Las Vegas is one of the world’s most popular and iconic tourist destinations, so if you plan on taking a short trip for anywhere from a long weekend to a fortnight or longer and don’t know what to expect, don’t panic. You’ve come to the right place.
Here is everything you need to know before travelling to Las Vegas, from legal gambling ages to hidden resort fees and from tipping waiters and waitresses in bars and restaurants to the types of travel documents required of international travellers coming from outside the United States and beyond.
Why is Las Vegas still a popular holiday destination?
Las Vegas, which some people call Sin City, is a great place to visit during the winter and summer months, although most people come in summer when the weather is hotter, sunnier, and drier.
Besides playing at the land-based casinos on the Strip or at online casinos offering bonus deals for new players, there’s so much more to see and do in Vegas, including live entertainment (e.g., standup comedians, magicians, bands/musicians, and singers), art exhibitions, museums, spa, health & well-being facilities, and high-end shopping.
The city caters to almost every kind of traveller, from the more laid-back tourist to the thrill-seeking adventurer and from singles and couples to small and large families or small and large groups of friends.
Some of the other popular attractions and activities to take in during your trip to Las Vegas are seeing the Bellagio Fountains, visiting the Venetian Canals or the Hoover Dam, riding the Higher Roller Ferris Wheel, checking out the Mob Museum, or taking a short drive to Red Rock Canyon. There’s something for everyone.
Important things to know before you travel to Las Vegas
Before travelling anywhere new, it’s always good to know some of the cultural customs, rules, and laws and what is acceptable and what isn’t. Here are a few things to know before travelling to Las Vegas for your once-in-a-lifetime trip:
- Documents – if you are an Australian or British citizen travelling to Vegas from Australia or Great Britain, you will need a passport valid for the length of your stay. You must also fill out an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) form at least three days (72 hours) before travelling)
- Resort fees – don’t forget that resort fees are typically not included in the initial hotel price and may not be made known until a later period in the booking process
- Drinks – most of the cocktails at the land-based casinos are free. Operators use free drinks as a way of keeping hold of their customers for longer periods
- Clothing – Las Vegas can get hot during the day and cold during the evenings, and the air-conditioned buildings can feel cold if you spend all your time indoors, or intensify the heat when you step outside, so wear practical clothing for each occasion and try to find out if the venues you want to visit have a strict dress code. You can expect average highs of 58°F and lows of 38°F from December through to January, anywhere from 42°F and 64°F in February, and frequently above 100°F in the summer. Also, wear comfortable shoes
- Travel dates – decide which time of the year you would prefer to travel to Las Vegas before booking anything. Most people go in summer, but the winter in Las Vegas has also become more popular these days
- Budget – before travelling to Las Vegas, set a reasonable spending budget to ensure you have a great time and don’t spend more than you can afford
- Tips – when tipping your serving staff at Las Vegas bars, restaurants, and casinos, consider giving $1 to $2 per drink, depending on the quality of the drink and the establishment. A standard 15-20% tip is expected when paying your bill. You also might want to consider tipping your taxi drivers/rideshare drivers 10-15% of the fare, and don’t forget to tip the cleaners, luggage assistance staff (bellhops), and valet parking attendants
- Payments – most places accept physical cash (US dollars), but credit and debit cards, mobile wallets and digital wallets (aka web wallets or eWallets) are also now widely accepted at physical and virtual checkouts
Final thoughts
Before travelling to Las Vegas, try to plan your trip by booking flights and accommodation well in advance and by booking tickets for other events or excursions that you might want to take in during your stay.
You don’t want to spend your entire time perched at the blackjack tables or cranking the lever on the mechanical fruit machines because there’s so much more to do here. In other words, have fun at the casinos because that’s what most people go to Vegas for, but also try to get out there and explore everything else Las Vegas has to offer.
The people are generally friendly and hospitable towards tourists but remember to have fun, behave and be sensible during your stay.