Los Angeles City Pass Comparison: Which Card Is Worth It?

How Does a Los Angeles Pass Work?

A Los Angeles city pass is a convenient all-in-one ticket. You buy the pass once and get free admission to many top attractions, museums, and film studios. You can also join various city tours and excursions.

You’ll save time on top of that, because at some attractions you can simply skip the line.

Time-Based vs. Attraction-Based Los Angeles Cards

There are two types of Los Angeles passes: Time-based passes are typically valid for one to seven days from first use, during which you can visit as many of the included attractions as you like.

Attraction-based cards are valid for much longer — for example, 60 days. You choose in advance how many attractions you want included.

We’ll walk you through all the LA city pass options in detail below and flag each time whether it’s a time-based or attraction-based pass.

Our Recommendation: The Los Angeles Card Worth Buying

Want a quick answer on which Los Angeles pass to buy? Here’s our take.

For 1-2 Days in L.A.: Los Angeles Explorer Pass

Making a short stopover in Los Angeles during your US West Coast road trip and want to hit some highlights? Then the Los Angeles Explorer Pass is the right choice. You only pay for the number of attractions you actually want to visit — leaving you plenty of time to soak up the city’s vibe.

For 3-4 Days in L.A.: Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass

Staying longer in the city and want to visit as many attractions as possible? Then we recommend the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass. With this pass, you can visit as many places as you like from morning to night. It’s especially worth it if you’re keen on the film studios and theme parks.

The Best Los Angeles City Passes at a Glance

Here’s a quick overview — we’ll start with a table of the most important info.

Want to know exactly which attractions you can visit with which pass? The table below gives you the full picture.

Explorer Pass: For 1-2 Days in L.A.

The Los Angeles Explorer Pass is the perfect choice if you only have 1 to 2 days in Los Angeles. With this pass, you can leisurely visit two to seven attractions and skip the ticket line.

What Does the Los Angeles Explorer Pass Offer?

• Attraction-based pass
• For 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions
• Includes more than 25 attractions in the city
• 24-hour Hop-on/Hop-off bus
• Access to Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles
• Great for families too — Los Angeles Zoo, whale watching & dolphin tour, and Madame Tussauds
• Additional discounts

How Much Does the Los Angeles Explorer Pass Cost?

Pros & Cons of the Los Angeles Explorer Pass

• Wide selection of different attractions
• Digital pass that you can load directly onto your smartphone
• For some attractions, you need to reserve a time slot in advance
• No access to Universal Studios
• No public transportation included
• The 24-hour Hop-on/Hop-off bus ticket counts as one attraction

Verdict on the Los Angeles Explorer Pass

Is Los Angeles just a short stopover on your US West Coast road trip? With the Explorer Pass, you only pay for the attractions you actually want to visit and have time for.

The pass is worth it if you pick attractions that individually cost between 30 and 40 euros. With the pricier must-sees, you’ll recoup your money really quickly.

Buy the Los Angeles Explorer Pass online

All-Inclusive Pass: For 3-4 Days in L.A.

Spending 3 to 4 days in the city and eager to check out the film studios? Then the All-Inclusive Pass is a great option. It also covers plenty of tours, bike rentals, and museums — plus some seriously fun activities for kids, like Legoland California and the Knott’s Soak City water park.

What Does the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass Offer?

• Time-based pass
• Valid for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 days
• More than 35 attractions included
• Access to the city’s top highlights, including Universal Studios (from 3 days of use onward), Warner Bros. Studios, and additional theme parks
• Numerous tours and museums included
• Various bike tours and bike rentals
• Additional discounts

How Much Does the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass Cost?

Pros & Cons of the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass

• Mobile pass that’s ready to use right away
• If you visit pricier attractions, you can save quite a bit
• Usage days don’t have to be consecutive
• For some attractions, you need to reserve a time slot in advance
• Universal Studios access only available from 3 days of use onward
• Full price must be paid for ages 13 and up
• No public transportation included

Verdict on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass

The Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass is the right pick if you’re spending more than 3 days in Los Angeles and have time to explore the various film studios and theme parks. It really does offer a fantastic all-around package.

From 3 days of use onward, a ticket for Universal Studios is included — and that’s the case with no other LA city pass.

Important: For some attractions, you need to reserve a time slot in advance. You can find out which attractions this applies to and how to book on the Go City provider’s page.

Buy the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass online

Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles City Cards

Info: Our Los Angeles pass comparison is updated regularly. That said, things can sometimes change unexpectedly. It’s best to double-check the terms and included attractions before making your final decision to purchase one of the passes. Thanks!