Los Angeles

At a glance

Trip estimate

$780–$1,080

1 traveler · 5 nights · before flights · rock bottom

Best time to go

March to May or September to November

Nearest airport

LAX

Knownness

97 / 100

Well known

Where to stay

Hostels and budget stays only, from listings (checked 2026-11-12). Check current prices and availability on Booking.com.

• 

  8th and Ardmore

  Hostel · 861 South Ardmore Avenue, Los Angeles, California, CA 90005

  7.9 / 10 · 700 Booking.com reviews

  Dorm beds seen from about $28 a night, taxes in (checked 2026-11-08); not a live price

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room · Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room · Bed in Male Dormitory Room · +1 more

  Expected bed price by month

  1. J$27
  2. F$28
  3. M$29
  4. A$29
  5. M$31
  6. J$34
  7. J$36
  8. A$36
  9. S$31
  10. O$29
  11. N$28
  12. D$29
  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel

  Hostel · 2-star · Santa Monica · 1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

  8.8 / 10 · 4,730 Booking.com reviews

  Two blocks from the pier and the beach, with private rooms and a kitchen

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Private Queen Room Ensuite · Bed in Women's 8-Bed Dormitory · Bed in Men's 8-Bed Dormitory · +1 more

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Samesun Venice Beach Hotel & Hostel

  Hostel · 3-star · Venice Beach · 25 Windward Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90291

  Right on the Venice boardwalk

  • dorm beds
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Double Room with Private Bathroom · Double Room with Shared Bathroom · Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dorm with Shared Washroom · +1 more

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Samesun Hollywood Hotel & Hostel

  Hostel · 3-star · Hollywood · 6820 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028

  On Hollywood Boulevard, on the Walk of Fame and near the Metro B Line

  • dorm beds
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Private Room with shared Bathroom and AC · Bed in 6-Bed Dorm with shared Bathroom · Bed in 4-Bed Dorm with shared Bathroom

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Super 8 by Wyndham Los Angeles-Culver City Area

  Hotel · 2-star · Mar Vista, near Culver City · 12664 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90066

  8.5 / 10 · 1,029 Booking.com reviews

  Private motel rooms between LAX and the beaches

  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: King Room - Non-Smoking · Queen Room - Mobility Access/Non-Smoking · King Room - Mobility Access/Non-Smoking

  Sleeps up to 6 · Extra-large double bed (Super-king size), Large bed (King size), Single bed

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Cheers Hostel

  Hostel · 8849 Debra Avenue, Los Angeles, California, CA 91343

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room · Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Modern Hostel address changed

  Hostel · 155 East 82nd Street, Los Angeles, California, CA 90003

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room · Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory Room

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Orange Drive Hostel

  Hostel · 1764 North Orange Drive, Los Angeles, California, CA 90028

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Bunk Bed in Male Dormitory Room · Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room · Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom · +1 more

  See rooms and prices ↗

Where to eat

• Grand Central Market

  Downtown food hall open since 1917; dozens of stalls

  4.5 on Google · 37,073 reviews · Walk in · Mon 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

• Guisados $

  Braised-meat tacos on handmade tortillas; get the sampler

  4.5 on Google · 1,770 reviews · Walk in · Mon 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

• Leo's Tacos Truck $

  Al pastor carved straight off the spit

  4.5 on Google · 5,907 reviews · Walk in · Mon 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM

  Map and hours ↗

• Philippe The Original $

  French dip sandwiches near Union Station

  4.6 on Google · 12,335 reviews · Walk in · Mon 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

• Pink's Hot Dogs $

  Hollywood hot dog stand

  4.5 on Google · 14,044 reviews · Walk in · Mon 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM

  Map and hours ↗

• Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant $$

  Hot pastrami; the #19

  4.6 on Google · 3,840 reviews · Walk in · Mon 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

Things to do

• Free · 2 hr

  Griffith Observatory

  Free admission, with city and Hollywood Sign views; planetarium shows cost extra

  Map ↗

• Free · 3 hr

  The Getty

  Free-admission art museum and gardens on a hilltop; parking is paid

  Map ↗

• Free · 1.5 hr

  Santa Monica Pier

  Free to walk the pier and beach; rides cost extra

  Map ↗

• Free · 1.5 hr

  Venice Beach Boardwalk

  Street performers, the skate park and Muscle Beach

  Map ↗

• Free · 1.5 hr

  The Broad

  Free contemporary art museum; reserve a timed ticket

  Map ↗

• Free · 45 min

  Hollywood Walk of Fame

  The stars along Hollywood Boulevard

  Map ↗

From the airport

Public transit

A free shuttle runs from the terminals to the LAX/Metro Transit Center for the K and C Line trains; FlyAway buses also run to Union Station. Metro is $1.75 with two hours of free transfers ($5 daily cap); FlyAway costs more.

Fares come from 2026 travel guides; check Metro and FlyAway before you go. Check Metro

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft pick up at the LAX-it lot, a free shuttle ride from the terminals (allow 15–20 minutes). About $26–42 to Santa Monica or $35–55 to Hollywood off-peak; surges at rush hour.

Uber to HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel ↗

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 17 miles from downtown.

Know before you go

GlobTrek's Los Angeles cost model, dated August 2026. Estimates, not live prices. Check live rates with the booking partner.

• Check entry requirements (U.S. Department of State)
• Read the travel advisory (U.S. Department of State)