Comparison · Las Vegas vs Los Angeles · United States
Las Vegas vs Los Angeles
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Choose Las Vegas for The Strip, Casinos and a short break; choose Los Angeles for Hollywood, Beaches, beaches and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 368 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 368 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Las Vegas
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for Los Angeles
- March–May and September–November
Side by side
| Las Vegas | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | The Strip, Casinos and Shows and residencies | Hollywood, Beaches and Griffith Observatory |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | March–May and September–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 6 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$400 | $250–$400 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 40°C (104°F) | July, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 14°C (57°F) | January, 20°C (68°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | Santa Monica State Beach |
| Airports | LAS | LAX, BUR, LGB, SNA, ONT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Las Vegas for…
The Strip, Casinos and a short break. Las Vegas packs giant themed resorts, casinos, shows and restaurants along the 6.8 km Las Vegas Strip, with the older Downtown and Fremont Street a short bus ride north. Beyond the gaming floors, visitors come for Cirque du Soleil and concert residencies…
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Choose Los Angeles for…
Hollywood, Beaches, beaches and free sights. Los Angeles is a sprawling region of distinct neighbourhoods rather than a single centre: Hollywood and Griffith Park below the hills, Santa Monica and Venice on the beach, a revived Downtown of museums and food halls, and Beverly Hills and West Hollywood in…
Top sights compared
| # | Las Vegas | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Las Vegas Strip | Griffith Observatory |
| 2 | Fountains of Bellagio | Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre |
| 3 | Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens | Getty Center |
| 4 | Sphere | Santa Monica Pier |
| 5 | Fremont Street Experience | Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals |
Food compared
| Las Vegas | Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| Resort buffet | Tacos al pastor |
| Shrimp cocktail | French dip sandwich |
| Steakhouse dinner | Korean barbecue |
| Chinatown pho, hot pot and dim sum | Double-Double burger |
Which is cheaper?
Las Vegas and Los Angeles cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $200–$400 in Las Vegas and $250–$400 in Los Angeles (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Las Vegas on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Las Vegas and Los Angeles are about 368 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Las Vegas and 6 in Los Angeles.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Las Vegas or Los Angeles cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $200–$400 in Las Vegas and $250–$400 in Los Angeles (estimates).
+Is Las Vegas or Los Angeles better for a first trip?
Pick Las Vegas for The Strip, Casinos and a short break, or Los Angeles for Hollywood, Beaches, beaches and free sights.
+How far is Las Vegas from Los Angeles?
About 368 km in a straight line.