Getting there…
Getting to Las Vegas couldn’t be easier.
Virgin Atlantic fly direct to Las Vegas from the UK. We love them for their great on board entertainment systems and family friendly approach.
British Airways also fly directly to Las Vegas from the UK. We particularly like B.A if we want to fly from a regional airport as they tend to offer a great range of connecting flights.
If neither of these options appeal we like Skyscanner for a good listing of all the operators running flights.
Getting around…
There are a number of ways to get from the airport to your hotel. We tend to get a cab (make sure you use the official rank, just outside arrivals to ensure you are in a licensed taxi) which normally costs less than $20 depending exactly on where you are staying. If you want to pre-book a taxi or arrange a shared shuttle service which can be cheaper, check out A2Btransfers.com.
In terms of public transport, there is a bus service that covers Las Vegas, including a route between McCarran Airport and the Strip, and a couple of routes along the Strip. The bus network website has comprehensive information on route planning and fares.
Around the Strip we tend to walk. There are lots of walkways inside the casinos and many have covered walkways liking to the neighbouring property. You do have to go outside sometimes – be aware that if you are visiting in the summer it can be very, very hot. Sheltered by the constant temperature of the casinos, it is easy to forget that fact.
If you don’t want to walk you have several options. You can hail a cab or jump on a bus. Various hotels / casinos run free shuttle buses around the Strip. Time Out has the best summary I can find, otherwise you need to check at each hotel / casino. There is also a monorail that runs between MGM Grand at one end of the Strip and the Sahara at the other. We have rarely used this, but if you are staying at one of the properties it serves it may come in handy.
If you want to get out and about outside of Las Vegas, a hire car is by far and away your best option. We recommend Holiday Autos or Easycar for car hire. Check out our car hire info for ways to save money. You may want to cover your excess and increase your liability cover with a policy like that from Worldwide Insure or Insurance4carhire.com.
If you can’t drive, Grey Line have a number of tours to places like the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.