Las Vegas: What to Know Before You Go

The first thing to understand about Las Vegas is the scale. The resorts are so large that the casino next door can be a fifteen-minute walk away, through a shopping mall and across a pedestrian bridge. Distances on the map lie. Plan your days by section of the Strip, and you'll spend far less time walking through slot machines to get somewhere.

How the city is laid out

The Strip runs north to south for about four miles, from the Strat tower down to Mandalay Bay and the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, with the airport just east of its southern end. The center Strip, around Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the Venetian, is where most visitors spend their time. Downtown, the historic city centre around Fremont Street, is about ten minutes' drive north. Our 3-day itinerary takes the city a section at a time.

Entry

Visitors from Visa Waiver countries need an approved ESTA before flying; others need a visa. Apply only through the official ESTA website. The US has proposed asking ESTA applicants for more personal information, including social media history, so check the current requirements well before your trip.

What things really cost

Headline room rates rarely tell the whole story. Most Strip resorts add a daily resort fee, and since 2025 a federal rule requires hotels to show the total price, fees included, when you book. Parking at most Strip resorts is charged separately. Show tickets carry service fees too, now included in the price you see, and restaurant prices on the Strip are high. The cheapest meals are often a short ride away, in Chinatown or Downtown.

Tipping

Tipping is expected almost everywhere: restaurants, bartenders (per drink), valet staff, housekeeping, taxi and rideshare drivers. Dealers are tipped too, if you win.

Casino and street rules

You must be 21 to gamble or drink, and casinos check. Smoking is still allowed on most casino floors, though Park MGM is smoke-free. Walking the Strip with a drink in a plastic cup is legal. Stopping on the Strip's pedestrian bridges, even for a photo, is not: a county ordinance keeps people moving there, and police can cite you.

The heat

From June to September, daytime temperatures regularly pass 40°C (104°F). Carry water, walk indoors when you can, and don't plan desert hikes after mid-morning. The best time to visit guide covers the seasons.