1) Do book a direct flight to and from Las Vegas and Do choose the morning or late morning departing flight.
I understand we are all at different levels in terms of our income bracket and disposable income. I have been on all flights, Morning, Evening and even taken the direct flight “Red Eye” from Vegas to Toronto 11:45pm leaning Vegas and arrive Toronto 7AM.(that’s brutal).
If you book the morning or late morning direct flights you will arrive in las vegas around lunch time 12:30pm able to check in, if your room is ready. Recently changed check times have changed to 3pm and you have to pay extra $50 to the front desk for early check in option or have the bell hop store your luggage until 3pm walk around vegas for few hours grab a bite to eat and return to your hotel to check in.
If you choose the evening flight that leaves at 8:40pm you arrive in Las Vegas late night, by the time you get your checked bag and go through the taxi cab line. You get to your hotel and check in, might be a line up. (your not the only flight arriving at night) around 11:30pm. So it’s a waste of the day because they still charge you the full rate of the room and it’s 30 minutes to go before the next morning.
With stop over flights you also run the risk and chance of losing your luggage in the transfer stage. Or missing the connected flight because your original flight was delayed for several hours with mechanical issues.
I will share my own personal experience here. To save a little bit of money i choose a stop over flight both going and coming home. BIG MISTAKE. My flight was 10:45 am Toronto to Denver and then Denver to Vegas. I arrived early as usually to the airport 2-3hrs, checked in, passed through US customs and sat at my gate waiting to be called for boarding. The flight was with United Airlines. The 2 pilots sat in the row in front of me at the gate reading their USA Today Newspaper, when a flight attendant picked up the phone behind the boarding desk and made the announcement;
FLIGHT ATTENDANT: “Ladies and Gentlemen may i have your attention please, Regarding Flight #UA568 at Gate F97. This flight is delayed due to mechanical issue with the planes, our mechanics are working diligently to fix the problem. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
20 minutes later the flight attendant came on the PA with routine opening statement then a additional comment of.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT:”…….The oil pressure leak has been fixed to 75% containment of the issue and maintenance have asked the pilots, it’s up to the pilots of this flight if they are willing to fly the plane.”
The 2 pilots immediately put down their news paper, looked at each other and both shook their heads NO WAY, they stood up and advise flight attendant their not flying that plane with 75 % containment of a oil pressure leak. That flight was cancelled.
Now the chaos begins, upset passengers stranded. I Immediacy pick up my carry on bag didn’t bother to complain and sprinted to the other side of the terminal 1 with Air Canada flight Gate that leaves at 8:40pm later tonight and is a direct flight. Out of breath i explained my situation (Like George Costanza from episode of Seinfeld and Vandelay industries) to Air Canada flight attendant at the gate. She advised me this is fully booked flight and put me on stand by and you should be okay she said.
So now im stuck at the airport for 10hrs until the flight leaves with no guarantees i get a seat. Boarding time approaches and i lucked out and got a seat at the very back of the plane. My seat was in the last row of the plane, middle seat and right in front of the washroom/ lavatory. It was a long and smelly flight stuck in the middle seat and the turbulence over the Colorado Rockies didn’t help either. I arrived at my hotel at 11:30pm. My return flight back home was a stop over to New York City at JFK was a very long stop over as well. Landed at JFK at 6am and Airline carrier was called American Eagle Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) the plane was so old, The food trays were made out of metal and were stored in the arm rest that you have to flip open the hand rest, pull out the tray like your transforming Optimus Prime Transformer toy figuring i had as a kid.
2) DO book in the months of April, May, Sept, Oct.
These months the weather is most comfortable for all ages and its actually enjoyable to be outside exploring las Vegas day or night. Visiting tourist attractions or going on outdoor tours, race cars, dune buggies, hikes, walks through National parks, dining on an outdoor patio with a nice spring or fall breeze while you enjoying your favourite beverage. Or comfortably enjoying the ambiance of las vegas strip walk at night on or enjoy an elevated patio and lean back in your chair and people watch people walk by on the strip.
3) DO book on the weekday as prices are much more affordable and have less visitors during the weekday.
You can walk the strip with ease. (Unlike the horror show of New York City and walking in Chinatown on Canal street is a nightmare) without crowds and avoid bumping into people. Every where is less crowed, The sidewalk is less crowed, the pool is less crowed, the bars and clubs less crowed, easier to make or find a table and nice restaurant of your choice etc..
4) DO Stay at a Hotel on the Las Vegas strip.
That’s what the Las Vegas strip is all about, some of the most Luxurious Resorts, 5 Diamond Hotels and some of the biggest Hotels in the world are located right on the Las Vegas strip. Take advantage of all the amenities they have to offer. These resorts are so Huge you can easily get lost (which i have at the Venetian Hotel) that you don’t even have to leave the property, with several restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges, food courts, retail shopping malls, Pools, spas, to choose from in addition to the free Wifi at your service.
5) DO stay hydrated and bring good pair of walking shoes, sun protection, lotions and clothing.
Heat stroke is a major problem and so is dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, Buy your suntan lotion in vegas as some brands carry a high SPF rating of 110 compared to what you can find in your own city. Bring hat, sunglasses, sun tan lotion and wear sun protection clothing UPF 50 sun rated clothing with long sleeve with hoodie. Bring Aloe Vera or buy it there (in case of sunburn) if you can’t find Aloe vera then foam shaving cream that has menthol in it will work as well.
To share anther personal experience you may think its not hot or decide to go for a walk from Planet Hollywood to The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to check the hotel out which was know for being the original and best and biggest Pool Party in all of Vegas called REHAB. The Hotel was known for being a non stop party atmosphere caters to a younger crowd ages 21-28 located off the strip(where Virgin Hotel is now). Then once you walk back to your hotel room your roasted and start having headaches and feeling hot while in A/C room. Next thing you know your calling housekeeping asking for extra towels, because your current towels are soaked all in cold running water. Placed them on your face, forehead, on top of your head, back of the neck, arms, legs. Now your laying in bed trying to recovery and beat the heat stroke before going out at night to bars and clubs with the group. We did recover and went out that night as well.
6) DO buy your alcohol, water, breakfast food, snacks from WallGreens Pharmacy or CVS Pharmacy. (The American versions of Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall).
Its much cheaper than buying from the hotel gift shop. If your a light breakfast guy like myself then Wallgreens and CVS are the way to go. There both pharmacies that have dry and perishable grocery and produce section along with alcohol for purchase. Its very convenient for tourist/visitors.
There is no Tim Hortons in Las Vegas (there should be at least one Tim Horton store located on the Vegas Strip see how it does. (I think it will do well, lots of Canadian visitors Las Vegas) (that’s my idea-don’t steal my idea). There are long lines outside McDonalds, Dennys in the morning. Starbucks is Starbucks. The breakfast buffet open late morning and also have long line ups and are pricey some start at $40.
7) DO plan ahead and put together an itinerary make a list of events and shows you want to see while in Vegas.
Do plenty of research in advance and book in advance. Some shows sellout quickly if you want a specific seat book online before you go. If you don’t have a plan, in the back seat of your Las Vegas taxi cab is a booklet called “WHERE” (Las Vegas quick guide- comes out monthly) that’s all your going to need while your there. In that booklet you will find everything there is to do in Las Vegas for that month. There is also a hotel magazine in your hotel room called Las Vegas Magazine, that will also have a list of everything to do in Vegas as well.
Do Have fun and enjoy Las Vegas.
For more information about Las Vegas visit: https://www.visitlasvegas.com
