What Is the Cheapest Place to Fly from LAX for a Weekend?

Las Vegas. That's the answer. The cheapest place to fly from LAX for a weekend, when you include both flights and hotel, is almost always Las Vegas. But the ranking after that depends on the time of year and what you mean by "cheap."

The full ranking by total weekend cost

This includes round trip flights plus two nights at a decent hotel. Prices are per person based on double occupancy.

1. Las Vegas: $150-280. Cheapest flights ($60-120) and cheapest hotels ($40-80/night). The math is hard to beat.

2. San Diego: $200-310. Very cheap flights ($70-130) and moderate hotels ($70-100/night). The beach is free.

3. Phoenix/Scottsdale: $210-340. Cheap flights ($80-160) and cheap hotels outside peak season ($60-100/night). In peak season (Oct-Mar), hotels jump to $150+.

4. San Francisco: $250-350. Cheap flights ($80-150) but expensive hotels ($100-150/night even for budget options). The city itself is expensive to eat and drink in.

5. Reno: $200-320. Cheap flights ($90-180) and very cheap hotels ($50-80/night). Casino hotels subsidize room rates with gambling revenue.

6. Denver: $300-450. Medium flights ($100-250) and moderate hotels ($90-130/night). Great value for the experience but not rock-bottom cheap.

7. Portland: $300-430. Medium flights ($100-220) and moderate hotels ($90-120/night). Food and drinks are cheaper than LA once you're there.

The cheapest isn't always the best

Vegas is cheapest, but it's also the most tempting place to blow your budget once you arrive. A $200 weekend in Vegas can turn into a $600 weekend fast. San Diego and Phoenix are often better "total cost" options because the temptation to overspend is lower.

We score every weekend package on price, flight timing, duration, and hotel quality. The cheapest package isn't always the highest-scored. Check our LAX trips page to see how price and value intersect.