Las Vegas, Nevada — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Flights to Las Vegas from the UK are offered by a number of different airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, as well as US carriers: American Airlines, Continental, Delta, United and US Airways. Las Vegas is a year round destination but if you hunt hard, you’ll find cheap flights to Las Vegas. New Year is particularly expensive whereas the hot and humid summers are often the best time of year to find cheap flights.
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
Tel: (702) 261 5211 or 4636
Website: www.mccarran.com
Las Vegas McCarran International Airport is 1.6km (1 mile) from the Strip and 5.6km (3.5 miles) from Downtown.
Airport facilities
These include bureau de change, ATMs, tourist information, car hire (Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Alamo/National, Payless, Sav-mor, Thrifty and US Rent-A-Car), free Wi-Fi access, a fitness center, a children's play area, a medical center, lockers, restaurants, duty-free, shops, bars, a massage center, an aviation museum, slot machines, shoeshine services and a post office. Plans are underway to build a third terminal.
Transport to the city
The simplest way to reach Downtown and the Strip is by taxi. Alternatively, a bus service is operated by Citizens Area Transit (tel: (702) 228 7433 or 1 800 228 3911; www.rtcsnv.com), with some services running 24 hours from outside the arrivals lounge.
A number of shuttle companies run services to and from McCarran Airport via the Strip and Downtown (journey time - 30 to 45 minutes). Companies include Bell Trans Shuttle Bus (tel: (702) 739 7990; www.bell-trans.com), Las Vegas Limousine (tel: (702) 736 1419; www.lasvegaslimo.com), ODS (tel: (702) 688 6090; www.odslimo.com) and Showtime (tel: (702) 261 6101).
Approximate flight times to Las Vegas
From London: 12 hours; from New York: 6 hours; from Los Angeles: 1 hour 15 minutes; from Toronto: 5 hours and from Sydney: 15 hours.
Getting There By Road
Driving in Las Vegas is the easiest way to get around. Freeways have a speed limit of 121kph (75mph). Primary highways or multi-lane roads have a speed limit of 105kph (65mph). Traffic drives on the right. The minimum driving age in Nevada is 15 3/4 years and proof of insurance is compulsory. Drivers from outside the USA must possess a license from their home country, but must follow Nevada's restrictions. The American Automobile Association - AAA (tel: (702) 870 9171 or 1 800 922 8228; www.csaa.com) provides emergency roadside and a variety of automobile-related services.
Emergency breakdown services
AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357/HELP).
Routes to the city
Las Vegas is bisected by Freeway 15, connecting to Mesquite and Salt Lake City in the north and California (Los Angeles and San Francisco via Interstate 5) in the south. Freeway 515 connects to Fort Mojave Indian reservation in the south. Freeway 215 encircles most of the city, and is a convenient way to bypass rush hour congestion.
Driving times to the city
From Los Angeles - 4 to 5 hours; Salt Lake City - 6 to 7 hours; San Francisco - 8 to 9 hours.
Coach services
Greyhound (tel: (702) 384 9561; www.greyhound.com) operates intercity services out of Las Vegas, linking to major western destinations, including Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Albuquerque, El Paso and Los Angeles. Greyhound operates out of Las Vegas Greyhound Terminal, 200 South Main Street, which provides basic facilities, including a waiting area, payphones and a snack bar.
Getting There By Rail
There is no Amtrak rail service to Las Vegas. The closest train stations are Needles (CA) and Kingman (AZ). Check for updates on the charter services from those stations to Las Vegas.
Getting Around in Las Vegas, Nevada
Public Transport
Public transportation is mostly limited to buses, operated by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) (www.rtcsnv.com/transit). Tokens are available online. Trolley services run every 30 minutes (www.lasvegas-how-to.com/trolley.php). Three trolley services exit, including one that loops along the Strip.
The Las Vegas Monorail (tel: (702) 699 8200; www.lvmonorail.com) runs 0700-0200 from the Sahara Hotel to the MGM Grand. Connect to the LV Monorail by using the free private monorail between The Luxor, Excalibur and New York New York.
Taxis
It is against the law to hail a taxi - use the stands on the Strip and Downtown, or call a taxi from ABC Union (tel: (702) 736 8444) or Yellow Checker Star (tel: (702) 873 2000). Don't forget to tip.
Driving in the City
Traffic is heaviest during rush hour (0800-1000 and 1630-1900). The Strip and Downtown, however, can become congested any time. There is little street parking - hotels and casinos offer free or valet parking.
Car Hire
Drivers must be over 21. National driving licenses are permissible, but check if an International Driving Permit is required.
Recommended car hire companies include: Alamo (tel: (702) 263 8411; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (702) 531 1500; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (1 800 922 2899; www.budgetvegas.com), Dollar (tel:1 800 800 4000; www.dollar.com), Enterprise (tel: 1 800 261 7331; www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel: ((702) 262 7700; www.hertz.com) and National (tel: (702) 261 5391; www.nationalcar.com).
Bicycle Hire
Hire bikes from Las Vegas Cyclery, 8221 West Charleston Avenue (tel: 1 800 596 2953; www.lasvegascyclery.com) or McGie's Bike Outpost, 16 Cottonwood Street, Blue Diamond (tel: (702) 875 4820; www.bikeoutpost.com). Bicycle Nevada (www.bicylenevada.com) has route information.
