Las Vegas: 10 Essential Travel Tips for a Seamless Stay

Las Vegas is a city like no other—a glittering oasis in the desert where entertainment, luxury, and adventure collide. Whether you’re here to experience the best casinos, indulge in world-class dining, or explore the hidden gems beyond the Strip, knowing the right Las Vegas travel tips can make or break your trip.

I’ve visited Vegas countless times, and through trial and error, I’ve learned how to navigate the Strip like a pro, find the best hotel deals, and avoid the biggest tourist traps. In this guide, I’ll share insider tips on everything from affordable accommodations to must-see attractions, helping you maximize your time and money.

Want to know the best time to visit for cheap flights and hotel discounts? Or how to avoid the dreaded resort fees? I’ve got you covered. I’ll also reveal the best buffets, top nightlife spots, and how to score discounted show tickets for Vegas’ most famous performances. Plus, I’ll share essential safety tips, the smartest way to get around, and how to enjoy the city beyond the neon lights—think Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, and day trips to the Grand Canyon.

Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned visitor, these Las Vegas travel hacks will ensure your trip is unforgettable. Let’s dive in and unlock the secrets of Sin City.

1. You don't have to spend (a lot of) money

Many people associate Las Vegas with spending a lot of money. And yes, for many this is true (it's amazing to see how much money people gamble!). But if you want to travel on a low-cost plan, you should know that it won't be difficult at all: there are plenty of free things to do in Las Vegas (like the wonderful and very geeky shows in many of the casinos), accommodation is not usually expensive (especially if you travel during the week), there are cheap restaurants , some casinos give free drinks to players and...

… For those who want to play but not risk their capital, there are even 1 cent slot machines ! But be careful, because they have a reputation for almost never giving out prizes. Obviously, this is where we have played and where, of course, we have not won anything at all 🙂

tips for traveling to las vegas casinos

2. Getting around Las Vegas: the distances are greater than they seem!

First of all you have to know that Las Vegas is divided into two zones:

Downtown Las Vegas : This is the historic center (although not very historic) and where the first casinos were located.
Las Vegas Strip : It is the iconic image of Las Vegas, a huge avenue of almost 7 km full of huge luxury hotels and casinos.

There are about 10-15 km between the two, and the distances within the Strip are greater than they seem, as told to you by two people who walked up and down the Strip in 45 degree heat in the shade. Holy crap, that heat. And what idiots. If you have to go to a fairly remote point and you don't want to die trying... use public transportation or Uber , which in the United States will be your number one ally.

To get around Las Vegas by public transport, for example from Downtown to the Strip, you can use city buses , such as the double-decker bus known as The Deuce , which is almost a tourist attraction in itself ($6 for a 2-hour ticket, $8 for a 24-hour pass, and $20 for a 3-day pass), or the monorail ($5 for a single ticket, $13 for a 24-hour pass, and $29 for a 3-day pass).

There are also three small, free monorail sections that connect some hotels and that you can use freely. These are:

Mandalay Bay – Luxor – Excalibur
Park MGM – Aria – Bellagio
Mirage – Treasure Island

Oh, and don't spend too much time outside in the middle of summer, because you'll get dehydrated! And to prevent this from happening, many casinos and hotels in Las Vegas are connected by interior corridors , if they've thought of everything!

→ Las Vegas Public Transportation Website: RTCSNV.COM
→ Las Vegas Monorail: LVMONORAIL.COM

France Travel Guides

3. And how to get from the airport to Las Vegas?

The main airport in Las Vegas is McCarran Airport, just 5 km from the midpoint of the Strip and about 12 km from Downtown Las Vegas, so taxis and private transport are cheap. The price of a taxi from the airport to the Strip is about $15-25 and to Downtown a little more. In this case, when you show them your hotel tell them “ No Tunnel ”, to avoid going through the tunnel that apparently makes the trip more expensive.

If you use Uber , the price is around $20, but remember that you will need to have internet on your phone to be able to book it. You can buy an eSIM for the United States with Holafly (remember that you have a 5% discount already applied in the link).

You can also take shared minibuses for around $5-$6 per person, book a pick-up service in advance, or take public transport with bus lines CX, 108 and 109 that connect the airport with Downtown. If you want to get to the Strip by public transport, you will have to make a few transfers, so we do not recommend it.

Tips for traveling to Las Vegas transportation

4. If you are a good (and big) eater…

Your favorite option will be the buffets offered by most hotels and whose prices start at around $15-20 (depending on the category of the hotel and its restaurant). Some of the most famous buffets in Las Vegas are:

Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace
Sterling Brunch at Bally's
Bellagio Buffet
Aria Resort Buffet
Wicked Spoon in The Cosmopolitan
Studio B Buffet at the M Resort
Cravings Buffet at the Mirage

Buffets are prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and if this type of option appeals to you, you might be interested in purchasing the “ The Buffet of Buffets ” pass, also known as “BOB”, which allows you to eat at the buffets of the 6 hotels in the Caesar chain ( you can see them here ) for 24 hours. It costs $70 (Sunday to Thursday) and $80 (Friday to Sunday morning), with an additional charge for the Caesars Palace buffet.

Tip 1 : If you get the Caesars Rewards card , you will get a $10 discount when purchasing the buffet pass.
Tip 2 : Remember that the pass is valid for 24 hours, so it is best to buy it directly when you are going to eat (to make the most of your time). For example, buy it at 8/9 pm and you will have two dinners included 😉

But obviously there are also plenty of restaurants of all kinds and for all budgets. Finally, take advantage of the offers for beers or cocktails… long live happy hours !

⭐ We give you a few options of restaurants where you can eat cheap in Las Vegas

5. Cheap hotels at hostel prices? Avoid the weekend!

Las Vegas is a very popular destination for weekend trips . Both casino regulars and young people visiting for the first time take advantage of their days off to come, so the weekend is the time when there are more people and when hotel prices are more expensive.

With this in mind, you can find real bargains in great hotels like The Linq (where we stayed) for less than €50 a night for 2 people, when the price on a Friday or Saturday is around €200.

So now you know: one of the tips for traveling to Las Vegas is to travel there during the week!

⭐ Here we tell you which are the best (and most famous) hotels in Las Vegas

When booking, make sure all taxes are included, as the rate for staying at a resort is higher than staying at a regular hotel/hostel.

And it's not just a good idea to travel to Las Vegas during the week to find great deals on accommodation, weekend buffets are more expensive and you'll probably find better prices for excursions during the week as well.

Have you heard of the $20 trick ? It basically consists of leaving a $20 bill in your documents when you check in at the hotel and asking if you have the great luck of getting a free upgrade… It was a bit of a hassle for us to do it, but who knows, it might just work!

→ Find deals on hotels in Las Vegas here

Tips for traveling to Las Vegas hotels

Cancun Travel Guides

6. Set a budget

In Las Vegas it is very easy to spend a lot of money and if you are careless, your vacation can cost you a fortune . So it is best to organize yourself well and set a budget, especially setting a limit for playing in the casinos . No, you are not going to get rich playing the slots, so it is better to play a little, have fun but do not obsess 😉

7. Take advantage of the opportunity to go on an excursion

One of the best things about Las Vegas is its location: there are some places with stunning scenery in the surrounding area that you can visit on a day trip. Plus, since it's so touristy, the options are almost endless. If you have a few days and you're already a little fed up with the casinos, here are the excursion suggestions we recommend (some in Spanish):

Grand Canyon (4 hours from the city)
Antelope Canyon (4 and a half hours from the city)
Death Valley (2 hours from the city)
Hoover Dam (40 min from the city)
Valley of Fire (50 min from the city)
Red Rock Canyon (20 min from the city)

You can easily do them on your own by renting a car in Las Vegas or you can sign up for the organized excursions that we have provided in the links. And remember that national and state parks usually have an entrance fee , so if you want to visit several of them it is interesting to buy the America the Beautiful pass .

⭐ These are the best excursions from Las Vegas

8. Don't miss the best shows (free and paid)

In the big casinos and hotels, there are usually shows every day, which can be attended for free . Make an agenda with the times and places so you have everything clear and can see them all. These are the most interesting ones:

Bellagio Fountain : every 15 minutes at night until midnight (although it also runs during the day every 30 minutes).
Volcano Eruption at The Mirage : 7, 8, 9, and 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Shopping Center : On the hour from 11:00 a.m.
Lake of Dreams at the Wynn Las Vegas : afternoons and evenings every half hour.
Carnevale di Venezia at the Venetian Hotel-Casino : various times throughout the day.
Pirate Show at Treasure Island Hotel – Please confirm when you arrive as this may have been cancelled.
Free Circus Circus performances : every hour from 1:30 pm Saturday to Monday and 3:30 pm Thursday and Friday.
And finally, on Freemont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, the Freemont Experience : every hour between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

These times may change, so we advise you to check them before you travel or at the hotel reception once you are in Las Vegas. You can see more information here .

Buuuut, sometimes it's worth spending the money and Las Vegas is one of the places where there are more and better shows from all over the world. If you are a fan of Cirque du Soleil you can choose between:

KÀ
LOVE
Michael Jackson ONE
O (water show) .

Are you more into magic, live concerts, theatre performances, or sports? There are endless possibilities! To see what's happening in the city on the days you visit, check out this website with active events in Las Vegas , you might even catch a concert by your favorite artist, who knows!

⭐ Here we give you more information about the best shows in Las Vegas (paid and free)

Tips for visiting Las Vegas shows

9. Tourist passes, coupons and last minute discounts

Many paid attractions in Las Vegas, such as the High Roller , the world's tallest panoramic Ferris wheel, Madame Tussauds, The MOB, Fly LINQ zipline, etc. are included in tourist cards . If you plan to enter several of them, it will be worth it to get one.

The one that seems to us to be the most complete and has the best reviews is the Go City Las Vegas , which also includes exclusive activities that other passes don't have. You can choose the version for the number of days or the number of attractions, we almost prefer the first option so as not to limit ourselves. In addition, you get a 5% discount if you buy it from that link with the promotional code "MOCHILEANDO".

As in any other city, there are also plenty of coupons with discounts for all kinds of businesses: from restaurants or bars to activities and shows. Check out the discounts on the Groupon website .

Those who want to enjoy a show regardless of the show and time can try to find last-minute, deeply discounted tickets on the Tix4Tonight website . They also have locations along the Strip, check it out.

10. Other tips for traveling to Las Vegas

Finally, here are some quick tips on Las Vegas to help you plan your visit:

To enjoy the best views and observation points , you have these options: the observation deck at the hotel's Eiffel Tower , taking the High Roller Ferris wheel or the Stratoshpere tower.
Casinos are open 24 hours a day , in fact the rooms have no windows and it is very easy to lose track of time. They are obviously designed to create this feeling and to make people stay much longer spending their money.
Smoking is allowed inside casinos, although things are changing lately and the laws may change soon. Still, don't worry if you're not a smoker: we don't know how they do it, but it doesn't smell at all. The air in casinos is weird.
Don't use casino ATMs because they charge exaggerated fees. So withdraw money with your travel cards from bank ATMs on the street.
Always carry your documentation , access to casinos is for those over 21 years of age and if you don't look it, they may not let you in.
You already know that in the United States tipping is almost obligatory. In Las Vegas it is no exception, and not only in restaurants: also to hotel staff, taxis, parking attendants, etc.
If you are planning to go to a nightclub , keep an eye out for the flyers they hand out on the street or in casinos, as they often have offers for free drinks or entry.
We have read that you should avoid moving products from the hotel minibar, because even if you don't consume them you can be charged for them!

And remember: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but don't go overboard or overdo it if you don't want your vacation to turn into a hungover and ill-advised nightmare 🙂 Do you have any more tips for traveling to Las Vegas and not screwing it up?

Mexico Travel Guides