Travel Experience in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, USA

After much anticipation, i have finally wrapped up her amazing journey across the USA — and this marks the first story in her exciting USA travel series. Travel Experience in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, USA

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Las Vegas Travel Tips

How to Get to Las Vegas from San Francisco

I flew from San Francisco to Las Vegas with United Airlines. Upon arrival at Las Vegas Airport, I had to take the airport train to Terminal 3 to collect my luggage. The airport is spacious, but navigation is relatively easy thanks to clear signage. Alternatively, you can ask for directions at the information counters.
Apart from flying, depending on your schedule and budget, you can also travel by bus or train.

Getting from McCarran International Airport to Your Hotel

From the airport, you can take a taxi, Uber, shuttle bus, or public bus. Transportation services are readily available right outside the terminal, ranging from budget-friendly to premium options.
I chose the Bell Trans shuttle, which cost USD 9.5 one-way to my hotel. Although my hotel offered a free shuttle service, I missed it due to two delayed flights. My hotel was about 10 km away in downtown Las Vegas, but it took over an hour to get there because the shuttle made multiple stops at other hotels and got stuck in traffic.

Las Vegas Weather

Las Vegas is famously scorching hot as it’s located in the desert. The heat was so intense that even waiting for five minutes outside the airport felt like standing next to an oven. One night, at 11 p.m., it was still 42°C.

Where to Stay in Las Vegas

Most tourists choose either downtown (Old Las Vegas) or the Las Vegas Strip. We stayed downtown because of the much lower hotel rates. I booked the Plaza Hotel & Casino — spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and a prime location in the heart of Old Las Vegas with easy access to dining options like McDonald’s and Subway right downstairs.
However, the hotel is 110 years old, which was slightly unsettling despite it being well-maintained. Surprisingly, hotels I stayed at in the US did not have in-room refrigerators unless you paid extra, and on top of the nightly rate, there was a resort fee of around USD 30 per night. My room cost about USD 28/night. You can check photos on Booking.com or Agoda.

Getting Around Las Vegas

Avoid walking outside during the day — temperatures can reach 43–45°C.

Uber: Ideal if you’re traveling in a group, as it’s convenient and cost-effective.
Bus: The Deuce bus service operates 24/7, with a bus every 15–20 minutes. A 24-hour pass costs USD 8 per person. I only took it once to the Strip and back because the heat made outdoor sightseeing unbearable, except for visiting the Grand Canyon.
Tip: Avoid buses during rush hours due to heavy crowds and traffic delays.

What to Do and Eat in Las Vegas

Downtown is centered around Fremont Street, which is lively day and night. Food here is significantly cheaper than on the Strip. We weren’t picky with meals and often just ate wherever was convenient. Many eateries serve fried rice with two side dishes for USD 10 — portions are massive by American standards. For breakfast, Denny’s is a good option, with meals costing around USD 6 for two large plates that can last you for hours.
If you enjoy gambling, try your luck at Four Queens Casino. I was lucky to win two nights in a row after spending just USD 20 on roulette — it was quite fun. Overall, Las Vegas is perfect for those who enjoy beer, nightlife, and testing their luck, as there’s not much to do outdoors during the day due to the extreme heat.

Visiting the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas

The Grand Canyon — a world-famous natural wonder — is a must-visit in the USA. If you’re traveling in Nevada or Arizona, it’s worth making the trip by road. Unlike the dry desert heat of Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon offers stunning scenery with much more pleasant weather. The route passes through a few small towns that reminded me of rural New Zealand.

How to Get There

The Grand Canyon is about 400 km from Las Vegas. There is no direct public transportation, so the easiest options are self-driving or joining a tour. I chose a day tour, only to find out it would end at 11 p.m. The tour started at 6 a.m. and lasted 17 hours round trip — not ideal for those prone to motion sickness, back pain, or knee issues.

I booked through Gray Line for USD 100 per person, including lunch. There are many tour providers in Las Vegas, but be cautious to avoid scams.

Gray Line Itinerary

Pick-up at Golden Nugget Hotel at 5:45 a.m., then transfer to the Gray Line station.
Passengers are sorted into tours for the South or North Rim before boarding larger buses. On my trip, there were over five buses (50 seats each) heading to the South Rim.
A 20-minute breakfast stop — drinks are pricey here (USD 5 for bottled water), so bring your own or wait for the next stop where the same water costs only USD 1.
A brief 20-minute stop at Hoover Dam in Boulder City. The climb up and down the stairs left me breathless!
Another restroom stop before lunch near the Grand Canyon.
Optional activities: watch a short film about the canyon, join a mountain jeep ride, or take a helicopter tour.
After lunch, we headed into Grand Canyon National Park for one hour of sightseeing.

It was absolutely worth the long ride to witness this awe-inspiring natural wonder in person. My only regret was not planning an overnight stay to explore more.

Tips for Visiting the Grand Canyon

If possible, self-drive and stay 2–3 nights to explore more areas, including hiking down to the Colorado River.
The park is vast with multiple entrances — be mindful of your route to avoid getting lost, as there are few staff to guide you.
On the return journey, the bus only stops briefly for takeaway dinners, so don’t expect a proper meal stop.
Avoid risky selfies — according to local warnings, on average, one person falls into the canyon every three days.