Getting To Las Vegas

• Print
• E-mail
• Add to My Trips

Back to Las VegasGetting to Las Vegas

By Plane

Given the shambles the airline industry is in, writing this section makes us wince. Just be aware that the future of many of the following airlines was in varying degrees of doubt as we went to press.

The following airlines have regularly scheduled flights into Las Vegas (some of these are regional carriers, so they may not all fly from your point of origin): AeroMexico (tel. 800/237-6639; www.aeromexico.com); Air Canada (tel. 800/776-3000; www.aircanada.ca); Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/426-0333; www.alaskaair.com); Allegiant Air (tel. 702/505-8888; www.allegiantair.com); American/American Eagle (tel. 800/433-7300; www.aa.com); American Trans Air (tel. 800/435-9282; www.ata.com); Continental (tel. 800/525-0280; www.continental.com); Delta/Skywest (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com); Frontier Airlines (tel. 800/432-1359; www.flyfrontier.com); Harmony Airways (tel. 866/248-6789; www.hmyairways.com); Hawaiian Airlines (tel. 800/367-5320; www.hawaiianair.com); Japan Airlines (tel. 800/525-3663; www.jal.co.jp/en); JetBlue (tel. 800/538-2583; www.jetblue.com); Mexicana Airlines (tel. 800/531-7921; www.mexicana.com); Midwest Airlines (tel. 800/452-2022; www.midwestairlines.com); Northwest Airlines (tel. 800/225-2525; www.nwa.com); Philippine Airlines (tel. 800/435-9725; www.philippineairlines.com); Southwest Airlines (tel. 800/435-9792; www.southwest.com); Spirit Airlines (tel. 800/772-7117; www.spiritair.com); Ted Airlines (tel. 800/225-5833; www.flyted.com); United Air Lines (tel. 800/241-6522; www.united.com); US Airways (tel. 800/428-4322; www.usairways.com); and Virgin Atlantic Airways (tel. 800/862-8621; www.virgin-atlantic.com).

We've always enjoyed Southwest's relaxed attitude, and their service leaves few complaints. However, they mostly feature first-come, first-served seating, so if you want to avoid that, you can't go wrong with United.

Then again, now might be the time to talk about the spiffy new leather seat/DirecTV wonder that is JetBlue (tel. 800/JET-BLUE or 800/538-2583; www.jetblue.com). First-time passengers usually turn into longtime converts, those issues with stranded aircrafts in the recent news notwithstanding. Currently, they fly to Las Vegas from Long Beach and Burbank, California; Boston; Washington, D.C.; and New York City -- and often for very low prices.

With the federalization of airport security, security procedures at U.S. airports are more stable and consistent than ever before. Bring a current, government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport, and if you've got an e-ticket, print out the official confirmation page; you'll need to show your confirmation at the security checkpoint and your ID at the ticket counter or the gate. (Children under 18 do not need photo IDs for domestic flights, but the adults checking in with them do.)

Security lines are getting shorter than they were a couple years ago, but some doozies remain. We've heard reports of security checks and gridlocks causing delays of up to 4 and 5 hours, with plenty of missed flights as a result. If it's a busy convention or holiday weekend, you might want to plan accordingly. Better a long wait at the airport than a missed flight. If you have trouble standing for long periods of time, tell an airline employee; the airline will provide a wheelchair. Speed up security by not wearing metal objects such as big belt buckles or clanky earrings. If you've got metallic body parts, a note from your doctor can prevent a long chat with the security screeners. Keep in mind that only ticketed passengers are allowed past security, except for folks escorting passengers with disabilities or unaccompanied children.

Federalization has stabilized what you can carry on and what you can't. The general rule is that sharp things are out, nail clippers are okay, and food and beverages must be passed through the X-ray machine -- but security screeners can't make you drink from your coffee cup. Bring food in your carry-on rather than checking it, as explosive-detection machines used on checked luggage have been known to mistake food (especially chocolate, for some reason) for bombs. Travelers in the U.S. are allowed one carry-on bag, plus a "personal item" such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag. Carry-on hoarders can stuff all sorts of things into a laptop bag; as long as it has a laptop in it, it's still considered a personal item. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a list of restricted items; check its website (www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp) for details.

The TSA has phased out gate check-in at all U.S. airports. Passengers with e-tickets and without checked bags can still beat the ticket-counter lines by using electronic kiosks or even online check-in from home. Ask your airline which alternatives are available, and if you're using a kiosk, bring the credit card you used to book the ticket. If you're checking bags, you will still be able to use most airlines' kiosks; again, call your airline for up-to-date information. Curbside check-in is also a good way to avoid lines, although a few airlines still ban curbside check-in entirely; call before you go.

At press time, the TSA is also recommending that you not lock your checked luggage so screeners can search it by hand, if necessary. The agency says to use plastic "zip ties" instead, which can be bought at hardware stores and can be easily cut off.

Arriving at the Airport

Immigration & Customs Clearance -- Foreign visitors arriving by air, no matter what the port of entry, should cultivate patience and resignation before setting foot on U.S. soil. U.S. airports have considerably beefed up security clearances in the years since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and clearing Customs and Immigration can take as long as 2 hours.

People traveling by air from Canada, Bermuda, and certain Caribbean countries can sometimes clear Customs and Immigration at the point of departure, which is much faster.

By Car

The main highway connecting Las Vegas with the rest of the country is I-15; it links Montana, Idaho, and Utah with Southern California. The drive from Los Angeles is quite popular and, thanks to the narrow two-lane highway, can get very crowded on Friday and Sunday afternoons with hopeful weekend gamblers making their way to and from Las Vegas. An expansion project is widening most of that stretch of road to three lanes in each direction, but until that project is complete, expect construction delays and often dangerous road conditions. (By the way, as soon as you cross the state line, there are three casinos ready to handle your immediate gambling needs, with two more about 20 min. up the road, 30 miles before you get to Las Vegas.)

From the east, take I-70 or I-80 west to Kingman, Arizona, and then U.S. 93 north to downtown Las Vegas (Fremont St.). From the south, take I-10 west to Phoenix and then U.S. 93 north to Las Vegas. From San Francisco, take I-80 east to Reno and then U.S. 95 south to Las Vegas.

Vegas is 286 miles from Phoenix, 759 miles from Denver, 421 miles from Salt Lake City, 269 miles from Los Angeles, and 586 miles from San Francisco.

By Train

Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL; www.amtrak.com) does not currently offer direct rail service, although plans have been in the works to restore the rails between Los Angeles and Las Vegas for years. At press time, Amtrak wouldn't confirm a date, but various reports have indicated that eventually they will restore service using the Talgo. This European-designed "Casino Train" will complete the trip from Los Angeles in about 5 1/2 hours, with a wholesale seat price of $99 round-trip. We've been hearing these reports for so long now, they just make us roll our eyes, but if and when this ever happens, you will have to fight us for a seat.

In the meantime, you can take the train to Los Angeles or Barstow, and Amtrak will get you to Las Vegas by bus.