Traveler-compatibility checks for this destination are still pending. Local notes are useful, but phone, payment and signup eligibility are not yet sourced per service.
Uber and Lyft are everywhere; regular taxis are a rarity you never hail on the street. Waymo driverless cars now roam central LA.
Driverless robotaxis in central/Westside LA via its OWN app (not through Uber here). Novelty ride; can have a waitlist.
DoorDash dominates LA (~2/3 of the market); Uber Eats is faster in dense neighborhoods. Postmates is gone — folded into Uber Eats.
Instacart is the default for a full grocery run; Gopuff/DoorDash cover late-night convenience items in 15-30 min.
Reality check: LA is car-first; transit is limited and slow outside a few corridors. To pay, get a TAP card OR just tap a contactless credit card / phone at the gate (rolled out 2026).
Best real-time arrivals for Metro rail/bus; the rider favorite. Doubles as trip planner.
Official fare app — buy/reload a TAP card and add it to Apple/Google Wallet to tap through gates.
Official Metro app (relaunched 2026) with contactless fare payment, alerts, and trip planning.
Contactless tap (Apple Pay / Google Pay / any credit card) is accepted almost everywhere — you rarely need cash. Tipping 15-20% is expected on card at restaurants/bars. Venmo is how people pay each other.
eSIM is the easy win — activate before you land. Most run on T-Mobile or AT&T with great city coverage. For a physical local prepaid SIM, T-Mobile or Mint Mobile are best value; skip pricey airport kiosks.
The US is the exception: default texting is native SMS/iMessage, NOT WhatsApp. iPhones dominate, so people just text your number. WhatsApp is mainly for contacts abroad.
Built into iPhone; the default way Americans text. 'Blue bubbles' = iMessage, green = SMS/Android.
Used mostly for international friends/family and some immigrant communities, not as the local default.
Amazon is the reflex for anything shipped. Target and Walmart apps handle everyday runs; OfferUp/Facebook Marketplace rule local secondhand.
Default for fast shipping on almost anything; same-day in much of LA with Prime.
Dockless e-scooters/e-bikes are common on the Westside, Santa Monica, Venice and DTLA. Ride in the bike lane, not the sidewalk (it's ticketable).
Mostly for arrival/airport logistics. International arrivals can speed US entry at LAX with Mobile Passport Control.
911 is the single universal number for police, fire and ambulance. Calls are free from any phone, even with no SIM.
One number for all life-threatening emergencies. Operators can locate you and connect language interpreters.
24/7 free mental-health crisis line (call or text 988).
City services and non-urgent issues (potholes, noise, homeless outreach). LAPD non-emergency: 1-877-275-5273.
Nationwide 24/7 poison help line for accidental ingestion/exposure.
Six concrete setup decisions for Los Angeles. No fake personalization—just the local default, the local caveat, and what to do before day one gets expensive.
Mark only what you have actually set up. Progress stays in this browser.
Set up data before you need a ride, ticket, map, or verification code.
Most reliable pick; solid T-Mobile/AT&T speeds. ~$26 for 10GB/30 days. eSIM is the easy win — activate before you land. Most run on T-Mobile or AT&T with great city coverage. For a physical local prepaid SIM, T-Mobile or Mint Mobile are best value; skip pricey airport kiosks.
Know the local default before accepting a taxi quote or opening a global app.
The default. Biggest driver supply, shortest waits across the whole county. Uber and Lyft are everywhere; regular taxis are a rarity you never hail on the street. Waymo driverless cars now roam central LA.
Compare the official airport-to-city option before paying for a car.
Best real-time arrivals for Metro rail/bus; the rider favorite. Doubles as trip planner. Reality check: LA is car-first; transit is limited and slow outside a few corridors. To pay, get a TAP card OR just tap a contactless credit card / phone at the gate (rolled out 2026).
Open the map that works best locally and save your hotel or first stop.
The all-purpose default: driving, transit, walking, business hours, reviews. You'll live in a navigation app here — LA traffic makes routing essential. Google Maps for everything; Waze specifically for beating traffic while driving.
Check the local card, cash, and wallet reality before your first purchase.
The US default for splitting bills and paying friends. Install it — you'll be asked for your @handle. Contactless tap (Apple Pay / Google Pay / any credit card) is accepted almost everywhere — you rarely need cash. Tipping 15-20% is expected on card at restaurants/bars. Venmo is how people pay each other.
Use the service locals answer—and note any calling or registration restriction.
Built into iPhone; the default way Americans text. 'Blue bubbles' = iMessage, green = SMS/Android. The US is the exception: default texting is native SMS/iMessage, NOT WhatsApp. iPhones dominate, so people just text your number. WhatsApp is mainly for contacts abroad.
This is an arrival checklist, not an app ranking. Open the full local toolkit below for alternatives, coverage limits, and services you may need later.
Local tender, realistic foreign-currency acceptance, and a daily USD reference before a terminal or exchange desk chooses the rate for you.
Reference only. Your bank, card network, ATM, or exchange counter may add fees or use a different rate.
The normal currency for prices and payment.
Cards are widespread, but cash remains useful for tips, small purchases, and backup. Displayed prices often exclude sales tax and tips.
Country payment guidance reviewed Jul 21, 2026