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Checking In

You’ve arrived, baby. Off the plane and immediately faced with a short-hand lesson in Vegas-style temptation in the form of one-armed bandits and the surplus of eye candy found only at McCarran International Airport. But before you dive headlong into the real deal, it’s time for your last dash of practicality. Let’s get you to a room before you start swinging for the fences.

First, look around at the thousands of people scrambling for their bags. Now guess what the scene at the front desk of your hotel will be. With over 120,000 rooms, Vegas’ mega-hotels have room for plenty of guests, but only so much front desk space, especially when conventions are in town. Lucky for you, many of the large resorts including the MGM, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas, offer airport check-in right at the baggage claim. Grab your bags, get your keys and slide through the lobby on your way to the nearest cocktail.

You’ll have no problem getting yourself to the Strip; taxis and free shuttles abound at McCarran. Taxis form an ever-moving line outside doors 1-5, while shuttles are accessed at doors 8-14. But appearances are everything in Vegas, so whether you’re traveling with a small group, or even solo, you should consider rolling in style. Airport limousine services like Las Vegas Limousine, tend to cost about the same as a shuttle and could even save you a few smacks. Since shuttles and limos are right next to each other, you can compare prices and decide if the high-roller life is for you.