When I first started traveling to Los Angeles, booking flights was always a source of anxiety. Prices seemed to swing wildly from one day to another, and I often felt I had no control over whether I was making the right decision. Over time, after countless trips to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and nearby airports like Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), and even Orange County’s John Wayne Airport (SNA), I slowly pieced together strategies that completely transformed how I booked my tickets. What was once a frustrating guessing game turned into an almost exciting ritual—hunting for the best fares, learning tricks about timing, comparing platforms, and understanding the quirks of flying into LA.
This guide isn’t just a list of generic “tips.” These are the exact strategies, experiences, and lessons I learned through trial, error, and many saved dollars. My goal is to walk you through every stage of the process with enough detail that you feel like you’re right there beside me—refreshing Google Flights, debating whether to wait another day before booking, and celebrating when you manage to snag a deal that feels like a personal victory.
The First Time I Booked a Flight to Los Angeles
I still remember my very first time trying to book a ticket to LA. I was sitting in my apartment late at night, staring at my laptop with three tabs open: Expedia, Google Flights, and Kayak. The departure city was New York, and the return trip was flexible, but the ticket price difference depending on the day shocked me. On Monday, the round-trip ticket was \$480. By Thursday, it had climbed to \$615. I hesitated, and by the time I made up my mind, I ended up paying \$570.
That sting never left me. I knew there had to be a better way. Over the years, I experimented with every possible method, from booking last-minute flights to setting price alerts months in advance. Slowly, I learned that the timing of the booking, the platform I used, and even the airport I chose to fly into could make a huge difference.
Choosing the Right Los Angeles Airport
Most people default to LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), and for good reason. It’s the largest, most connected, and has nonstop flights from nearly every major city in the world. But one thing I quickly learned is that sometimes flying into alternative airports can be a hidden gem of a strategy.
- LAX (1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045)
LAX is hectic. It’s busy, sprawling, and sometimes overwhelming. But it’s also the hub with the most options, which means competitive pricing. If you’re flying internationally, this is almost always your entry point. - Hollywood Burbank Airport (2627 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505)
On one of my trips, I flew into Burbank instead of LAX, and it felt like stepping into another world. Smaller, friendlier, and far easier to navigate, it made my arrival stress-free. Plus, it’s closer to neighborhoods like Hollywood, Glendale, and Pasadena. The ticket was about \$40 more than the cheapest LAX option, but I saved that money back in Uber fares and time. - Long Beach Airport (4100 Donald Douglas Dr, Long Beach, CA 90808)
I used Long Beach once when visiting friends in Orange County, and it was a breeze. Quiet terminals, short lines, and a retro vibe that made flying almost fun again. The flights here aren’t always cheaper, but if you’re headed south of LA, it can save you money and hassle. - John Wayne Airport, Orange County (18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707)
When I booked a spontaneous trip to Disneyland, I chose to land at SNA, and it was the perfect decision. The smaller size of the airport meant quick baggage claim and a short drive to Anaheim.
Lesson learned: Don’t just assume LAX is the cheapest or most convenient. Always check the surrounding airports. Platforms like Google Flights and Skyscanner make this easy since you can search “Los Angeles (all airports).” More than once, this trick saved me over \$100.
My Daily Ritual: Searching Flights
Whenever I plan a trip to Los Angeles now, I start with a ritual: opening Google Flights. I love the interface. The calendar view that shows how prices fluctuate day by day feels like a crystal ball. For instance, when I was planning a spring trip, the difference between flying on a Tuesday versus a Saturday was nearly \$120.
After I narrow down my options with Google Flights, I usually check Skyscanner. This platform is especially useful when I’m flexible with dates or even departure airports. It once showed me that flying out of Newark instead of JFK would save me \$90, even though both airports are equally accessible from my apartment.
When I feel like I’ve found a promising route, I go to Expedia or Priceline to compare package deals. More than once, booking a flight-and-hotel bundle on Expedia actually made the flight cheaper than booking the ticket alone. One example: I found a direct flight to LAX for \$420. But when I paired it with a three-night stay at a Santa Monica hotel through Expedia’s package option, the total came out to \$570. That meant the hotel effectively cost me just \$150 for three nights.
Timing is Everything: When to Book
Through trial and error, I discovered that the sweet spot for domestic flights to Los Angeles is usually 1 to 3 months in advance, while international tickets often reward you for booking 3 to 6 months ahead.
One of the biggest revelations came when I started using Hopper, the mobile app that predicts flight prices with surprisingly good accuracy. Once, I set an alert for a summer trip to LA, and Hopper kept telling me to wait. Every day, I’d get a notification that prices were expected to drop. Sure enough, about three weeks later, the price fell by \$85, and I pounced.
Another strategy I swear by is booking flights on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings. More than once, I noticed fares dropping midweek compared to the inflated prices on weekends. On the other hand, flying on Tuesdays or Thursdays tends to yield the cheapest tickets.
Red-Eye Flights: My Secret Weapon
At first, I dreaded red-eye flights. The idea of leaving at midnight and arriving at dawn sounded like torture. But the first time I tried it—flying from JFK to LAX overnight—I realized it had hidden advantages.
- The ticket was about \$120 cheaper than a daytime flight.
- The airport was less crowded, making security checks quicker.
- Arriving early in LA meant I had the whole day ahead of me.
Yes, I was a little groggy, but I grabbed a cappuccino at a café in Santa Monica and immediately felt re-energized. Now, I actively look for red-eye flights when I want to save money and maximize time.
How I Combine Flights with Accommodation
One of the smartest hacks I’ve learned is pairing flights with hotels through platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, or Priceline. Even when I already know where I want to stay, I’ll check if bundling gets me a lower total price.
On a recent trip, I bundled a flight with a stay at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401). The package rate saved me \$160 compared to booking separately. I also appreciated that Expedia offered additional perks like free breakfast credits.
If I’m in the mood for something different, I sometimes book accommodation through Airbnb or Vrbo, especially when I want an oceanfront apartment. But even then, I’ll book my flight first through a platform like Google Flights and then cross-check package deals to ensure I’m not missing hidden discounts.
Platforms I Rely On
Here’s how I personally use each platform, based on countless bookings:
- Google Flights – My go-to for initial searches. Best calendar view for spotting cheaper days.
- Skyscanner – Great for flexible searches and finding lesser-known options.
- Expedia – Perfect for bundling flights and hotels.
- Priceline – Sometimes offers last-minute deals that beat competitors.
- Hopper – Best for predictions and alerts.
- Kayak – Helpful for tracking multiple airlines and seeing hidden layover options.
For restaurants and dining reservations once I land in LA, I often use OpenTable (https://www.opentable.com) to secure popular spots like Bestia in the Arts District or Nobu Malibu. For accommodations beyond hotels, I alternate between Booking.com and Airbnb, depending on whether I want convenience or a local vibe.
Stories of Missed Opportunities
Not every experience has been perfect. Once, I ignored Hopper’s advice to wait because I panicked about tickets selling out. I paid \$520 for a ticket from Boston to LAX, only to see it drop to \$430 a week later. Another time, I booked too early—seven months in advance—and ended up overpaying by nearly \$100.
These missteps taught me to trust the tools, stay patient, and always compare multiple platforms before committing.
The Joy of Landing in LA After a Good Deal
There’s nothing quite like stepping off a plane at LAX, knowing you got the best possible deal on your ticket. One of my favorite memories is landing at sunrise, picking up my rental car, and driving straight to Santa Monica Pier. The air was crisp, the ocean sparkling, and I felt like I had outsmarted the system by paying less than most people on that flight.
Every dollar I save on flights goes toward experiences in Los Angeles itself—like dinner at République on La Brea Avenue or tickets to the Hollywood Bowl. Knowing I shaved \$100 or \$200 off my airfare makes splurging on these local adventures even sweeter.
Practical Tips That Changed My Booking Game
- Always compare “Los Angeles (all airports)” instead of just LAX.
- Use Hopper alerts and trust their predictions.
- Book 1–3 months in advance for domestic, 3–6 months for international.
- Fly midweek and consider red-eye flights.
- Check Expedia, Priceline, and Booking.com for package deals.
- Don’t panic-book too early. Monitor prices for a while.
- Sign up for airline newsletters—flash sales are real.
Booking flights to Los Angeles used to feel like a gamble. Now, it feels like a challenge I know how to win. Each time I manage to secure a ticket at a price that feels like a steal, I step onto the plane with a sense of victory.
The strategies I’ve shared here weren’t learned overnight—they’re the result of years of travel, mistakes, experiments, and late nights spent refreshing flight search engines. For me, the reward isn’t just saving money. It’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing I played the system smartly, leaving me with more cash to enjoy LA itself—from sipping a latte in a Venice café to catching the sunset at Griffith Observatory.
And every time I land at LAX or one of the smaller airports nearby, I feel that familiar thrill: I made it to Los Angeles, and I got here the smarter, cheaper way.
