Las Vegas · Trip Planning
Three complete itineraries — for first-timers, high rollers, and smart budget travelers — plus an interactive cost calculator that gives you a real number before you book.
The essential Las Vegas experience, structured so nothing important gets missed.
Afternoon
Mid-Strip properties — Bellagio, Venetian, Cosmopolitan — put everything within reach. Aim for a 3 pm check-in; ask for a high floor at check-in even if not guaranteed. Drop bags, orient yourself.
4–6 pm
Most Strip pools close at 6 pm. If you arrive early enough, get a few hours by the water — it sets the tone. Otherwise walk the casino floor, find your bearings, and locate the nearest good coffee.
7 pm
First night, don't overthink it. Most major Strip properties have a reliable Italian or steakhouse that doesn't require advance planning. Save the reservation-required spots for night two.
9 pm
Walk to the Bellagio lake and watch at least two fountain cycles — they run every 15 min on weekend evenings, 30 min on weekdays. Stand on the sidewalk bridge for the best view. Free.
10 pm onward
This is the moment that justifies the trip. Walk from Bellagio north to Venetian (or south to New York-New York). Pop into casino floors. The light, the scale, and the energy at 11 pm on a Saturday is something you cannot manufacture anywhere else.
9 am
Most Strip restaurants open by 8–9 am. Grab breakfast at the hotel coffee shop or, better, Eggslut at the Cosmopolitan (expect a line). Don't rush — this is a day that will run long.
10 am
Morning is the best time to gamble: tables are quieter, dealers are friendlier, and there's no pressure. Set a clear budget before you sit down — $50 to $200 depending on your comfort. Blackjack at Venetian or Bellagio has better rules than most Strip casinos. Ask for the 3:2 blackjack table.
1 pm
15–20 min from Mid-Strip ($10–15). Have lunch at Circa's Stadium Swim bar area or grab something at one of the Fremont Street restaurants. Then walk the length of the covered canopy — the Fremont Street Experience is free, runs hourly, and is genuinely spectacular at ground level.
4 pm
If time allows, walk or Lyft to the 18b Arts District — 10 min from Fremont. Coffee at PublicUs, a gallery or two, and a cocktail at Velveteen Rabbit. This is Las Vegas without any of the casino energy, which is a useful reset before a big night.
7 pm
Book in advance: Chica at the Venetian, Sparrow + Wolf (off-Strip), or Bardot Brasserie at Aria. A proper sit-down dinner before a show sets the whole evening up correctly.
9 pm
The Sphere is the answer if anything good is playing. Otherwise: Mystère at Treasure Island (approachable Cirque), O at Bellagio (the gold standard, book ahead), or a comedy residency at Aces of Comedy at the Mirage. Check Tix4Tonight kiosks earlier in the day for same-night discounts.
7 am
30 min west of the Strip. The 13-mile scenic drive opens at 6 am and is $15 per vehicle. Morning light on the red sandstone is the payoff — by 10 am it's crowded and by noon in summer it's dangerously hot. Bring 2L of water per person minimum.
10 am
Back by 10–10:30 am. Most hotels offer a noon or 1 pm late checkout if you ask; Four Seasons and Waldorf give it more freely than the MGM properties. Use the time to swim one last time.
12 pm
Secret Burger at Cosmopolitan (hidden inside the casino) or Mon Ami Gabi at Paris for a sidewalk table with Strip views. Budget 30 min for luggage retrieval and valet.
2 pm
Harry Reid International is 10–15 min from the Strip by rideshare, never more than $20. Terminal 1 handles Southwest; Terminal 3 handles most major carriers. TSA lines on Sunday afternoons can run 30–45 min — give yourself two hours.
Cost Calculator · Build Your Budget
Las Vegas spending varies more than any other city. Adjusting one variable — hotel tier, gambling budget, dining level — can shift total cost by thousands. Use this to find your real range before you book.
Estimates are per person and exclude flights. Hotel costs are divided equally across travel companions. Casino figures represent a plausible loss budget — outcomes vary.
Nights
Shows
Hotel Tier
Daily Casino Budget
Dining Level
Estimated Trip Cost
Total Range
Per person · excludes flights
$805 – $1,485
Before You Book · The Three Rules
One convention can triple room rates. Search 'Las Vegas conventions [your dates]' before booking anything. CES, SEMA, and the F1 Grand Prix are the three worst weeks. Twenty other events are nearly as impactful.
Tuesday check-in, Thursday departure is the smart play. Las Vegas weekend demand is driven by a 4-hour drive from LA — if you don't share that constraint, don't pay for it.
O by Cirque, any Sphere residency, and Comedy shows at major rooms sell out weeks ahead. Same-day Tix4Tonight works for second-tier shows. For anything specific, don't wait until you arrive.