Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas travel guide
The Strip, the shows and the desert beyond
- Airports
- LAS Harry Reid International Airport
- Region
- US Southwest
- Best time to visit
- March–May and October–November are warm without the 105°F summer afternoons.
- Shortest flight
- 1h 15m from Los Angeles
- Round trips from
- $60 (live)
- Time zone
- America/Los Angeles
About Las Vegas
Vegas is a resort city built for visitors: 150,000 hotel rooms, headline residencies, the Sphere, championship sports and, an hour away, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire and the Hoover Dam. The Strip runs four miles; the walk between neighboring resorts is longer than it looks, so use the monorail, the free trams and the Deuce bus.
Getting in: the airport is 3 miles from the south end of the Strip. Rideshares cost $12–$25 to most Strip hotels; taxis are metered with a $2 airport surcharge. There is no rail link. Most hotels charge a daily resort fee of $30–$50 that is not in the room rate — factor it in when comparing.
Downtown (Fremont Street) has cheaper rooms, older casinos and better-value restaurants; the Strip has the spectacle. Off-Strip neighborhoods like Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road serve some of the best food in the city at a fraction of resort prices. Tip dealers, valets and cocktail servers a few dollars; restaurants expect 18–20%.
Best time to visit
March–May and October–November are warm without the 105°F summer afternoons. Weekday arrivals (Sunday–Thursday) are far cheaper than Friday and Saturday.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: The Strip, Downtown / Fremont Street, Chinatown, Summerlin, Henderson.
Flights to Las Vegas: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to LAS usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 1h 15m | $68 | $60 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| New York (JFK) | 5h 35m | $198 | $193 · Tue, Nov 3 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 3h 55m | $138 | $109 · Wed, Oct 7 | Search dates → |
| Dallas (DFW) | 2h 55m | $118 | $106 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Denver (DEN) | 2h 5m | $88 | $68 · Tue, Dec 1 | Search dates → |
| Seattle (SEA) | 2h 40m | $108 | $83 · Wed, Oct 7 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
Airports in Las Vegas
What to do in Las Vegas
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
The Sphere
The 366-foot LED-wrapped venue at the Venetian hosts concert residencies and immersive films; even the exterior show is worth a look at night.
- 2
Fremont Street Experience
Downtown's covered pedestrian mall with the Viva Vision canopy, live bands, zip lines and vintage casinos.
- 3
Red Rock Canyon
A 13-mile scenic loop 20 minutes west of the Strip with hiking, climbing and sandstone views; timed-entry reservations required October–May.
- 4
Hoover Dam
40 minutes southeast; walk across the top for free or book the Powerplant tour.
- 5
Bellagio Fountains and Conservatory
Free shows every 15–30 minutes in the evening, with the seasonal garden display inside.
Las Vegas weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
58° / 39°
Sunny and cool; bring a jacket for evenings.
Spring
78° / 55°
Ideal pool weather from April.
Summer
104° / 80°
Extreme heat; pool parties and indoor everything.
Fall
80° / 58°
Warm days, pleasant nights; conference season.
Travel tips for Las Vegas
- Add resort fees ($30–$50 per night) before comparing hotel prices; some Downtown hotels and Airbnb-style rentals waive them.
- Book shows through the resort's own site on Tuesday–Thursday for the widest choice of seats.
- Bring a refillable bottle and sunscreen — summer afternoons regularly exceed 105°F, and the Strip has little shade.
- The Deuce bus ($8 for 24 hours) runs the whole Strip and Downtown around the clock.
- Nonstop flights leave late at night from many cities; a Sunday red-eye home saves a hotel night and a vacation day.
Las Vegas flights: frequently asked questions
How do I get from the Las Vegas airport to the Strip?
It's a 10–15-minute ride. Rideshares pick up on Level 2 of the parking garage at Terminal 1 (and Level 2 at Terminal 3) for $12–$25; taxis charge a metered fare plus a $2 airport fee. Several resorts also run shuttles.
What's the cheapest day to fly to Las Vegas?
Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically 20–35% cheaper than Friday. Arriving on a Sunday and leaving Thursday combines low fares with the lowest hotel rates.
Is it worth flying to Las Vegas in summer?
Fares and room rates are at their lowest in July and August because of the heat. If you're happy with pools, shows and air conditioning, it's the cheapest time to go.
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