How to get from LAX to Hollywood!

1. Hire a Car
   If you’re comfortable or feel like a little challenge our top recommendation would be to hire a car. We have used Turo as a recognised car rental company, Great choice!
   Pros – The car allowed us to travel freely around LA in our own time and comfort.
   Cons – We didn’t like that there is a lot a of traffic around LA, Parking around key landmarks are sparse and you can’t have a relaxing few beers!
   Journey time: 30-50 minutes
   
2. Taxi
   We didn’t use a taxi for airport transfer as we braved a car, however they are pretty easy to find usually outside the arrival terminal and can be between $40-$50.
   Pros – Taxi is a easier and calmer way to get to your destination without worry about the usual driving demands (navigating, left hand side driving, etc.)
   Cons – The cost’s can rack up pretty high, pretty quickly if you think about all the LA sights and attractions you may want to visit, even think about the nearest grocery store!
   Journey time: 30-50 minutes
   
3. Public Transport
   Similar to other cities you can find a direct LAX flyaway bus taking you to several destinations inc. Union street station where you can then catch the metro or bus to your destination.
   Pros – Regular schedule and run from early to late. They are also interconnect with other routes well so you can get to your location with few changes.
   Cons – Waiting times, They can become very busy during peak times with both Tourists and residents.
   Journey time: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours

Accommodation

Accommodation can vary depending on your taste, preference and budget in LA. We decided to opt for an Airbnb located within Beverley Hills. Due to Los Angeles being such a interlinked you could get accommodation pretty much anywhere and get to you location, they may just vary on times.

1. Motels and lodges– ranging from as little as £60 per night all the way to luxury hotels hitting easily £300+. Booking.com has some really great value offer along with cancellation on selected places.
2. Apartments- are a great option if you choosing to go as a group as splitting the cost and staying together will benefit your stay if you have a busy itinerary. Airbnb is worth having a browse too as host can also provide you with top tips!
3. Location- Unless you have access to your own transport, plan around your itinerary! You can find cheaper accommodation further out however you may lose time getting around, expect to pay more for transport. We would also recommend having a look before you book for local food, stores, etc.
4. Get in touch with the accommodation- It is always a good idea to get in touch with the place you are staying, not only to confirm your stay but also see if there are any offers, upgrades or advice you need to ask!

Weather & Clothing

Los Angeles rarely gets cold, temperatures can range between 8-20 degrees depending on time of day however with a bit of wind you could experience a chill, there is also a higher possibility of rain. During the summer you can experience 15- 30 degrees along with 85% chance of being dry.

• Hats- Keeping your head protected from the sun during the day
• T-shirts/ shirts/ vests- Light tops to keep you cool and comfortable
• A light over jacket or hoodie- When sun goes down it may start to get milder
• shorts/ dresses- Keep you legs airy whilst you walk around!
• Jeans- You can wear jeans if you feel comfortable however wouldn’t recommend them to wear for a long period of time
• Sunglasses- Invest in a good pair of sunglasses to not make you look good but protest your eyes from the blinding soon! We have polarized lenses.

Flights & Visas

Depending on where you are flying from will determine your flight, cost, etc. We have flown directly from London to Los Angeles and internally too.

• Airport- You want to shop around for what suits you, Airports that are usually popular offer the best choice of flight, times and airlines as well as best cost. Bare in mind the cost of getting to the airport.
• Airlines- It is worth checking the Airline reviews and business status before booking as this will not only give you an idea on preference and experience but also give you confidence that the airline service will have not gone bust by the time you fly (hopefully).
• Visa- For the USA you will require an ESTA form. These don’t usually take to long to complete (30 minutes) and are usually back within 24 hours however they can take longer. They also only cost around $25 dollars which is reasonable compared to others from Asia!
• Travel insurance- A reminder to get travel insurance if you don’t already. They are a minuscule cost vs what you could lose or have to pay if you don’t have it. different companies and plans can be found on most comparison sites.

Currency

USD (United State Dollar) is the main currency used in Los Angeles and USA for that matter. During our time we did see plenty of places offering money exchanges however would recommend doing this before the trip.

• Cash- Always worth keeping cash for Taxis, tips, mobile food vendors and even those selling their talents on Venice boardwalk
• Card- You can use your typical credit cards however would recommend checking with you Bank beforehand. We used a pre-paid credit card (Revolut and Monzo) which allowed us to keep our physical cash to a safe minimum amount as well as providing us with great exchange rates.

Safety

Overall, Los Angeles is pretty safe! Much like any major city there are a few corners or alleyways you want to avoid but these are quite obvious. We would recommend that wherever there are tourists there will be pick pockets so keep your belongings in a secure and safe location. You will be approached by welcoming people whilst in tourist hotspots handing out mixtapes, leaflets, etc however they will soon turn to ask for “donations” once they have built up a 20 second relationship. To avoid this use the moto KIM (Keep it moving)

Where to eat in LA

Top things to see and do!