You may have to wait for a taxi big enough for 4 people and 4 cases. However the man that keeps the taxi line in check will keep you right.

Are you flying direct to Vegas or connecting elsewhere in the US? If direct it will take about 30 mins to get through immigration and customs. If connecting elsewhere it will take about 20 mins to get from you gate to the baggage carousel then you may have a wait for your luggage.

You will see the strip and the Luxor as you are landing, it's that close. About 10 -15 mins in a taxi and about $15 + tip. Do not say it is your first time in Vegas and make sure you tell the driver as soon as you get in "No tunnel thank you". If you leave it a few minutes it will be too late and you will probably be long hauled.

They may ask if you want the quickest way, but just tell them to take the surface streets. By tunnel they mean the freeway and, depending on how much of a tour they take, the fare would be $25+.

The shuttle bus is $7-8pp, it usually waits until it is full then drops off at several hotels on the way. You could be lucky and get dropped off early being at that end of the strip, but it's really not worth it.

luci

Thanks again everyone. I had a quick read of your posts Bubble , I also read a really in depth trip report by Tangobunny she mentions Bills & O'Sheas I take it that these are bars ? if so they sound o.k not sure what Carnival Court is. There are a couple of bits of the report that sound like some sort of Vegas Code...like ''Went to IP for a kip'' and '' Made our way back to TI''.. Ideally our trip will be something along the lines of see as much as we can and any shopping during the day and in the evening couple of drinks and then find somewhere to eat and maybe finish off with a little go at the casino. Is this the norm if not any other options would be great...we are not 100% if or what show we may see.....thanks again your tips & info so far have been priceless
cheers Keith

Hi Keith

There's a lot of codes in Vegas

TI is a hotel (Treasure Island), IP is Imperial Palace. A kip is a sleep, but you probably worked that part out
A $20 trick is when you slip the desk clerk $20 with your c/card in hope of a 'free' upgrade.
The Deuce is the bus that goes up and down the strip.

I'm sure someone will think of more....

O'Sheas is a small casino (part of Flamingo), they were doing Bailey's slushies last year for about $2.
Bill's do frozen margaritas, as do Casino Royale. Both small casino's/hotels.

A good place for discounts on restaurants is http://www.restaurant.com Put in 89109 as the zip code to search for mid strip and 89119 for south strip and change it to 1 mile.

You can get a $25 restaurant certificate for $2 at the moment using the code TASTY at check out. That code is only valid until 31 March. Read the T&C's next to each restaurant carefully as there is a minimum spend, eg $50 to use a $25 cert. Some include alcohol and some exclude it. Also check the menus which are linked to on the site as some of them have prices. A steak in Vegas is around $45-50 and more and that's without sides.

Some of the higher value certs would be worth it with there being 4 of you. Envy Steakhouse for example has a $100 off $200 spend and would cost you $20. If you decide to register, just use your hotel's address and zip code or even your own address and 89109 and it will work.

If you need recommendations post which restaurants you fancy and someone will be able to advise.

luci

I have been asked by my O/H Karen to ask the ladies if they could give any ideas on what clothes to take. We will be there from 29th May we know it will be hot of a day not sure what the evenings will be like ? Is it like Florida were I only ever took smart evening shorts, short sleeved shirts ect, or will I need to take trousers for the shows (and certain restaurants/casinos) .....
Thanks Again Keith

You can choose, no real rules. You will probably be able to wear long trousers, because although it will be warm outside in the evenings (comfortably warm), the casinos can be significantly cooler. Take long trousers in case you go to a nice show, you might feel more comfortable being suitably dressed. Also if you plan to go to any 'nice' restraurants you won't want to wear shorts. Shorts are fine any time at buffets though.

I tend to wear 3/4 trousers, hubby wears either shorts or khakis depending on where we are going in the evening.

As far as clothes go, anything goes. I have seen sequins at breakfast and shorts at midnight.

We tend to dress smarter if we are going to a show or a nice restaurant, however easily 50% of people just wear shorts and polo shirts all day, even at shows.

As Lesley says, the a/c can be brutal in some places.

luci

We flew out to LA on the 29th may last year for 5 nights then on to Vegas for 5 nights so were there from 3rd June & i have to say it for us was incredibly hot!! Lol.. reached 108 degrees some of the days & have to say we didnt wear trousers at all.. Im normally in shorts 3/4 lengths & husband in boardshorts 3/4 lengths.. even though casinos etc were nice & cool.. still found the walking outside very hot!! depends what your used too though..

The current restaurant.com code is EAT for 50% off. Stripburger now do higher value certs which might work for 4 people.

luci

I have read a few reports were people have mentioned buying snacks/drinks to keep in the room. Is there a local shop to buy them from or are you better taking them with you....thanks Keith

Best to bring most of it with you if you are on a tight budget, but there are plenty places to buy.

There is a CVS near Monte Carlo and a Walgreens opposite it which are pharmacies that sell everything from snacks and drinks to souvenirs, but they can be more expensive than home. The Grand Canyon Experience and ABC Stores just up from the MGM both sell souvenirs, drinks, snacks and alcohol.

Sales tax is 8.1% and room tax is 12%.

Every hotel has its own shop, I wouldn't recommend buying there as they are expensive.

luci

Current restaurant.com code for 80% off is EASTER.

luci

I've still never tried restaurant.com!

Should really try it, shouldn't we? How long are they valid Luci - would they be ok for September?

Hi Lesley

They don't expire so last indefinitely. Use Nevada and 89109 to register. Search within 1 miles of 89109 for centre strip and 89119 for south including Manadalay Bay.

Today's code for 50% off is FRESH. There are still Stripburger certs at the moment, but the lower value ones will sell out in the next couple of hours.

luci

Thanks Luci. We're vegetarian so Stripburger wouldn't be our choice. I'm going to have a wee look for Italian places though.

I take it you just pay by c/card, and do they email you the voucher or something?

Yes you can pay by credit card, but I would suggest using Paypal as the address for the credit card won't match the address you have on r.com.

They email you confirmation and you go to the site to print the certs.

The discount codes changed every few days from 50 to 60 to 70 then 80% off so you can get a cert for $2. However you risk the certs you want selling out during the month the later you leave it.

I can recommend Casa di Amore for an Italian. If you search within 5 miles it will come up. You can get a $25 cert off 2 dinner entrees. However you can't use it with the halfl price wine offer which is on Sunday and Monday.

They provide a free limo pick up and return for the price of a tip. We go there every trip.

luci

Thanks Luci. I might check on Casa di Amore, have heard of that. I have a feeling that Entrees will be meat dishes in an Italian restaurant though, so may well rule that one out. We miss out on deals quite often because it is for Entrees.....I guess there's not many American vegetarians!

Excellent - thanks for all the info. Got a while to look out for something suitable.

Not at all. I often have a pasta dish for my entree although the last time I had one it was quite salty.

You can see the menu on their website.

luci

Thanks Luci, just had a look. Often Italian places split their menu into pastas, pizzas, entrees etc, but it seems Casa di Amore doesn't. I know what you mean about saltiness, we went to Nora's (I think it was Nora's??) one time and it was a bit salty. It was nice, but halfway through it started to put me off. I guess they do it to bring out the tomato flavour, but that's not good when they overdo it and then you taste the salt. Is it near Walmart?

Had a look at their menu, had pasta and gnocchi options that I'd like. Martini menu also looks good....