Los Angeles
Las Vegas
Travelers compare Los Angeles and Las Vegas because the two cities offer radically different experiences just 435 km apart along the I-15.Between beaches like Santa Monica and casinos like the Bellagio, the choice affects budget, pace, and climate.A 1h10 flight or a 4h30 drive lets you combine them into a single trip of 3–7 days.In short: Los Angeles requires more getting around (neighborhoods 10–40 km apart), has theme parks like Universal Studios and beaches 20–30 km from downtown; Las Vegas concentrates hotels, shows, and restaurants on the Strip over 6.8 km, with lower hotel costs on weekdays (€55–110) but with resort fees of €32–46 per night.In this guide you’ll find concrete numbers: prices for hotels, meals, and transport; visiting times for attractions like the Griffith Observatory and the Mob Museum; advice on when to go (LA 22–28°C, LV 36–41°C in summer); and a combined itinerary with flights from €40–120 or buses €25–45.
Los Angeles vs Las Vegas
| Feature | Los Angeles | Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Los Angeles a 3-star hotel costs €140–200 per night (areas Hollywood, Downtown), with parking €30–50/day.Meals: street food €11–18, mid-range restaurants €23–42, fine dining €80–120.Transport: Metro day pass €6.50, Uber €15–35 within the city, LAX–Hollywood €37–65. Daily budget: essential €80–110 (hostel €35–55), mid €220–320 (3-star + car €60–90/day), premium €350–550 (4–5-star €280–450, attractions €25–140). | In Las Vegas a 3-star on the Strip costs €55–110 on weekdays and €110–185 on weekends, plus resort fees of €32–46/night.Meals: buffets €23–46, mid-range restaurants €25–45, steakhouses €70–130.Transport: RTC Deuce 24h pass €7.40, taxi €18–28 from LAS to the Strip.Shows: €60–150, table games minimum €10–15 per hand.Daily budget: essential €90–140, mid €150–230 (4-star €110–180), premium €240–420 (5-star €200–350, show €90–185).✓ Better |
| Top attractions | Top in Los Angeles: Universal Studios Hollywood (€100–137, 6–8 hours), Griffith Observatory (free, planetarium €9, 2 hours), The Getty Center (free admission, parking €18, 2–3 hours), Santa Monica Pier (wheel €11, wristband €32, 1–2 hours).Downtown: Academy Museum (€23, 2 hours), tour at TCL Chinese Theatre (€23, 30–45 min).Distances: Hollywood–Griffith 6 km, Hollywood–Santa Monica 24 km. | Top in Las Vegas: High Roller (€32 day, €34 night, 30 min), Bellagio Fountains (free, 3–5 min), Mob Museum (€30, 1.5–2 hours) and Neon Museum (€18 admission, tour €26, 60 min).Nature: Red Rock Canyon (€18 per car, 2–3 hours, 27 km from the Strip) and Hoover Dam (tour €28, 45 min by car, 50 km).Cirque du Soleil shows: €92–185, 90 min. |
| Food and restaurants | In Los Angeles, try tacos at Guerrilla Tacos (€12–16), ramen at Daikokuya (€14–18), and sushi at Sugarfish (sets €28–45).Markets: Grand Central Market (dishes €10–15) and Smorgasburg LA (€12–18).Fine dining: n/naka (€240–290 menu) or Providence (€180–250).Coffee: Blue Bottle €4–6.Diverse cuisines within 5–10 km across Koreatown, Little Tokyo, and West Hollywood. | In Las Vegas the Wicked Spoon buffet costs €35–46, and the Bacchanal €55–75.Celebrity chefs: Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen (€45–85), É by José Andrés (€250–300 menu).Street eats on Fremont Street €8–15.Steakhouses: Cut (€90–150) and Barry’s (€70–120).Happy hours on the Strip €6–10 for cocktails, beers €5–7.Walking distances 0.5–2 km between resorts. |
| Climate and best time to go | Los Angeles: Mediterranean climate.Summer: June–September with highs 26–28°C (coast 22–24°C), lows 16–18°C.Winter: December–February highs 18–20°C, lows 8–10°C, rainfall 40–60 mm/month.Recommended months: April–June and September–October.Morning fog frequent in Santa Monica (“June Gloom”).High UV between 11:00–15:00.✓ Better | Las Vegas: hot desert.Summer: June–August highs 38–41°C, lows 24–27°C.Winter: highs 13–15°C, lows 3–5°C.Rainfall 10–15 mm/month, risk of heat waves >43°C in July.Recommended months: March–April and October–November.For Red Rock or Valley of Fire depart by 08:00, carry 2 L of water per person. |
| Transport and how to get there | Airports: LAX, Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB).FlyAway to Union Station €9–10, Metro day pass €6.50.Uber LAX–Downtown €35–60, LAX–Santa Monica €30–50.Car rental €50–80/day, gasoline €1.10/L.The Metro covers Hollywood and Santa Monica (E Line), but many attractions are 10–40 km apart. | Harry Reid (LAS) airport is 5 km from the Strip.Taxi €18–28, rideshares similar; buses Route 108/109 €2.RTC Deuce 24h pass €7.40, 3-day €18.50.The Strip is 6.8 km long; many attractions are 0.5–2 km away.Monorail €5 single ride, €13 day pass.No direct train from LA; to combine, use a 1h10 flight or bus 5–6 hours.✓ Better |
| Nightlife | In Los Angeles nightlife hubs include West Hollywood (Sunset Strip), Downtown (Arts District), and Koreatown.Clubs: Avalon and Exchange LA with entry €15–30, drinks €10–16.Hours: bars open until 02:00.Rooftops: Perch and The Highlight Room.Distances between venues 1–5 km; late-night Ubers €12–25. | In Las Vegas clubs like Omnia, XS, and Hakkasan cost €20–40 entry, cocktails €12–18.Shows 22:00–00:00, casinos 24/7.Fremont Street offers free concerts and bars with beers €5–7.Dress codes at top clubs; walking distances 0.5–1 km between resorts.✓ Better |
| For families with kids | Los Angeles: Disneyland Resort in Anaheim (43 km, 45–60 min), ticket €95–165, stroller €14.LA Zoo (€20, 3 hours), Natural History Museum (€18, 2 hours).Santa Monica with bike path (3–5 km) and playgrounds.Many attractions are 10–30 km apart, a car is useful.✓ Better | Las Vegas: Shark Reef Aquarium (€27, 60–90 min), Discovery Children’s Museum (€15, 2 hours), Springs Preserve (€18, 2–3 hours).Excursions: Red Rock (27 km) with easy trails 2–5 km.Avoid 12:00–16:00 in summer (> 38°C).Many hotels offer family-friendly pools. |
| Beaches and nature | Los Angeles offers Santa Monica Beach (24 km from Downtown), Venice Beach (27 km), and Malibu Zuma (53 km).Hiking at Runyon Canyon (4–5 km of trails) and Griffith Park (53 miles of trails).Surf schools €60–90 at Manhattan Beach.Beach parking €10–15.✓ Better | Las Vegas has no ocean beaches; nature at Red Rock Canyon (27 km), Lake Mead (48 km) with kayak rentals €40–60/half-day, and Mt.Charleston (60 km) with temperatures 10–15°C cooler than the Strip.Lake Mead entry €18/car, Red Rock Scenic Drive €18. |
| Shopping | Shopping in Los Angeles: Rodeo Drive (luxury), The Grove (mid-range), Melrose Trading Post on Sundays (€4.60 entry).Outlets: Citadel Outlets (13 km from Downtown) with 25–60% discounts.Souvenirs at Hollywood & Highland.Transport: intra-area Uber €8–18. | Shopping in Las Vegas: Fashion Show Mall, Forum Shops, and Grand Canal Shoppes.Outlets: Las Vegas North Premium (2.5 km from the center of the Strip) with 20–50% discounts.Taxi from the Strip €10–15.Many stores open until 22:00. |
| Safety and practical tips | In Los Angeles avoid at night Skid Row (5th/Main) and isolated areas of South LA.Keep items out of sight (car break-ins in 2–5 min).Earthquakes: know “drop, cover, hold”.Emergencies 911, information 311.Guarded parking €10–25. | In Las Vegas watch out for resort fees, timeshare promoters, and jaywalking (fines ~€320).Glass containers are banned on the Strip.Summer heat: carry 2 L of water and a hat.Emergencies 911.Use taxis/rideshares after 00:00 in dimly lit areas.✓ Better |
| How many days you need | Los Angeles: minimum 3 days for Hollywood, Griffith, and Santa Monica; ideal 5–7 days including Universal (1 day) and Disneyland (1 day).Average travel times 30–60 min between neighborhoods. | Las Vegas: minimum 2 days for the Strip, Fremont, and a show; ideal 3–4 days adding Red Rock (1/2 day) or Hoover Dam (1/2 day).Walking distances 0.5–2 km between attractions. |
| How to combine the two cities | From Los Angeles to Las Vegas: 1h10 flight with Southwest/Frontier at €40–120 (extra baggage €25–35).By car: 435 km via I-15, 4h30, fuel ~€38 (consumption 8 L/100 km, gasoline €1.10/L).Bus FlixBus/Greyhound €25–45, 5–6 hours.No active direct train. | From Las Vegas to Los Angeles: same options in reverse.Flight LAS–LAX 1h10 + security 45–60 min.By car: plan a stop in Baker or Barstow, return traffic on Sundays +30–60 min.Evening buses €25–45.Book 48–72 hours in advance for lower fares. |
The Verdict
Choose Los Angeles
Choose Los Angeles if you love beaches, movies, and theme parks.Recommended period: April–June or September–October (highs 24–28°C).Average budget: €220–320/day (hotel €140–200, meals €45–70, transport €6.50–25).5-day itinerary: day 1 Hollywood and Griffith Observatory; day 2 Santa Monica and Venice; day 3 Universal Studios; day 4 Downtown LA (Broad, Grand Central Market); day 5 Malibu or Disneyland in Anaheim (43 km).Travel times 30–60 min between neighborhoods; a car is useful €50–80/day.
Choose Las Vegas
Choose Las Vegas if you want shows, casinos, and the desert concentrated within a few kilometers.Ideal period: March–April or October–November (highs 22–28°C).Average budget: €150–230/day (hotel €110–180 + resort fee €32–46, meals €25–45, pass €7.40).3-day itinerary: day 1 the Strip and High Roller; day 2 Mob Museum, Neon Museum, and a Cirque du Soleil show; day 3 Red Rock Canyon (27 km) or Hoover Dam (50 km).Walking distances 0.5–2 km, intra-Strip taxi €10–15.