The Bellagio Fountains are a must-see for any first-timer, especially at night. Fremont Street's LED canopy is unforgettable, and Hoover Dam offers an easy escape from the Strip with incredible views.
Cheapest Time to Fly to Vegas: How to Score the Best Deals
The cheapest time to fly to Vegas is usually late January to early March or during the dog days of August, when temperatures climb and crowds thin out. If you want cheap flights to Las Vegas, aim for midweek departures, typically Tuesday or Wednesday, and avoid national holidays and big events. After years of booking trips for poker tournaments and last-minute escapes, I've learned that flexibility is your wallet's best friend. Searching for flights on Travorio lets you compare dozens of airlines, filter for pay-later options, and even pay with crypto if you planned your blackjack budget in Bitcoin.
Most travelers don’t realize that Vegas flight deals depend as much on what's happening in town as on the airline. When CES or EDC rolls into town, fares can double overnight. The trick is to check the Vegas convention calendar and steer clear of those weekends. I’ve found roundtrips from LAX for $47 and from Chicago for under $90 in February. If you’re hoping for warm pool weather and still want cheap tickets, late April and early May offer a sweet spot before summer rates spike. Booking at least four weeks ahead, or using Sezzle or PayPal Pay Later on Travorio, helps lock in the lowest fares without draining your Venmo.
Top Cities and Destinations in Las Vegas
Las Vegas isn’t just the Strip, though that neon canyon is the main draw. The Strip itself, stretching about 4 miles along Las Vegas Boulevard, is a sensory overload with mega-resorts like The Venetian, Bellagio, and Caesar’s Palace. Each offers its own take on over-the-top luxury, but for me, Bellagio’s fountains and Chihuly glass lobby are the real showstoppers. The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes, with actual gondola rides, is the closest you’ll get to Italy in Nevada.
Downtown Las Vegas, anchored by Fremont Street, feels like a different world. The Fremont Street Experience’s 1,500-foot-long LED canopy lights up nightly with music and visuals. Unlike the Strip, you can still find $2 shrimp cocktails at spots like the Golden Gate Casino. Fremont East, just a few blocks east, is packed with indie bars and street art, ideal for bar-hopping on a budget.
Summerlin, about a 20-minute drive west, is where locals go for Red Rock Canyon hikes and upscale shopping at Downtown Summerlin. If you’re traveling with family, the Red Rock Resort has a killer pool scene and a movie theater. For a taste of old-school Vegas glamour, make time for The Mob Museum and Neon Museum, both downtown. The Neon Museum’s “Boneyard” is full of rescued casino signs that light up at sunset, perfect for Instagram. And don’t skip Chinatown, just west of the Strip, where you can get killer ramen at Monta or dim sum at Ping Pang Pong. Each neighborhood has its own flavor, but you can sample most of them in a long weekend if you plan your days right.
Hidden Gems in Las Vegas
Most first-timers never leave the Strip, but Vegas rewards the curious. The Pinball Hall of Fame, just south of Mandalay Bay, houses more than 200 playable pinball machines from the 1960s to today. $5 gets you a good hour of gaming, and all proceeds go to charity. It’s a nostalgia trip and a break from casino noise.
Another under-the-radar spot is the Springs Preserve, about a 15-minute drive from the Strip. Locals come here for desert botanical gardens, walking trails, and interactive exhibits on Nevada’s natural history. Admission is $19.95 for adults, and there’s a surprisingly good café with vegan options.
For the best city view, head to the Foundation Room atop Mandalay Bay. It’s technically a club, but if you go before 8 p.m., there’s no cover, and the views from the outdoor patio are among the best in Vegas. For art lovers, the Downtown Arts District (18b) is full of galleries and breweries. On the first Friday of each month, “First Friday” turns the area into a giant open-air party with live music, food trucks, and local artists selling their work.
Best Time to Visit Las Vegas
Vegas weather swings from triple-digit summers to mild winters, and flight prices follow the demand curve. January and February are the cheapest months for both hotels and flights. Average highs hover around 58°F (14°C), so bring a jacket. Spring (March to May) sees temps rise to 70-85°F (21-29°C), with March Madness and pool season kicking off. Fares tick up, but you can still find deals if you avoid NCAA weekends.
June through August delivers relentless heat, think 104°F (40°C) in July. That’s when flights to Vegas are cheapest, since most people avoid the desert blast. If you love pool parties, this is high season for places like Encore Beach Club and Wet Republic, but you’ll pay more for hotels on weekends. September and October are shoulder season: temperatures drop to the 80s (26-29°C), crowds thin out, and you’ll spot some of the best hotel rates of the year.
The busiest weeks are New Year’s Eve, Super Bowl, and any major convention like CES (early January) or NAB (April). Prices jump, so steer clear unless you’re coming for those events. Thanksgiving and Christmas are surprisingly mellow, with decent deals on both flights and hotels. If you want a mix of nice weather and savings, late April and late October are your best bets.
How to Get Around Las Vegas
Flying into Las Vegas is a breeze. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), formerly McCarran, sits just 3 miles from the south end of the Strip. Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier all run nonstop flights from cities like LA, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, and Seattle. If you’re coming from Canada, WestJet and Air Canada connect from Vancouver and Toronto. Once you land, rideshares like Uber and Lyft cost about $15-$25 to most Strip hotels.
There’s no passenger train to Vegas yet, though Brightline West is building a high-speed line from LA to Vegas, set to open in 2027. For now, Greyhound and FlixBus run daily buses from LA (about 5 hours, $30-$50 one-way) and Phoenix. If you want to explore Red Rock Canyon or Hoover Dam, renting a car at the airport is usually $40-$80 per day. Just remember that Strip hotels often charge $18-$25 per night for parking.
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) runs the Deuce bus, which cruises up and down the Strip and into downtown 24/7. A 24-hour pass is $8, and stops at almost every casino. Monorail service runs along the east side of the Strip from MGM Grand to Sahara for $5 per ride, or $13 for an unlimited day pass. For short hops, taxis are everywhere, but they’re pricier than rideshares. Walking is doable, but distances between casinos are bigger than they look, count on 20-30 minutes just getting from Bellagio to Caesars.
How to Book Your Las Vegas Trip
Booking your Vegas trip has never been more flexible. On Travorio, you can compare hundreds of flight options from all major airlines, plus low-cost carriers like Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier. The search filters let you sort by direct flights, shortest layovers, or lowest price. I’ve found last-minute roundtrips from San Francisco for $59 and from New York for $129, especially if you’re open to red-eye departures.
Hotels are just as easy to book. Travorio’s pay later hotels feature lets you reserve rooms at places like Park MGM, The LINQ, or Virgin Hotels using Sezzle or PayPal Pay Later. You split the cost into four payments at 0% interest, which is a lifesaver if you’re balancing show tickets and dining splurges. If you prefer crypto, Travorio accepts over 100 types, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and even Dogecoin, so you can use your digital wallet for the whole trip.
My advice: set fare alerts a month or two out, check the Vegas event calendar for big conferences, and don’t wait until the week before to book if you want the best price. If you’re booking a group trip or bachelor party, Travorio’s group booking options let you lock in rates for up to 20 people at once. And don’t forget to check for bundled flight-plus-hotel deals, which can save $100+ per person compared to booking separately.
Top Destinations
Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
The Strip is the top destination in Las Vegas, stretching about 4 miles and packed with famous resorts like Bellagio, The Venetian, and Caesars Palace. The Bellagio Fountains and Caesars’ Forum Shops are must-sees. For a classic Vegas vibe, catch a Cirque du Soleil show or stroll the LINQ Promenade. Don’t skip a visit to Fremont Street for vintage neon and free music.
Three to four days is perfect for most travelers. That gives you time for a day exploring the Strip, another in downtown and Fremont Street, and a day trip to Red Rock Canyon or Hoover Dam. If you’re planning shows, pool parties, or golf, add an extra day. Weekends are busier and pricier, so midweek stays save money.
Flights to Vegas are cheapest in late January, early February, and August. Midweek flights, especially Tuesday or Wednesday, consistently run $30-$60 cheaper than weekends. Avoid big events like CES or EDC, when airfares can double. Booking at least four weeks out on Travorio usually gets you the lowest price.
US and Canadian citizens don’t need a visa for Las Vegas. Visitors from many other countries can use the ESTA program for short stays. Some nationalities require a tourist visa, so check the US State Department site before booking. Your passport must be valid for at least six months past your travel dates.
Las Vegas is generally safe, especially on the Strip and in major hotels. Watch your belongings in crowded areas and avoid walking alone late at night off the main strips. Taxis and rideshares are reliable. Downtown and Fremont Street are safe but can get rowdy after midnight, so stick to well-lit areas.
English is the primary language in Las Vegas. Many hotel staff and restaurant servers also speak Spanish, and most signage is in both languages. ATMs and self-serve kiosks at casinos offer multiple language options. You’ll have no trouble communicating in English throughout the city.
A reasonable daily budget is $150-$250 per person, covering mid-range hotels, three meals (including a buffet or two), local transit, and basic entertainment. Strip hotels like The LINQ average $70-$150/night midweek. Show tickets start at $50, while casino drinks are often free if you’re gambling. Uber rides between Strip casinos are $12-$18.
Day 1: Walk the Strip, see Bellagio Fountains, and have dinner at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen. Day 2: Morning at Red Rock Canyon, afternoon at the Neon Museum, and evening at Fremont Street. Day 3: Brunch at Bacchanal Buffet, pool or spa time, and a show like "O" by Cirque du Soleil. Add a day trip to Hoover Dam or Lake Las Vegas if you have extra time.
Vegas has plenty for families, from the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay to the High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ. Adventuredome at Circus Circus has rides for younger kids. Many hotels offer pools and kid-friendly restaurants. Just avoid the Strip late at night, when crowds and adult themes ramp up.
Solo travelers love Vegas for the ease of getting around, endless dining choices, and tons of shows. Most casinos and attractions are walkable or a quick Deuce bus ride apart. Many tours, like the Neon Museum or Hoover Dam, welcome solo guests. Bars like The Chandelier at The Cosmopolitan are great for meeting people, and many hotels waive single-occupancy fees.
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