Quick facts
Daily budget
For a full category-by-category breakdown of accommodation, food, transport, and activity costs in Las Vegas, see the dedicated budget guide.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Visa Waiver Program countries need an ESTA ($21). Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before travel
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is on the Strip's south end, a 10-minute Uber to most hotels ($12–18)
- The airport monorail doesn't connect to the Strip. Use Uber, taxi ($18–25 flat rate to Strip), or hotel shuttles
Health & Safety
- Travel insurance essential: US healthcare costs are extreme. Urgent care visits from $150+, ER from $2,000+
- The Strip is well-lit and heavily surveilled. Be cautious on side streets after midnight. Drink spiking happens, so watch your glass
- Desert dehydration is real, so drink water constantly, especially with alcohol. The dry heat doesn't make you feel as thirsty as you are
Getting Around
- The Deuce bus runs the full Strip and to downtown Fremont Street: $8 all-day pass, $20 for 3 days. Runs 24/7
- The Strip is 4.2 miles long, so walking feels short but adds up fast. Use the free trams between Bellagio/CityCenter/Park MGM and Mandalay/Luxor/Excalibur
- Uber/Lyft to anywhere on the Strip: $8–15. Airport to Strip: $12–18. To downtown: $15–22. Surge pricing after midnight
Connectivity
- Free WiFi in all casino hotels (lobby and room). Quality varies, with the Cosmopolitan and Aria the fastest
- Cell service is good on the Strip but spotty inside massive casino floors. Download offline content before going deep into a resort
- US SIM: T-Mobile or Mint Mobile eSIM. Buy at any phone store or the T-Mobile stores on the Strip
Money
- Cards accepted everywhere. Casinos are cash-heavy and ATMs charge $5–8 fees. Withdraw at your bank before arriving
- Tipping: 18–20% at restaurants, $1–2/drink at bars (even for "free" casino floor drinks), $2–5 for hotel staff
- Set a gambling budget and stick to it. Casino ATMs make it too easy to withdraw more. Leave cards in the safe if needed
Packing Tips
- Comfortable walking shoes: you'll cover 8–12 miles/day on casino floors alone. Bring blister bandaids
- Club attire for nightlife: men need collared shirts and dress shoes (no sneakers, shorts, or athletic wear). Women have more flexibility
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle. A light jacket for over-air-conditioned casinos and desert-cool evenings
Cultural tips
Tipping Everywhere
Tip 18–20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars (even free casino drinks), $2–5 per bag for bellhops, $2–5/night for housekeeping. Vegas runs on tips. The service economy is everything.
Gambling Etiquette
Don't touch your bet after the cards are dealt. Don't give unsolicited advice at tables. Tip the dealer when you win ($1–5 per win). Know the table minimum before sitting down. Phones off at the table.
Free Casino Drinks
Casinos serve free drinks to anyone actively gambling, on slot machines and table games. Tip the cocktail waitress $1–2 per drink. Drinks take 15–30 minutes to arrive. Don't abuse it, and pace yourself.
Photography Rules
No photography at casino gaming tables, as security will intervene. Hotel lobbies, exteriors, and public areas are fine. Ask before photographing performers or costumed characters on the Strip.
Age Restrictions
Must be 21+ to drink or gamble, so always carry ID. Pool parties and nightclubs are 21+ (some 18+). Many restaurants and attractions are all-ages. Fake IDs are taken seriously, so don't risk it.
Street Hustles
Ignore people handing out escort cards on the Strip. "Ticket sellers" for shows are often scams, so buy from the venue box office or TodayTix. "Free" photos with costumed characters expect a $5–10 tip.
