Las Vegas Tips
With over 150,000 hotel rooms and 35 million visitors a year, planning a Las Vegas vacation can be a daunting task especially for the first time Vegas visitor. There is so much conflicting information and so many companies trying to get your business, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. As a veteran of over 80 trips, here are a few quick and easy tips anyone can use to help you get the most out of your Vegas vacation.
- Since room rates in Vegas tend to be all over the place, even for the same hotel, a little leg work can save a bundle. Try the room discounters on the net, call the hotel's 800 number, and check the hotel website, then compare. Also, check out our Hotel Offers page to sign up for email deals directly from the hotels you are interested in.
- Take a look at TravelAxe. This is a free website that automatically searches the top Vegas travel sites and hotel websites looking for the very best price available. It will save you hours of surfing.
- Sign up for our Newsletter and receive the latest unpublicized deals from places like MGM and Bellagio.
- When packing, seriously think about the weather in Vegas. Like room prices, it can be all over the place. Even in summer, when it is 110 outside, the casinos are still a frosty 65. Also remember that even though Vegas is in the desert, winter can be quite cold and regularly falls to near freezing at night.
- Think about the new travel regulations. The liquids in a carry-on rule can be a total nightmare. Click Here for the last info from the TSA on what they are/are not allowing today.
- Check out our collection of Hotel Room Photos from many of the casinos. These are the actual rooms they hand out to guests, not the ones they prettied up for the hotel web sites and we usually have better pictures anyway!
- If you are taking a cab from the airport, be very careful of the "tunnel scam." This trick will turn an $8 ride into a $20 trip to the cleaners. If you are staying on the south strip (MGM, NYNY, etc) make sure you say to the driver, "Do Not Use The Tunnel!" Even for the center strip hotels such as Flamingo and Venetian, the tunnel is unacceptable. The only exceptions are downtown or off-strip places such as Red Rock or Green Valley.
- If it is your first trip to Vegas and you are staying on the strip, you probably won't need a rental car because there is plenty to keep you busy within walking distance. If walking, keep in mind that what may look close is often MUCH further away. A simple walk "across the street" could very well be over a half mile away.
- If you have been to Vegas several times, consider renting a car. Las Vegas has sometimes has among the cheapest rental rates in the country. At about $30 a day, if you take a cab twice a day, it will pay for itself.
- If you do plan to drive in town, AVOID THE STRIP. Buy a map and learn Industrial Blvd and Frank Sinatra Dr. to the West of the Strip. These roads will cut north/south travel time immensely. For east/west travel, Desert Inn Dr. goes under the strip and completely eliminates the problems that plague roads like Flamingo and Tropicana.
- Use the monorails. The main Monorail extends along the east side of the Strip from MGM to Sahara and may eventually extend all the way downtown (or go broke!)
- There are also 3 smaller monorails that are free:
- Mirage to Treasure Island
- Mandalay Bay - Luxor - Excalibur
- Bellagio - City Center - Monte Carlo.
- There are also 3 smaller monorails that are free:
- Spend some time learning about the games you intend to play. If you are willing to blow a $1000, wouldn't it be a decent idea to spend $10 on a book to learn the basic rules and strategy?
- There is a different angle to every game in the casino. Even with slot machines, a few little tips can go a long way toward helping you hold on to your money longer.
- If you play games of skill such as Blackjack or Video Poker, try to learn at least a basic form of strategy for your game. It can make all the difference between having money to gamble all vacation or busting out on your first night.
- You can purchase simple strategy cards at most casino gift shops. For a more extensive selection, check out Shop LVA or Gambler's General Store. Don't feel intimidated about using them at the tables; most places don't care, especially at low stakes.
- Games to avoid... Casino War, the Big Six wheel and crazy bets at the Craps table like hard-ways. These bets have a very high house edge and will kill you fast.
- Always sign up for the slot club or ask to be "rated" at the tables. The worst thing that can happen is the casinos will give you free stuff. I often receive offers in the mail for cheap or free rooms after playing a only a little while years ago.
- Consolidate your gambling to just a few casinos. It is better to play $100 at a single casino than to play $20 at 5 casinos
- Slow down your play. The more you play the greater the chance of losing. Take breaks, lets the credit add up when getting paid back, cash out and move machines.
- You can never drink enough water while in Vegas, especially during the summer. Between the 10% humidity outside and the raging Air Conditioning inside, dehydration can quickly become a problem.
- The usual check out time for most hotels is 11AM or noon, but a simple phone call to the front desk can usually get you at least an extra hour or two just for asking. Many places are now openly advertising late checkouts (as late 6PM) for $20 or $25.
- Even if you have only been playing for a short time, ask the slot club or pit boss for a "line pass." It will allow you to use the VIP line at a restaurant bypassing the regular line and plus it makes you feel "special." 9 times out of 10 they won't turn you down (except at a Harrah's property apparently!) because it doesn't cost the casino anything.
- Check out the $7.95 Sirloin Dinner at the Ellis Island Casino. It is located behind Bally's on Koval Lane and it is the best deal in town. It is an excellent steak with salad, potato, veggies and rolls. They also serve the best damn root beer I have ever had. The place will certainly never be confused with Bellagio but don't let the "down home" feel of it dissuade from a great meal.
