Los Angeles

We recommend avoiding Los Angeles in summer. It gets seriously hot — hot enough that wildfires regularly tear through California and the landscape turns bone-dry. Add peak-season crowds and sky-high hotel prices, and summer is really not the move.

Winter is mild but too cool for beach days, though on the plus side you’ll have most attractions to yourself.

For us, spring and fall hit the sweet spot — great weather, manageable crowds, and better prices. Our top pick is a trip in September.

There are direct flights to Los Angeles from many European cities — the flight takes around eleven to twelve hours. Airlines like Lufthansa, United, Swiss, and KLM all operate routes.

Los Angeles has three airports, but in practice you’ll almost always fly into LAX in the Santa Monica area. It’s one of the busiest airports in the world, so brace yourself — it can feel overwhelming on arrival.

Getting from LAX to Downtown

Honestly, public transit from LAX is a real headache. We recommend taking a taxi or booking a private transfer — trust us, it’s worth every dollar. From the airport to Downtown, expect to pay around $50 by taxi. Book a private transfer in advance and you’ll lock in a fixed price with no surprises.

Private transfer from LAX to the city
Visa and entry requirements are covered in our guide to the US West Coast.

Everyone will tell you that you absolutely need a car in L.A. — and yes, it’s a car city through and through. The flip side? Traffic is brutal, pretty much all the time.

Public transit won’t win any awards, but it’s surprisingly affordable and more useful than its reputation suggests.

Your public transit options in Los Angeles:

• Buses: The bus network is actually well developed across the city. The downside — you’re still stuck in the same traffic as everyone else.
• Metro: The fastest way to get around without a car. Just keep in mind there are only three lines covering the city — the Green, Red, and Blue.

Tickets and the TAP Card:

Get yourself a TAP Card — it’s a rechargeable prepaid card that works on both buses and the Metro. Pick one up at any Metro ticket machine, many hotels, or supermarkets for a one-time fee of $2. Single rides cost $1.75, a day pass is $5, and a 7-day pass runs $18.

More details on the official L.A. Metro website.

Yes — Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

For a decent mid-range hotel, budget at least $190 per night. Day-to-day costs add up fast too — even a basic block of cheese will set you back around $13 at the supermarket.

Los Angeles has nearly 4 million residents, making it the second-largest city in the USA after New York.

Yep — it’s massive.

Not really — Los Angeles is not inherently dangerous for tourists.

The city has a long history of gang activity and a higher-than-average crime rate, but this is concentrated in specific neighborhoods you’re unlikely to visit. These include:

• Compton
• South L.A.
• West Adams
• Koreatown
• Skid Row

Even in popular tourist areas, it pays to stay alert. The main issues — as in most big cities — are pickpockets, drug dealing, and aggressive homeless individuals. The neighborhoods to watch in particular:

• Venice Beach
• Hollywood
• Downtown L.A.

Plan for at least three days — and even then you’ll only scratch the surface of the city’s highlights.

L.A. is enormous and genuinely has enough to keep you busy for two weeks or more. The more time you can give it, the better.