Passport Photos in Los Angeles (2026): Cheapest Options + $0.39 Hack
In a metro this spread out, the closest pharmacy usually beats the cheapest one across town — and skipping the counter entirely to print your own for about $0.39 beats them both.
Where to get passport photos in Los Angeles
CVS and Walgreens both maintain dense coverage across LA's neighborhoods and the San Fernando Valley, so a quick locator search by zip code will almost always turn up a walk-in option nearby. FedEx Office and the UPS Store are well represented near business districts. Walmart Supercenters, the cheapest walk-in nationally at $7.64, are more common toward the edges of the metro than in the urban core — check before driving specifically for the price. Not every branch of any chain has a working photo counter, so confirm on the official locator first.
Good to know in Los Angeles
- Passport agency in West LA. The State Department runs a regional Passport Agency in West LA for travelers with international departure inside 14 days, or a foreign-visa need inside 28 days. Appointment only — call 1-877-487-2778 or use the online appointment system. It handles applications, not photo-taking, so arrive with a compliant photo already prepared.
- Distance matters more than brand here. Across a metro this large, driving past three closer pharmacies to reach a specific chain rarely saves money once gas and time are factored in — the DIY hack removes that trade-off entirely since you print wherever is already convenient.
- Parking and access vary a lot by neighborhood. Standalone drugstores with their own lot (common in the Valley and South Bay) are usually faster in and out than storefront locations on busy commercial strips.
2026 prices — same nationwide, LA included
Passport photo pricing is set at the national chain level, so Los Angeles prices match the rest of the country (occasional California sales tax aside). Click any retailer for its full guide.
| Where | Service price | 4×6 print hack | Walk-in | Available 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print at Home | $0.40 | $0.40 | Yes | Yes |
| Walmart | $7.64 | $0.16 | Yes | Yes |
| FedEx Office | $15.95 | $0.49 | Yes | Yes |
| USPS Post Office | $15.00 | — | By appt | Yes |
| CVS | $17.99 | $0.39 | Yes | Yes |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | $0.38 | Yes | Yes |
| Costco | Discontinued | — | — | No |
| Rite Aid | Discontinued | — | — | No |
| Target | Discontinued | — | — | No |
| Sam's Club | Discontinued | $0.19 | — | No |
| The UPS Store | $12.99 | — | Yes | Yes |
| AAA | — | — | Yes | Yes |
Service price = standard passport-photo service. 4×6 hack = print a self-formatted 4×6 photo and cut out the 2×2; the listed price is the print only — the print-ready sheet is a $2.99 one-time unlock, so add $2.99 once for the all-in total. Prices are 2026 retail and may vary by location.
Or skip the counter — the $0.39 hack
Rather than driving across town for a specific chain, format your own photo for free, unlock the $2.99 print-ready 4×6 layout, and print it as a regular photo (not the “passport photo” service) at whichever CVS or Walgreens is actually closest — about $0.39 for the print, roughly $3.38 all-in, with two compliant 2×2 photos on the sheet.
- Take a photo against a plain wall with even light — your phone's rear camera works fine.
- Upload it to the free passport photo editor— it crops, removes the background, and sizes to 2×2 inches automatically.
- Unlock the 4×6 print template ($2.99 one-time) and download it.
- Print it as a standard 4×6 at the nearest pharmacy kiosk — pick up in an hour, cut along the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest passport photo in Los Angeles?
Walmart is the cheapest national walk-in at $7.64, and Supercenters are more common in the broader LA metro (San Fernando Valley, South Bay, Inland-adjacent areas) than in the urban core — check the locator for your area. Cheaper than any walk-in counter: format your own photo for free, unlock the $2.99 print-ready 4×6 sheet, and print it as a regular photo at a nearby CVS or Walgreens for about $0.39 — roughly $3.38 all-in.
Is there a passport agency in Los Angeles for urgent travel?
Yes — the State Department runs a regional Passport Agency in West LA for travelers with international departure within 14 calendar days, or a foreign-visa need within 28 days. It's appointment-only — call 1-877-487-2778 or use the online appointment system. It processes applications rather than taking photos, so bring a compliant photo with you.
Which chains are easiest to reach across LA's traffic?
Given how spread out Los Angeles is, the "best" chain is whichever one is actually closest to you right now, not necessarily the cheapest one across town. CVS and Walgreens both have dense coverage across most LA neighborhoods and the Valley, so a locator search by zip code usually turns up several walk-in options within a short drive.
Do post offices in Los Angeles take passport photos?
Some do. Only USPS branches designated as Passport Acceptance Facilities offer photo service, and across a metro as large as LA, coverage and appointment availability vary widely by neighborhood. Use the USPS Find a Passport Acceptance Facility tool for your zip code rather than assuming your nearest post office qualifies.
Can I get a same-day passport photo in Los Angeles?
Yes. CVS, Walgreens, FedEx Office, and the UPS Store all take same-day walk-ins with no appointment across the LA area. Given how much time a cross-town errand can eat up in traffic, formatting your own photo at home and printing it same-day at whichever store is already on your route is usually the fastest, cheapest option.
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