Daily costs per person in USD. LA can be surprisingly affordable — free museums, cheap tacos, and Metro transit keep the budget under control.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: USD ($) (1 EUR ≈ $1.08)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $35–70 | $120–220 | $350+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → beachfront luxury |
| Food | $20–35 | $50–80 | $120+ | Tacos & food trucks → casual restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | $5–15 | $25–50 | $80+ | Metro + walking → Metro + Uber → rental car + parking |
| Activities | $0–15 | $30–60 | $100+ | Free hikes & museums → paid attractions → studio tours + VIP |
| Drinks | $8–15 | $25–40 | $60+ | Happy hour beers → craft cocktails → rooftop bars |
| Daily Total | $68–150 | $250–450 | $710+ | Budget → comfortable → luxury |
Money-saving tips
Free attractions
Griffith Observatory, Getty Center, Getty Villa, The Broad, LACMA after 3pm (residents), Venice Beach, Runyon Canyon, and dozens of world-class hiking trails are all free.
Taco economy
LA has the best tacos outside Mexico. Street tacos cost $2–4 each. Grand Central Market, Guisados, and East LA taco trucks offer full meals for $8–12.
TAP card transit
Get a TAP card ($2) and load a day pass ($3.50 Metro, $5 Metro + buses). The Metro connects Downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown, Santa Monica, and LAX.
Happy hours
LA bars run happy hours 4–7pm with $6–8 beers and $8–12 cocktails. Koreatown has the best deals — soju cocktails and Korean fried chicken for under $15.
Free museum days
Most LA museums have free days: LACMA 2nd Tues (residents), Natural History Museum 1st Tues, The Broad is always free. Getty Center and Villa are always free.
Skip the rental car
Metro + Uber for specific trips is often cheaper than renting a car + parking ($20–40/day in most areas). Use Metro for the spine of your journey.
