Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Los Angeles

Kate T

Los Angeles is a car city. If you really want to experience all it has to offer, you'll need to have one to get around.

Madison S

In LA, tips for taxi drivers, bartenders, concierges, bellboys, and delivery men are commonly a couple of bucks. It is considered discourteous to ignore this tipping culture.

Kcarma

If you are on a budget, LA serves up great Happy Hours. Great way to meet the locals also!

Bentheredunthat

Hotels in nearby cities Glendale, Burbank or North Hollywood are convenient and often less expensive. Flying into & renting cars at Burbank Airport (BUR) is a LOT easier than LAX.

Madison S

Bring a refillable water bottle with you. LA is hot! You can easily refill it with cool water at any public fountain.

In the words of those who've been there before ...

Madison S

There's nothing like LA for a family trip. From cooling your heels in the hotel pool to grabbing dino-shaped chicken nuggets at the Rainforest Cafe to visiting the illustrious House of Mouse, there's really no end to kid-friendly activities - whatever age your children are.

Angela A

Los Angeles... some call it the City of Angels, or the City of Dreams. I call it the City of Wow... There is so much to do here!

Robert H

There are miles of beautiful beaches, incredible mountains, beautiful neighborhoods, ethnic areas with authentic foods, miles of bike paths, lovely drives, and opportunities to rent almost anything that moves.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

Los Angeles is served by five airports, but most international flights arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Shuttle buses, taxis and ride-sharing services all connect to the city.

Train:

Amtrak trains arrive at Los Angeles Union Station, with daily connections to Chicago, New Orleans, Seattle, and other US cities.

Do I need a visa?

If you’re visiting the United States from overseas, use the government’s Visa Wizard to see if you need a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

It’s sunny in Los Angeles all year-round, but to avoid the biggest crowds and the soaring summer heat—temperatures regularly climb over 85°F (30°C) in August—visit in spring or fall. Seasonal events such as Coachella (April), L.A Pride (June), and the L.A County Fair (Sept) pull in the masses, but otherwise, it’s the ideal time for sightseeing.

Even over the winter months, average highs are still 68°F (20°C) and this can be a good time to beat the crowds and snag a low-season deal on tours and accommodation.

Car

Hiring a car is by far the most practical way to get around Los Angeles. Book your rental car in advance for the best deals—all of the major rental companies have offices at the airport and many can be booked through your hotel.

Metro

MTA runs the city’s Metro trains, which run daily from 4.30 a.m. to 1 a.m., and 2.30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Purchase a reusable TAP card which you can use to access both trains and buses—day and week passes are available.

For more information about the network and fares, see here.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available outside airports, hotels, and tourist attractions. Alternatively, call your own using a smartphone app such as Curb.

Ridesharing

Uber and Lyft are readily available in Los Angeles on your smartphone.

Bicycle

Metro Bike Share is a bikeshare system with stations around Downtown, Chinatown, and the Arts District.

Visitors can pay using a credit card or TAP Card after downloading the Bike Share smartphone app.