Is Los Angeles expensive to visit?
Los Angeles is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $300. If we compare it to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Boston and Chicago.

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California
How expensive is Los Angeles?
Travelers spend an average of $300 per day when visiting Los Angeles (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Los Angeles here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Los Angeles?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Los Angeles costs around $899 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,797.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Los Angeles?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Los Angeles will cost around $2,097 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $4,194.

The Griffith Observatory overlooking Los Angeles
Is it expensive to backpack in Los Angeles?
With more than 40 hostels in the area, Los Angeles is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $35 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Los Angeles here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $19, but the most expensive can be more than $90 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Los Angeles.
- $36 for a dorm bed at HI Los Angeles - Santa Monica
- $32 for a dorm bed at Samesun Venice Beach
- $27 for a dorm bed at Banana Bungalow Hollywood
Are hotels expensive in Los Angeles?
When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Los Angeles, we find them to be somewhat lower in price in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $169. The area boasts about 15 five-star hotels with an average rate of $775 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $200 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $124 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Los Angeles
Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|---|
5 stars | 15 | $775 |
4 stars | 58 | $309 |
3 stars | 109 | $200 |
2 stars | 181 | $124 |
1 star | 10 | $101 |
No rating | 14 | $252 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Los Angeles?
In Los Angeles, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $84 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $56.
Name | Price | |
---|---|---|
Disneyland Resort | $104 | more info |
Universal Studios Hollywood | $109 | more info |
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) | $25 | more info |
Griffith Observatory | Free | more info |
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County | $15 | more info |
El Matador State Beach | Free | more info |
The Getty Center | Free | more info |
Santa Monica Pier | Free | more info |
Hollywood Walk of Fame | Free | more info |
Hollywood Sign | Free | more info |
Rodeo Drive | Free | more info |
Venice Beach | Free | more info |
The California Science Center | Free | more info |
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum | $15 | more info |
The Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens | $22 | more info |
Dodger Stadium | $15-$100+ | more info |
The Venice Canals | Free | more info |
- Manson Family Murders Funeral Limo Tour in LA: $93
- Los Angeles Arts District Bike Tour: $80
- 50min Driving Tour: Explore Los Angeles in Lamborghini: $239
- Griffith Observatory: Scott E-Bike Tours Hollywood Hills & More: $125
- Private Ferrari Driving Tour from Hollywood to Sunset: $64
- Los Angeles Tour for Adults Only: The Fame Kills: $35
- Half Day LA Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Santa Monica: $59
- Venice and Santa Monica French Bicycle Tour : $112
Is food expensive in Los Angeles?
In Los Angeles, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $104 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $96.
- Beverly Hills Food Tour with Gourmet Tastings and Drinks: $189
- Venice Beach LA Food Tour: $99
- Gourmet Original Farmers Market & Fairfax Walking Food Tour : $139
- Food Tour in West Hollywood and Original Farmers Market: $167
- LA Food Tour: Exploring America’s Culinary Frontier: $175
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
Is transportation expensive in Los Angeles?
Exploring local transportation in Los Angeles shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $40 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $46. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Los Angeles
If you're planning a trip to Los Angeles, California, check out these other informative travel guides.
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.