were particularly impressed with the pool, fitness center, and some of the smaller conveniences throughout the property.
Pool, Fitness Center, and Guest Amenities
The outdoor pool was one of our favorite amenities. It's a good size, with plenty of lounge chairs and cabanas surrounding the water, and during our visit, it was open from 6:00 AM until midnight. Having the option to swim later in the evening was especially nice after spending most of the day at Universal Studios. We also used the fitness center and found it well-equipped for a hotel gym. There were treadmills, ellipticals, free weights, and a cable machine, along with towels and a water station. We were able to get a complete workout in without any issues.
Next to the fitness center was a small guest laundry room, which is particularly convenient if you're staying for several days. After getting soaked on the Jurassic World ride at Universal Studios, we could definitely appreciate having somewhere to wash and dry clothes.
One of the more unusual conveniences was a CVS vending machine near the pool area. It stocked everyday essentials like deodorant, medicine, diapers, and travel-size toiletries, which could be a lifesaver if you forget something important. The lobby also had several useful services, including a concierge desk, a water refill station, a small gift shop, and massage chairs. These weren't necessarily reasons we'd book the hotel, but they made the property feel more convenient and accommodating.
Walking to Universal Studios and the Free Shuttle
One of the biggest advantages of staying at Hilton Universal City is how easy it is to reach Universal Studios Hollywood. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to the theme park, which is particularly useful for families, guests who prefer not to walk, or anyone returning after a tiring day. During our visit, the shuttle was scheduled to arrive approximately every 15–20 minutes. We had just missed one when we were ready to leave, so rather than wait, we decided to walk.
The walk took us about 10–12 minutes, following a route with clearly marked signs, staircases, some inclines, and a pedestrian bridge over the main road. We even passed a koi pond along the way, which was a nice little surprise. We found the walk manageable, but the uphill sections and stairs could be tiring after spending an entire day at the park. If you're traveling with young children, a stroller, or someone who has difficulty walking longer distances, the shuttle is a particularly useful option. For us, being able to walk between the hotel and Universal Studios without worrying about parking or transportation was easily one of the property's biggest selling points.
Dining and Breakfast at Hilton Universal City
Hilton Universal City also has several on-site dining options, making it easy to grab breakfast before visiting the park or enjoy a meal without leaving the hotel. The property offers a mix of casual dining, coffee, cocktails, and more substantial restaurant meals. Breakfast is not automatically free at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. It's generally an additional charge unless you book a breakfast-inclusive rate or receive it through an eligible room package or hotel benefit.
Fortunately, our experience was a little different. Because we received an upgrade to a higher-floor king room, complimentary continental breakfast was included during our stay. We also received an $18 daily food and beverage credit through our Hilton Honors Diamond benefits, which helped offset some of our other dining expenses.
These benefits made our stay feel like a better value, but they're not necessarily what every guest will receive. If breakfast is important to you, we'd recommend checking whether it's included in your specific reservation before booking.
Overall, we were happy with the amenities at Hilton Universal City. The pool, gym, and convenient access to Universal Studios were the biggest highlights, while the laundry facilities and smaller guest services were nice additions. Combined with our comfortable room, the property offered everything we needed for a short theme park getaway.
Final Verdict: Is Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Worth It?
After spending two nights at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, we think it's an excellent choice for travelers visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, especially if convenience is a priority. We paid $450.82 total for our king room and two nights of self-parking, and while it wasn't the cheapest hotel option in the area, we felt the experience justified the cost.
We were fortunate to receive an upgrade to a higher-floor room overlooking Universal Studios, along with complimentary continental breakfast. The room was spacious, clean, and comfortable, and we appreciated having access to a pool, fitness center, and several amenities after a long day exploring the park.
However, the biggest reason we'd recommend this hotel is its location. Being able to walk to Universal Studios in about 10–12 minutes or take the complimentary shuttle made our trip incredibly convenient. We didn't have to worry about driving to the park, paying for theme park parking, or sitting in traffic at the end of the day.
The main drawback is the additional cost of parking, which can make an already expensive stay even pricier. Breakfast also isn't included with every reservation, so travelers booking a standard room should factor that into their budget. Our upgrade certainly made the experience better, but we wouldn't assume every guest will receive the same benefits.
So, is Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City worth it? We think so, particularly if Universal Studios Hollywood is the main reason for your visit. We'd happily stay here again for another theme park trip. However, if you're planning to spend most of your time exploring other parts of Los Angeles, you may find better value at a less expensive hotel farther from Universal City.
If you are looking for a full overview of