Best time to go to Las Vegas
Las Vegas has been built right in the middle of a desert, so it enjoys very sunny weather year-round but also experiences extremes of heat at times. Booking a Las Vegas hotel with a pool is always a good idea, so you can cool off. Spring is one of the best times to visit to get great sunshine – averaging 11 hours per day in April – without experiencing the seriously hot peaks. Temperatures are around 17°C in March, climbing upwards to highs of 34°C by late-May. July is the hottest month here, although the heat doesn’t dissipate much in August; summer visitors can expect highs up to 40°C and next-to-no chance of rain. Peak summer is when you’ll find the most budget prices, if you can take the heat.
The other great season to visit is autumn, which still promises long, sunny days but a slightly cooler atmosphere. It’s also a popular time of year with hikers and photographers looking to capture the rust-red landscape around the city in its best light. September starts to cool, with average highs of 37°C and lows of 19°C, while evening lows in November can be just 5°C. December to February is the coldest period, with temperatures not increasing above the low teens. However, it’s still not a rainy destination, so visitors who don’t enjoy the heat can enjoy more budget-friendly prices at this time of year. Of course, if you’re here for the casinos and the shows, the Christmas period is truly fabulous, and you can be sure the temperature indoors is always perfect.
How to get to Las Vegas
You can fly to Las Vegas direct from London in between 10 and 12 hours. Of course, direct flights are more expensive than one-stop routes, which run from many UK airports including Southampton, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Belfast and Bristol. Flights from Manchester to Vegas take between 13 and 19 hours on average, while stopping flights from London Heathrow take around 12 to 14 hours.
Once you arrive, the Harry Reid International Airport is surprisingly close to the centre of Vegas and all the hotels and attractions. Most people simply opt for a taxi or private shuttle, which you can pre-book online for convenience. You can also take a shared hotel shuttle from the airport, but these are not much cheaper and will stop at multiple hotels. There’s also a public bus, which is by far the cheapest option (unless your hotel provides a free transfer) but will take the longest due to stops.
Getting around Las Vegas
Once you’ve arrived, you can get to most attractions in Las Vegas without needing to hire a car. For example, the city monorail zooms up and down the Strip in less than fifteen minutes, allowing you to skip traffic jams and the headache of parking. Of course, if you’re planning a day of attractions close to your hotel, you can also walk between places, as the strip is very pedestrian-friendly. You can also navigate the city via the local bus system, rideshare apps and taxis. For day trips to the desert or national parks, hiring a car is thoroughly recommended, as public transport won’t take you far out of the city. It also gives you the freedom to stop, explore and move on at your own pace. Alternatively, you can book organised day trips to big tourist spots like the Hoover Dam, Zion or Grand Canyon, and get your transport organised for you.