Hi all,
We are heading to LA in 9 days, went once in 2019 however only spent 4 days there.
Would love all advice and information and especially cheapies $$ saving tips
We are planning on doing disney one weekday and tossing up universal.
Planning on renting a car as ubers added up very quickly last time we were there.
Have a well reviewed airbnb booked in wilshire - near the museum of art.
Theres a group of 5 of us going.
I've not been to LA since before COVID so take this with a pinch of salt. I'd never consider LA without my own car to drive around. Ive been there three times and only the first time I tried it without a car - really hard. Most cities I've been to in the US I've found Turo, which is peer to peer car rentals, very cheap and effective. however in LA I just found one of the big rental companies that had a deal on and did that.
Next, driving around, I had Waze on all the time. This rerouted me through upcoming traffic very effectively.
I didn't need much cash as most big shops I went to had card machines. But I had a little for smaller shops. These days I'd use a wise card for even cheaper us/NZ conversion.
I'm sure there are lots of Groupon type services still around, for deals on experiences and so on. But often just searching the web found vouchers we could use. I didn't plan much before hand, so probably paid a bit more than I needed to.
Having a rental car allowed us to drive down to San Diego one day and to check out the sights there. I've not been to Disney, but I have done universal and we had a great time. I recall outlet malls were good for getting branded shoes and clothes cheaper but I don't know about that post COVID.
Don't forget that in LA parking rules are strict in some places so plan ahead or get the odd fine, which your rental company will pass on to you.
Otherwise, I'm sure you know it but LAX is an utter f@ckpit of an airport to use as an international traveller, but at least there were lots of car rental places near it.
I wish you a brilliant trip.