The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is the best way to see a real working film and TV studio in Los Angeles. Unlike a theme park, this is an active lot in Burbank where shows are still being made, so every tour is a little different. You ride a tram past soundstages and backlot streets, then spend time in hands-on exhibits about Friends, Harry Potter, DC heroes and more.
This guide covers ticket prices, what you will see, how long the tour takes, rules, parking and tips for getting the most out of it.
In this guide
For more film history, see our guides to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour at a glance
- Address: 3400 W. Warner Blvd., Burbank
- Tour length: about 3 hours (1 hour guided, 2 hours self-guided)
- Tickets: adults (11+) from about $76; kids 5 to 10 from about $57; SoCal residents from about $64
- Age limit: no children under 5
- Tours: daily, about every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m.; last tour about 3:30 p.m.
- Parking: about $15 in the guest garage
- Closed: Christmas Day
Tickets and tour options
The standard Studio Tour is the one most visitors take. Prices start around $76 for adults and $57 for children ages 5 to 10, with discounts for Southern California residents. Book online, since weekend tours fill up, and prices vary by date.
Warner Bros. also offers longer, small-group tours on select days, including a deluxe tour with lunch and a classic film tour. Check the official site for availability, as these change through the year.
Ticket tips
- Book about a week ahead for weekend and holiday tours.
- Morning tours on weekdays tend to have smaller groups.
- Everyone must show government-issued photo ID, and all guests go through a metal detector.
- Children under 5 are not allowed on the tour.
What you see on the guided tour
The first part of the visit is about an hour on a tram with a guide. Because it is a working lot, the route depends on what is filming that day, but highlights often include:
- Soundstages where famous films and TV shows were made, with plaques listing the productions inside.
- Backlot streets such as New York Street, Midwest Street and Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls.
- Courthouse Square, seen in Back to the Future and many other films.
- The Warner Bros. water tower, the studio’s most famous landmark.
- Picture car vehicles, including Batmobiles from different eras.
Guides share behind-the-scenes stories and point out where scenes were shot. You may see crews working, though access to active sets is never guaranteed.
Stage 48 and the exhibits
After the tram, you explore at your own pace. The main stops:
- Stage 48: Script to Screen: interactive exhibits on how films and shows are made, with props and costumes.
- Central Perk: the coffee shop from Friends, with the famous orange couch, where you can take a photo on the set.
- Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts: costumes, props and the Sorting Hat, plus a chance to ride a broomstick in front of a green screen.
- DC Universe: costumes and vehicles from Batman, Superman and other DC films.
- The Big Bang Theory: set pieces from the sitcom.
There is a cafe in the exhibit area, and the final stop is a large studio store.
Rules to know
- Video is not allowed on the tour. Still photos are allowed in designated areas only.
- Bags are screened, so travel light.
- Kids 8 to 17 must be with an adult.
- Wheelchair users should call the tour center in advance to request an accessible cart.
Getting there and parking
The studio is in Burbank, about 20 minutes from Hollywood without traffic.
- By car: park in the guest garage on the south side of Warner Boulevard; parking is about $15.
- By Metro: take the B Line to Universal City/Studio City and a short rideshare, or a Metro bus along Riverside Drive. See our LA Metro guide.
- From Hollywood Burbank Airport: about 15 minutes by car.
Nearby things to do
- Universal Studios Hollywood: about 10 minutes away; doing both on the same day is tiring but possible if you start early.
- Downtown Burbank: restaurants and shops on San Fernando Boulevard.
- Toluca Lake: classic diners and cafes near the studio gates.
Tips for visiting
- Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to park, pass security and check in.
- Wear comfortable shoes; parts of the backlot are uneven.
- Dress in layers; Burbank is often hotter than the coast.
- Bring a fan’s eye. If you love a particular show, ask your guide; they often have stories.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour?
About three hours: roughly one hour on the guided tram tour and two hours in the self-guided exhibits.
How much is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour?
Adult tickets start around $76, children 5 to 10 around $57, and Southern California residents get a discount.
Can you sit on the Friends couch?
Yes. The Central Perk set has the orange couch, and photos there are part of the tour.
Can young kids go on the Warner Bros. tour?
Children must be at least 5 years old.
Is Warner Bros. Studio Tour better than Universal Studios?
They are different. Warner Bros. is a real working studio with a focused tour. Universal is a theme park with rides plus a shorter studio tram tour.
Photo credits
Featured image: Chris Yarzab / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
