Las Vegas - Accommodation, Airport Parking, Airport Transfers, Car Rental

Our Las Vegas Lodging Guide contains listings for well-over 100 properties, along with high-quality digital photographs of individual hotels, plus downtown location maps. Moreover, if you have any questions about a potential or confirmed booking, just ask us via our 'Live Help' system or send an e-mail to: talking.webs@btclick.com!

Airline Information

For detailed information on scheduled/charter airline services, ticket pricing, discount flights and air ticket consolidators, check out "Getting There".

Airline Meals

On scheduled domestic services, such as America West Airlines and Ted flights to Las Vegas, you'll find that sandwiches, snack boxes and deli-style items are available for a fee (usually $2-$5 USD). Generally speaking, the type and quantity of food/drink available is dependent upon the overall length of the flight. So, for flights with a duration of more than 3.5 hours - though some airlines stipulate 2.5 hours - carriers will offer a decent supply (albeit limited range) of items in economy/coach class.

On direct long-haul flights from Europe, two meals are usually served, while vegetarians, or travellers requiring special meals e.g. kosher, halal etc. should check the availability of such food when booking their flight.

Airport Transfers in Las Vegas

A cheap and reliable way to reach your hotel from the airport is with Bell Trans (Tel: (702) 739-7990) which operates 20-passenger mini-buses between the airport and all major Las Vegas hotels and motels (daily 7:45am-midnight). Prices to Strip hotels are $4.75, to downtown hotels $6.00 and off-Strip hotels $6.00. When returning to the airport, call at least 2 hours in advance (though it's also possible to flag down a bus from outside a major hotel).

Although slightly more expensive for downtown and off-Strip hotels, Grayline/Coach USA/Express Shuttle (Tel: (702) 739-5700) operate similar services between 7am and 1:30am. Alternatively, try C.L.S on (702) 740-4050, Las Vegas Limousine, Tel: (702) 736-1419, ODS, Tel: (702) 876-2222 (which also offers Sedan Limo trips) or Showtime, Tel: (702) 261-6101.

Public transport options consist of several Citizen's Area Transit (CAT) routes, with the no. 108 departing from the airport and taking passengers to the Downtown Transportation Center (DTC), while route 109 connects to the South Strip Transfer Terminal (SSTT). Both are major transfer points from where you can reach other parts of the city (for fare information, see the CAT site for an up-to-date list of fares and transfer information).

For taxicabs, head outside from baggage reclaim to door exits 1-5. When hailing a cab at McCarran International it should be noted that a charge of $1.20 is levied on fares originating at the airport, while the maximum number of passengers allowed in any one taxi is five, including infants and children. Also note that drivers do not accept credit card payments.

Expect to pay around $10 to $15 for a cab from McCarran Airport to the Strip, $15 to $20 from the airport to downtown Las Vegas and $10 to $12 for Strip to downtown journeys.

Arriving in Las Vegas

By Air - flights arrive at McCarran International Airport (LAS) which is located 8 miles south of downtown Las Vegas and the Strip. Serving Clark County, Nevada, the airport is one of the world's busiest, with over 40 million passengers passing through McCarran in 2004. Comprising of two public terminals, Terminal 1 handles the majority of airlines, with 85 gates divided into A, B, C & D concourses. International arrivals are served by Terminal 2, along with most charter flights.

To travel between terminals, a shuttle bus service operates from the Level 0 bus area at Terminal 1, stopping at the check-in area of Terminal 2 along with the customs building next to Terminal 2.

McCarran Airport is also unique for having more than 1,300 slot machines located throughout the airport terminals. A sure way to get rid of unwanted loose change before departing!

By Car - roughly 30% of the 36 million or so annual visitors to Las Vegas arrive by car. For most, the principal route is I-15, which connects the area with southern California, along with Utah to the northeast.

From San Diego, take the highway north through San Bernardino to Las Vegas (journey time: 6 hours), while from Los Angeles, you'll need to take I-10 East to I-15 at San Bernardino before continuing on to Las Vegas.

From Salt Lake City, the journey takes 7 hours heading on the I-15 South, while from Phoenix, Arizona, drivers should take Highway 60 West to Wickenburg before joining US Highway 93 North to I-40. From there, take the I-40 West to Kingman, before joining US Highway 93 North to Las Vegas.

When travelling by car to Las Vegas take every opportunity to fill up, especially as the distance between gas stations on some routes may be an hour's drive.

And, if you're heading to Las Vegas for the weekend, then understand that you'll encounter traffic, even when travelling in the early morning hours. Moreover, on holiday weekends or at New Year, what's usually a 5 hour trip will turn into an 8 hour one. So be prepared for slow moving, or bumper to bumper traffic en-route. For details on driving in Las Vegas once you arrive, along with car rental options, please see our "Car Rentals" section below.

Babysitting

Although Las Vegas is not the family-friendly destination it once was (with some of the Strip's larger properties choosing to remove their most likeable kid-oriented attractions), a number of AAA Three Diamond rated (or higher) properties offer babysitting/child friendly services. For example, Circus Circus, Luxor and the Four Seasons are all good bets, while other child friendly locations include Excalibur, the Ritz-Carlton, Mandalay Bay and New York-New York.

Being able to leave the kids with a trusted family member is, of course, the ideal solution although, if you opt for paid childcare services, then give the hotel's front desk at least a day's notice of your intention to hire a sitter. Of the third-party services available in Vegas, tourists and locals alike need look no further than www.nanny4u.com.

To help you, a good travel agent will be able to find out what's on offer before you book (indeed, at Talking Cities we're also happy to help. Just send your request to talking.webs@btclick.com and we'll do the rest).

Baggage Allowances

Baggage allowance on most domestic flights is 22kgs (50lbs) although some airlines offer increased allowances of up to 30kgs (66lbs). Generally, hand luggage is limited to one piece per person weighing between 5kgs (11lbs) and 10kgs (22lbs). Permission to take larger items on board, such as pushchairs and bicycles etc. should be obtained from your airline before travelling. Exceeding the allowance stated on your ticket will incur an extra charge (which must be paid when checking-in).

Airlines now have greater restrictions on the type of items that can be taken aboard as hand-luggage. In particular, scissors, knives and razors most go in the cargo hold (if found during hand-luggage checks they'll be confiscated). For further details about restrictions that may apply, please check with your airline or travel agent at the time of booking.

Bargain Hunting

By spending even just a short time online, it's likely you'll save money on a trip to Las Vegas through researching the prices of various flight booking and travel agency services. Indeed, as well as our own online flight and hotel booking pages (which are a great place to start) our "Getting There" section gives the low-down on the travel companies offering the best deals to Vegas. In addition, a list of the best third-party sites (in terms of both value and reputation) can be found in our general links section.

Before Leaving Home

As a general rule of thumb, frequent flyers don't travel with expensive looking luggage. If you do, it's rather like attracting bees to a honey pot (particularly in baggage reclaim). It's equally important though not to use old threadbare luggage which isn't up to a mild bruising from baggage handlers.

When leaving home, ask neighbours to keep an eye on the house and ensure that all exterior doors and windows are locked properly. Security experts advise not to lock interior doors as this usually results in further damage should an intruder break in. If you turn off gas or electricity supplies, remember that appliances such as fridge-freezers will need to be defrosted beforehand. And, if the timing of your return flight means that you'll be arriving home at night, make sure you have a torch to hand to switch supplies back on.

When packing, it's important to know the value and contents of each bag, just in case they're lost. Label them with your name, contact number and destination address in Las Vegas (this is preferable to advertising your home address to all and sundry). And, when checking in, make sure every piece of luggage is correctly tagged with the destination airport's unique three letter identifier. Moreover, if travelling as a couple, group or family, avoid packing each person's clothes into just one bag/case. That way, even if you do lose baggage, you'll still have some fresh clothes on day two (which trust us is a godsend, as airlines are often sluggish in finding lost items and/or paying compensation).

Bicycle Rental and Cycling in Las Vegas

Bike rental - Among the most well-known rental companies, Las Vegas Cyclery, 8221 W. Charleston #101, Las Vegas, Nevada 89117, Tel: (702) 838-6966 offers bicycles from $28 (for the first day), with $22 charged for a 1/2 day or next day, while weekly rentals costs from $108. The company also specializes in hiking and mountain bike tours out of Las Vegas to Red Rock Canyon, Cottonwood Valley and Mt. Charleston.

Information on cycling in Las Vegas is available from the website of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada at: www.rtcsouthernnevada.com (maps are also available for download) while for further background information, including links to local rental/bike shops, visit the Vegas Bike Club website.

Business Hours in Las Vegas

Bank business hours in Las Vegas vary, though many open from 9am-3pm, Monday-Friday with some offering extended hours until 5.30pm or 6pm one day a week. Some also have limited opening hours on Saturday mornings.

Most offices operate between 9am and 5.30pm, while many supermarkets, bars, gas stations, casino resorts and convenience stores are open 24 hours a day.

Retail stores within shopping malls tend to open Sunday-Thursday from 10am-11pm, while Friday and Saturday sees extended hours until midnight.

Cameras, Computers & Camcorders

X-ray machines at McCarran International Airport are film safe, though professional photographers (and those with valuable films) tend to play safe by purchasing a film X-Ray protection bag. Alternatively, you can usually ask for a hand inspection on the basis that, having passed through several airports, you're concerned about the accumulated effects of x-rays on the films.

Given the sheer number of gift shops located within the Strip's main hotels, it's not even necessary to buy film before you go (as recognised brands such as Kodak, Agfa and Fuji can all be bought cheaply in Vegas). That said, if you do require a photographic specialist, then B & C Camera at 4521 W. Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89102 (Tel: 702-871-1100) is a good starting point, while other well-regarded stores include Casey's Cameras (1550 East Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119, Tel: 702-736-0890) and Sahara Camera Center at 2305 East Sahara, Las Vegas, Nevada 89104 (Tel: 702-457-3333).

If you're taking a camcorder with you, think about buying a spare battery and don't forget to pack your battery charger. Moreover, for those planning to use a PC notebook on a flight, international safety regulations mean you won't be able to use it during takeoff and landing. What's more, don't try enabling your Wi-Fi connection onboard (especially if we're on the same flight) as you may end up in Anchorage rather than Las Vegas. More generally, you should be able to prove to customs that cameras, computers, camcorders and pocket TVs are for holiday or business use and have not been imported into the United States for the purpose of resale.

Also remember that for any 35 mm film lost or damaged during developing, laboratories are only obliged to replace it with another of the same value. You won't be compensated for the commercial or sentimental value of photographs. Our advice is to ask about separate insurance for important films such as those from weddings, birthdays etc.

Car Rental in Las Vegas

If you plan to take, or rent a car in Las Vegas, we should first warn you that traffic will be a problem. Hitting the Strip, even during non-peak hours, will likely result in delays through congestion and slow moving traffic. So allow plenty of time for your journey, especially if you plan to catch a show. We also recommend you avoid the Strip during rush hours (8am-9.30am and 4.30-6pm), unless of course, you're a glutton for punishment. Those in the know prefer to use Paradise Rd. to the east and Industrial Rd. to the west, thus negating the need to use the Strip altogether.

For rentals, we strongly recommend that you hire a vehicle in advance of your arrival. Well-known companies such as Alamo (Tel: 877/227-8367), Avis (Tel: 800/230-4898 and Hertz (Tel: 800/654-3131) all have offices located in Las Vegas, while online car rental is also available on this site.

Young drivers (aged 25 or under) should check in advance that companies will rent to them. And, even if they do, some may rent on a cash-only basis.

Although reputable companies operate new fleets and service them to a high standard, make your own checks before accepting a rental car. These should include:

i) checking for minor bodywork damage, making sure that small defects are noted on the rental agreement before you take the vehicle;

ii) checking for tyre wear (insist on a different vehicle if the tread appears low, uneven or if there are cuts or bulges in any tyre sidewalls);

iii) checking in advance to see if rear seat belts are fitted (and arrange for a car seat if you have small children).

Also, check in detail the terms and conditions of your rental, ensuring that you're adequately insured before accepting the vehicle.

If you plan to use a vehicle to visit tourist attractions further afield, then journeys will involve driving through desert on long, often lonely highways. Therefore, before leaving, undertake a thorough check of your tyres, water, and oil. Also take with you a good supply of water and fill up with petrol regularly. It's also best to let someone know exactly where you'll be going and when you'll likely return.

Of course, you should also allow yourself plenty of time to get used to the vehicle, unfamiliar road signs and Nevada's drivers. When returning the car, fuel should be topped up to the same level as when you first picked it up (otherwise you'll be charged at the rental company's own tariff per gallon which is invariably higher than that of local forecourts).

Check In

For scheduled European flights to North America, check in at least two hours before departure. For flights to Las Vegas from other US cities, passengers are recommended to check-in (at least) 1 hour before their scheduled departure time on weekdays, and up to 90 minutes in advance at weekends.

Note that, following the attacks in New York on September 11th 2001, security checks have been stepped up at international airports around the world. Consequently, anyone found travelling with hand luggage that contains sharp objects such as scissors, razors, nail files etc. will have such items confiscated before boarding their flight. They can, of course, still be transported in the hold as part of your normal baggage allowance.

Children's Travel to Las Vegas

The trick here is to plan well in advance and involve youngsters in your holiday plans. If you're flying with children to Las Vegas, then it's wise to allow extra time to clear security so as to ensure you'll be in time for your flight. As a minimum (for domestic flights to Las Vegas from other US cities), you should arrive at least one hour before your scheduled departure time.

Before entering the line for the security checkpoints, it's important (particularly with smaller children) to explain what will happen when passengers undergo screening, so as to avoid them being frightened or surprised. For example, telling your child that belongings will reappear after going through an X-ray machine, helps lessen the possibility of confusion or hold-ups.

From a practical point of view, although major airlines provide goody bags for kids on long-haul flights, it's still wise to take other small puzzles, games, toys and books. Make sure though you pack them as hand luggage!

For children under two years of age on the date of their return flight home, you'll have to pay a charge for them to fly. This is relatively small on North American flights, although it can add up if you're travelling from Europe or have more than one child. What's more, rates vary depending on whether you fly with a scheduled or charter airline. During the flight, infants under six months must sit on an adult's lap and wear a lap-strap. Youngsters over six months and under two years must sit on an adult's lap unless there is a vacant seat. If you have a child who's prone to air sickness, make sure they know to tell you straight away if they're feeling unwell. If all else fails, make sure they know where to find the sick bag, just in case you've left your seat for any length of time.

The same basic rules apply if travelling by car to Las Vegas. Again, make sure plenty of toys are to hand (having to unpack a favourite toy from the boot of the car won't improve your mood) and stop for breaks at frequent intervals. Youngsters suffering from motion sickness usually improve if encouraged to look at the road ahead. As a precaution, purchase travel sickness tablets from your local pharmacist.

Climate in Las Vegas

As with any city in the desert, Las Vegas' temperatures soar in June, July and August reaching in excess of 100°F. May and September can also produce highs of 90°+F, while the mercury can drop nearly 30 degrees from daytime highs to lows at night, especially in winter (snow is not unheard of at night during winter months).

Low humidity, bright sun and a distinct lack of rain (annual rainfall averages only 4 inches) is difficult for some, although the hot, dry desert heat is largely bearable. For several weeks in July or August, Las Vegas can experience slightly higher humidity, along with thunderstorms. Winters are mild, however, though breezes at this time of year can be biting, with strong winds of 40 mph or more. Average monthly highs are as follows:

Jan	60°F	16C	May	89°F	32C	Sep.	95°F	35C
Feb.	66°F	19C	June	98°F	37C	Oct.	84°F	29C
Mar.	71°F	22C	July	102°F	39C	Nov.	71°F	22C
Apr.	80°F	27C	Aug.	102°F	39C	Dec.	60°F	16C

Clothing

When visiting Las Vegas pack light clothing, including breathable cottons, along with sensible walking shoes and a sweater, pullover, jacket and wrap for trips out at night (nighttime winter temperatures can be particularly chilly). Moreover, don't forget a hat and sunscreen as it's all too easy to burn in no time at all, especially during July and August!

Complaints

If things do go wrong during your stay in Las Vegas follow the three C's rule and stay cool, calm and collected.

Problems with accommodation can usually be resolved by contacting the front desk in your hotel. Be polite but firm and make sure you talk to a person with the authority to put things right. If necessary, ask to speak to the duty or hotel manager. If you're on a fully escorted tour, problems should be taken up with the company's local representative. As a last resort use photographs or video footage as evidence and submit a claim for compensation on your return.

Unresolved complaints against a travel agent or tour operator can be referred to an independent arbitration service. Note though, that requests for arbitration won't apply in respect of physical injury or illness (which are covered separately by personal travel insurance policies).

Conversions of Weights and Measures

1 hectare - 2.471 acres
1 inch - 2.54 cm
1 ft. - 30.48 cm
1 oz. - 28.57 grams
1 lb. - 0.454 kg
1 cm - 0.39 inches
1 meter - 3.28 feet / 1.09 yards
1 km - 0.62 miles
1 liter - 0.26 US gallons
1 inch - 2.54 cm
1 foot - 0.39 meters
1 yard - 0.91 meters
1 mile - 1.60 km
1kg - 2.2lb
1 gallon - 3.78 liters

Crime and Security in Las Vegas

As far as crime ratings go, Las Vegas fairs quite badly in the list of America's safest cities, with above average incidences of violent crime and murder. However, if you consider that Vegas is awash with cash then, all told, the city is relatively safe for tourists.

If you plan to spend most of your time in Las Vegas gambling, then it's reassuring to know that casinos have their own armed security force (not only to protect their interests but your well-being too).

To help ensure a safe, trouble-free vacation you should take the following precautions:

i) when first arriving in Las Vegas, be especially vigilant with your belongings at McCarran Airport. Bags, suitcases, rucksacks etc. should be padlocked and important documents such as passports should be kept on your person. If necessary, luggage should be stored in designated lockers;

ii) store valuables, cash or airplane tickets in a safe deposit box at your hotel. Nowadays, room safes in many hotels are also large enough to store laptops (particularly at properties near to the LV Conference Center), although business travellers should check in advance of making a booking. Alternatively, larger items can still be left at your hotel, provided a receipt is obtained from the concierge;

iv) when shopping, don't take more cash out with you than is necessary. Keep bags closed and avoid keeping cash and credit/debit cards in the same place. Handbags should be worn over the neck, rather than on the shoulder;

v) if returning alone to a vehicle in a casino/hotel car park, ask the property's security personnel to escort you. Of course, this rule also applies to anybody (or group) concerned about their own personal safety - especially if you've been lucky at the roulette wheel;

vi) at night, avoid areas and places that are not well lit, even when driving. If you're unsure as to the best route about town, then seek advice from the concierge at your hotel before setting off;

vii) if you encounter a problem inside your hotel, it's wise to first contact security (although it has to be said, the chances of retrieving goods stolen or lost property are low). Certainly, at no time should you leave any cash or winnings unattended.

In the case of an emergency, call 911 to report a fire, obtain police assistance or request an ambulance (no coins are required at public telephones, as calls to the number are classified as toll-free). For medical emergencies - that do not require an ambulance - visit the 24-hour emergency room of any Las Vegas hospital.

As far as police patrols are concerned, the city's Metropolitan Police Department covers nearly all areas in Las Vegas, though there are separate police departments in Boulder City, North Las Vegas and Henderson. For gambling related policing, the Nevada Gaming Control Board oversees law and order in casinos, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) handles federal crimes.

Currency

The US dollar ($) or USD, is the official unit of currency of the United States of America. One hundred cents (¢) add up to one dollar.

Often referred to as a "buck", dollar bills (bank notes) come in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100, while coins consist of dollar, half dollar (50¢), quarters (25¢), dimes (10¢), nickels (5¢) and 1¢ coins (one cent piece or penny).

The present official exchange rate against the British pound, US dollar and Euro can be found on the Internet at: www.xe.com.

As you'd imagine, Automated Telling Machines (ATMs) are located on almost every block in Las Vegas, so you should little difficulty withdrawing money using a debit or credit card. However, to avoid problems ensure that your Personal Identification Number (PIN) has been set-up properly before travelling. Also note that some banks charge a fee and a transaction tax, so check with individual companies to find the best value.

Alternatively, you can opt to use a pre-paid (disposable) travel card such as Visa TravelMoney that gives 24-hr access to your funds in any local currency. The main advantage to this system is that the overall value of the card is stored on Visa TravelMoney's system, not on the card itself. So, if you lose your card, you don't lose your money.

Customs Regulations

The basic rules governing the importation of goods into the United States are fairly straightforward, with visitors allowed to bring in, duty-free, up to 100 cigars (so long as they're not Cuban), 200 cigarettes or 3 pounds of smoking tobacco, plus up to 1 litre of liquor or wine and $100 worth of gifts (provided they are at least 21 years of age).

Travellers are eligible for the above allowances providing they spend at least 72 hours in the United States (and have not claimed them within the preceding 6 months).

Overseas visitors can also enter/take out of the United States up to $10,000 in U.S. or foreign currency without formalities, although larger sums must be declared to U.S. Customs on entering or leaving the country.

When returning home, Canadian citizens who have been in the United States for 24 hrs (or more) are entitled to an exemption of $50 CAD, allowing them to bring in goods up to this value, duty free. Where a stay exceeds 48hrs, the exemption increases to $200 CAD or, for absences of 7 days or more $750 CAD. For further information, visit the Canadian Border Services Agency website at: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca to download the "I Declare" information sheet.

British nationals returning to the UK from the United States are allowed to import, duty-free, 200 cigarettes; 50 cigars; 250 grams of smoking tobacco; 2 litres of still table wine; 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs (over 22% volume); 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine, or other liqueurs; 60cc (ml) perfume; 250cc (ml) of toilet water; and £145 worth of all other goods, including gifts and souvenirs. Note that people under 17 are not entitled to a tobacco or alcohol allowance.

For general information on UK/EU customs allowances contact the National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000 (+44 208 929 0152 for international callers). Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs also provide a useful leaflet entitled 'A guide for travellers' (Notice 1) which is available without charge and can viewed on the Internet at: www.hmrc.gov.uk.

Las Vegas - Accommodation, Airport Transfers, Car Rental, Customs Allowances and more...

Accommodation in Las Vegas