How to Visit Los Angeles on a Budget

Think the glitz and glamor of Hollywood is out of your financial reach? Well, think again. There are always ways to save money when traveling. By following a few simple tips, a vacation to sunny Los Angeles is easy and affordable.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pick off-peak travel days. Whether you are flying, driving or taking a train, certain days of the week are consistently more expensive than others. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually more affordable than traveling on Thursdays or the weekends, so try to adjust your schedule accordingly. And with budget carriers Spirit and Southwest servicing the Los Angeles area, a reasonably priced flight shouldn't be hard to find.

2. Reconnect with old friends. See if you can stay at a friend's place while in Los Angeles. Taking them out for a nice "thank you" dinner will cost you much less than a hotel. If you don't know anyone in Los Angeles to stay with, look at hotels in nearby suburbs. Los Angeles is a sprawling metro area, so you'll be driving around plenty regardless of where you stay. There's no point spending extra cash to be in the center of the city when the accommodations cost considerably less in the suburbs.

3. Travel wisely. Unfortunately, the public transportation system in Los Angeles is not that great, and renting a car can take a toll on your budget. While the MTA's buses and trains can take you some places (a day pass is $3), the key to enjoying your trip is finding an affordable rental car. Keep an eye out for package deals with your flight, and check if the company offers hybrids or fuel-efficient cars. It's the gas that will hurt your wallet more than the daily fee.

4. Keep an eye out for perks. The Go Los Angeles Card is just one of the ways to save money in the long run. It offers you general admission to a wealth of Los Angeles attractions, and you can go to as many as you like. Some of the crowd favorites include Universal Studios, the Queen Mary, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (see Resources below).

5. Find the free attractions. There are several major sights in the city that are completely free. The Getty Center, Venice Beach, Mulholland Drive, Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Park, Hollywood Walk of Fame and Watts Towers Arts Center are just a few of the free attractions in Los Angeles.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to pack your own lunch so you have more money to spend on dinner. You can also hit up street vendors for a cheap bite.
• Check out your bank's or credit card companie's websites for list of specials they may offer on travel.
• Avoid Interstate 405 whenever possible. It's famous for being the most congested highway in the area--and that's saying something.

Resources

• Go Los Angeles Card

[dianesteinbach]

on 1/15/2009 Theres a good article on free tourist stuff in LA on http://www.survivethecity.com/. Plan ahead and take advantage of some of this stuff.