Shop arround.

You can get some very good deals on hotels especially midweek in Vegas.

Hi Charlie

I highly recommend you carry out a search of the forum as there is a wealth of information on this subject!

For Visa information please see the topic at the top of the forum page and post any relevant questions in that topic.

Don't forget to check the hotel reviews too

Pippy

I agree. Put Vegas into the Search facility at the top of the page and you will find a wealth of information, too much to repeat.

At check in on on the plane you will get a green Visa Waiver and customs form. You will need the full address of your first night's accommodation including the zip code which you can get from the hotel's website. You cannot use the VW form if any of you have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a conviction.

Vegas is easy to do independently. A taxi is only $15-20 to the strip and takes about 15 mins. Make sure you book direct with the hotel and not via a third party site such as Expedia. That way if you find a lower rate you can contact them and have it adjusted. You will find a link to Fat Wallet when you do a search and this site lists all the latest hotel offers.

HTH

luci

Hi

I'm sure this will be your first but not your last trip to Vegas! People just seem to get addicted to Vegas! You will find this out by reading the forum!

As Luci says, if you are booking hotels just now, booking directly will give you the option to change your booking later. You will normally pay one night upfront which is fully refundable if you cancel within their policy (24-72 hours). You will often find better rates closer to the time.

You will also find there are many 'hotel hoppers' on the forum, and if you are interested in this, you will also find a wealth of information. This is my preferred option, splitting my trip into 2 or 3 hotels depending on how long we're staying. This year for example I have booked flights for 13 nights, 6 nights at Orleans (cancellable), 2 nights at Platinum (not cancellable but good deal booked through expedia with flights saved £107), then we still have the last 5 night unbooked. This is for September. I have already changed my Orleans booking as they've got a special on just now! And I only booked 2 weeks ago I think it was!

If you have any specific questions, or if you start to look up hotels and need advice - let us all know and we will all be glad to help. We love talking Vegas!!!

What month are you thinking about?

We are thinking of going around September.

We have a chance to swop a time share week we have and just buy a flight .
So need to no which area or end of the strip to choose.

It was more the paper work I was unsure about.
But it seems we will just get a form to fill in at the ariport.
I was worried about visas .

Also we have never flown longer than 4 / 5 hours before and wondered if there was any tips you have to make the flight more comfortable.

Car hire is it best to book here well before hand or leave it untill we get there.
I'm not sure we will even need a car.

Thank you for taking the time to help.

You will get the visa waiver form on board the aircraft, provided you are eligible.

If you get a direct flight it is about 11 hours; many routes will entail a change at Newark, or Chicago, or even Dallas. Most flights have fairly decent in-flight entertainment, usually 2 or 3 decent films, and a selection of British TV progarmmes ( although this is often Vicar of Dibley or Only Fools)

With meals, drinks etc, the time doesn't really drag. Take your PSP or DS to play as well ( and you can get new games at roughly half-price when in thr US)

September is a fantastic time to go to Vegas. We've been 6 times in September, then last year we couldn't go at that time so we went in June. September again this year though! It's lovely and warm!

As for locations - I don't know what you will be offered on timeshare - I know there are several, but don't know if they belong to the same 'chains' etc. The most central one I can think of is Polo Towers, which would be a good location. Jockey Club is also timeshare I believe but is right next to the construction between Bellagio and Monte Carlo. I suppose Polo Towers faces that same construction anyway.

Anywhere on or close to the strip between Tropicana Avenue and Sands Avenue/Spring mountain road would be considered central. You will probably have to look at a map to see what I mean by that. Basically MGM - Palazzo/Wynn is central.

As for hire car. Don't know if you would need or want one. We have been hiring a car the last couple of years, but only for a few days, and have also made this when we are staying off strip (at Westin and Orleans). Both times I have booked with Airline Network http://www.airlinenetwork.co.uk and the car has been from Dollar at Treasure Island. They cost about £20 per night including tank of fuel. You add the full tank of fuel for about £5 which is a bargain, and it also upgrades your insurance a bit - I can't remember the name of this upgrade but it will be clear on their website.

As for flights, yes they can be tiresome. Some people like direct, but to be honest I struggle for 11 hours on a flight anyway and like to stretch my legs. We had a 4 hour stopover in Chicago one time and actually quite enjoyed it. Just had some lunch and some wine and before we knew it we were on our way!

You will get the visa waiver form on board the aircraft, provided you are eligible.

How do I no if I'm eligable?

You are eligible if you can tick all the right boxes on the form.

http://www.airfares.co.uk/VisaHealth/US_Visa_Waiver_Scheme.asp

Reasons for exclusions are shown on this site, and could vary from having a criminal record (of any type I believe you should apply for a visa rather than rely on a visa waiver), also if you plan to work there or have ever been caught working there illegally. Basically if you have no criminal record then I guess you will be fine with a visa waiver - do check the list first though!

charlie wrote:

How do I no if I'm eligable?

Please see the Visa/Security sticky at the top of the forum

HERE is the Visa Waiver Wizard on the US Embassy website.

luci

Lesley, you are right about the addiction to Las Vegas! We've been last February and we miss it so much. We've been to loads of places around the world but Las Vegas is really out of this world. We never wanted to visit Amerika (well, it was not on our list of places) but Maxjet had special offer last year which we couldn't resist. Everything was GREAT!! I wish we were going again.

We stayed at Barbary coast - booked it for 7 nights, but found special offer on Ceasars Palace, so we kept the room at BC and went for one night to Ceasars Palace. Oh boy, it was super BC is in a great place and if we went again we would definitely stay there!

Well, we are off to NY in couple of weeks so hopefully it will compare at least little bit to our experience in Las Vegas.

Hi Zabka

Those who have been tend to understand!

Don't know if you know this but Barbary Coast is now called Bill's, and is part of Harrah's Entertainment. It has no pool (you would have no need anyway when you went in Feb), but now apparently you get use of the Flamingo pool!

I think this makes Bill's quite an attractive option also for summer visitors. I have seen pics of the rooms, and did wonder if they were 'new victorian' or original fittings - ie is it old fashioned or newly styled to look that way? I know it won't really be Victorian as it' not old enough, but I wondered if it was in a nice way or in a 'needing refurbed' way. I have read reviews that say the rooms are spotlessly clean though, so I guess that's the main thing.

I will say to you that although I have been to NY a few times and I do like it.........sorry, but Vegas is just the best! I'll have a frozen margarita in Bill's for you when I'm there in September!

Hi Lesley

The rooms are not the most modern ones but they are very comfortable with LCD TV on the wall. They look Victorian but to be honest I think they were done few years ago. The bed was lovely and we had great view of the Strip and patrial view of the Bellagio fountains!
We didn't mind that it didn't have a pool because we were out all the time. There is so much things to do that one week is just not enough. And as you say, it was little bit chilly when we were there

When you are there in September say hi to big Elvis for me too, please