This year, the planned high-speed train to connect LA and Las Vegas has hit the headlines, hoping to take travellers between the two cities in just 85 minutes.
That said, this line is quite some way away, with the launch anticipated for at least 2027.
With this in mind, flying and road tripping are the best bets for your dream journey into Las Vegas. But, which might be best for you? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each mode of transportation.
Flying to Las Vegas
Many people are under the preconceived notion that flying to Las Vegas can be on the more expensive side, especially when it’s an international flight.
Though, admittedly, flying is often more expensive than driving – after all, flying shortens the journey times drastically, so you’re essentially paying for the convenience – there are some cheaper flights out there.
It can pay to do thorough research into more budget-friendly plane tickets to Las Vegas, with some platforms offering tickets as little as £587 ($729) for a roundtrip flight from London Gatwick (LGW) or Heathrow (LHR) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), previously known as McCarran International Airport.
Some might also argue that by flying directly, you might miss out on new adventures.
However, there are also flights from just £4 ($5) from major US cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, and San Francisco, allowing you to break up your adventure and explore multiple cities whilst you’re on that side of the pond.
Say you’ve always wanted to check out the Hollywood sign or Rodeo Drive, for example – you can then fly to Las Vegas in just 1 hour 15 minutes for as little as £8 ($10).
With this in mind, you could create a unique itinerary that allows you all the fun of hitting up bucket list-worthy spots of a road trip, but without the stress of long drives between destinations.
Road Tripping to Las Vegas
The first thing to consider with a road trip is the mode of transport – you could rent a car, opt for an RV, or, get the bus.
Each of these options has its own unique set of pros and cons, which can have significant implications on overall cost and enjoyment of the trip.
The main idea of a road trip is being able to take the time to soak in more of the country during the journey, rather than simply jetting over it.
With this in mind, whilst getting the bus might be more budget-friendly than hiring a car or RV, it can lack the flexibility keen adventurers might want during a road trip.
Further to this, you’re restricted to the route that the bus service dictates, leaving little room for impromptu exploration.
Take the LA to Las Vegas example again, a bus ticket can set you back an average of £39 ($49), and take anywhere between 4 hours 43 minutes to 7 hours.
In this sense, opting for a car or RV rental can be the best option for more spontaneous travellers. But, bear in mind, you’ll have to be confident you won’t return it in a mess or you can get fined!
When taking any road trip you will also need to account for the additional time it will take you to get there, and therefore additional accommodation costs for along the way.
As a general rule of thumb, motels along the highway tend to average at around £36-64 ($65-80) per night depending on their location.
That’s why some road trippers are drawn towards RVs, as you can park the vehicles in budget RV parks for around £12-32 ($15-40) per night.
Which is Best?
Typically, flying is said to be fast but costly, whilst road trips are long but inexpensive.
As you can see, this distinction is not so clear cut!
Instead, consider what it is you want out of the trip – things like convenience, fewer stops, more flexibility, and so on. This will allow you to choose the best option to fit around your preferences and priorities.
