West Coast USA Trip Cost 2026: LA, Vegas & SF 9-Day Budget
Wondering how much a US West Coast trip costs? Get the real budget breakdown for a 9-day adventure through LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco in 2026.
Ultimate Guide to West Coast USA Travel Costs
LA, Las Vegas, San Francisco: 9 Days, 7 Nights
Photos/Text © Mini Mani Moo
Hello, fellow adventurers!
It's Mini here, ready to dish out all the juicy details about my West Coast USA adventure!
When I was planning my US trip, the one thing I searched for most was...
..."How much does a trip to the US actually cost?"
Especially for a West Coast route hitting LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco all in one go,
the costs and vibes vary so much from city to city, making budgeting a real challenge.
Yeah, it wasn't easy to get a clear picture!
Today, I'm going to meticulously break down my actual expenses for 9 days and 7 nights,
categorized by item and city!
For those of you planning a trip to the US during these high-exchange-rate times, pay close attention!
Table of Contents |
Trip Essentials at a Glance |
Itinerary by City |
West Coast USA Trip Costs: Summary (Per Person) |
Flights (Korean Air Direct & US Domestic) |
Accommodation (Location Recommendations & Costs) |
Transportation |
Food & Dining |
Tours & Shopping |
Trip Essentials at a Glance
Item | Details |
Trip Duration | 9 Days, 7 Nights |
Travelers | 2 People |
Itinerary | LA (2 nights) - Las Vegas (2 nights) - San Francisco (3 nights) |
Payment Method | Credit/Travel Card + Small Amount of Cash |
Exchange Rate Used | 1 USD = 1,430 KRW |
Itinerary by City
I focused on hitting the absolute must-see spots in each city.
· LA (2 nights): Hollywood & City Center
· Las Vegas (2 nights): Focused on the Grand Canyon Tour
· San Francisco (3 nights): Fisherman's Wharf & Golden Gate Bridge
⬇️ Check out my full 9-day, 7-night West Coast USA itinerary post! ⬇️
West Coast USA 7-Day Travel Itinerary Summary | LA Las Vegas San Francisco Itinerary RecommendationsWest Coast USA Trip Costs: Summary (Per Person)
Flights and accommodation took up the largest chunk of the overall budget.
(The grand total, including shopping, was around ~$4,072.)
Category | Cost/Per Person | Notes |
Flights | ~$2,068 | Korean Air Direct (Golden Holiday Period) |
Accommodation | ~$812 | 7 nights + Resort Fees Included |
Inter-city Travel | ~$160 | US Domestic Flights |
Local Transportation | ~$236 | Uber, Lyft, TAP Card |
Food & Dining | ~$353 | Dining Out + Groceries |
Tours & Tickets | ~$339 | Grand Canyon, Big Bus, etc. |
Shopping & Miscellaneous | ~$146 | Souvenirs & Incidentals |
TOTAL | ~$4,114 |
Flights (Korean Air Direct & US Domestic)
Direct flights might be pricier, but they save your energy!
If you're moving between cities, budgeting for domestic flights is a must too!
· International Flights (Korean Air Multi-city): ~$2,068
· US Domestic Flights: Approx. ~$193
Los Angeles - Las Vegas: ~$73
Las Vegas - San Francisco: ~$120 (incl. baggage)
💡 US domestic flights often have strict baggage policies, so make sure to check if baggage is included when booking!
⬇️ Read my review of Korean Air direct flights & US domestic flights here! ⬇️
Los Angeles | LA Flight Korean Air KE011 Economy | Flight Time Seat Recommendations In-flight Meal Review
US Domestic Flight | LA - Las Vegas Delta Air Lines DL2202 Flight Review
US Domestic Flight | Las Vegas - San Francisco Alaska Airlines AS777 Flight Review
San Francisco Flight Korean Air KE024 Economy | Flight Time, Seat Recommendations, In-flight Meal ReviewAccommodation (Location Recommendations & Costs)
In the US, resort fees are often charged separately upon check-in,
so be sure to factor them into your budget.
LA (2 nights)
·Cost: Average of ~$145 per night (plus resort fee of ~$35 per person)
·Location: Koreatown (Excellent for safety and accessibility)
⬇️ LA The LINE Hotel / Mokoko House Reviews ⬇️
Los Angeles | LA Accommodation Recommendations | The LINE Hotel LA Double Bed Room Honest Review
Los Angeles | LA Accommodation Recommendations | LA Koreatown Guesthouse Mokoko House | Couple Room, Breakfast, Late-night Snack, Luggage Storage ReviewLas Vegas (2 nights)
·Cost: Average of ~$235 per night (resort fee included)
·Location: Main Strip (Optimal for tour pickups)
⬇️ Planet Hollywood / Cosmopolitan Reviews ⬇️
Las Vegas Hotel Recommendations | Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Ultra Hip 2 Queen Room Review
Las Vegas Hotel Recommendations | The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Terrace Suite Fountain View Review (Bellagio Fountain View)San Francisco (3 nights)
·Cost: Average of ~$214 per night
(plus resort fee of ~$69 per person)
·Location: Fisherman's Wharf (Convenient for getting around)
⬇️ Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf Review ⬇️
San Francisco Hotel Recommendations | Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf Deluxe 2 Queen Room ReviewTransportation Costs
For getting around, Uber and Lyft were my go-to!
LA
Korean Taxis + Uber/Lyft + Making the Most of Your TAP Card
⬇️ Your Guide to Korean Taxis & TAP Cards ⬇️
Los Angeles | Getting from LAX to the City Center | A Comparison of LA Korean Taxis, Uber, and Lyft
Los Angeles | Your Guide to the LA TAP Transit Card: Usage, Fares, and My Experience on Buses & SubwaysLas Vegas
Mostly on Foot + Uber/Lyft for Longer Distances
⬇️ Master Lyft with These Tips! ⬇️
How to Use Ride-Shares in the US | Lyft: Sign-up, Usage, and Essential Discount Code Tips
From Las Vegas Airport to the Strip: How to Get There | Uber & Lyft Pickup Spots, Prices, and My ReviewSan Francisco
Uber/Lyft + Korean Taxis + The Big Bus
⬇️ Your Guide to Booking Big Bus Tickets ⬇️
San Francisco Big Bus Tour: Ticket Types, Routes, and How to Book – Your Complete GuideFood Expenses
Get ready for the *killer* prices in the US!
When you add in tax and tips,
Your bill will often be 20-30% higher than the menu price.
💡 Savings Tip: Grabbing salads or easy meals from supermarkets (like Trader Joe's)
can seriously help you save on food costs!
LA
Item | Cost |
Gaju Kimbap/Gaju Market | ~$25 |
Getty Terrace Cafe | ~$21 |
Farmers Market | ~$37 |
Bukchangdong Sundubu | ~$57 |
Brunch (Openaire) | ~$95 |
Alfred Coffee | ~$8 |
Starbucks | ~$19 |
Total | ~$261 |
Las Vegas
Item | Cost |
Dirty Hot Dog | ~$10 |
Burger King | ~$15 |
Supermarket | ~$7 |
Convenience Store | ~$11 |
Hot N Juicy | ~$89 |
Gordon Ramsay | ~$91 |
The Coffee Bean | ~$8 |
Total | ~$230 |
San Francisco
Item | Cost |
Convenience Store | ~$17 |
Boudin Bakery | ~$20 |
Philz Coffee | ~$7 |
Trader Joe's | ~$64 |
De Young Cafe | ~$38 |
Uber Eats (Sottomare) | ~$71 |
Peet's Coffee | ~$7 |
Total | ~$224 |
⬇️ Don't Miss These Must-Try Restaurants! ⬇️
Los Angeles | LA's Best Restaurants: Honest Review of Our Revisit to BCD Tofu House Main Branch (Waiting & Menu)
Los Angeles | LA Koreatown Brunch Spot Openaire | Menu, Prices, How to Order, Review
Las Vegas Restaurants: Hot N Juicy | Menu, Prices, How to Order, Review
Las Vegas Restaurants: Gordon Ramsay Burger | Menu, Prices, Ordering Tips, Review
San Francisco Clam Chowder Spot Boudin Bakery | Menu, Prices, How to Order, Review
San Francisco Cioppino Spot Sotto Mare Oysteria & SeafoodTours & Shopping
Tours
Item | Amount |
Grand Canyon Day Tour | ~$285 |
Big Bus Tour | ~$55 |
Total | ~$339 |
⬇️ The highlight of our US trip: Grand Canyon Tour ⬇️
Grand Canyon Day Tour from Las Vegas | Price, Booking, Itinerary, Review
⬇️ A must-do for San Francisco's night views ⬇️
San Francisco Trip: Big Bus Sunset Tour Tickets, Routes, Booking GuideShopping & Souvenirs
Item | Amount |
Trader Joe's | ~$39 |
Airport Duty-Free | ~$66 |
Total | ~$105 |
I was worried about the high exchange rate,
but I fully experienced the majestic nature and urban charm that made it all worthwhile!
It was a 7-night, 9-day trip.
I hope my expense breakdown can offer a little help for your travel planning.
If you have any more questions, please leave them in the comments below!
Wishing everyone a wonderful trip to the USA!
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total cost per person for the 7-night, 9-day West Coast USA trip to LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco presented in this article?
The total cost per person for this 7-night, 9-day West Coast USA trip, including shopping, was approximately ~$4,114. This amount covers flights, accommodation, inter-city travel, local transportation, food, tours and admission tickets, shopping, and other miscellaneous expenses.
What was the total cost of domestic flights used for inter-city travel between LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco on this trip?
The domestic flight from LA to Las Vegas cost ~$73, and the domestic flight from Las Vegas to San Francisco, including baggage, cost ~$120. The total cost for travel between these two cities was approximately ~$193.
What was the total accommodation cost per person during the 7-night, 9-day West Coast USA trip, and what was the average cost per night for each city?
The total accommodation cost per person for the 7-night, 9-day trip was ~$812. In LA, the average cost per night was approximately ~$145 (excluding a resort fee of about ~$35 per person). In Las Vegas, the average cost per night was approximately ~$235 (including resort fees). In San Francisco, the average cost per night was approximately ~$214 (excluding a resort fee of about ~$69 per person).
What was the per-person cost for the Grand Canyon day tour and the San Francisco Big Bus tour on this trip, respectively?
The Grand Canyon day tour cost ~$285 per person. The San Francisco Big Bus tour cost ~$55 per person.
What are some specific tips for saving on food expenses during this West Coast USA trip, and what examples of supermarkets were mentioned for this purpose?
A tip for saving on food expenses was to buy salads or simple meals at supermarkets. Trader Joe's, in particular, was mentioned as a supermarket that can help significantly reduce food costs.
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