Las Vegas Tips

• Before You Go

  • 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 Offers page for any current room deals.

  • Take a look at TravelAxe. This is a free software program 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.

  • When packing, think about the weather in Vegas. Like room prices, it can be all over the place. Even in summer, when it is a 110 outside, the casinos are still 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. Don't forget to leave the nail clippers or tweezers (and firearms) at home. You can buy a cheap pair when you get there.

  • Check out our collection of hotel room photos from many casinos. These are the actual rooms they hand out to guests, not the ones they prettied up for the hotel web sites!

• Transportation in Vegas

  • 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 hack, "Do Not Use The Tunnel!"  Even for the center strip hotels such as Flamingo and Venetian, the tunnel is questionable but the damage isn't as bad.

  • 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 see within walking distance.

  • If you have been to Vegas several times, consider renting a car. Las Vegas has some of the cheapest rental rates in the country. At about $20 a day, if you take a cab twice a day, it will pay for itself. 

  • A car will also allow you to get off the Strip and to check out the local casinos which have some great deals and good gambling.

  • 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 and Paradise Blvd. to the east. 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 Sahara.

  • Use the monorails.  The main Monorail (now open again!) extends along the west side of the Strip from MGM to Sahara and will eventually extend all the way downtown. Currently, it costs $3 for a one way ticket and $10 for a 1 day pass. There is also 10 ride and 3 day passes available. There are also several smaller ones that are all free...

    • Excalibur to Luxor to Mandalay Bay

    • Mirage to Treasure Island

    • Bellagio to Monte Carlo (Closed)

• Gambling

  • 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 Great Stuff 4 Gamblers. 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 Flip It. These games 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 hear of people getting free rooms after playing just a few quarters.

  • If possible, 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.

• Other Tips

  • 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 hotel 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 $6.95 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!