Las Vegas December

dizzydoll

Hi all,

Heading to Las Vegas in early December for 5 nights. Looking for some advice if anyone has any?

1. Do we need to bring coats, is it cold in December in Vegas?
2. Someone told me food & drink is crazy expensive on the strip, does anyone have any recommendations on where to eat/ drink?
3. Hoping to see a show while we are there, are we better to buy tickets now (not fussy on which show) or wait and buy there?
4. Should we prebook transfers from the airport or just hop in a taxi?
5. Travelling directly from London so cant do pre clearance in Dublin, anyone know how long it normally takes doing it over there?
6. Any other tips would be great!

Thanks in advance

él statutorio

dizzydoll wrote: »

Hi all,

Heading to Las Vegas in early December for 5 nights. Looking for some advice if anyone has any?

1. Do we need to bring coats, is it cold in December in Vegas?
2. Someone told me food & drink is crazy expensive on the strip, does anyone have any recommendations on where to eat/ drink?
3. Hoping to see a show while we are there, are we better to buy tickets now (not fussy on which show) or wait and buy there?
4. Should we prebook transfers from the airport or just hop in a taxi?
5. Travelling directly from London so cant do pre clearance in Dublin, anyone know how long it normally takes doing it over there?
6. Any other tips would be great!

Thanks in advance

1: Bring a light jacket or a hoodie.
2: It's not expensive, there's always offers for buffets.
3: Wait and buy there, again, always deals and offers.
4: Taxi
5: Depends on how many flights arrive at once but usually about 45 mins.

With food you can have it cheap or expensive. Even on the strip. I personally find the cheap buffets horrible looking, and not a nice way to start the day.

There are shopping outlets on the strip. Pharmacy, food, toiletries. A lot of people buy beer coolers there and beer in the shop, then fill the cooler up with free ice that you get at the hotel.


Get a taxi at airport. I’ve never had to wait, walk out, they will call a cab over and you’ll be at your hotel having a cold beer in a few mins, preferably while checking in :-) only in Vegas

Buy tickets for shows over there.

You get free drinks when you gamble, even if you’re gambling really slowly and cheaply at a slot machine.
Buy a beer at the casino bar and you can be crucified, sit at a slot machine a few meters away and get it for free.

For smaller mimnum bets and a great atmosphere, go to Fremont to gamble. The main strip can be very expensive (early morning it can be cheaper)

But don’t stay at Fremont. Belagio and Wynn can have fair minimum bets as well, depending on the time of day/night

You have to play crapps, best fun there. Not too many rules. If you start playing at a table, any game, and they raise the minimum bet, they will keep you on the original minimum bet that you started at.

And the wait to get out of the airport when you arrive is a pain in the hole. Be ready for it. Always a very long wait/queue, but paradise is just around the corner :-)

When checking in to hotel, ask for a free upgrade. Tried it once, worked once. Made it obvious there would be a tip. Google this

If going to a club, get there early, very early

ceadaoin.

Don't get taxis, they are known for "long hauling" tourists. uber and Lyft are a lot cheaper and less likely to rip you off because they want a good rating.

It can be chilly in December, you'll definitely need a jacket especially at night. Shorts and t-shirts are definitely out. Locals will be dressed in full on winter gear

There is food in every price range on the strip from Michelin starred restaurants to food courts, I'm sure you can find something reasonable that isn't fast food. Some of the buffets are amazing, some are grim. I think there are passes you can get that cover several different ones if you really want to get your money's worth.

Get tickets for shows when you get there, there are "Tix 4 tonight" stands around the place where you might get some cheap last minute tickets.

Don't miss going to a hockey game at the T-Mobile , way better than any show IMO!

Also don't forget to keep a stash of dollar bills for tipping. You tip bartenders, wait staff, cocktail waitresses, valets, hotel porters, the guy who gets you a taxi at the hotel, even in fast food places you're expected to throw some change into the jar. If you don't tip the girl who brings your "free" casino drinks while gambling she won't be back to ask if you want another!

dizzydoll

Thanks for all the information!

CeilingFly

Food in restaurants with full service is very expensive as are bottles of wine in restaurants.

But that's the higher end.

Loads of buffets and "family" restaurants.

Weather - think Sept in Ireland. Mainly dry, could be 12 degrees could be 22 degrees. Nights will be cool.

Tickets for shows? December is quiet, so go to the half price ticket kiosk and see what's available.

Fremont Street is better value than the strip and I prefer it.

ceadaoin.

CeilingFly wrote: »

Weather - think Sept in Ireland. Mainly dry, could be 12 degrees could be 22 degrees. Nights will be cool.

The usual temps for December are around 12-14 degrees Celsius max and close to zero or colder at night. 22 is very unlikely! I'd pack winter clothes

CeilingFly

ceadaoin. wrote: »

The usual temps for December are around 12-14 degrees Celsius max and close to zero or colder at night. 22 is very unlikely! I'd pack winter clothes

I was there early Jan 2013. It was very warm with temps in 20's. - Prior to vegas I was in Ohio for a week where it was minus 20. (try packing for that combination )

ceadaoin.

CeilingFly wrote: »

I was there early Jan 2013. It was very warm with temps in 20's. - Prior to vegas I was in Ohio for a week where it was minus 20. (try packing for that combination )

You were lucky. Must have felt tropical after -20. I've lived here for almost 5 years and it's never been that warm in january. I usually have my heating on!

CeilingFly

ceadaoin. wrote: »

You were lucky. Must have felt tropical after -20. I've lived here for almost 5 years and it's never been that warm in january. I usually have my heating on!

Yep it did. I was also there in jan 2006 when it rained for two days, over 2 inches fell and drivers hadn't a clue what how to drive on very wet roads. Sort of like Irish drivers and snow as it was so unusual.

ceadaoin.

CeilingFly wrote: »

Yep it did. I was also there in jan 2006 when it rained for two days, over 2 inches fell and drivers hadn't a clue what how to drive on very wet roads. Sort of like Irish drivers and snow as it was so unusual.

Yes whenever it rains heavily it's carnage on the roads because of how slippery they get. That and lots of bad drivers is a recipe for disaster

CaliforniaDream

Definitely bring clothes for cold weather. It won’t be hot.
And use Uber/Lyft instead of a taxi. Trust me on these two things, I live here for 8 years.

jme2010

CaliforniaDream wrote: »

Definitely bring clothes for cold weather. It won’t be hot.
And use Uber/Lyft instead of a taxi. Trust me on these two things, I live here for 8 years.

How do you use uber when fresh off the plane from Ireland with no roaming? Do you just download the app and sign up? etc whats the process like? I've always just hopped a cab to save the trouble.

Saying that...I despise getting cabs from the hotel. My biggest tip...never hand the driver a $20 bill unless your fare is over 16/17 dollars and you don't want change. I had 3 different drivers refuse to give me change and lie about having no singles on a 13 and 14 dollar fare they just took the liberty to tip themselves 40%+

CaliforniaDream

jme2010 wrote: »

CaliforniaDream wrote: »

Definitely bring clothes for cold weather. It won’t be hot.
And use Uber/Lyft instead of a taxi. Trust me on these two things, I live here for 8 years.

How do you use uber when fresh off the plane from Ireland with no roaming? Do you just download the app and sign up? etc whats the process like? I've always just hopped a cab to save the trouble.

Saying that...I despise getting cabs from the hotel. My biggest tip...never hand the driver a $20 bill unless your fare is over 16/17 dollars and you don't want change. I had 3 different drivers refuse to give me change and lie about having no singles on a 13 and 14 dollar fare they just took the liberty to tip themselves 40%+

Download the app when you get there if you don't have it. Search online before you come for signup codes as both Uber and Lyft usually offer $50 for new customers. There's free wifi in McCarren airport so just connect to that to download the app and order and ride. It will tell you where to go depending on if you're in terminal 1 or 3. Follow the signs to the pickup area and your driver will meet you there. 
It tells you who your driver is, what car s/he drives and the licence plate number, plus they usually text when they arrive and you can follow them exactly on the app so you'll never get into the wrong car. You can add a tip on the app after you get out as well so you don't have to worry about cash with them. 

If you do get a taxi they legally have to take the shortest route and if they don't you can refuse to pay. Let them know you're aware and stand you're ground on getting change back. Or tell them you'll go and get change and bring the exact fare back for them if you really must. But basically, never get a taxi in Vegas!

dizzydoll

Hi all,

Can I ask about resort fee's? I booked a hotel for 5 nights for $750 which does not include resort fee's and taxes.

Resort fee's for $35 which I believe I double as there are 2 of us and then add tax, yes?

So it's $750 + ($70*5) = $1,100 * 13.38% = $1,247.18 total

Is that right?

Thanks

Atlantic Dawn

Resort fee is per room, not per person and yes tax is added on top.

leestone

Best official place for half price tickets???

Idbatterim

dizzydoll wrote: »

Hi all,

Heading to Las Vegas in early December for 5 nights. Looking for some advice if anyone has any?

1. Do we need to bring coats, is it cold in December in Vegas?
2. Someone told me food & drink is crazy expensive on the strip, does anyone have any recommendations on where to eat/ drink?
3. Hoping to see a show while we are there, are we better to buy tickets now (not fussy on which show) or wait and buy there?
4. Should we prebook transfers from the airport or just hop in a taxi?
5. Travelling directly from London so cant do pre clearance in Dublin, anyone know how long it normally takes doing it over there?
6. Any other tips would be great!

Thanks in advance

bring a light jacket or coat yes.
Its not all crazy expensive on strip, it ranges from high end to fast food
Id just wait and buy there, particularly at that time of year
Dont bother with the transfers, overprices waste of time, get a taxi, it wont cost much to the strip or just get a lyft or uber from the airport
You will likely be flying on a 747 etc, my advice is get off the plane and ahead of the crowd as quick as you can, Ive had very short and long waits for security in mccarran, if you can choose seating, Id select seating as close to the exiting door as possible.
if you are looking for a cheap place to drink on the strip, the Stage door just off it , does one dollar beers and 2 dollars for a corona I think.

out of interest, where have you booked? The resort fee is per room, not per person. You download lyft or uber or both, before you get there, you can do it in ireland etc. Mccarran has free wifi.

dizzydoll

Thanks for all the info.

To be honest I have 2 hotels booked with free cancellation, originally booked Paris because it looks fab but then had a friend who stayed in Casino Royale who told me it was nice and inexpensive. She also had friends who stayed in Paris and it took them 10 minutes to get to their room inside the hotel and the room was tiny who said it was a waste and would have been better staying in a box in the basement.

First time travelling to Vegas and don't want to end up in a bad hotel but also don't want to be in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks

ceadaoin.

dizzydoll wrote: »

Thanks for all the info.

To be honest I have 2 hotels booked with free cancellation, originally booked Paris because it looks fab but then had a friend who stayed in Casino Royale who told me it was nice and inexpensive. She also had friends who stayed in Paris and it took them 10 minutes to get to their room inside the hotel and the room was tiny who said it was a waste and would have been better staying in a box in the basement.

First time travelling to Vegas and don't want to end up in a bad hotel but also don't want to be in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks

10 minutes to the room in Vegas is pretty good! Stay somewhere like the bellagio and it can take double that. Bring comfy shoes is another tip, you'll do tons of walking, even if you get cabs door to door.

I've never been to casino royale but it's just a best Western hotel attached to a small casino. Pretty basic. I would go with the Paris if you want the proper Vegas experience. It's not the fanciest hotel but great location. Although casino royale is cheap and no resort fee so I can see the plus side of it

Idbatterim

What dates have u booked and what have u spent ? As a Vegas veteran I can go into trivago and let u know if there are better options ...