A trip to sunny Los Angeles can be a dream come true for some people, but it can also be financially draining, if you aren’t careful. For those hoping to see the sights and not spend a lot, here are some tips that you can use to plan ahead and cut your costs.
How Planning Ahead Helps You Travel Los Angeles on a Budget
Reserve Accommodations Early
Don’t just assume that there will be spaces left at local hotels for you to stay in a week or two leading up to your Los Angeles stay.
Sometimes, the hotels sell out quickly for no apparent reason. You are more likely to get good rates and have your pick of hotels if you book early.
Get that booking in as soon as you can so you can be assured that you will have a place to stay and so you can figure that expense into your budget.
If you are going for an Airbnb stay, then consider the extra costs that might be associated with it. Some fees will only come up later and will not be included in the initial reservation cost.
Some places will charge you a downpayment at first and then charge more when you leave. They do this so that they can include any damages or the cost of a proper maid for Los Angeles, Cali if you left a mess for them to clean up.
Read carefully through the contract before you agree to stay there, as you might catch some added expenses you aren’t expecting. Take the extra time you have to shop around and compare different options so that you get a good deal.
Remember that if you wait until the last moment, your options will be limited, and you won’t have the choice to get an affordable place to stay. You will only be able to snag whatever is available.
Plan to Eat Locally
You can pay a ton of money for your food in LA, or you can get it at very reasonable prices. It’s up to you where you want to eat, but if you are looking to scrimp and save, then eat the way the locals do.
That means going to the food trucks and eating at local joints like In-N-Out where meals are cheaper because most of the ingredients are locally sourced.
If you go to a chain restaurant, you will likely pay more for the food, and the food isn’t likely to be as fresh since it has to be shipped into the area. So, it’s a win-win. If you only think about eating when you are hungry, then you are more likely to choose restaurants that are close to you and that are convenient.
These won’t always be the most affordable options. Instead, plan ahead and pick out your eateries before you arrive so that you know where you are going and how much you expect to pay for your meals. This will save you from last-minute splurging that you haven’t planned into your budget.
Travel on the Bus
If you take public transportation, you can get where you want to go with little hassle and with a lot less money than it would cost to rent a car.
Taking a taxi is an option, but it is very expensive. It’s recommended that you aim for the bus instead. Just search for the bus schedule online and plan your route around the bus stops.
The buses pass frequently and cost almost nothing. In fact, you can get a 7-day pass to ride as much as you want for just $25. You will easily pay that much in gas with a car for a fraction of the travel you would get with a bus.
As long as you don’t mind waiting every now and then for a bus and walking to the nearest bus stop when you need to go somewhere, it’s not a terribly inconvenient way to get around.
The locals do just that, so you can take in the ambiance of LA much better from inside a bus than in the confines of a personal car.
Traveling by bus gives you a more authentic LA experience. If you decide it’s not for you, though, you can always opt to rent a car part way through your stay.
Find Free and Cheap Things to Do
Planning ahead helps you locate events and sights that won’t cost anything instead of playing it by ear and possibly paying a lot more. There are tons of free things to do in LA while you are there, and here are a few suggestions:
· Visit a television show or movie taping
· Go to the beach
· Walk through the park
· Go to the museum
· Visit Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard
· Go to the Santa Monica Pier
· Do a walking tour
· Check out the observatory
· Walk through downtown
You can also check tourism and government websites to see what events are available during your stay and plan accordingly. Creating an itinerary is a great way to plan out your expenses and keep your budget in check as you enjoy Los Angeles and its surroundings.
The spending can easily get out of hand, but if you take the time to pick your sights ahead of time, you will do a better job of controlling what you pay for.
That gives you more money for shopping and doing a few expensive things while you are there, spreading your funds around strategically so that you make the most of your visit.
Choose the Off Season
You can get better prices by visiting LA when there isn’t a lot of tourism happening. Stores know they can charge more when the city is packed out with visitors, but you will pay less for just about everything if you go during off season.
This would be in October before Halloween rolls around and through much of November.
It would also be early in the year during January, February, and early March. Get in before the summer vacationers to save money and do more on your budget.
