Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Frugally Vegas: Vegas Trip Planning II - Research Resources

Frugally Vegas: Vegas Trip Planning II - Research Resources:                                               Copyright CC0 Creative Commons via Pixabay This is the second entry in a series of ...
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Vegas Trip Planning II - Research Resources

                                              Copyright CC0 Creative Commons via Pixabay



This is the second entry in a series of Vegas trip planning articles to assist future visitors whom have made the decision to live it up on a Vegas trip. In this article, we'll consider some local factors that affect planning and costs, along with a listing of some useful websites for trip research / options and pricing.

In the first article, we addressed some of the basic choices travelers need to determine before a  trip to la-la land. Throughout the planning process, the amount of total trip time and a budget will obviously affect every decision regarding transportation, lodging, dining, shows, attractions, gambling, and sanity preservation, among others.

Las Vegas is truly among the lower total cost tourist destinations in the domestic US. With current average daily room rates at $125 - $130 per night (one can beat those average rates via budgeted research ; add $10 - $50 resort fees plus 13.38% taxes per night) and the lowest average round trip airfare costs ($234) among 25 top US cities, Vegas annually ranks among the most affordable in the US , assuming gambling costs are kept in check.

  

Las Vegas is famously hot from May through September (routinely over 100 degrees F in June, July , and August). The average weather conditions may or may not affect your decision/s on trip dates..but it may impact your activities and plans while in town. You'll have plenty of options to enjoy the cool AC in all those resorts during the hot summer months. Vegas receives just over 4 inches of annual precipitation..might not need to pack that umbrella.

Vegas is subject to the laws of supply and demand like all tourist destinations, and that fact can significantly affect your travel costs. Larger crowd numbers (during conventions, special events, and on weekends) lead to higher costs for most things. Room costs are typically cheaper Sunday through Thursday unless there's a massive convention / event taking place. If you don't have comped room offers and  have the option, travel during weekdays and avoid big holidays / conventions / events. Refer to these Las Vegas convention and event calendar resources to determine options ( if you have options) for your trip dates.

 Websites for Vegas trip planning 

There are literally hundreds of online resources that are potentially useful to do research, plan, and/or book flights, rooms, transportation, rental cars, attractions, dining, events, tours, and all else for Vegas travel. Obtaining that "best deal" for anything often requires multiple site visits and revisits and cost comparisons between sites. Some sites offer "deal alerts" that travelers can sign up for even after initial bookings which allows cancellation and re-booking of a better deal. Always make bookings that give you the option for cancellation  in the early phases of planning because better pricing deals often become available. Below is a categorized listing for some of the best linked online sites for researching multiple Vegas options and Vegas travel in our experience.

 

Las Vegas local sites/ blogs /research/tips and discounts / message boards 

                                                                                                                                                       

Visit Las Vegas
Viator (Las Vegas)
Best of Vegas
Travel Vegas
Las Vegas Jaunt
Vegas.com
Trip Advisor Las Vegas Forum
Mark's Las Vegas 
SmarterVegas 
Vital Vegas 
Vegas Message Boards
Las Vegas Weekly
Cheapo Vegas
Vegas4locals 
Eater Vegas
Vegas RTC Bus system
Las Vegas Monorail
Las Vegas taxis
Las Vegas Uber
Las Vegas Lyft 
Airlines serving McCarran Airport
McCarran Airport Shuttles
McCarran Rent-a-Car Center
Las Vegas 4 Newbies
Smartertravel (Las Vegas)
Trip Savvy (Las Vegas)
Five Hundy by Midnight podcast

 

Vegas travel aggregator / packages sites

Hotwire  
Trip Advisor  
Southwest Vacations



Always verify tips/ info gleaned from websites regarding anything. Las Vegas sheds it's skin and changes constantly rendering some info  either potentially inaccurate or obsolete. Seven come eleven. The above should aid Vegas trippers in discovering options for trip planning and an idea of potential costs. In the ensuing article, we'll outline an order of trip planning tenets and begin to pull together an overall Vegas getaway approach.

Cheers...


                                                                                                                                     













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Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Frugally Vegas: Vegas trip planning and itinerary creation I

Frugally Vegas: Vegas trip planning and itinerary creation I:  First in a series of Vegas trip planning tips Planning a trip to Vegas can be overwhelming for those who haven't visited p...
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Vegas trip planning and itinerary creation I

 First in a series of Vegas trip planning tips

Planning a trip to Vegas can be overwhelming for those who haven't visited previously, haven't visited recently, or for those who have visited multiple times but want new experiences. It can also be wildly inspiring to others who can ride the crazy adrenaline wave of a Vegas escape during the planning phase; How long will we visit? Where should we stay? What shows will we see? Where will we gamble? What attractions would we enjoy? What dining venues will we visit? Will we visit nearby nature areas? What are the costs? Holy crap..can't wait!

Vegas visitors come  to attend conventions, escape, splurge, hit the pool, sight-see, attend shows, gamble, relax, dine, and/or party ..or a composite of some or all those activities and more. Where does Vegas trip planning begin? What are the key elements and in what order should they be addressed? What is my budget for this trip going to be?

The following are some basic considerations when planning for  an enjoyable Vegas romp.
1. When is the trip / how long? Are there any major events / conventions going on at that time? Who's traveling (solo vs family / group); buy travel insurance?
2. Lodging ; which hotel / AirBnB ? (Strip vs off-Strip / Downtown)
3. Getting there - Flights / Car or other ground transportation
4. In town transportation - Car rental/ Uber/ Lyft/ Taxis/ RTC Bus system/ Shuttles/ Monorail       /Walking / Drive own vehicle
5. What attractions / museums / shows will we see?
6. What's my gambling budget? Where?
7. Which dining options/ restaurants?
8. What do I need to pack?
9. Let a trusted someone know your trip plans
10. Make an itinerary ( a simple one)

More entries in this Vegas trip planning series to come over the next few days...

Cheers..



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