Travel Budget for Los Angeles Visit Los Angeles on a Budget or Travel in Style

Los Angeles, California, United States of America

How much does it cost to travel to Los Angeles?

You should plan to spend around $258 per day on your vacation in Los Angeles. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $60 on meals
  • $42 on local transportation
  • $280 on hotels

A one week trip to Los Angeles for two people costs, on average, $3,614. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $258
  • One Week Per person
    $1,807
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $3,614
  • One Month Per person
    $7,744
  • One Week For a couple
    $3,614
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $7,228
  • One Month For a couple
    $15,489
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Los Angeles cost?

A one week trip to Los Angeles usually costs around $1,807 for one person and $3,614 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Los Angeles on average costs around $3,614 for one person and $7,228 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Los Angeles will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Los Angeles on average costs around $7,744 for one person and $15,489 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Los Angeles has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Los Angeles expensive to visit?

Prices in Los Angeles are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Los Angeles is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Winnipeg or Houston.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Los Angeles Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Los Angeles?

The average Los Angeles trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Los Angeles travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) $280
Local Transportation 1 $42
Food 2 $60
Entertainment 1 $82
Tips and Handouts 1 $1 - 3
Alcohol 2 $7 - 22
Accommodation Budget in Los Angeles
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Los Angeles is $140. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Los Angeles is $280. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $140
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $280

Hotel Prices in Los Angeles

Looking for a hotel in Los Angeles? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Los Angeles based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $169. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Los Angeles
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Los Angeles is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $42 per person, per day, on local transportation in Los Angeles.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $42

Recommended Services


Flights to Los Angeles
How much does it cost to go to Los Angeles? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Los Angeles
The price of renting a car in Los Angeles will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.


What did other people spend on Transportation in Los Angeles?

Typical prices for Transportation in Los Angeles are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Los Angeles, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Hotel Parking for a Day
    $22
  • Taxi to Airport
    $55


Food Budget in Los Angeles
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Los Angeles can vary, the average cost of food in Los Angeles is $60 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Los Angeles should cost around $24 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Los Angeles is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $60

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food in Los Angeles?

Typical prices for Food in Los Angeles are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Los Angeles, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Mexican Dinner (family of 4)
    $32
  • Burritos for Two
    $15
  • Coffee and Danish
    $7.70


Entertainment Budget in Los Angeles
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Los Angeles typically cost an average of $82 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $82

The Go City Los Angeles Pass offers great discounts on attractions in Los Angeles. With the Go City Explorer pass, you can choose to visit specific sights and attractions at a discount. Or, you can visit as many included attractions as you like with a multi-day All-Inclusive Pass. The average visitor saves 30% off of the regular admission prices.


Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Los Angeles?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Los Angeles are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Los Angeles, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)
    $37
  • Bowling
    $13
  • Hollywood Tour for Two
    $30
  • Six Flags for 2
    $96


Tips and Handouts Budget in Los Angeles
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Los Angeles is $2.14 per day. The usual amount for a tip in Los Angeles is 10% - 20%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $2.14


Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Los Angeles
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Los Angeles is $154, as reported by travelers.


  • Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
    $154


Alcohol Budget in Los Angeles
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $15 on alcoholic beverages in Los Angeles per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $15

Recommended


Water Budget in Los Angeles
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $4.01 on bottled water in Los Angeles per day. The public water in Los Angeles is considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $4.01


Last Updated: Sep 21, 2023
Los Angeles On a Budget
Los Angeles Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.

The city sits right up against the Pacific Ocean and is met by dramatic mountain ranges on the inland side. The climate is mild and pleasant. It is sunny throughout the year and temperatures rarely drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. They also rarely climb above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sights
There are many ways to experience a trip to Los Angeles. Some people come to the city for the celebrity sightings, others to shop, and many come for the beaches or to explore the diversity of neighborhoods which offer unique cuisine and culture. Most people make a trip to Beverly Hills and walk down Rodeo Drive during their time in the city. Catching a glimpse of the famous Hollywood sign is a goal of many visitors, too. There are also countless museums and parks around town. If you are short on time, prioritize your goals and plan an itinerary that focuses on your specific interests in the city. There really are so many things to do in L.A. and something for everyone.

Being a large city, L.A. has plenty of museums. From art and photography to science and history, the city has something for everyone. Check out this great guide to the best museums in Los Angeles.
Neighborhoods
Within the city of Los Angeles there are a variety of diverse and interesting districts. The Downtown, or central business district is where you will find the Grand Avenue cultural corridor. Eastside is the eclectic area that is north of the downtown region. The Harbor Area has the largest sea port in the country. This is also where you can catch a ferry to Catalina Island. Hollywood is probably the most famous district in the city. This was the home of many movie studios and film productions. San Fernando Valley is a suburban area to the north. The South Central district was the primary location of the Rodney King riots and is still known for gang violence. Westside is a wealthier area between the downtown and the ocean. Wilshire is where you will find the Miracle Mile District, the Farmer's Market, and the Grove shopping areas, among other famous sights.

Activities
There are no shortage of clubs and bars throughout LA where you can see and be seen. There are also plenty of gimmicky, although interesting restaurants to check out.

Concerts, events and festivals within the city are common, and you're likely to stumble into some activity while you're wandering around town. Professional sporting events are also popular, with teams like the Dodgers, Lakers, Clippers, Kings, and Sparks attracting crowds of locals and tourists alike.

Outside of L.A. are plenty of other places to see. Check out this guide to day trips from Los Angeles for plenty of great ideas and fun destinations.
Food and Dining
There is a thriving restaurant scene in Los Angeles. The cities diversity and vast size mean that there is almost any type of cuisine available somewhere around town. Inexpensive, authentic, and healthy restaurants are plentiful, but for the best options, do some research in advance and find out what places are recommended by the locals.

Like many cities in the US, food trucks are gaining momentum throughout LA. Gourmet food trucks, in particular, are becoming quite popular. The food is high quality, well prepared, and not as affordable as you might expect. Still, it's worth trying a few dishes from local food trucks.

If you want to prepare your own meals there are plenty of grocery store chains around town. Given the high number of local, cheap eateries, this isn't always the best option and you'll likely enjoy your meal more if you venture out to a hole in the wall restaurant.

Transportation
Traveling within Los Angeles is notoriously challenging. Traffic is horrific and you're likely to get lost at least a couple of times. The public transportation system is very much lacking, but if you're motivated and patient, you can make it work. Otherwise, you're advised to rent a car and try your hand at navigating the city on your own. You're likely to see so much more and enjoy you trip more if you have the flexibility of traveling with your own vehicle.

If you do decide to rely on public transit then you will likely experience the cities extensive bus system. There are some routes that travel every ten or fifteen minutes, but many run every half hour or even as rarely as every 90 minutes. Bus stops aren't always conveniently located as well, and you may find yourself walking a mile or more to reach your destination.
Related
Looking for a party hostel in Las Vegas or San Diego? Traveling alone to NYC or LA? Want a budget hostel in San Francisco?

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.