Finding a cheap hotel in Los Angeles that doesn't trade price for safety or transit access takes more than sorting by rate. These five properties are at the low end of the market, where budget separates from mid-range, and each one earns its place through a combination of guest scores, Metro access, and neighborhood walkability. Rates, transit data, and addresses are verified against official property sources.
How we selected these cheap hotels in Los Angeles
"Cheap" here means the bottom of the Los Angeles market: 2-star properties that price well below the city's mid-range on a typical non-event night. We do not publish nightly rates because they move constantly, so use the live price on the booking page as the final word.
- 1. Budget tier first: every property here is a 2-star hotel at the low end of the market.
- 2. Guest review score, which is what separates a workable budget hotel from a bad one.
- 3. Transit access, so a car is optional; each pick is a short walk from a Metro rail station or busway.
Short-term rentals, hostel dorms, and apartment listings were excluded: this list is hotels only.
Cheap Los Angeles hotels compared
| Hotel | Star rating | Guest score | Nearest transit | Walk (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodeway Inn Convention Center | 2 | 7.3 | Metro E Line, Pico station | 12 |
| Super 8 by Wyndham Los Angeles Downtown | 2 | 7.5 | Metro B/D Line, Vermont/Sunset station | 8 |
| Hollywood City Inn | 2 | 7.7 | Metro B Line, Hollywood/Western station | 5 |
| Studio City Court Yard Hotel | 2 | 7.0 | Metro G Line (Rapid Bus), Ventura/Laurel Canyon | 6 |
| The Hills Inn Eagle Rock - Near Old Town Pasadena | 2 | 8.5 | Metro A Line, Memorial Park station | 18 |
Booking tips for budget travelers in Los Angeles
- January through March delivers the lowest rates in Los Angeles. Avoid booking during the Grammy Awards (February), Coachella weekends (April), and USC or UCLA home football games, when rates at budget properties can double overnight.
- Book directly through the hotel's official website when possible. Many 2-star properties in Los Angeles offer a small rate discount or free parking for direct bookings that third-party platforms don't match.
- If you plan to use Metro Rail, map your hotel against the specific line you need before booking. The B Line and D Line cover Hollywood and Downtown; the E Line connects Downtown to Santa Monica. A hotel one block from the wrong line adds 40 minutes to every trip.
- Midweek nights (Tuesday and Wednesday) run cheaper than weekends at most Los Angeles budget hotels. A three-night midweek stay often costs less than two weekend nights at the same property.
- We have a separate page for pet-friendly hotels in Los Angeles if you're traveling with a dog, since most properties on this list do not confirm pet policies.
Los Angeles pricing context: what budget, mid-range, and upscale actually cost
Los Angeles hotel pricing varies more by neighborhood than by star rating. Budget properties cluster in Hollywood, Koreatown, and the blocks around the Convention Center, and they sit well below the city's mid-range, which covers most 3-star hotels and the smaller boutiques. Upscale and luxury pricing in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica runs several times the budget tier.
Rates climb hardest around major events at Crypto.com Arena and SoFi Stadium, and around awards season in the winter. If your dates are flexible, moving a stay off an event night saves more than switching neighborhoods does.
The hotels
Rodeway Inn Convention Center
1904 W Olympic Blvd
7.3499 reviews
12 min walk to Pico (E Line)A 12-minute walk from the E Line and a short drive from the Convention Center, this budget pick gives easy Downtown and Westside access.
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Super 8 by Wyndham Los Angeles Downtown
1341 W Sunset Blvd
7.52,035 reviews
8 min walk to Vermont/Sunset (B Line)An 8-minute walk to Vermont/Sunset puts the whole B Line within reach, connecting you to Hollywood, Koreatown, and Union Station without a car.
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Hollywood City Inn
1615 N. Western Ave.
7.72,038 reviews
5 min walk to Hollywood/Western (B Line)A 5-minute walk to Hollywood/Western station makes this an easy car-free base for reaching the rest of the city by Metro at a budget rate.
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Studio City Court Yard Hotel
12933 Ventura Blvd
7.01,002 reviews
6 min walk to Ventura/Laurel Canyon (G Line (Metro Rapid Bus 901))The G Line bus at Ventura/Laurel Canyon reaches the North Hollywood B Line in under 15 minutes, a quieter, lower-priced base than Hollywood.
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The Hills Inn Eagle Rock - Near Old Town Pasadena
2300 Colorado Blvd.
8.5852 reviews
18 min walk to Memorial Park (A Line)The Colorado Boulevard address puts you within walking distance of Eagle Rock's restaurant corridor and a short rideshare from Old Town Pasadena.
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Frequently asked questions
What counts as a cheap hotel in Los Angeles?＋
In Los Angeles, budget hotels are at the low end of the market on a typical non-event night. That level reflects the city's high operating costs, which push even 2-star properties above what you'd pay in most other US markets. During major events like Coachella weekends or awards season, rates at these same properties climb well above budget levels, so the budget label applies to standard demand periods.
Which cheap Los Angeles hotel has the best Metro access?＋
Hollywood City Inn on N. Western Avenue is 5 minutes on foot from Hollywood/Western station on the B Line, making it the strongest transit option on this list. From Hollywood/Western, you can reach Hollywood/Highland in two stops, Koreatown in four, and Union Station in about 15 minutes.
Are cheap hotels in Los Angeles safe?＋
Safety varies by block, not just by neighborhood name. The five properties on this list were selected in part because their specific addresses score acceptably on walkability and publicly available crime data. Hollywood City Inn, Super 8 on Sunset, and The Hills Inn in Eagle Rock are in areas with good foot traffic and street lighting. The Rodeway Inn on Olympic and Studio City Court Yard Hotel are more car-oriented but not unsafe. Check Google Street View for the immediate block before booking any budget property in Los Angeles.
When are Los Angeles hotel rates lowest?＋
January and early February deliver the lowest rates across most of the city. The post-holiday slowdown and the marine layer that settles over the coast in June and July both suppress demand. Avoid booking during the Grammy Awards (February), Coachella weekends (April), and any weekend with a major event at SoFi Stadium or Dodger Stadium.
Do any of these cheap hotels include free parking?＋
Most properties on this list offer on-site parking, but free parking is not confirmed at every location. Verify the parking policy and any nightly fee directly with the hotel before booking, since parking costs can add up and meaningfully change the total cost of a stay.
Can I get around Los Angeles without a car if I stay at one of these hotels?＋
Yes, for specific itineraries. Hollywood City Inn and Super 8 on Sunset both are within 8 minutes of Metro B Line stations, which connect to Hollywood, Koreatown, and Downtown without a transfer. The Rodeway Inn near the Convention Center is 12 minutes from the E Line at Pico, which runs to Santa Monica. Studio City Court Yard Hotel requires a bus connection to reach Metro Rail. The Hills Inn in Eagle Rock is 18 minutes from the A Line at Memorial Park, which is walkable for some travelers but car-dependent for most.
