Las Vegas

Las Vegas 

Guide to Las Vegas: how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to go in the evening. The most interesting things in Las Vegas: the latest reviews and photos, places to see, signature entertainment and shopping.

Las Vegas is a place where bills always rustle, coins jingle and jackpots glow temptingly. This is a point of attraction for ladies with cleavage, their rich companions, gambling older ladies - and, of course, all kinds of tourists. The city of Las Vegas, which has grown up in just 20 years in the heart of the desert, is the “gambling capital” of the United States. There are more than 100 complexes open there, combining gambling establishments, hotels, shopping centers, and concert halls. The city lives only on profits from casinos and hotels and stuns any visitor with a riot of advertising and luxury. Many travelers dream of being here to visit the famous Fremont Street and the Strip and feel the pulse of this never-sleeping city.

Surprisingly, the history of Vegas began with a mistake: in 1829, a trading caravan lost its way and almost died of thirst under the scorching sun. One of the volunteers who went in search of a well found an oasis with artesian water. This area and the city that appeared on it were given a name translated from Spanish meaning “fertile valleys.”

How to Get to Las Vegas

There are no direct flights from Russia to Las Vegas; the most convenient way to get there is with a transfer in New York , Los Angeles , Zurich or London . A flight with two stops will be cheaper. Aeroflot, Virgin America, JetBlue Airways, British Airways, Swiss, etc. fly from the capital. The minimum travel time is 17 hours.

Some airlines offer flights with a change of airport, in which case you need a lot of time.

Las Vegas is served by the very large and busy McCarran Airport . It is located 8 km from the center and consists of two terminals (1 and 3), between which a free tram travels: the green line is the route from Terminal 1 to Gate C, the blue line is from Terminal 1 to Gate D, and the red line is from Terminal 3 to exits D.

Read Also : Attractions of Los Angeles.

From airport to city

Shuttle buses, public buses and taxis go to the tourist part of Las Vegas. Shuttle stops are located at gates 7-13 of Terminal 1 and on level zero of Terminal 3. Regular buses No. 108, 109, as well as Westcliff Airport Express and Centennial Express also leave from level zero. You can buy a ticket for them from a machine or from the driver.

To leave by taxi, you need to exit Terminal 1 through doors 1-4; in the second terminal, the parking lot is located on the east side in the arrivals area (you can follow the signs). A trip from the airport costs 40-50 USD depending on the distance.

Transport

Public transport in the city is represented by buses and the Las Vegas Monorail. Buses run both in the central part and to remote areas; the fare depends on the direction and duration of the trip. In the center, transport runs around the clock every 10-15 minutes. A ticket for 2 hours, a day or 3 days with an unlimited number of transfers can be purchased from machines or from the driver.

There are heavy traffic jams on the roads in the morning and evening hours.

The monorail consists of 7 stations connecting the largest casinos and hotels in the city; besides, such trips allow you to avoid traffic jams. Opening hours: from 7:00 to 2:00 on weekdays and until 3:00 on weekends. Tickets for a single trip, 1 or 3 days are sold in vending machines at stations.

Traveling by taxi is convenient, but due to the crazy traffic it is impossible to predict how long it will take to travel. The trip costs 15-20 USD , and it is customary to leave a tip of 10%. In most cases, you can pay for travel by card, but it is better to check in advance whether there is a terminal in the car. In the city center, cars line the roadsides where hotels and casinos are located, or you can simply catch them by raising your hand.

Vegas has a well-developed network of bike paths; there are many rental companies, including city rental, where you can pick up and leave your bike at any of the stations. This company was launched to solve the so-called “last mile problem”, when residents choose a personal car because public transport stops are far from home or office.

Paying for a whole month is cheaper than 3 days of daily rental, so for those who plan to spend several days in Las Vegas, it is more profitable to take a long-term subscription.

Las Vegas Hotels

The main source of income for Las Vegas is hotels and casinos. Therefore, there are many accommodation options in the city and they all guarantee excellent service and good living conditions. In addition to classic hotels, you can stay in hostels, motels, apartments, or even rent a villa. A cozy room in a three-star hotel will cost from 80 USD , accommodation in a 4-star hotel will cost 125 USD , and the most fashionable hotels rent rooms for 150-230 USD and more. Every tourist's dream is to live on the Strip or Freeman Street, but they are the most expensive.

The most famous and literally stunning hotel is the Bellagio, where the film “Ocean’s 11” was filmed. Those who dream of meeting a celebrity should stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, musicians love this place, however, you need to be prepared for the fact that it will be noisy and fun. A gold nugget weighing 25 kg awaits guests in the Golden Nugget lobby; the Paris Hotel has a replica of the Eiffel Tower; the New York has almost all the sights of this city; and The Mirage even has its own “active” volcano.