hedgehog

Can anyone help me with driving distances and times to Las Vegas from LAX. We are staying at the Embassy Suites LAX North for 3 nights then plan to travel to Las Vegas for a further 3 nights. We will be making this journey sunday morning (20th April).
As an alternative I am considering flying Jet Blue out of Long Beach ($29 one way for each of the 4 of us) but that would leave us without a car in Vegas. This probably would not be a problem if it wasn't for our 5 year old who will not be able to walk the long distances between Hotels in Vegas. Perhaps the trolley buses/walkways and cabs will solve that dilemna, although add to the cost? Any comments anyone? Thanks.

Surfergirl

The drive is about 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Most of the people I know who take children from L.A. to Vegas find it easier to drive than fly, although the flight is certainly a lot faster.

BarbaraS

You don't need a car in Vegas. I hate driving in Vegas - it's crazy. The drive is long and boring. I'd fly.

Spike

Nobody wants to walk from hotel to hotel in Vegas, regardless of age! When we were there in September it was so hot outside we cabbed it from hotel to hotel. There is a cab stand outside every hotel where cabs are lined up to sweep you where you want to go and it didn't seem terribly expensive to us. Curious, what will your five year-old do at the different hotels? You cannot under any circumstances walk through the casino areas with kids.

Since you will be so close to LAX I'd also suggest you fly rather than drive. What you'll pay in parking every day will be more than what you'll pay for cabs.

hedgehog

Thank you for your replies. I guess we'll fly then!!
Message: Spike - Las Vegas is the last stop in a 16 night Californian tour for us from the UK. My husband and I are very keen to see the awesome beauty of the Grand Canyon so we decided to spend a couple of days in Vegas, to check out the man-made wonders of the region too. We don't gamble so missing the casinos is not a problem. I am sure the kids (our other son is 8) will enjoy the Adventuredome at Circus Circus, the Pirate show at TI, the fountains at Bellagio and King Tuts Tomb (the Egyptians being the subject of a recent project for my older son at school) Then of course there is the pool. I'm hoping too that they will enjoy the helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon. We really have only two full days so I am sure that the children will survive
Thanks again.

Loki

Where do you pay to park in Vegas?!?! It's free everywhere I've been. I think a car is the way to go. Timewise, consider what time you'll have to leave to get to LAX, to checkin and clear security, then the time to board the plane, fly to LAS, and get your luggage. It's got be nearly 4 hours. I was considering the same situation and after looking at everything, we'll be driving, and that was considering $19 tickets.

BarbaraS

Loki - a 5 year old doesn't mind waiting at airports near as much as riding in a car for 4 plus hours.

hedgehog

Help, now I'm confused! Jet Blue fly out of Long Beach airport. Roughly how long will it take to drive there from the Embassy Suites at LAX North? Taking into consideration the time we will need to drop off the car and then check in at Long Beach(and check out at Las Vegas), Loki is right it will probably take close to four hours. The flights are at 8am or 2.30pm so we will either arrive in Vegas around 9.30-10am - too early to check in at the hotel, or not until 4-5pm thereby losing most of the day. Aah such indecision, now I'm thinking we might tackle the drive .... Anyone else have an opinion to further add to my confusion? Thanks again.

Spike

hedgehog, on second thought, if you have to travel from LAX to Long Beach to catch your flight you might just rather drive. It will take you an hour to get to Long Beach from LAX, you need to arrive 90 minutes before your flight, the flight will take an hour -- now you could be 30 minutes outside of Vegas with your car. Check with Southwest Airlines to see if you can get a comparable fare out of LAX, otherwise I'd say just drive.

Also, if you are planning on seeing the areas around the strip you might benefit from a car as well.

I just wanted to point out the fact that kids are not allowed anywhere near the casino areas in case you didn't know. The kids will no doubt love that helicopter ride.

Spike

Another note: I used to live in Los Angeles and my boss had a house in Las Vegas where he spent his weekends. He swore to me that the drive through the desert was beautiful when the cactus were in bloom, probably right around your trip in April. Maybe another can support this -- I only remember making that drive after work on a Friday and it was dark when we got into the desert.

Loki

Sorry to throw a wrench in the works! Also keep in mind, there is a chance that the flight is delayed. I've had many delayed flights but only a broken down rental car once, in France, and it was an Opel. I'm not trying to be anti-airplane but I'm contemplating the same trip but opposite, LAS to LAX in July and am leaning heavily toward driving.

Barbara brings up a good point about the 5 year old. I'd be pretty bored at that age haulin' through the desert.

BarbaraS

If you arrive early and the hotel has clean rooms they will let you check in early in Vegas. If rooms are not available, they will store your luggage for you until your room is ready. Vegas wants you there as long as possible.

dwooddon

I'd opt for the drive for two reasons: First, as several other posters have said, it will be as fast (or faster) than the drive to the airport-wait at the airport-fly to Vegas route. Second, and more importantly, if you're visiting us from England, you really should experience both the stark beauty and the vastness of the Mojave Desert. Enjoy!

janis

hedgehog: Unless you fly Southwest from LAX I also recommend driving -- For you BUT NOT FOR LOKI. The difference? You are traveling in April and the weather will be nice, Loki is going in July - when it will be over 110F. That is a TERRIBLE drive in the summer (I know, I know, cars have A/C - but the drive is still hell.)

But do look into Southwest - it flies out of LAX and that would be more convenient for you. jet Blue out of Long Beach would be too much of a hassle. If you do fly Southwest you can always rent a car for a day in LV if you decide you need one (but you probably won't)

joesorce

some hotel pools are still closed in April. Check yours!

cheezz

I live within shouting distance of LAX and go to Vegas about every 4 months. They are right - allow about 4-1/2 hours since you'll want to stop at least once with a 5 year old. There is NOTHING to see between here and there. BUT, with all the restrictions now, flying is a pain. You'll have to get to LAX about 1-1/2 hours before flight time. Wait around doing nothing, fly for 1 hr. 15 min., then have to get a cab at the other end. If you're staying mid-strip in Vegas, the cab ride will cost you about $12 after tip. I like having my car so I can go off-strip to the mall, or the pet store, sight-see, etc.

By the way, next time you stay in this area I would highly recommend the Hacienda Hotel. They have a shuttle to and from LAX for free, and their south-tower rooms are very nice. They will also shuttle you to the beach, or down the street to the mall. Very European flavor hotel.
<www.haciendahotel.com/>

Where are you staying in Vegas?

sightseer

Another vote here for driving. By the time you drive to Long Beach and check in early for the flight, you might as well as just drive. Plan on stopping in Victorville or Barstow for a double double burger at In N Out.

hedgehog

okay okay we'll drive, I'm convinced (for now).
Spike and Janis, Thanks for the tip about SWA but I had already checked their website and their flights are $59 (7.50am or 2.50pm) otherwise $88.

Message Cheezz, we haven't booked a Vegas hotel yet, I've been price watching. We want to be on the Strip and have narrowed our choices down to Mirage, MGM, Caesars Palace, Aladdin, Luxor or Venetian. Quite a cross-section eh? At the moment Venetian is looking the best value for money as it is the only hotel apart from Caesars Palace, which does NOT charge extra occupancy for children. MGM charge $25 per night per child and Mirage and Aladdin charge $30 per night per child.
Thanks for recommending the Hacienda but it wasn't the proximity to LAX that attracted us to the Embassy Suites but being able to reserve a one bedroom suite at a decent rate. With young kids we have booked one bedroom suites in SF, San Diego and LA; Vegas will be the exception where we are happy to have a single room for the four of us as it will only be for three nights.
Thanks for your help.

Spike

I loved the Venetian when we stayed there. The rooms are very large and would be more comfortable for the four of you. We got a deal on hotwire.com for $152 per night. If you try hotwire, the Venetian is their only five-star hotel on the strip. It doesn't always come up, more likely to find it mid-week. The Venetian website also offers some mid-week deals.

hedgehog

Thanks Spike, it was useful to know that the 5* Strip hotel Hotwire quote is the Venetian. (How did you know that?) I couldn't risk getting Bellagio though Hotwire because of the children but I did think their rate ($159) was low for Bellagio and it might well be the Venetian. However, www.a2zlasvegas.com are offering the Venetian for $149 per room per night sunday through to wednesday checkout. I'd reserve now except that they charge a cancellation fee and I'm hoping that the rate on the Venetian website might drop below that nearer the time. I've read that other people have been lucky to get rates of $119 or even $99. As we get nearer to April I will probably phone them from the UK and see if they will give me a good rate if I pay in advance. I'm sure their rooms will be just fine for the four of us and I guess the Venetian would be my first choice out of all the hotels I listed based on reviews. Caesars Palace is lovely too I hear, but rates for their Palace Tower rooms seems to be over $200 and their standard rooms look decidedly unexciting! Can't wait to tour your beautiful state.