Flights to Los Angeles — What to Expect
Los Angeles is served primarily by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the busiest airports in the world and the main entry point for transatlantic flights. Most flights from Europe land here, with direct routes operated by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, United Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, Iberia, KLM and Finnair from hubs including London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Amsterdam, Madrid, Frankfurt and Helsinki. Budget-conscious travelers might find connecting flights via East Coast hubs like New York JFK or Chicago O'Hare on carriers such as Delta or Norse Atlantic, though the extra stop adds several hours to an already long journey. LAX is undergoing a massive renovation ahead of the 2028 Olympics, so expect some terminal congestion — give yourself extra time. A smaller option worth knowing about is Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), useful if you're staying in the Valley or near Hollywood, though it handles no transatlantic routes.
Flights to Los Angeles from London typically run 10 to 11 hours westbound and around 9.5 hours on the return. From mainland Europe, add roughly an hour. In terms of cost, flights from London to Los Angeles in economy class range from around €450–€650 in shoulder season (spring and fall) to €700–€1,000+ in peak summer. Premium economy starts around €1,200 return, and business class can easily exceed €3,000. Booking 2–3 months in advance for spring or fall travel tends to land you the best Los Angeles flight deals, especially on Tuesday or Wednesday departures. Flexible date searches on Google Flights or Skyscanner are your best tools for finding cheap flights to Los Angeles before prices climb.
Best Time to Visit Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate that's famously pleasant year-round, but that doesn't mean every month is equally good for a visit. March to May is arguably the sweet spot — temperatures sit comfortably between 60–80°F (16–27°C), the hills are green, wildflowers bloom in the canyons, and the tourist crowds are manageable. September and October are equally excellent: the famous June Gloom has burned off, the Pacific is at its warmest (around 68–70°F), and the city is vibrant without the summer crush. These shoulder months also tend to offer the most competitive airfares.
June through August is peak tourist season — beaches at Santa Monica and Venice fill up fast, hotel prices spike, and inland areas like the Valley can hit 95°F (35°C) or higher. The coast stays cooler, but the infamous June Gloom (marine layer fog) can mean overcast mornings through late June. December through February is the rainy season — mostly January and February — with temperatures in the 60s°F (around 16–18°C) during the day. It rarely feels truly cold by European standards, and this is when LA hotels drop their rates significantly. If you don't mind the odd rainy day, winter can be great value. October and November bring the dry Santa Ana winds, which raise wildfire risk but also deliver crystal-clear skies and perfect visibility across the city.
Getting Around Los Angeles
Let's be honest: Los Angeles is a car city, and pretending otherwise doesn't help anyone. From LAX, the most practical options are a rental car (booked in advance from companies like Hertz, Enterprise or Budget — Turo is worth checking too), a rideshare via Uber or Lyft (expect $40–$70 to central neighborhoods), or the LAX FlyAway bus to Union Station in downtown ($9.75 one way), which connects to the Metro system. The LA Metro is more useful than its reputation suggests — the E Line (Expo Line) connects downtown to Santa Monica, and the B/D Lines reach Hollywood and the Valley — but it won't get you everywhere. For beach hopping, canyon exploring, or hitting multiple neighborhoods in a day, a rental car is simply the most efficient option. Parking is generally available but factor in $20–$40/day in popular areas like Santa Monica or West Hollywood.
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
LA is a collection of distinct neighborhoods, and where you stay shapes your entire experience. Santa Monica and Venice are ideal for beach access, outdoor lifestyle, and walkability — rare in LA. Budget options here are limited; expect to pay $150–$250/night for a decent mid-range hotel. Silver Lake and Los Feliz are the city's most interesting residential neighborhoods — indie coffee shops, good restaurants, a local feel — and mid-range hotels and guesthouses run $120–$200/night. West Hollywood (WeHo) puts you close to the Sunset Strip, great restaurants, and the design district; mid-range to premium, $180–$350/night. Downtown LA has seen genuine investment in the last decade — the Arts District is genuinely cool — and you'll find better value hotels here ($130–$220/night) plus easy Metro access. For luxury, Beverly Hills and Bel Air are the obvious choices, with iconic hotels like the Beverly Hills Hotel and Chateau Marmont, but budget $400–$800/night upwards.
Top Things to Do in Los Angeles
- Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park: Free entry to the observatory itself, with sweeping views over the entire LA basin and the Hollywood Sign. Hike the trails early morning to avoid crowds.
- The Getty Center: One of the best free museums in the world (parking is $20). The architecture, gardens, and Impressionist collection are worth half a day minimum.
- Venice Beach Boardwalk and Abbot Kinney Boulevard: The boardwalk is chaotic and colorful; Abbot Kinney one block inland is where locals actually shop and eat. Do both.
- Universal Studios Hollywood: Genuinely fun if you're into theme parks — the Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World zones are the current highlights. Book tickets online ($109+) and go on a weekday.
- Day trip to Malibu: Drive the Pacific Coast Highway north, stop at El Matador State Beach (dramatic sea stacks, free entry), and eat fish tacos at Broad Street Oyster Company. One of the best days you can have in Southern California.
- The Arts District and Grand Central Market: Downtown LA's food and culture scene has genuinely arrived. Grand Central Market for lunch, the Broad Museum for contemporary art (free, but book ahead), and drinks at the rooftop bar at the Standard.
Practical Travel Tips
Visas: EU and UK citizens do not need a visa for the USA for stays under 90 days, but must apply for ESTA authorization online before travel ($21 per person, valid for two years). Apply at least 72 hours before departure — most are approved within minutes. Make sure your passport has at least six months validity. Currency: US Dollar (USD). ATMs are everywhere, and cards are accepted almost universally. Notify your bank before travel. Tipping: Non-negotiable in LA — 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is standard, $1–2 per drink at bars, $2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping. Uber and Lyft prompt you to tip too. Safety: LA is generally safe in tourist areas, but homelessness is highly visible, particularly in Venice, Skid Row (avoid unless purposeful), and parts of Hollywood. Keep valuables out of sight in parked cars — smash-and-grab theft from vehicles is genuinely common. Stick to well-lit, populated areas at night in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Mobile data: grab a prepaid SIM from T-Mobile or AT&T at the airport for affordable data coverage throughout California.
FAQ — Flights to Los Angeles
How much do flights to Los Angeles cost?
Return flights to Los Angeles from European cities typically range from €450 to €700 in economy class during shoulder season (March–May and September–November). Peak summer fares (July–August) can exceed €900–€1,100 return from London or Paris. If you're flexible on dates and book 6–8 weeks out during off-peak periods, it's occasionally possible to find Los Angeles flight deals under €420 return from London. Business class starts around €2,500–€3,500 return from major European hubs.
Which airlines fly to Los Angeles?
Direct flights to Los Angeles from Europe are operated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow, American Airlines from London, Dublin and various European cities, Air France from Paris CDG, Lufthansa from Frankfurt and Munich, KLM from Amsterdam, Iberia from Madrid, Finnair from Helsinki, and Norse Atlantic Airways from London Gatwick and other European cities at lower price points. Connecting options via East Coast US hubs are available on Delta, United and others, though they add significant travel time.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Los Angeles?
January and February generally offer the lowest fares for flights to Los Angeles from Europe, as these are the quietest months for tourism. However, this is also LA's rainy season. For a better balance of value and good weather, March, April, October and November are the sweet spot — shoulder season pricing with spring or fall conditions. Avoid booking July and August flights if cost is a priority; these months consistently see the highest prices, particularly from London.
How long is the flight to Los Angeles from London?
A direct flight from London Heathrow to Los Angeles LAX takes approximately 10 hours 30 minutes to 11 hours westbound, and around 9 to 9.5 hours on the return (east-west jet streams work in your favour heading home). From Paris CDG, expect roughly 11 hours 15 minutes direct. From Frankfurt or Amsterdam, add another 30–45 minutes. Connecting flights via East Coast US hubs will extend total travel time to 14–18 hours depending on layover length — only worth it if the price difference is significant.