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Los Angeles on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Los Angeles on a budget is possible at about US$175 per person per day if you share a room in Koreatown, use the Metro and eat at taco trucks and markets. Many top sights, including the beaches, the Getty and Griffith Observatory, are free.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$75 | US$160 | US$400 |
| Food & drink | US$45 | US$90 | US$200 |
| Sights & tickets | US$20 | US$60 | US$180 |
| Local transport | US$35 | US$55 | US$100 |
| Per person, per day | US$175 | US$365 | US$880 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Los Angeles day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame and see the TCL Chinese Theatre forecourt
- Visit Griffith Observatory and hike for views of the Hollywood Sign
- See Van Gogh's Irises and the gardens at the Getty Center
- Book free timed tickets for The Broad in Downtown
- Walk or cycle the beach path from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach
- See Urban Light outside LACMA on Wilshire Boulevard
Cheap eats
- Tacos al pastor or carne asada from a truck, roughly $2-5 each
- Birria tacos with consommé, roughly $12-18 a plate
- French dip at Philippe the Original, roughly $12-18
- Thai boat noodles in Thai Town, roughly $12-18 a bowl
- Bacon-wrapped 'danger dog' from a cart, roughly $6-10
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in Koreatown and Mid-Wilshire, which are central with motels and hotels at about $130-200 a double, or in hostels in Hollywood, Venice and Santa Monica, where dorm beds run roughly $40-70.
Getting around cheaply
Metro rail and buses cost about $1.75 a ride with a TAP card, with daily fare capping. From LAX, the free shuttle connects to the Metro K and C lines, or the FlyAway bus goes to Union Station and other hubs. A car is useful for Malibu and the Getty Villa, but parking costs add up.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Grand Central Market breakfast and The Broad, about $15
- Lunch: tacos in Downtown or Boyle Heights, about $12
- Afternoon: Metro to Hollywood and Griffith Park hike, about $5
- Evening: sunset at Griffith Observatory and Thai Town dinner with tip, about $25
- Total: about $175 per person including a shared room
More ways to save
- Use the TAP card's daily cap instead of paying for rideshares every trip.
- Look for hotels with free parking if you rent a car.
- Go to happy hours for cheaper drinks and snacks, usually late afternoon.
- Rent a bike or scooter in Santa Monica for the beach path rather than taxis.
- Visit Griffith Observatory on foot or by DASH bus to avoid parking charges.
- Get groceries for breakfast and picnics; restaurant prices exclude tax and tip.
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Common questions
Can you visit LA without a car?
Yes for Downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown and Santa Monica using the Metro, bikes and rideshare; a car helps for Malibu.
What is the cheapest food in Los Angeles?
Taco trucks, Grand Central Market and Thai Town, with tacos from about $2-5 each.
How do I get from LAX to the city cheaply?
Take the free LAX shuttle to the Metro, or the FlyAway bus to Union Station.